My MOTA build..thats Atom, backwards...

[breakaway500]

Was back at Whiskey Hill Raceway yesterday with the new and improved Mota. Power steering installed and the 275 wide front tires.

Conditions were great and after a day of instructing I had about 30 mins left to try out the new setup.

The car felt better from pit out. Cornering felt effortless. After a couple of spirited laps I gave it the spurs.

I was amazed to find the car handled my usual entry speeds with ease. After about 6 laps I gave it the whip. Into the 140s I went..and the car still felt eager for more enrty speed..!! No slipping at either end.

About ten laps in I was in the 1:48 range looking at 1:47s. It was very difficult to convince myself to raise the enrty speed faster than what I was use to doing in other cars. Still no slip or movement from the front or rear. Pretty exciting.

With some more seat time at this power/weight level (150hp. and 1620lbs with driver) ) and tire combination (275s/205s) I feel there is another 2-3 seconds left. Then the decision to drop in 325hp remains...

NO issues with anything and the stock 2005 127k mile Focus drivetrain seems to be more than willing to entertain. Ride quality is not bad considering the performance results. I did happen to pass a Ferrari 430 Challenge car..but that's really not my goal..just a fact.

Having fun in the Sun!!

New white perimeter lines on the track and extended blend lines in both directions. New garage being built in the upper paddock. New entry/exit gates at track openings.

Good things getting better!

[DanDarcy]

Great job Mark ! The weather was so nice. I wish I could have been there.

[DanB]

out of curiosity I tried scanning your car into my aerodynamics program my computer screen blinked 3 times then shut down.

[breakaway500]

Was back at the Hill yesterday trying out some aero mods,some R7s on the front along with some Hawk blue pads. Better results and more consistent times. I still haven't been able to find the edge on corner entry speeds but I'm working on it. The car is very sorted and no issues with anything.

It's a blast to drive! My $4k investment to date (including tires) has been well worth the performance achieved.

I know it's unorthodox ,but such has been my journey through life...a cross I bear...

The Vortex generators have calmed the sheet metal flapping considerably and my top speed was up 1 mph. (111mph) Not much..but a gain is a gain.

CCW direction.

Whiskey Hill tips: stay off the new white perimeter lines..especially when wet..and don't feed the Turkey Vultures. They will follow you around the track..

[breakaway500]

Dreams really do come true. From just a thought to the podium!

The car ran flawlessly all weekend and I ran a respectable 1:48:66 during an official time trial and although no other SU entries..a sanctioned club victory win is a win. MOTA lives.

I want to thank everyone who came by to chat and offer advice. It was good to see everyone once again.

The only time the car gave me pause was loading up on Sunday afternoon...as I turned the key to start it and got just a click.Tried again..click. Once more and the solenoid decided to make contact. The little car just didn't want to leave.

Guess I'll replace that 16 year old 127k mile starter. Hey..it's earned it.

See y'all again at Thompson.

[toejam_nh]

What a fun project. Enjoyed watching you on track this weekend! Thanks for sharing the build!

[paultg]

Yes, alot of fun to see the car (?) in person! And great to catch up Mark. Hope to see you at the next one. - Paul G.

[breakaway500]

Thanks. Mota has been fun! I am going to install some “better” struts up front with a little heavier springs. Tire wear could not be better.
I’d sure like some more HP though. Ha!

[breakaway500]

Thompson was fun but I could only attend the TT day. It was interesting to take the car to another track and the threat of rain made me actually mount up some "all seasons/snows" in case I needed something with tread. However they were not needed.
I was trying a different tire up front for the TT...a 245 wide Hoosier circuit race tire (medium soft compound) which had excellent grip. They were lightly used units I bought off eBay.I will buy another set as the vendor can't seem to sell them and the price keeps coming down.Top tier grip at bargain prices work for me.

Palmer2 was exceptionally hot.The Hoosier 205x15" A7s I ran on the back would not self clean and eventually I ended up riding on a narrow band of tire snakes. My 23" tall tires were now 24s! Quite entertaining but not fast. The Toyo 888s I used Friday (on the rear) worked better and self cleaned so I'll go back to them. It's interesting to find that a narrower tire up front and a harder compound for the rear are actually faster.

Had two issues on Saturday...my "pit crew" left 50lbs of pressure in one front tire and 30 in the other.Talk about torque steer. Made it one lap and came in for a look see. Shameful lack of pre-track concentration. Ill have to have a chat with him.
The other issue happened as I came out of 9 after entering off line and exiting wider than usual. I used the concrete rumble for the first time and the car shut off. The fuel pump inertia switch had tripped and it was a long coast back to the pits. Other than that the car ran great and had zero issues with the heat.

Ill go ahead and install the new struts/springs up front for the next event.

Thanks again to those who came by with sound advice and curiosity.

It has been a fun journey.

[Mick]

It was great to see it at Palmer for the short bit I was there. The car looked very dialed in.
Was resetting the fuel pump just a matter of cycling the power? It sounds like you're replacing the front springs/shocks to soften blows to the fuel pump. Can't the inertia switch be defeated instead? I must have misunderstood your post because I'm sure you've considered that.

[breakaway500]

To reset the inertia switch you press the spring loaded plunger/button back down. Simple..but not something you can do while belted in. I did bypass it to eliminate any chance of it tripping again.

I'm moving to the better K-Sport struts as they offer compression and rebound adjustments plus the strut body is adjustable for ride height.

The inexpensive chinese struts I'm using are already weeping oil from the seals..and they are not rebuildable.

I didn't want to spring for the more expensive K-Sports right away without knowing if the MOTA would actually work well. ($165/pair vs. $700/pair)
and the K-Sports come with a 100lb heavier spring (500lbs/inch) than the chinese units.Time will tell if they are an improvement or not.

Good running with you on track Mick. As nice as your car sounds in videos..there is nothing like the real deal to make me smile.

[breakaway500]

I was able to finally install the new K-Sport front struts and corner balance the car. I could get the corner weights much closer with the adjustable strut bodies and the ride "feels" better (street test)
I'll have it at the track tomorrow to see how it all actually works. I went up a little with spring rates in the front, from 450 to 500/inch, and will keep the rears alone at 145/inch.
I added another hoop support and with all the additional stuff the car gained about 55lbs.

[Mick]

Wow. Is it really 1650lbs with you in the car?

[breakaway500]

It's actually about 1,665lbs as my front track wheels/tires are about that much heavier than the ones I use on the scales.

The frame is heavy steel as I used 1.5" x.120 wall tubing. Probably not needed but I figured to error on the side of safety.

The next one I build will be lighter...

Picture of the added bar...I'm now pretty enclosed in the car.

[breakaway500]

To my good friend Dan. Part of my team forever.