Klarius, the UK’s leading manufacturer of exhausts and catalytic converters (CATs), has teamed up with the Ma5da Racing Championship and series front runner Paul Sheard to develop a racing exhaust system for a new series in the Ma5da Racing calendar for mk3 MX-5s. Klarius sponsored the series in the 2009 season, developing the first commercial racing CAT for the series, and was delighted to be asked to aid the development of the first car for the new series.
The Mazda MX-5 was first launched in 1989 and is now in its third generation. With over three quarters of a million cars sold worldwide it is one of the most popular roadsters ever built. Not just popular for its classic and stylish looks, the MX-5 is renowned for its brilliant handling; it was the handling ability that first attracted the attention of Ma5da racing founder Jonathan Blake.
The Ma5da racing championship was originally set up for mk1 1.6 litre MX-5s. The series quickly became extremely popular and in the 2009 season was named the fastest growing single make championship in the UK. After such a successful season, with consistently full starting grids, Ma5da racing has decided to expand the series to accommodate the newest generation of the sports cars.
In 2010 there will be a series for mk3 MX-5s that will consist of eight races over four different events; depending on its success Blake then plans on introducing a full length series for the 2011 season. The series will have separate regulations and boast full TV coverage and driver hospitality. Cars competing in the series will be based upon the 2.0 litre sport version of the MX-5 which produces 160ps or about 150bhp.
Long-term MX-5 enthusiast, Paul Sheard has built a new race spec version of the car; the first example of what is likely to be seen on the track when the series begins. The car has been modified to ensure that it is track ready, increasing performance and reducing weight, whilst meeting race regulations; the cars features include includes all safety devices required by the FIA to compete in motor racing, plus: composite doors, bonnet and boot panels, GAZ Professional Race Shocks, alloy chassis beam, and of course a Klarius racing exhaust system.
Paul Sheard comments: “When designing this car we relied on expert advice to develop the best components for racing. Having previously been involved in the Ma5da series we were already aware of the great race exhaust system that Klarius had designed for the mk1 cars. We wanted an exhaust system that would comply with all the noise regulations in place while still, being as clean as possible and providing the performance that one would expect from a race spec car. After approaching Klarius about our project it was clear that the R&D guys had the facilities, the know-how and the knowledge to develop the ideal solution.”
Paul Sheard is already committed to build 16 cars with 5 racing teams expressing an interest in the cars. This meant that as well as needing to meet weight, emission and noise regulations, Klarius had to provide a solution within a three day deadline. Klarius designed two systems for the mk3 race spec MX-5, a normal, CAT less, race system and a race-CAT system which offers drivers the same performance whilst improving emissions.
The Klarius racing exhaust is built using the same light, but highly corrosion resistant, materials that’s used for its mass market products. The R&D department is experienced in designing high performance exhausts and is able to create an exhaust with significant weight and performance advantages over hand built race exhausts, the price is also closer to a mass market item than a hand built example would be.
After the first day Klarius had designed a prototype that would meet the FIA requirements, in fact the exhaust was so far under the noise limits that it was able to increase this to give the cars a more ‘sporty’ sound. The finished design offers significant weight saving and a finely balanced back pressure to give the cars better performance.
This year Ma5da Racing announced that it would be introducing regulations to ensure all cars ran with a racing CAT; Klarius helped to develop a system that would improve the cars emissions without any loss of power. As of yet it is undecided whether these regulations will apply to the mk3 series, however, Klarius has developed a race-CAT system that will give drivers the option of racing with or without a CAT.
Paul Hannah, Klarius Business Development Director, comments: “Over the last year we have formed a very close relationship with the Ma5da Racing Championship. We were pleased to be able to help Paul Sheard develop the car for the new series. With the mk1 series consistently delivering wheel to wheel racing we are sure that the mk3 series will not disappoint.”