The other side

A subforum about performance and, as usual, just about adding pówer.

I get it:

1. it is the american way (tongue in cheek)

2. it is the usual way

However.... this is the MR2  Spyder forum and this car has the deliberataly engineered essence of nimbleness. More power does not make a car more nimble, at best only fáster, usueally also heavier if the same rigidity/ roadholding/ braking is to be maintained; note ´maintained´. The choice of engine too is a serious ponter of which direction tuning for speed 

Thus I think a lightness thread is well and truely warrented. If anything more that the power side. So; The Líght Side.

Me being a long time motorcycle racer; long time life style motorbike rider in Europe, raised with small capacity ´lightweight´ such, it was and is my universe. Having nóóó money, it was cheapest too. Very much like the US WW2 vets coming back from the war and ´tune´ the army surplus Harleys by chopping all but the essentials off, giving rise to the ´chopper´ cult.

In cars it was different. Well same thing but originating from the drag strip. Deleting all but the essentials is for free and also makes the car quicker. 

Back to me in Europe though where I matured with first british and later mostly italian bikes. Just about wore through the pages of Tuning for Speed, soaked up all about the Francis Beart prepaired bikes and the ´simplify, then add lightness´  filosophy.

Decades of racing later my life changes course. No more racing risk taking. Speaking of risks and racing it makes me feel áncient: I consciously experienced the change most today are not aware of. From when racing as dangerous and sex was safe to the present. Late eighties aids changed sex and it coïncided with the banning of temporary roád circuits. From the lightness of life to the politically correct within a decade.

Forward in time, back to the subject find me with the kid grown up, living in the mountainous andalucian heartland ´commuting´ between charming companions. Time for a nimble sports car before I need a nurse to shoehorn me in and out of it. Enter the MR2 Spyder.

My lightness ocd matches perfectly with the essence of the car ánd with the strict periodic inspections.

I have deleted stuff. Frunk things, rear cubbies, explosive bags, p.a.s., sound system, carpet et al. Also mounted lighter wheels and bucket seats.

Am now at 900 kilos ready to drive and it has transformed the car. It is as much faster as it is quicker through corners, brakes harder.; all ypu´d expect from adding lightness.

Not much more I can do. Carbon bonnet and trunk lid are simply too expensive and plastic windows too unpractical. 

NÓW we get to today: In quarantain for three weeks now and my mind spinning around adding lightness.

Have replacing the two unsightly M8 bolts on the manifold heat shield on the agenda so ordered stupidly expensive lighter ones. Same thing the three visible M6 ones on the valve cover.

No, not going on a lightweight bolt replacing spree as on a 900 kilo car that is 9 times less effective as on a 100 kilo motorbike, BUT.... still have that lightness ocd bee in my bonnet withhout distraction.  Aaarrrgh!!!!!