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Racing MR2s
Shirendra Lawrence, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 1986 Japanese domestic market Toyota
MR2 "Black Limited". Many of the Jap domestic cars imported into Sri Lanka
were 1500cc, but this is a 1600cc fitted with the 4AGE Engine, similar to
European and American Spec cars. Imported into Sri Lanka in 1988, and has
covered under 60,000 km since new. Used for Club Racing every couple of months,
but fully road legal and frequently driven 'around town' at weekends. Original
Air Conditioning, Power Windows/Mirrors, Central Locking all fully functional,
and has more recently had a CD Player added.
Competes in Group 'A' (similar to Group 'N'), hence engine totally standard,
other than a TRD Metal Head Gasket. Breathes through a Ramair/Fensport Induction
Filter, and exhausts via a Custom built stainless steel system (similar to a
Janspeed system).
Since this is an early car, it has the smaller brake discs (243mm front /
240mm rear). Whilst these could be upgraded to the later, larger discs/calipers,
this has not been done as I was not sure whether I could then use 13" rims,
which are useful on our tight circuits. They have however been upgraded to Cross
Drilled with Tailing Grooves (all round), with Pagid Pads, though due to
continued overheating (even with Synthetic fluid) We have just fitted cooling
ducts with good results.
The gearbox itself is standard, though the transmission includes a TRD Quick
Shifter, a lightened flywheel, a TRD Clutch Cover, a TRD Metal faced Clutch
plate and a 4.9:1 final drive (sourced with much difficulty from Australia).
Various suspension springs have been tried, but the original ones performed
best, so they remain. Shock-absorbers are Koni Adjustables.
Interior is totally standard (and in excellent condition), other than the
inclusion of a Stainless Steel Roll Cage, 3 Point Harnesses and a shift-light.
The original 'space saver' spare is still unused. On the road the car runs on
7" x 15" OZ 'F1' alloys with Goodyear 'F1' 195/55 rubber, though for Competition
these are swopped for 13" or 14" rims, with road legal Bridgestone A032R or
A008R 185/60's (lower profiles are not permitted for Group A).
The car was acquired by me 2 years ago, and having driven Front Wheel Drive's
for years, it has taken the two years (with much help from info on the Internet)
to get to grips with its handling, which is fabulous when got right, with very
little margin for error (I have ended up facing the wrong way on a number of
occasions) Thankfully, things are going a little better now, and a couple of
trophies are now on the mantelpiece.
Visually it is totally standard, so it has given newer cars surprises at
traffic lights on quite a few occasions, and it can be as much fun on the road,
as it is on the track.
