Street Touring Roadster Testing Results – Mazda Roaster RS (NC) '07
Track: Matterhorn Rotenboden 2.2 miles
Tester: kapnk006
Tester Controller Setup: Logitech GT Pro Wheel, 200 degree rotation, manual transmission
Controller Sensitivity:4
All aids off except ABS: 1
Test Methodology: Qty (2) x 10 lap sessions per car, 20 laps total per car
ACSR421
Fastest Lap:
1.43.831
DC:
9
Comments: My favorite tune of the test, it just felt right for me. Its in the top 4 cars for fastest cornering speeds but runs only mid-pack for straight line speed which left it out of a Fastest Lap Podium position. Gets a bit more airborne than others in the first corner chicane and at the downhill "jump". Those are minimal issues. Able to trail brake beautifully in places on the track where no other cars could, but the braking at the bottom of the big hill may have also kept this car form achieving the #1 or #2 fast lap in my test.
DolHaus
Fastest Lap:
1.45.467
DC:
7
Comments:I really enjoyed the car but struggled with it to run faster cornering speeds. The rear tires break loose on corner exit acceleration that aided in steering which I liked, but as a result this car has a longer learning curve than most of the rest to drive fast. I think with more laps of practice I could drive this car much faster.
donpost
Fastest Lap:
1.44.151
DC:
8
Comments: One of the fastest cars in cornering speed but midpack in straightline speed which prevented it from getting on the Podium. I Really am impressed with the cars ability to run fast lap times when it doesn’t seem like you're going all that fast, this might compete for the #1fast lap time in my test but it just didn’t have enough straightline speed. Great solid tune though for less skilled drivers who want to drive fast, I would prefer a bit more loose feel in order to steer it with the throttle a bit more (although I know that would slow it down). Had a bit of understeer in the right hand high speed sweeper.
JackWilson
Fastest Lap:
1.43.475
DC:
8
Comments: Incredibly fast in both straight line and cornering speed. Takes work and concentration to drive fast but rewarding when you do. Crisp steering response in the slow corners. I maybe would like a bit more trail braking capability and more braking stability. Braking instability was most noticeable entering the left hand turn at the bottom of the "hill", seemed like a bit more braking power might have put in in the #1 lap time position. Fantastic tune however, congrats!
jtqmopar
Fastest Lap:
1.45.638
DC:
8
Comments: Has good cornering speed compared to many others tested. I really liked the ability to steer with the throttle, but I personally would prefer a bit more trail braking ability. Straight line speed was its biggest issue, but overall a safe middle of the pack ride.
NEWDRIVER2
Fastest Lap:
1.45.886
DC:
8
Comments: Really like this tune. Has crisp steering response in slow speed corners, gearing seems to operate in a great part of the powerband. It has understeer a bit on high speed corner entry, but able to steer with trailbraking and throttle which suits my driving style.
Otaliema
Fastest Lap:
1.44.448
DC:
7
Comments: Really like this tune. Has crisp steering response in slow speed corners, gearing seems to operate in a great part of the powerband. It has understeer a bit on high speed corner entry, but able to steer with trailbraking and throttle which suits my driving style.
Onboy123
Fastest Lap:
1.43.083
DC:
7
Comments: One of fastest cars in straight line speed but it's speed in the corners was slower than 3 or 4 other cars. If this car can be made faster in the corners without giving up straight line speed it will dominate it's class in any race in any room. This car fits my driving style, braking was the biggest challenge and really tough to learn to control at the bottom of "the hill". In the end I got it stopping good enough to run the fastest lap time. Well done Onboy123, congrats!
praiano63
Fastest Lap:
1.44.150
DC:
7
Comments: One of the fastest in straight line speed but I couldn't maintain speed in the corners to contend for the Podium. Had a tiny amount of understeer in low and hi speed turns and some braking instability at the bottom of the long hill prevented me from getting this one on the podium. Gets thru the 1st chicane real well. Would like to be able to steer with the throttle a bit more.
Ronald6
Fastest Lap:
1.45.008
DC:
6
Comments: A solid tune with an unusual gearing that worked extremely well. But oh this car was frustrating! It is capable of running with the fastest cars, but I just could not control braking it at the bottom of the long downhill straight. You have to have it pointed perfectly straight before you launch it off "the downhill ramp" and if you do.....the braking was just too unstable at the bottom to make the left turn fast enough to keep up with the #1 and #2 lap time leaders. A solid performer however, a bit of understeer in 2nd gear corners but a quick shift to 1st helped rotate the car to compensate for my driving errors. I really prefer a car that steers a bit more with the brakes and throttle...but that's just me. This car has great braking control everywhere else except at the bottom of the big hill.
ugabugaz
Fastest Lap:
1.45.757
DC:
6
Comments: Fun to drive. Achieved the fastest cornering speeds in my test, but it also had the slowest straight line speed. This car that I have nicknamed "flying low" handled the first chicane and big downhill jumps the best. It just did not get airborne like its competitors. A very safe, easy, super stable, super easy to drive car, but it was slow on speed. A good safe tune with a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality to remember.
xande1959
Fastest Lap:
1.46.838
DC:
6
Comments: Turns well in slow speed corners. A very challenging car to drive and required a long learning curve to overcome it's challenges and find out where to get some speed. Seemed very underpowered. The car turns real well in the lowest speed (like under the bridge) corners and was able to take the high speed right hand sweeper on the downhill wide open which left time to enjoy the mountain views. The car trail braked much more in 3rd gear than 2nd which was a challenge to use and predict.
Motor City Hami
Fastest Lap:
1.43.648
DC:
7
Comments: This car is amazing. It has slightly above average straight line and cornering speeds but you can drive it with so much confidence you're able to push it past other faster cars and onto the podium. I noticed slight understeer on corner entry at times. 6th gear was hitting the rev limiter just before the "jump" on the downhill section which may have resulted in a 3 mph slower speed there and prevented it from achieving the #1 fastest lap in my test.
PKS 80
Fastest Lap:
1.45.556
DC:
7
Comments: Car turns crisp and I like it's feel. I was able to steer with throttle a bit which I like. Only issue was it doesn't like to be airborne through the 1st chicane and MUST be pointed straight as you launch off of the "jump" into the last dreaded downhill straight. If the car is not settled BEFORE you get airborne your landing back to earth will not have a good outcome. I personally would prefer a bit more trial braking ability even if it means the car would run slower laps.
CONCLUSION: I also reviewed each competitors fastest lap replay and recorded actual corner speeds at 11 locations on the track. Each car was then given a ranking (1-14) based on the average speed achieved. Using the replays, I also recorded the fastest speed that each car achieved during its fast lap at 3 straightaway locations on the track. Each car was then given a ranking (1-14) based on the average speed it achieved at these 3 locations. The following graph summarizes these objective speed rankings as well as other subjective data in the test. Generally speaking, the more blue the graph appears, then the more overall favorable the car was in my test
.