The CorkSport single-exit cat-back exhaust has been designed to replace your entire exhaust system from after your catalyst with a straight-through pipe to minimize exhaust restrictions and provide a deeper tone.
It features mandrel bent, TIG welded 80mm piping for a smooth flow and clean solid connections. The corrosion-resistant T304 polished Stainless Steel construction and 100mm Stainless Steel tip ensures a long life and provide a polished aftermarket look to your exhaust system. Also a weight savings of 22 lbs over the factory OEM system.
We have been bombarded with messages, emails and calls if the hood scoop is ready. Perfection takes time, and the wait is over. We are glad to announce the Mazdaspeed 3 Carbon Fiber Hood Scoop.
Designed for the 2010 – 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 for a precision fit. CorkSport’s new hood scoop will allow your Mazdaspeed to open up and improve airflow to the top mount intercooler (TMIC). The demand is high, and these are going out the door fast.
The 2014 SCCA Majors race season kicked off for the west coast at Autoclub speedway which most people know as that place they race Nascar and Indycar in California. What most people do not know is the track also runs an infield circuit aka sports car course which the SCCA uses for events.
The fun thing about Autoclub is I have never raced there before so all I had to familiarize myself was watching youtube videos of people running the track. I had to skip the Friday practice and qualifying so my first time on the track was the second qualifying for 15 minutes on Saturday morning. I was careful to make sure I was behind the other 2 B-Spec cars which were attending the event so I could follow them to #1 and get a measure of their speed and #2 see how they were taking lines on the track to use later.
If you have never driven on an oval before it is crazy at the angle you sit at on the actual oval sections of the track. You mind say you will slide down the track if you are not moving. When you are at race speed you have to tell yourself that you will not slide up the track doing over a 100 in a corner.
For the first race I qualified 2nd and was a Mazda 2 sandwich between the Honda fits. At the start of the race both Honda jumped in front of me but I was able to pass 1 of the cars to get back behind the faster red car. I had paced the 1st place for for a few laps and I found sections where I was faster and could make up time against him. The race was going to be 13 laps based on the time we had for the event so on lap 11 I got a great run at the Honda and passed him on the corner of the oval to take the lead. I was able to hold him off for 2 laps to take the first win of the season for CorkSport and Mazda. During that race I also happen to set a new B-Spec track record at 2:09.8 which put me on the pole for Sunday’s race.
On Sunday I was able to jump out in front at the start and keep both of the Hondas behind me for the duration of the race to take the second win of the weekend.
The next Majors event was at Inde Motorsport Ranch in Willcox Az. Willcox is about 1 hour east of Tucson which is the middle of nowhere. The track there was incredible to race on and very technical in contrast to Autoclub where HP rules aka Inde is a great B-Spec track.
Saturday started out with a quick practice session with a mixed group of the really fast cars aka GT1 etc and the slower cars aka B-Spec etc. When you drop the really fast cars with the slow cars it becomes and exercise in watching your mirrors at all times to not get run over which I happen to excel at based on previous races. I learned that the race was going to be won or lost on the exit speed of corner #1-2 on to the main straight. You mess that up you will find yourself behind by seconds by the time you hit the end of the straight. After a quick qualifying session I found myself in 2nd by a few hundredths of a second behind once again the red Honda fit. The race started off like they normally do with the first lap chaos which saw a STU class RSX hit a H Production Spitfire and spin him out in the middle of corner #2 right before the straight which caused everyone to take some evasive moves. Both Honda fits were able to put a few cars between them and myself. I slowly worked around cars and was able to pass the black fit to start working on running down the red car.
By lap #16 I had caught up the red fit when the 1 to go sign came out which meant I had to get past him now. On the main straight I was able to get right up on the fit and close up with some late braking into #7. Right at that point two faster STU class cars caught up and dropped right into the corner on top of us. There was a BMW Z3 who went into the corner too fast and I had to drive off the track to avoid getting hit.
My re-entry onto the track and the guilty BMW
I was able to catch back up to the BMW in the corners but the two faster cars were not able to get around the Honda fit to give me a chance to catch him before the finish so I had to settle for second place (I was not a happy driver).
I caught up to the “faster car” that ran me off 2 corners later
Determined to not let that on track experience ruin my weekend I focused on where I could improve my times by looking at the data from my Aim Solo DL. There were several spots on the track that could be better so I focused my energy on the one spot which would give me the most benefit for the next day.
On Sunday there was a short practice session which I went out on and I was able to turn a fast lap which I was happy with and could count on making myself competitive for the race with.
The race was full of adventures as they always are and in the end I came out in first place. Instead of making you watch a 7 minute full race video check out the condensed version with the highlights above. There is plenty of good stuff.
With the three first place finished and 1 second I am in the lead for the Western Majors Conference for B-Spec for the year. The next two events are in April at Thunderhill in willows California and two weeks later at Button Willow. Both of those tracks I have experience at and there is rumored to be 3 new cars to race against in B-Spec. If anyone is near one of those tracks we always welcome customers and friends of CorkSport to stop by the track and say hello. Feel free to contact me if this is something you think you would like to do.
CorkSport is proud to announce some exciting products for the 2014 + Mazda 3.
CORKSPORT 2014+ Mazda 3 SkyActiv – 2.5L Short Ram Intake
To start off we have the 2014+ SkyActiv Short Ram Intake. The intake is designed to reduce the intake restrictions and improve power throughout the entire RPM range with gains up to 6 horsepower. The MAF housings are engineered to exact tolerances and manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum. The Short Ram Intake is a great first upgrade to help your SkyActiv open up and breathe.
Next we have the Mazda 3 License Plate Bracket Relocation Kit. This will help you offset your factory license plate to the drivers side to allow for better airflow and improve the overall look on your 2014 Mazda 3.
While working on your Mazda 3 you keep on running into the same problem, the hood prop is always in the way. It does its job of keeping the hood from falling on your head, but it is always difficult when working in the engine compartment. CorkSports hood strut kit cleans up your engine bay and makes it easier and safer to work on your Mazda.
I have my weekend planned, will be getting caught up on my Top Gear episodes. I can’t believe they are in their 21st season and on the 4th episode already. I love the epic worldwide adventures they embark on and the time trials competing against the Stig.
If you are wondering who the hell is Jeremy Clarkson and what is Top Gear, grab some nachos, your favorite drink, sit back and watch these clips and join the cult following.
The Smallest Car in the World
Jeremy Clarkson jammed in tight, driving around the office and escaping near death on the streets in this contraption. Trying to get around in this bucket on wheels with no reverse gears is hilarious and clearly worth the time.
Holidays in the Middle East
Jeremy Clarkson jammed in tight, driving around the office and escaping near death on the streets in this contraption. Trying to get around in this bucket on wheels with no reverse gears is hilarious and clearly worth the time.
3 Guys trying to find the Birthplace of the Baby jesus. What could you want other than 3 roadsters including a Mazda, an Alfa, and a BMW? How about desert driving, 6 wheeled miatas, landmines, and bullet proof vests? This episode just gets better and better as you watch.
The Boys Buy Lorries
If you aren’t familiar with the term lorry , is a british way of saying large truck. a term commonly used on Top Gear. In this episode the boys each have £5000 to find and buy a lorry, modifyand haul their specific cargo through the challenges and through the final part of the course in one piece. This one is one of the best that you will find.
To catch up on lost seasons of Top Gear you can take advantage of the interweb, and a Netflix subscription and you can learn from some of the best. You will see a lot of great car comparisons, test drives on the track and of course the Stig.
Have an awesome weekend –
– RichG
The Three Best Top Gear Episodes September 13th, 2018CorkSport