We got the recall notice in the mail for our R53 as well. Do share and let us know how they like your R53 when you bring it in! I'm sure the techs will love it. Share some pictures of The garage race cars when you go there. Would love to see them, especially the GT3.

 

I can't wait to see the faces on the dealer guys when I roll up at BMW. I will try to get pics at the dealer.

No pics allowed at Track Time Performance. A lot of the cars back there are competition cars all undressed for the world to see. No one wants their build secrets out there. Only for customer eyes

 

haha I always get a kick out of that. Those guys don't see much of the modded MINI's so when they do pop up from time to time, they get a lot of attention. Ah, thought the shop itself had their own shop race cars. Makes sense if they don't own them. But then again, I always snap pictures at BBi Autosport here when I visit. They always have some great P cars in the shop when I go. Was glad I got to see the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb winning GT3 Cup car before it was sold. Thing was a beast!

 

Thanks man ... M7 cannards

 

Curious if anyone knows where to get the GP underbody flat panels for the R53 mini cooper or if it just easier to purchase the R56 panels and modify see here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...dy-panels.html Anyone know where to purchase either the R53 or R56 panels?

 

We have them. Left HERE and right HERE.

 

Awesome - does that price include all mounting hardware?

 

Also, by them I meant those are the R53 JCW GP ones. Just to clarify. They're the same price as the R56 panels. They come separate from the hardware that you'll need to mount them. You will need the following items below for the mounting hardware:

#5 Left bracket (1) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=51752753165
#5 Right bracket (1) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=51752753166
#4 c-clip nut (2) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=07146981767
#7 hex bolt (6) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=07119915034
#8 expanding rivet (8) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=07130702966
#9 hex nut (4) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=07129905411
#10 washer (2) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=07119904164
#11 cap nut (18) - http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/...on=51711934930

 

Wow thank you for this. A lot more to it than I thought.

I might have my shop fab something up that encloses more than the Mini ones. I really want to do it live aero-wise.

 

Anytime! Yes, lots of needed hardware. If your shop does fab something definitely post it up! Check out this post HERE on NAM of an individual that made some homemade panels. Looks pretty good, but said he had to fix some sagging issues.

 

Yeah I saw that one too.. I am thinking flat as a board enclosing exhaust as well

 

Hmmmm
I think you are have way too much fun with all of this playing around...

Seriously, though, shouldn't you have rear diffusers to go with all of that undercarriage stuff?

 

 

9 April 2016

What do you do when your car is insanely out of alignment, on shredded tires and blown engine mounts? Well this idiot booked a track day last second.

I figured I could learn something about conserving tires, driving with limited grip (Senna purposely went to the kart tracks in the rain), driving around suspension problems and maybe have a little fun as well. Yet, as I often do, I grossly underestimated my highly competitive personality and had some difficulty with the last part ... the having fun bit...when racing against my buddies with a highly handicapped set up.

I did surprise myself that I matched my best lap time from last time (see below I actually beat it by 0.49 sec) but I can you tell you I was pushing HARD to get there. The tires had 2 maybe 3 laps before they just fell off. Then I would put around for a cool down lap. They have been heat cycled too much. Anyways after 3 sessions I had saved a couple big tank slappers, basically drifted around the tight turns and had a pretty decent spin out at around 80mph. I corded the tires.

I want to be a typical driver and blame the tires but I know some of that was me too. The tires were junk and I should have been smoother than ever to allow for that. Driving on ice. I wanted to hustle and push the tires to do what I wanted, but it was really them who were calling the shots at that time.

I switched on my stock S-lites (22lb is not light) with well worn Bridgestone RE-11s to ride out the next 2 sessions and get home. Street tires put me another second behind my buddy in the orange Lotus who at that time was able to turn the occasional 1:06.9. Not only did the street tires kill my lap time, I could feel the lack of acceleration down the straights from the heavier wheels and to make matters worse I boiled my brake fluid bad. The S-lites were blocking air flow to the brakes and they were HOT. The front wheels were warm enough to burn your hands well after I had come in to the pits and it reeked of brakes. Something that doesn't happen with my Enkei RPF1. The other thing was that running the 17 inch S-lites my ride height went up an inch.

I felt like it was kind of a waste of a day. I got my moneys worth out of the tires, but now I know when to junk them to avoid another day like that.

Anyways next day the car was over at Track Time Performance for a whole laundry list of modifications:

1. AC delete
2. Vorshlag Camber plates
3. Powerflex polyurethane race bushings pretty much everywhere
4. Powerflex lower engine mount
5. Remounting the oil cooler to optimize efficiency and reduce chances of failure
6. Brake fluid flush - Putting in some 600 Wilwood fluid
7. Alignment with driver and full tank of gas Front camber -2 no toe, Rear -1 camber toe in
8. Going to get corner weights taken

 

I know what you mean for a wasted day. I am so particular about having everything on my car set up and ready for a track day so I don't worry about the car and just my driving. But looks like you got a good laundry list done.

 

Yeah so much for only changing one thing at a time and then seeing how the car feels lol

 

As that famous person once said "A man has got to know his limitations." Well, maybe, his car's limitations, too...

And, as you surely realize...slow is faster...

It does sound like you really did have fun despite the limitations. It is a good way to learn how the car handles at the limits. I must say, just for that reason, I enjoy the rides in pouring rain. For another, the MINI will be the fastest car on the track.

 

Ok so I was going over my laptimes and I realized that I actually shaved half a sec (0.49) off my previous lap times, even with my sketch set up. I knew I was driving hard as hell.

I managed a best time of 1:07.35 against my buddy in the orange lotus who did a 1:06.90. So I have 0.45 sec to find out there somewhere...... do you think deleting the 30 lbs of AC compressor will be enough :D ?

 

Suh-weet! That's always a good feeling. How much does your MINI weigh vs. the Lotus? It wont be a significant difference, but yes 30 lbs will help. When you take weight off the front of a FWD car it does have the potential to create more understeer. Curious to hear how it feels your next time out.

 

I am not sure on the weight of the car but I would guesstimate its 2400ish at best

I just got a call from the garage. The guys refuse to believe I shaved a half second off my previous best time using the current alignment. I left them shaking their heads.

With alignment and proper tires again I will have no excuses but to beat my previous time by a good amount.

 

Weight removal I've done on the car thus far just off the top of my head:

Door trim
Speakers
Radio
Side airbags
Driver seat replaced
Rear seats
Trunk mat
Rear side panels
Headliner
Catback exhaust shaved some serious poundage
Switching the RPF1s from the S-lites saved 11.4 lbs per wheel
Rear seat belts gone
Windshield washer fluid bottles gone
Windshield washer jets gone
Headlight washer jets gone
Hood mat gone
Foglights gone
The AC was removed today actually

I looked around for miscellaneous screws and stuff that could be eliminated but being a german design everything has its purpose.

I am always open to more weight saving ideas if ya'll have any...... and don't say driver weight because I am within my healthy range for my height!

 

Looks amazing, ever turn the heads of the local constables? Are there any mods left you would like to do, but haven't been able to make?

 

Carbon panels? Hood, a panels, doors (?), hatch etc. I don't know if anyone makes lightweight racing panels as opposed to flash pretty panels though. And I don't know how heavy the existing panels are either...

James

 

I saw these and wanted you to see the aero set up! This is a track MINI in Italy!






Also, got to see the M7 wing in person on Sunday on Jerry's beautiful '05.