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Awesome, I just joined the forums, RSVP'd to the Alta party, and was just about to check to see if anyone wanted to do exactly this...
I'm down. I may even have an R56 to drive and let my friend drive my R53
PS Bryan was that you I saw driving today along Kits beach? I don't see many BRG S's around Vancouver...
FYI
In case you didn't know. Members of PSMini.org are also planning to visit Mini-Madness on the same day at some point in time. They asked if they could stop by since Madness is within 5 minutes of Alta's new location. George has said that everyone is welcome to stop by if they would like.
If you or any of the SIZE Members are interested check out the Atla Performance thread at www.PSmini.org
Motor On!
I'm still working on some logistics but I'm virtually certain that I'll be able to make this trip. I haven't yet RSVP'd with Alta but as soon as I'm certain I will.
That likely was me you saw on Cornwall the other day. I live in the neighbourhood. I'll be sure to give you a wave if I didn't.
Bryan
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2003 BRG/W R53 > 170,000 km of fun and counting <
I have been to Portland a number of times and I highly reccomend Portland City Grill for some post-Alta Happy Hour food and drinks. It is located in downtown Portland on the 30th floor of US Bancorp tower (111 SW Fifth Avenue Portland, Oregon 97204). Free underground parking for 2.5 hours is free.
Happy hour is from 4:30-6:00, 10:00-close.
Prices are low during Happy Hour, the quality of the food is superb and the view is pretty sweet.
Well, I've booked a hotel for the night. I RSVP'd Alta a couple of weeks ago so I guess I'm committed.
We have too weeks to pick a place to meet up. I'm thinking if we time it right, I might be able to convoy down with some MINI folk from Oak Harbor, WA, and then meet up in Olympia with the PSMINI club to convoy to Portland and then Hillsboro.
BTW....the price for the hotel on that same night went up between yesterday and today.
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05 MCS BEP Alta 22mm rear anti-swaybar, Madness CAI, Alta 15% pulley, NGK-BRK7EIX, M7 Strut Tower Reinforcement plates, BSH Lower engine mount
We have found a kitty-sitter so we can go. But, we can't leave until at least 7:15 AM as Brian works graveyard and can't get even an hour off. We will head straight to PIR for a few laps on the track and then see everyone at Alta.
We will be staying in the same hotel as Beken and family.
Just an FYI, lapping at PIR does not begin until 1:00pm...but they will have free hot dogs and chips for lunch at noon. For those who don't know, check out this link. The bottom line is 3 laps will cost you a $10 donation to the "Friends of PIR."
I too am planning to head over to PIR for a few laps at some point after noon; not sure what time exactly yet.
Bryan
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2003 BRG/W R53 > 170,000 km of fun and counting <
We figure we'll be in the Portland area around 12:30 or 1 PM so may as well head to PIR first. It sounds like you can go on multiple rounds of three laps so I plan to be in the car taking pictures for the first three laps and out of the car taking pictures for the next three. After all, I need to set up a photo album of works4me events.
We would then go to Alta and see who is still there. I doubt we will go to MINI Madness but, you never know. I trust we can meet for dinner somewhere. I think the group plan is to leave Alta around 5 or so and go to dinner. I'm looking forward to this.
You're very brave Beken. The way this winter has been, I'd be keeping the snows on. As it is I'm leaving the all-seasons on until just before track day on March 15. I am not a very trusting soul.
I'm leaving for Eugene this afternoon, I'll see those that are making the trip @ Alta tomorrow.
FYI - looks like we'll have scattered showers on Saturday , but on the bright side, temps will not be near 0 C, so running performance tires should be ok.
Bryan
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2003 BRG/W R53 > 170,000 km of fun and counting <
Busy weekend. We didn't go to MINI Madness but went to PIR for their re-opening and street car track day. $10 for 3 laps behind a pace car. It was amazing what went on the track, everything from a 1972 Datsun 510 to a newer pick-up truck to Porsches. Even some guy with bikes on the roof. I have a static shot of him from this camera. May try to load the moving shots from the other camera. Too funny. We got to Alta after everyone had left for the drive. Nice facility and great guys. Very informative and easy to talk to.
Who knows, the response was so good Alta may turn it into an annual event, but they say it would be in the summer time.
I saw in Alta's post about the event that they dyno'd your car, cool!! When I was at Alta (12:30-1:30), they were running a GP on the dyno, I asked if they would dyno any customer cars and they told me no. I guess they could pass up a chance to dyno a very unique JCW. So....what were the results? Did they share them with you?
We left Alta for PIR and decided to take the drive route that Alta planned. Instead of waiting around to do it with the group and risk losing PIR time, we took off ahead of the group. The drive was good, but one stretch of the road was pretty beat up. We arrived at PIR around 2:00 or 2:30(?), not completely sure, there were plenty of distractions to look at.
My experience at PIR was AWESOME!!! We drove right into the line in the pit row. Paid our $10 donation and were out in minutes. The driver of the STi in front of me came over to our window to warn me that he was planning on going very slow in places to allow for room between him and the pick-up in front of him. It worked like a charm and we were able to do some sections at a good pace.
On our first run the line-up of cars was as follows,
Lamboghini Murcielago, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra (w/2 unrestrained bicycles in rear), 2008 Subaru STi, us (2003 Cooper S), VW GTi (running 20 psi), and I don't remember the last car.
We pulled right back into the pit lane for another run with the STi in front and the GTi behind. We did the same as we had on the last run, but even slower in our slow sections. Our second set of laps was VERY FAST, with plenty of four wheel slides through corners. My GPS indicated that the top speed we reached on the track was 102 mph or 164 km/h !! Not bad for some pace laps.
Worst part of the weekend was that I packed in a rush and forgot my camera. I figured I would stop on the way and buy a new one but instead of taking the fastest route from Eugene to Hillsboro we took some twisty backroads and no opportunity presented itself. Bummer.
Coolest things I saw:
GP on the dyno, waaay loud!
Lots of exotics and semi-exotics at PIR
A laser jamming radar detector installed on a Lotus Elise. The owner of it explained to us that the sensors, mounted in the front and rear bumpers, send back infrared signals to disrupt the signal; radar reads "Error." Cool!
Bryan
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2003 BRG/W R53 > 170,000 km of fun and counting <
I arranged ahead of time to dyno the car as it is a rare beast. They also wanted to compare it to the GP. GPs are rated 214 at the flywheel and mine is 208. The GP came in at 179 or 180 at the wheels and we came in at 178 so right where it should be. We were told that we could gain another 10hp if we use 92 or better octane gas. Hmmm, maybe for track day March 15 with BMW club. The actual hard copy results should be emailed to me in the next day or two.
We must have just missed you at PIR. We were there until about 2. Because we arrived late and still hadn't gone to Alta, we only did one set of three laps. Our group had to slow down a few times because the pick up truck at the tag end of the group in front of us was having trouble in the corners. Brian had the car up to about 135k a few times. I'll have to see what the camera says.
My video of works on the dyno isn't nearly as loud as the car sounded. After run three I told him "you blow up the motor, you 've bought yourself a car" He had the revs up to about 6500.
I had everything in the living room the night before, including a small digital and the digital SLR. We have a list on the fridge that is titled Car Show Necessities. Works pretty well, when you remember to consult it. We forgot to tell the family and neighbours we were going out of town. Ooops.
Overall had a great time. I even drove partway home, from eastern Portland to Olympia. Plunked myself in the middle lane and cruised at 120k while Brian got some much needed sleep in the passenger seat. Funny, he woke up just in time for our lunch stop in Olympia.
I wouldn't rely on the jamming radar detector. Mythbusters checked a lot of radar buster methods and didn't find any that actually worked. Mind you, I don't remember if they checked commercial products or not.
Hope to see you at an event one of these days. Have you been able to book off for Van Dusen?.
, but on the bright side, temps will not be near 0 C, so running performance tires should be ok.
!! Not bad for some pace laps.
I figured I would stop on the way and buy a new one but instead of taking the fastest route from Eugene to Hillsboro we took some twisty backroads and no opportunity presented itself. Bummer.
He had the revs up to about 6500. 
