Hello,

I am in the NYC area and I am thinking of buying a mini. I really want a convertible, but I would also like to drive it on a track occasionally. Does anyone know if the mini has the right roll bar to be acceptable on a track.

I believe it depends on the track. Does anyone know of a track in the NYC area that a Mini convertible S can drive on?

--BobG

 

for SCCA santioned events, it is not possible to track a MINI cabrio w/o adding a roll bar directly behind the driver's seat. The one behind the back seat does not cut it.
Also, for SCCA events, you may not use a harness on a cabrio for safety reasons.

So, I stay with cones on an autocross course!

 

Thanks for the response, Phil. I just googled autocross to see what that is. It sounds good.

Are all track days on road race tracks scca sanctioned events?

Any suggestions on how I can find autocross events near me?

--BobG

 

Track days aren't sanctioned events, the people who organsie them make the rules. You'd have check with who ever you're thinking of running with.

 

As has been said - depends on the rules of the track AND the track day promoter. I can drive on VIR South Course with Phil Wicks - but not on the VIR full course. I can drive at CMP with most private promoters. Have found some other track/promoter combos in the southeast where I can drive. BMW club and Tarheel Sports Car Club won't let me drive anywhere.

You need to actually talk to specific tracks where you have interest - just call their main number and tell them what your question is - or send them an email - they'll get you to the right folks. Ask them if they have any promoters who allow cabrios to run with OEM rollbars (e.g. Honda S2000, Boxster, etc.). Typically if they let those cars run, the MINI car run also.

In general, most folks will say "no" for higher speed tracks with more rollover potential. But some shorter, slower twistier tracks (which are better for the MINI anyway) will let you run.

As for autocross - bleh. 20 minute sessions on the track for me. Not a few seconds around cones... but that's a personal preference thing.

 

Thanks for all the info. Its starting to become clear. Now I just have to find out what tracks are near me in the NYC area.

I find it surprisingly hard to google for race track locations. Any tips? Is there a directory website that lists all the tracks in the the country?

--BobG

 

The first 3 tracks are 90 miles fron you and just 1:50 hours from you. Number 4 is 110 miles and 2.20 hours from you. Number 5 is like 4:40 hours and 250 miles. Number 6 and 7 alot further.

1.Monticello Motor Club NY
2.Pocono Raceway PA
3.Lime Rock Park CT
4.New Jersey Motorsport Park NJ
5.Watkins Glen NY
6.Summit Point WV
7.VIR VA


Check NASA North East, [FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=2]CARTCT, MVP track time, Track Daze.
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Thanks howsoonisnow1985, this is great information. After a lot of searching I had found three of these and was convinced that there were no more.

I created a public google map called "NYC Area Road Racing Tracks". I will add these others tonight.

--BobG