MINIs are going to be at Hallett Motor Racing track in Oklahoma on October 27th and 28th.

Anyone interested in going one of these days? Saturday is the 27th and Sunday is the 28th.

According to the web site schedule on Saturday there are 5 run sessions, on Sunday there are 2 practice runs, a qualifying session, a qualifying race, and then a feature race.

I'm not sure which day would actually be the best day to go. Thoughts? Interests?

 

I wanna go. I think we will go up Sat. morning and spend the night and come home on Sun evening. Hey fast fritz, tell us what you know about the Mini weekend at Hallett.

 

To all. The Oct mini days will be a blast. Okla.city mini racers will be there in force. I run the HST runs which are 5 session about 15 minutes long. Req. are snell 2000 sa helmet, which you can rent at Hallett,long sleve shirt,long pants.The cost is $95 per day. Its a real hoot just as a spectator, the action is fast and non stop. At lunch break usually 12 to 1 they have a ride and drive session. Anyone can drive the track with passengers, parade fashion for 2 laps. See you there

 

Hey Fast Fritz, In the HST on the weekend of 10/27 and 28 at Hallett will it just be Minis or all kinds of cars on the track?

 

That sounds like a blast, I wouldn't race, but would love to watch.

Excuse me if this is an ignorant question. But is it $95 per day, if you just want to to watch?

 

sorry for the delayed reply. Re Hallett Mini day.There will all kinds of cars that weekend but Mini is the featured car. If you havent seen the legend/dwarf cars run you're in for a real treat. There will severalclasses of open wheel cars. Suggest you go to Hallett Racing website, click on gallery, go tolast frame and open to see what kind of cars you will see.Cost for spectators in $5/head on Sat and $10 on Sunday. See you there.































there

 

Has anyone been to or talked to anyone who has been to a Phil Wick's driving school? There are two the weekend of Oct. 27 and 28th, one on Sat. and one on Sun at Hallett. It cost $300.00 for the one day school or $500.00 for both days. Anybody interested? Anybody thinking of an early Christmas present, like I am?

 

I'm planning on being there Friday and Saturday if things work out (and I get my car out of the shop - long story). If things don't work out, I still plan on being there Saturday.

You can search the forums for various opinions of Phil Wicks. From what I remember, it's a mixed opinion. I think most were of the opinion that it was a little pricey for what you get. If you compare that to a normal $95 track day (once you've bought a $35 yearly membership and paid the $30 driver's education for your first day) it's kind of high. What you do get... probably some personal instruction by Phil Wicks, maybe a very experience MINI driver, but surely a fun time to socialize with a lot of other MINI drivers.

Look forward to seeing you there.

 

Those are insane prices for this market. Phil is charging West Coast prices. In the past the OK Mini Dealer has helped subsidize the event and the prices were more in line with DE prices for the region. I called them about a month ago to ask if they were going to be involved again like last year and was flat out told no interest in being a part of it again. Thats to bad since quite a few of us in Dallas regularly track our Minis. Hallet is only a few hours away and we would come. Recently there 14 Minis for a DE in the Dallas/FtWorth area.

For data points. To run with BMW CCA and PCA we pay $225 for a weekend. A For Profit entity in the region charges $275. I paid $350 for a weekend with BMW CCA at a world class track (Road Atlanta). Phil's gotta be loony if he thinks we're gonna pay 2X as much for 2nd rate track.

 

Have you been to Hallett? We may not have the best facilities, but the Stephens family that runs Hallett are wonderful people, it's always a family atmosphere and it's a highly technical track that you can run in both directions. If you think it's a 2nd rate track, I'd welcome you to stay away, most track days fill up in advance.

 

I run a lot of 2nd rate tracks. I don't have issues with that. It's not a Road Atlanta, Watkins, Glen, VIR, Mid Ohio, Road America, Laguna Seca type facility where I can see paying higher prices. I just think Wicks is charging a hefty premium for an event that is not at what I consider a top tier facility. I'd liken it to paying Four Seasons rates to stay at La Quinta, for this event. Other track dates I've looked at attending at Hallet are priced at a level that is good value, this one is not.

 

I have been to a track day at Hallett in a Miata but never a Mini. The track was lots of fun with changes in elevations and many, many curves. The people there are very nice and helpful. My understanding is that Phil Wicks event is a driving school, not just a track day. Driving schools tend to be pricier, such as Skip Barber's Mazda driving school and the Stephens Bros. driving school which can run from around $995 to $1395 for 1 and 2 day schools. I paid $150 for a track day at Hallett for Miatas with some instruction for 1st timers only. This event was sponsored by a Miata Club in AR. It was a 1 day event. I would pay the extra $150 for some instruction from a professional Mini driver.

 

I guess we are spoiled here in TX. I go to BMW-CCA. PCA and independently sponsored HPDE's. The cost varies from $225 to $275 for 2 day events that have classroom sessions and instructors included in the price. Once you are signed off for Solo within your run group instructors are optional. To advance in run groups check rides are given. As you progress up the ladder advanced instructors are available to assist at no extra charge. Often the events are sponsored and there is a dinner on Sat eve at no cost to the participants.

 

OK gnatser, we agree that the PW school is a little pricey, but I'm going for it because it is Phil Wicks and there will be several other MINI's.

I've heard some really good things about the BMW-CCA events. Do you have some links for the upcoming schedule of BMW and PCA (or any other) track days in north Texas? I live in Pauls Valley OK which is 70 miles north of Gainesville on I-35.

But I wish you won't refer to Hallett as a 2nd rate track. If you've been there as much as I have (in the last 3 years only), it becomes almost like home.

 

Drivers Edge, a for profit entity that puts on great events. http://www.thedriversedge.net

BMW CCA Lone Star Region http://www.lscbmwcca.org

PCA Maverick Region http://mav.pca.org/

We also list and discuss upcoming events in the Track Talk section of www.metroplexmini.org

 

I hate to call you a liar Nathan... But the dealer in Oklahoma has never (and I repeat never) been involved with any kind of racing. The only time they ever got into anything is when I worked there and I did all the work. And Phil or any other type of MINI racing (other than SCCA) hasn't had any events in OK. The dealer was planning on helping out with that... But then I left and they now have no interest in participating in anything. The annual events that I started... No longer exist. Sucks but its the truth. There are lots of MINIs that will be up there from OKC!! Im ready for another NAMCC!!

See you there!

 

I was just going by what others had told me happened last year. It's to late now for next weekend. A bunch of us will probably be at the PCA date at MSR.

 

Gnatser,

Would you check on the PCA dates at Eagle's Canyon (November 16, 17 & 18th). I know they've got the track booked, but can't find out anything else except the 16th appears to be an "invitation only" day for instructors. Is the 17th and 18th open to others? I'd love to get on that track and it's really pretty close to me.

Thanks.

 

Registration is open to all now, see http://www.clubregistration.net/ to register. Cost is $295 for the 2 day DE. Register by 11/10. IF and thats a really big IF the event goes off it will be the 1st Eagles Canyon DE. BMW had to scrub theirs. Thats why Fri is an all day instructors only. Give them a day to learn a brand new track.


I haven't registered yet. Waiting to see how tires hold up over the next few DE's I already have lined up. I'm kinda touch and go and don't want to buy a new set till spring. Rather get some fresher ones at that time then sit on them all winter.

I'm also of a mind since will be the Clubs 1st outing there if may behoove me to lets some others find the kinks and teach me in the spring.

 

Thanks for the information!

CVAR (Vintage Racing) is having an event at ECR Nov 30 - Dec 2. Bob Green (Chief Steward) was there this week and had this to report:

"Just back from an inspection of ECR.
The track paving, FIA curbs and paddock paving will be finished by the
end of next week. The restaurant, and drivers lounge in two weeks.
It is wide, smooth and fast with lots of elevation change. You are
going to love it.
Lets have a big turnout for the first ever race event at what is sure
to become one of the greatest racing facilities in the country.
Bob"

Looks like he feels it's a sure thing for the end of November.

Thanks again.

 

The competion minis are going to run with the dwarf cars. This should be a
real show as I know some of the legend car drivers and they think they are faster than snot, so are some of the competion minis. I'm going out saturday and running hst sunday. See you there. I'm #22 chilli red with full union jack roof. Looking forward to seeing you all there. Fast Fritz

 

We're gonna try to make it out there on Sunday.

 

I went to Hallett and paid ($300) for Saturday's session with Phil Wicks Driving Academy. Phil is a Brit living in Nashville, TN, who was a driver stunt man in the original "Italian Job". His friend, Michael Caine, got him the job. Five times on the track for about 15 minutes each. An instructor (including Wayland _____, the National Mini Racing Champion!) was with me for two of the runs. About 15 MINI's showed up. Hallett has their own High Speed Touring instruction at $95 for five times. A Corvette flipped an rolled, but the MINI's all survived except for a Wicks' loaner car to a former NFL player that blew a head gasket. Great fun! My first experience of the sort. Hallett is a neat track with a good surface and some distance to the barriers. Phil was promoting a big MINI event in Las Vegas in March including his driving academy.

Best wishes, Jim