Has anyone tried racing their Minis at autocross events??

There is a club here in Asheville, NC that hold montly autocross racing events. I was just curious how well a Mini would do in something like that. I would think pretty well, just from a handling stand point.

 

Depending on the track, a Mini could do quite well. As long as the "big" cars aren't hitting long straights and getting into 3rd gear you should be able to hang with 'em.

Are you referring to the SCCA?

 

We got this classic mini with Honda VTEC engine out at test and tune day in August. It was fun seeing it and they said it was very fun to drive.

 

Now THAT could be me one day!!

Great pictures!! Yeah, I am thinking SCCA autocross when I get mine.

 

::: In best Homer voice :::

Mmmmm.... 13X7 Minilight deep dish rims...

 

I've AutoXed mine before, it's an absolute blast. Nothing quite compares to throwing a Mini hard into turn and feeling the back end come around a bit then stomping the gas hard and launching forward.

If it's on a short tight course it is pretty easy to hang with the bigger cars, but if they get to stretch their legs a bit....well it's all about fun anyways!

Everyone should try it atleast once though!

Shawn

 

Autocrossing the Mini is the mutt's nuts! But, don't expect a Mini to hang with contemporary cars or those with lots of HP. Don't spend gobs of money trying to be competitive as you likely never will be. Work the suspension bits and intake/exhaust. That's enough. Enjoy it for what it is. Remember, you're having as much (I say significantly more) fun than everyone else!

 

I've autocrossed and tracked mine. She rides so nice on the highway that I never seem to get around to doing anything to the suspension. I should do some better tires though. She's never going to be competetive but it's still great fun.

 

I took my pickup out to a track event a while back. Was a helluva lot of fun, despite the lack of suspension upgrades. Actually even made better time than a couple new MINIs. The white one with the checks belongs to Xanthus (pre-VTEC) and the metallic blue one belongs to Philthy. Phil was a true master at throwing his through the turns and I actually had to wave him by on our last set of the day, even though my 1330 was kicking about 98 bhp and Phil's was a 998 I believe!

 

I love the pictures everyone!! That REALLY has me excited about doing that!! Seems to me that its all about experience, not power.

 

In AutoX yeah that's true... Most of the courses I've been on were nothing but tight turns, and if you conserve momentum properly and enter/exit the turns smoothly, then the HP advantage of the more modern cars is dramatically reduced. I'd love to AutoX my classic but I'm honestly not sure if it would endure the abuse... I'd love to have a "real" mechanic" look my car over to make this judgement, as I know full well that I can't judge it one way or another...

 

I plan to one day soon but I'm hoping to crush the new cars, not just doodle around the track.

 

This is me... second passenger did not help my time on this run. Think about 10% weight add to you car and it's impact, not good.

Event after this I was faster than 2 other new MCSs both w/major mods. One driver had about the same limited AutoX experience as me but the other was a newbie. I am still on lousy street tires but have a few of suspension mods I am tweaking every time I am out.


I love to AutoX in this car. I have also run my 05 MCS and this is more fun!!!

 

Maybe more aerodynamic tape would help....?

 

Nice 3-wheel salute!