Pretty naive question, I know, and I think I already know the answer - NO! - but I thought I'd ask anyway. I have no intention of getting one in the near future, but I love the classic Mini, at least the modded race cars. I've been to several classic races, and the Minis are always a lot of fun to watch, with their engines sounding like they're turning about 20k rpm, and the inside rear wheel waving around in the air as they go through the turns. I'd love to do a few laps in one of those.

 

You are correct- they are very different experiences. But the raw feel of the old Mini, the whine of the straight cut close ratio gearbox (in my particular case), brakes that make panic stops real panic really keep your head in the game. And while there was lots of attention to my MINI is 2003 which has since subsided, you can't really go anywhere without people taking notice of the Mini and questions abound. It always puts a smile on my face.

 

come drive mine and tell me

 

Come race with us in 24 Hours of LeMons. We run a 1962 mini, a 1967 Moke, and a 69 Austin America. Ours are pretty tame in terms of setup.

Here's the potential of even just a 56hp 998 cc mini in LeMons

However, Mike Kimball races his 60-sumthin' mini in VARA and SVRA as well as LeMons and he sets his up pretty loose and fast like the style you're referring to and he takes on "arrive-and-drives" as well.

 

The R53 has similar handling quirks, none of the others do though, as they're far too insulated. Considering it is a vastly different looking car of course.