I have been itching to see what it could do since I got it home. So I went out to the Texas Motorplex for their test and tune, and did 10 runs in 2 hours. Nothing special between runs other than ample cool down time in the staging lanes. Totally stock, 16" 195 runflats. The first few runs were learning how to launch the car. The turbo engine, combined with the runflats and manual was pretty unforgiving. My choices seemed to be pretty much either enjoy the wheelspin by launching at 3000, slipping the clutch, or lug the engine. So, my aim while launching was to avoid wheel hop and totally smoking the tires. My reaction times were so bad on some runs, I was not napping, I was hibernating. Therefore, I will not post them out of embarassment .

88 degrees most of the day, 61% humidity, sunny, 15-20MPH wind blowing across the track.

60ft E.T. MPH
1 2.87 15.62 91.66 <-lugged it
2 2.46 15.29 91.25 <-spun 'em
3 2.65 15.35 91.86 <-lugged it
4 2.43 15.02 92.59 <-spun, but hooked much better
5 2.33 14.95 92.41 <-My best, but still spun more than I wanted to
6 2.44 15.04 92.37 <-see run #4
7 2.41 15.07 90.54 <-more of the same, it's getting warm out
8 2.46 15.49 90.08 <-totally lost traction at launch. In fact, the tach spun so quickly I though I might have burned the clutch, but second caught just fine.
9 2.42 15.23 91.14 <-and hopping the tires is no better than smoking them
10 2.55 15.20 92.06 <-then again, you can always spin them, then lug the engine, at least you do not screw up the 1-2 shift

Runs 4-7 weren't too bad, I hope to have an easier time launching and better 60 ft times with wider, non-runflat tires in the spring. Heck, I am chirping the tires on the 2-3 shift, which seems insane for a 4 cylinder. Does anyone know if 205 55r16's will fit with the standard 16" wheel offset?

There weren't a whole lot of folks out there, so you could run every 10 minutes if you wanted to, no other MINIS. The only other cars out there in its class were a couple of Cobalt SS's, a modded Audi S4 (the only race I won), and some Acuras. Lots of RWD muscle cars, and a 5.7 GTO that I actually had a chance against if his ET against me is anything to go by. There was one guy in a well set up Dodge Shadow that cut at .157 light against me, he is now my new hero.

I had a blast. If I have 15$ the next time they are open for test and tune, I will head out there again. I'll go earlier this time, so I can do the same number of runs, and talk to folks outside of the staging lanes. Everyone was friendly, had lots of questions about the MINI, and several people let others run solo or move ahead in line so they could run against it. I'm guessing that they don't see too many at the drag strip. Anyone else on the board ever go out to Ennis?

 

With those 4-7 runs you better by a practise tree and enter the next bracket race there.

Good luck with your new hobby

 

I dunno, my new hobby was going to be drag racing when I owned the Cummins. When I got this car I assumed it was gonna be autox. Which would you say is harder on the car, bracket racing, or autocross? I suppose I can do both

The car's transmission seemed to shift a bit differently, a lot smoother, after the day at the strip. I wonder how tough I was on the clutch. I mean, I can shift that way consistently, but it is a rough way to treat it. I had a habit of doing it when I was young, but only the 92 Escort GT could take it, it went 220,000 miles before I sold it. Every other car's clutch had to be replaced at a young age, with a stern talk from my father about "dragstrip operation". Any suggestions on who makes a good heavy duty clutch for the new mini, or who might in the future? Any advice on what the next weakest link is gonna be?

Dangit, I like drag racing too much. Your encouragement is gonna give my wife fits.

 

You're a lucky man due to to the fact that Mini USA have had Fireball Racing have built an R56 for the Street tuner challange, so I believe that Clutchmasters were the ones involved making a clutch for it.

 

Well, they do not have one up on their website at the moment, but I will keep checking. Thanks for the pointer. I am gonna assume this is one item that they will likely not cover under warranty, and I do not wanna replace it with the stock one if that does happen to be the case.

 

I can't wait to get to the track again. Should be a lot of fun with this thing. They kicked me out in my old car for going too fast without a rollbar. :(

 

dang, you have to be pretty quick to need a rollbar if it is not a convertible

 

Check for yourself...

www.youtube.com/phantasms.

 

Well, I suppose since its high 11's bone stock, I would not doubt you could zip past 11.49 with just drag slicks, much less mods. Very nice, much more cash than I imagine I will ever have to dispose of on a car, but very nice. I can't imagine driving a road car that would pull on a GT-40.

At least you know the guy running your local track is paying attention.