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Oh no! And no spare, I suppose. Did you have to have it towed? Is your tire setup staggered?
Verrry long story short: No spare. Slime kit useless bc bead was broken. Dark and raining. Happened coming off the GW Bridge on an access road to the Henry Hudson Parkway that is designated part of the parkway and therefore a flatbed cannot go on it. Had to drive a mile or so to the nearest exit. Tire destroyed but rim survived.
Yes, I'm staggered.
My closest MINI dealer had a little event today (free food and MINI swag!) so I drove down to check out the Gen4 coupe up close and to test drive the Countryman EV. I was curious if the EV Countryman retains the iconic MINI go-kart feel and driver feedback as the ICE.
It doesn't. Very disappointing. The EV acceleration is OK, but nothing to write home about. The 308HP sounds great until you realize it's powering an unMINI-like 4,588 pounds, almost 800 pounds more than my ATS-V! The big disappointment was the loose suspension and steering, less driver feedback than my wife's Volvo V60 (granted it's an R-Design) and when I did some zig-zagging ("Hold on, Salesguy!) there was definitely a noticeable lag. Like I said, very disappointing, no matter which "experience mode" we were in including the "go-kart" mode that adds a stupid-*** audio track but does not appear to change the suspension or steering.
I hope Europe's MINI JCW EV coupe comes to the U.S. because some day I see myself driving an EV sports car or sports coupe. If it does, I wonder if everything I like about MINIs will be gone, as it is in the EV Countryman. Stay tuned, I guess.
P.S. The new ICE JCW is sharp. Very, very sharp.
To call it British Racing Green is something of an insult. However, my R56 wasn't true to the color either
Insane technology. The redesigned interior isn't my cup of tea but I could live with it in a different color. Note the cloth piece going from the airbag to the bottom of the steering wheel. No idea what that's about.
Thanks for that report, GKP! MINI has really lost its way. MINIs are gaining weight faster than the average Americans. I imagine Alec would be having nightmares in his grave if he knew what happened to his 'Car of the Century'. It sounds like MINI gave us all the weight of those batteries without much of the acceleration. That green color is strange, if the photo representation on the computer is anywhere near accurate. And that dashboard is inducing nausea as I just finished dinner. I think the only mode that would work for me is "First or Second Generation" mode.
So it looks like you need to use the touchscreen to change the temperature or most anything else. That doesn’t work for me at all. My fingers sometimes don’t work well on touchscreens I have trouble enough with my iPhone. Can’t imagine how I’d do with a car’s screen while driving no more new cars for me if that is the way they are going to be.
I’m working on getting Smokey ready for LRP on the 20th. I opted to not do the 2nd day of this event, but I do plan to be there on the 21st to meet up with ZRE who is doing the 2nd day. I may volunteer to help on that day since I’ll be there and not driving.
Interesting finding on Smokey while doing the prep and inspection… The left rear brake pads are worn far more than the right rear. The pads were a bit tight in the slots on that side. Maybe that was enough to cause some drag and extra wear? Or was the stability control kicking on that side? Not sure on either. The caliper sliders are just fine, so that would not be it. Also the inside and outside pads are worn about the same. Thing is, those pads have been in there for 6 or 7 years and for untold number of laps around various venues. So, I really can’t complain. Just a curious happening that I need to keep an eye on.
As for new pads, the old ones were Hawk DTC60s. Those are hard to come by now for the rear of an R56S. But I just happen to have a new set of Hawk HT10s sitting around. According to Hawk the HT10s have just slightly less bite than the DTC60s but have the same optimal temperature range. I am thinking they will be just fine.
After the event on the 20th I will be changing out the rear rotor (current ones are about worn out). When I do that, I plan to bed them in with a set of Carbotech XP12s. I have those on my JCW and really like how the back of the car behaves with them. I am thinking they will match well with the Wilwood Poly H pads I am using up front on Smokey. It will be interesting to find out.
I think SCDA has an afternoon event at LRP in mid July that I am targeting. That will be a good time to try out the Carbotech pads on Smokey. After that will be WGI for 3 days in early August, then off to VIR for 2 days in Sept. Maybe some more LRP events in there somewhere. I’ll see.
VV: Did you do the Empire Cup this weekend? My plan was to drive up on Saturday but the weather was awful (as I am sure you know).
Au contraire! The weather was great....for ducks, and people selling umbrellas and tarps! Both paddocks were full Friday morning when I arrived. Weather was mostly cloudy and cool to start and our group was first on track. Unfortunately, we were quickly off the track after just two laps (the first under a full course yellow), when a Mustang driver decided to go for his best time of the day on cold tires and a relatively cold (for the end of May) track. Oh, and he did an experiment where he wanted to see if he could crest the uphill with his steering wheel not dead center. Well, you know the rest. Totaled into the right wall. Total laps done first session: TWO 😱
Everybody's comment in the paddock was the same: "That didn't take long."
The track, tires and drivers warmed up for our other sessions, which were incident and accident-free. That's not to say that everyone knew how to drive the line...one particular Audi who had never driven at Lime Rock had his own unique 'line'. It appeared to me that he was trying his hardest to decrease his radius as much as possible. For example, at the bottom of the downhill, instead of tracking out, he hugged the inside and drove down the front straight on the right, giving a point by to the LEFT! There must have been several people who complained because he was assigned an instructor for the remaining sessions. The car felt very good on the Nittos, which I drove there and back home that evening, where I changed over to the Potenzas preparing for a very rainy Saturday.
Driving in Saturday morning revealed much less crowded A and B paddocks. We weren't out until 9:40, and the first session for the racers had all of two cars on track; a Porsche 912 and an Austin 850. The powers that be quickly decided to combine run groups and double the time on track since there were very few cars gridding. When I entered the grid area, I asked how much faster the Group 2 cars were (I was in Group 1), and the reply was "Lots". With Corvettes surrounding me, I asked if I could be let on track last, and my wish was granted. I figured those guys would just take off ahead of me and I'd have a clear track. Well, rain is the great equalizer, and the track was wet all around, with standing water at the inside curbing at T2, the left-hander, the no-name river, and the entrance to West Bend. I ended up lapping most everyone that stayed out on the track. For a good portion of the 40 minute session, it felt like I was the only car on the track. I worked on my rain line and smoothness. It was a lot of fun, and it was good to drive for longer than your typical 20 or 25 minute session. With all groups doubling up, we were done by noon, and home shortly after. I don't think I'll do this again next year, as I didn't realize that there were no requirements to know the track before you got there.
Next up for me is another Lime Rock event with BMWCCA Patroon Chapter on June 20th. I know Eddie07S will be there, so come on over if you can, @gkp My new set of Powerflex bushings should be installed by then, and I think the car will feel very different!
Here are some pix from The Empire Cup, Friday, May 30th-Saturday, May 31st. My private pavilion out of the rain at the top of the viewing hill. Pumping standing water at the lefthander. There were two ducks hanging out not far from there during the sessions. One of the racing Porsches. Can you get any lower? Not from Ukraine, but great livery... ...and fully race equipped on the inside. An Austin 850 in my fave color. Austin vs. Porsche vs. water.
Au contraire! The weather was great....for ducks, and people selling umbrellas and tarps! Both paddocks were full Friday morning when I arrived. Weather was mostly cloudy and cool to start and our group was first on track. Unfortunately, we were quickly off the track after just two laps (the first under a full course yellow), when a Mustang driver decided to go for his best time of the day on cold tires and a relatively cold (for the end of May) track. Oh, and he did an experiment where he wanted to see if he could crest the uphill with his steering wheel not dead center. Well, you know the rest. Totaled into the right wall. Total laps done first session: TWO 😱
Everybody's comment in the paddock was the same: "That didn't take long."
The track, tires and drivers warmed up for our other sessions, which were incident and accident-free. That's not to say that everyone knew how to drive the line...one particular Audi who had never driven at Lime Rock had his own unique 'line'. It appeared to me that he was trying his hardest to decrease his radius as much as possible. For example, at the bottom of the downhill, instead of tracking out, he hugged the inside and drove down the front straight on the right, giving a point by to the LEFT! There must have been several people who complained because he was assigned an instructor for the remaining sessions. The car felt very good on the Nittos, which I drove there and back home that evening, where I changed over to the Potenzas preparing for a very rainy Saturday.
Driving in Saturday morning revealed much less crowded A and B paddocks. We weren't out until 9:40, and the first session for the racers had all of two cars on track; a Porsche 912 and an Austin 850. The powers that be quickly decided to combine run groups and double the time on track since there were very few cars gridding. When I entered the grid area, I asked how much faster the Group 2 cars were (I was in Group 1), and the reply was "Lots". With Corvettes surrounding me, I asked if I could be let on track last, and my wish was granted. I figured those guys would just take off ahead of me and I'd have a clear track. Well, rain is the great equalizer, and the track was wet all around, with standing water at the inside curbing at T2, the left-hander, the no-name river, and the entrance to West Bend. I ended up lapping most everyone that stayed out on the track. For a good portion of the 40 minute session, it felt like I was the only car on the track. I worked on my rain line and smoothness. It was a lot of fun, and it was good to drive for longer than your typical 20 or 25 minute session. With all groups doubling up, we were done by noon, and home shortly after. I don't think I'll do this again next year, as I didn't realize that there were no requirements to know the track before you got there.
Next up for me is another Lime Rock event with BMWCCA Patroon Chapter on June 20th. I know Eddie07S will be there, so come on over if you can, @gkp My new set of Powerflex bushings should be installed by then, and I think the car will feel very different!
Love the Austin 850! Mustangs are known to be less stable than Camaros, ATS-Vs and similar cars in situations like the uphill. Or, as this video shows, pretty much anywhere (couldn't get the video to insert here).
Nice pictures. The track management is surely making a lot of changes to the grounds, including whatever they are building at the entrance.
Yes, the power flex bushings will make a big difference. Be ready to slow down your hands at the turn in into any corner. It will be much sharper with those installed.
I would be willing to bet the Mustangs driver had the traction and stability control turned off in addition to not being smart about how to warm things up and how to drive… On a track day, I see no reason for turning those things off, especially for the first session.
As you know, I love driving in the rain. It is the great equalizer. And you can learn a lot about how the car handles.
Yup, I’ll be there on the 20th, then back there on the 21st. Not driving on the 21st; meeting up with ZRE to watch him drive.
Just a little fac-toid: Around here we have had some sort of precipitation EVERY WEEKEND since the middle of last November. This is per an article in the Times Union newspaper last week.
Yes, I heard that at the Cars and Coffee event at Keeler on Sunday morning. I believe the person quoted 29 weekends in a row. But that could mean just a drizzle or light rain for a few minutes. I don't think we've had anywhere close to that number of total washout weekends recently. I do remember a summer years back where it poured both days on many weekends. Outdoor concert venues took a huge hit that year.
The 'big' hit at the Cars and Coffee was an Isetta, which was for sale for 28k. I was talking to the owner, super nice guy, who said he had taken it out on the highway a few days ago. I asked him how he would describe the experience. His one word answer was...
SCARY
There were a total of 4 MINIs there, including mine, and your usual selection of Vettes, Porsches (I saw a nice GT4), Lotuses, and a Tesla Plaid Sport with 1020 Hp. There was also a very nice E-Type Jag with the classic wire wheels. I'm glad I went; afterwards the Troy Veg Out was a smashing success. I left with a full stomach, and enough food to go to last me the rest of this week!
Maybe I'll make the drive down on the 21st as well. Its been a very long time since I've seen ZRE.
We watched race 1 on YouTube last night and saw him get punted off into a gravel trap. Slid sideways for a ways and I thought he might flip it. Nope. He saved it, got back on the track at the end of the field and then worked his way back up to about 14th (not sure exactly). We’ll be watching race 2 tonight. These races are always exciting.
All you wanted to know about tires but were afraid to ask. Well, not quite. However, if you are interested in taking your car to the track, this might be for you:
Being a person who is a genius, I thought that I should be able to do my own wheel alignment. At least the camber part. How hard could it be? I recently bought a digital level gage that has built-in magnets. And it was easy whip up a mount that would span across a wheel, to which the magnets of the level gage would attach. Simple. Right?
Well, somehow my IQ dropped when I tried to use it. No, it turns out that I am no genius. Just a person with a thought who turned confused.
I did take pictures, so I shall regale with the story of my fall from geniusness:
Making the mount was pertly simple. A section of very light weight steel rectangular tubing, a couple of pieces of aluminum C channel, a couple of screws and a couple of ***** and, here you have it:
So, here it is being checked against a level. The contraption checked against a level
The nice thing about the tubing and the aluminum C channel is that they are both made quite accurately. So, as I expected there was no difference in the gage reading when placed on the level versus it being on the camber mount on the level.
Off to check how level the garage floor is (yes, that is the remnants of an oil spill from a few days ago ) Checking the floor for level
That is a piece of aluminum rectangular tubing. It is setting on a piece of right angle aluminum pieces at each end at about the location the car tires will be at. The right angle pieces keep the tube from hitting any irregularities in the floor between the tires.
Hmmmm???? Not too level?
Off by 0.2. I can compensate for that.
Hmmmm???? The floor fixed itself?
On second check it looks ok. Can that be right?
I checked the camber angle and found the left side to be just a tick over 3 deg (3.05) Showing how the wheel camber is measured (an approximate reading because of how I am holding it)
The surprise was that the right side came out about 2.5 deg. Now, I used my eye-crometer to set the front camber, so this difference could be real. I had not touched the rear camber since the dealer did an alignment, so, I decided to check what those wheels were reading… 2.2 and 1.8.
Ugh!
What if the floor is really off by 0.2 deg? If it is, then the rears would both be at 2.0 deg and the fronts would be about 2.9 and 2.7 deg. That would be not too bad.
So, what is it really? I don’t know. I’m just confused.
Time to let someone who knows what they are doing do the alignment.
I'm a genius too. I remember being awed at Lime Rock way back in the day when I saw a few Miata guys aligning their cars with the string method. They did this, among other prep stuff, in between run groups! I thought to myself immediately that I would never be able to do that, and I was 100% correct!
Don't give up on the genius @Eddie07S . It appears that your garage (at least the part visible in the pictures) is almost as disorganized as Albert Einstein's desk was. Otoh, that may be the only thing you have in common with him!😉
Have you tried to level the car? It should also be -0.20 right?
By the way, across the approximately 60" track of the mini, that angle would require a shim of .2 inches to get to level.
I like the jig.
Me
Thanks
I was able to measure the tilt of the car across the tops of the strut towers. 0.2 deg. Not sure why I am getting the floor at 0 deg. I wonder about the sensitivity of the angle gauge I am using. While the display is to 2 decimal places (hundredths), could the sensitivity be only +/- 0.1 deg? I may be looking for a result that is more sensitive than the instrument I am using, and/or a combination of of other factors. Oh, well.
As it is, the car feels good in both left and right turns. So, I’m not going to muck with success. For that I’ll take it to a professional. However, at my last outing at WGI with the JCW I found that I got better tire wear with lower tire pressures than I had been using. I am going to try lowering tire pressures on my Cooper S now that it has camber.
I hope whoever paid to have my garage floor poured didn’t pay much for it. It is cracked and compressed in a number of spots including where the car tires rest. I did some repairs on it a while back and found that it was only 1 to 2 inches thick, over soft sand. The contractor probably pocketed the cost difference in thickness from what he was supposed to have put in.
If you notice there is a 3/4” thick plywood board under the rear wheel in that one picture. I needed that to cover the cracked depression there and level the rear of the car. So, yeah, not the best place to do a wheel alignment of this type…
no more new cars for me if that is the way they are going to be. 
On a track day, I see no reason for turning those things off, especially for the first session.
And you can learn a lot about how the car handles.
