SCDA HPDE Schedule
Watkins Glen recap. This event was run by NASA/PDA. The weather was the major issue. Fortunately, Friday held out with just cloudy conditions/dry track with temps in the upper 50's, so the R-comps warmed up nicely. Tons of track time that day, starting off with an hour session, followed by two 45 minute sessions, and then a 30 minute session to wind up. The car was handling beautifully, and I was playing with a couple of Porsches and Miatas. Couldn't quite keep up with the Ferrari Scuderia 430...Then my car lost power along the back straight, the service engine light came on along with the yellow triangle in the speedo. The car felt like someone put a giant rubber band around it. I limped back into the pits, cut the engine and popped the hood to see if I lost a belt or something else that would be obvious to me. Everything looked/smelled normal, so I restarted and the car felt back to normal. Went out again and took it relatively easy for the rest of the session. During lunch break I had the code read out: 304, which is a misfire in cylinder #4. So I pulled the spark plug from 4, and also from 1 just for comparison. The #4 plug had some carbon buildup on the tip that the #1 plug didn't have, so I bought a new plug and installed it. Same thing happened during the afternoon session, so I concluded it wasn't the plug that was at fault. Car was fine after restarting the engine, so I finished the day driving 6/10. Saturday was a complete waste, with a long fog delay in the morning, and steady rain throughout the day. Only got out twice, and one of those sessions was under yellow the entire time. Sunday started off wet and cool, but by the afternoon, things were drying up nicely, so the R-comps went back on for the last two sessions. No codes thrown at all, but I wasn't pushing the car that much, trying to keep it under 100 on the back straight. My plan is to have the compression checked, and maybe switch wires 3 and 4 and see what codes it throws at Lime Rock. After that, I'll have all winter to figure it out. Other than the crappy weather and the misfires, I had a decent time, but there were no other MINI's there to keep me company. Any other customers for Lime Rock on the 29th?
New car soon. Already have snow tires for it...the "new performance" tire for minis
Glad to hear your car was handling well, would have like to have seen it running in the crowd. Sorry to hear about the engine.
As for that...my suggestion is to buy a new set of wires and plugs for the whole engine. You were driving in a high humidity day and sometimes the wires can fail under those conditions. The humidity makes it easier for a weak wire to fail and once it does, the only thing you can do is replace it. Get some silicon dielectric to put in the boots at both ends. That will cut out any arc trails that may be left behind. It is a cheap and easy fix; try it for LRP and enjoy. Switching wires may just leave you fustrated.
Plugs have less than 2k on them. Wires were replaced last year. I'm thinking it may be the coil. Sorry I don't have any video, but maybe someone else in my run group will post up on youtube. Did Lime Rock make you pay for repairs to the guardrail?
Not that I have heard. The Ins Co. did write them but I guess I will never hear whether they did or not. My guess is "not". The guard rail in that area is backed by dirt and it didn't look damaged but maybe I am not remembering too well.
So replace the coil and put some dielectic on the wire boots. Moisture can cause problems even with new stuff. The dielectic can help. You can get it at any NAPA store or your mechanic.
So replace the coil and put some dielectic on the wire boots. Moisture can cause problems even with new stuff. The dielectic can help. You can get it at any NAPA store or your mechanic.
My neighbor will be running at LRP on the 29th.
As for me - my studs should be replaced tomorrow and if so ill be running the PDA event at T- bolt that day.
Did not notice any new guardrail at lrp last weekend at "the" spot...
As for me - my studs should be replaced tomorrow and if so ill be running the PDA event at T- bolt that day.
Did not notice any new guardrail at lrp last weekend at "the" spot...
Wha' happened Slinger?
Watkins Glen recap. This event was run by NASA/PDA. After that, I'll have all winter to figure it out. Other than the crappy weather and the misfires, I had a decent time, but there were no other MINI's there to keep me company. Any other customers for Lime Rock on the 29th?
Also try cleaning the MAF, if you haven't already. I had all sorts of weird codes and engine cut-outs this year. (Remember when you were all laughing about my AccessPort??)
The MAF cleaning helped. Also, I had two ignition coils go at less than 40k miles. Now it's running great again, with or without the AP. I was at LRP a few weeks ago (9/20) and that was my last day for this year.
Studs replaced! I'm signed up for NJMP on the 29th.
The instructor claims he didn't know what happened 
. No one was hurt, just brused. Minis are built like a brick s**thouse
which is why I am getting another oneNo Eddie has passed...new name coming. And as to the next question...Maybe. I have the winter to think about it.
I am hearing, though, this sort of thing goes on your permanent record and "they" won't ever let you out of the intermediate group or go solo
PS - Slinger's boo boo was the next day
Got my new Mini on Thursday. I now have about 400 miles on it 
It is everything my '07 was plus more.
More power
Better Sport button response, Pop and burble in sport mode
Better suspension (sport suspension option...liking it)
Better radio
Better seats (well not better than the Recaros but better than the stock sport seats).
And that great new car smell
Did I mention - More Power The seat of the pants feel is that it has more than the 10 hp increase they quote. This thing is going to eat tires for breakfast 
The High Class Gray has a "Purple Haze" (maybe I should have named it "Jimmy")to it and it is proving difficult to match a stripe to it, but I am working on it. Pictures to come.
.
"Smokey" is going to get around, so most will get a chance to see him.
Hope the end of your season goes really well.
It is everything my '07 was plus more.
More power
Better Sport button response, Pop and burble in sport mode
Better suspension (sport suspension option...liking it)
Better radio
Better seats (well not better than the Recaros but better than the stock sport seats).
And that great new car smell
Did I mention - More Power
The seat of the pants feel is that it has more than the 10 hp increase they quote. This thing is going to eat tires for breakfast The High Class Gray has a "Purple Haze" (maybe I should have named it "Jimmy"
)to it and it is proving difficult to match a stripe to it, but I am working on it. Pictures to come..
"Smokey" is going to get around, so most will get a chance to see him.
Hope the end of your season goes really well.
Anyone make it to track days last Month (October)?
VV - thought you were going to LRP? Did it get snowed out? Looked like it might have.
OC - Did you make it to Roebling Road?
Say if anyone is planning for next year, BMW will be at WGI on 6/11 & 12
VV - thought you were going to LRP? Did it get snowed out? Looked like it might have.
OC - Did you make it to Roebling Road?
Say if anyone is planning for next year, BMW will be at WGI on 6/11 & 12
Apparently I forgot I’d had told him I’d help get his car ready... so far, I’ve bought a harddog roll bar, control arms, steering wheel and rear brake calipers.
Think it would have been cheaper to keep my mouth shut.
Anyway, leaving this Friday.
Mark