Well, gentlemen, I have been MIA for awhile but I hope to occasionally log on an keep up with all of you. I took a new job in January and have been crazy busy. I am passing on LRP in April but will be there May 3. Afterwards, I will report to Slinger on how my new, improved Accessport tune works on the track (IF it works on the track ). I also hope to get my other car project on the track this year ... but I said that last year, too, so who knows?

 

Sounds good that you have the car "ready".

Sorry to report that slinger will be MIA this year. I am just too busy travelling, fixing up the houses and moving. And I do not have a track car in the continental USA.

 

Looks like my first date will be 6/29 at LRP (with CT Valley BMWCCA). I just dropped a ton of money replacing the VANOS and exhaust cam hub on the Z4MC, so that bit into the track budget big-time.

 

They don't seem to be able to break into the 2011 or 12 computer, so no tune for these. But the power feels almost as good as Slingers JCW, at least in the low end.

I'll be working at the April 20th Patroon's event at LRP. Will also see if they will critique my last drive there

 

Say, any update to people's schedules????

VV - you got one soon, right? The 9th? I think some Michelin snow tires might need to be thrown in to the back in place of the R comps hope it goes well.

Anyone going the Patroon's event on the 20th at LRP. I will be working that event.

S-Driver - you got that steering fix yet? Hate to see you miss a few days at wearing your tires to the cords

OC - you going to try to get some time in at Roebling with Oscar?

 

Fix in the works at Greg's house. No time table yet....no rush on my end. Possible "lightening" going on.....

Found some issue's due to 4 yrs of track that need to be addessed..

 

Yup, next Monday, April 9th @ Lime Rock. Track MINI came out of hibernation yesterday and is at the 'spa' for her pre-track fluid changes and checkup. Long range forecast is calling for highs in the low 50's, so the R-comps should be fine as long as I let them warm up for a few laps. I don't push things too hard first time out for the season, anyway. Classic Mini was out yesterday for a little drive and felt very good. Heading up to the MPG meeting tonight with the Justa...maybe I'll see you there.

 

VV - good to see you. I will look for that "bump" in my video. That would answer some questions that I have had. In my book, now, no more track edges....

S-driver - hope it goes well on the repairs.

 

Did anyone notice this one?
https://www.trackdaze.com/index.php?...temid=0&did=31

It is a Saturday and Sunday.

Anyone driven that track?

 

Yup! Some MINI owners prefer this track over T-Bolt but not me. Still a fun track...

I posted video from this track - you didn't see it?

 

I think I saw it. Is this the track you were on with the blind right hander?

Anyone interested in doing this one? I am thinking that a fresh track experience would be good for me to get me back into it. And 2 days on a weekend...

 

Blind.....sort of. Quick 3rd gear uphill right, over the brow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWui...07AUAAAAAAANAA

 

Ya that's the one I remember seeing. I had forgotten about the sand on the track on the track-out (at least it looks like sand). Looks like a fun track.

Just got Slingers old Dunlop Z1s mounted on the Enkeis. They should have a few days left in them. I also picked up a set of used Carbtech XP10 brake pads.

 

Just have to remember that IF you go off at some point, ride it out. Don't yank the wheel to come back on. If you have the room use it...

 

Quick update from Lime Rock. Woke up to a mix of rain and snow, so I left the R-comps home. Got there just in time for the drivers' meeting, and met up with Suss, who was there with his BMW. I was the only MINI there...couple of Ferraris and GTRs, with Porsches out the wazoo. My first run group was at 10, and by then the track had dried off nicely (helped by a stiff breeze), and temps were in the upper 40's. Track was cold, but I was impressed by my street tires, which are the Hankook Ventus Evo 12s, in 225/45/17. They performed as well as I could have expected, given the conditions. The track warmed up as the sun made some appearances, and I had increased my average speed by a couple of mph by the end of the day. I was still the slowest in my run group, as there were a ton of very fast cars there, and I had to cut my entrance speeds down by about 10% since I wasn't on R comps. Overall, it was a good day. No major accidents...one Camaro broke an axle landing after catching a little too much air after the uphill crest. Best part was finishing my last run at 4:10, and being all packed up by 4:12; home by 5:30 after stopping for a quick bite on the way home. Another plus was not having to supervise my wheel changing pit crew.

 

Snow, wow, and you still managed a good day out of it...and glad to hear that the Minis were represented.

 

Doesn't seem like there will be much of "wheel changing crew" this year..

Hope to see you guy's out there at some point.

 

Veggi, Glad you had a good time at LRP. Looks like she is behaving well for you this year. Suss did not change your tires for you?

Currently waiting for Mini of HNL to get back to me. Brought it in this morning to get the water pump recall done and they sheared a bolt in the engine taking the pump out and have been trying to get the bolt out all day. Maybe I get a new engine out of this...

 

I couldn't ask Suss to do the changeover since he wasn't there with his MINI. It would've looked strange for a Bimmer guy to be working on a MINI, don't ya think?

Sorry to hear about the broken bolt. Have you ever thought about having your MINI exorcised? Seems like the only luck you've had lately has been of the bad variety. Hope you get a new engine out of it.

 

They finally got the bolt out after 6 hours of work and all seems well. The recall is done and she is back on the road. At least it is now less likely to have a spontaneous fire.

Someone did steal my little stubby antennae when the car was at the dealership. They noticed it was missing before handing it back to me. I will find out what they are going to do next week.

This is paradise.

 

Slinger...great you got your car back and fixed. Sorry to hear about the antenna. How is you quest to see the world going? Ready to get back on the track?

 

Travels:
SFO
Cross country drive from NYC to LA about 4800 miles of the tourist path
HNL
Singapore
China
Malaysia
Vietnam

Only one planned Coming up: (wife says let's take a break after 95,000 flight miles in seven months)
Jogyakarta, Indonesia


I am always interested in the track. Just cannot do any now. not sure what is next for the track.

 

Will I see anyone at LRP on Friday? I will be working at the event along with the MPGs...

 

Not me...

 

I will not be there either.

Please say hello to the MPGs for me.