Track schedules are coming out already! SCDA has gobs of dates at Lime Rock, and a 'new' track about an hour from Boston, Thompson Speedway. Looks similar to Lime Rock, at 1.7 miles, but not as much elevation change.

www.scda1.com

 

Looks like Ian is offering 28 track days this year.

 

Hey Slinger, how are you? Nice to see you posting here.

Thompson looks like an interesting MINI track. A lot more sharp, tight turns than LRP and, my guess, less of a front straight. Less of a HP factor. The map isn't too good for getting information. It won't be a day trip to go there like LRP is for some of us. I'll look at at least doing one day there as my "new track for the season".

 

I still check this thread once in a while.

Unfortunately, my own track return plans may be delayed again. At this time, It does not look like I will have any track days this year. Waiting for the new gen 7 VW GTI with the performance pack to launch in the middle of the year and will evaluate it to see how suitable it is for my needs.

Otherwise I am doing quite well. How are you guys braving the cold and snow the last couple of weeks.

 

You realize that you may forget what under and oversteer are
I am well and the car has done well in the cold and snow. I am working on the brake issue that I had. It turns out that there is a MINI upgrade to the ABS that goes with the 4 pot JCW calipers. It looks like that should work on my car.

 

Doing well Suan! Work on the race car should start up again in the near future and I'll be heading to FL for the Rolex 24hr next week! Can't wait....

 

Looks like I am off to Southern CT to have my ABS system computer reflashed for the BBK this Friday. Hope it improves things.

BTW - GVC has posted their track days. First weekend in May for WGI. Anyone want to go?

 

Would like to make the WGI event, especially to figure out this steering thing. But I will not be able to make it. Have lots of fun.

 

I'll take a lap or two just for you, slinger

BTW - I know I said no mods. But I didn't say no replacement of worn out parts. So I got to thinking that at some point my shocks are GOING to wear out. In a effort to keep on top of things I thought it might be a good idea if I were to buy some replacement shock in ADVANCE of my stock shock going bad...I can't say quite yet when my stock shock might be determined to be "bad", but I now have a slightly used set of BILSTEIN Sport Shocks just waiting, patiently, to take their place

 

Say, I got my BBK upgrade for the ABS programing today. I have to say
In the limited testing I did, the eLSD function seems to be much better.

I must give many Kudos to Art at MiniHaus of Performance in Southern CT for doing this. He provides a great service by having the ability to do MINI factory software upgrades. It was worth the 3 hr drive. Go Art. www.minihausperformance.com

 

What does this new software do?

 

It appears that the JCW Brembo style brakes have a much smaller total caliper piston area than the stock S calipers have. With the DTC option that replaces the mechanical LSD the front brakes are used to limit the inside wheel spin when accelerating out of a turn. It seem that with the BBK that inside wheel is over-braked and the inside wheel is actually dragged through the turn. This software upgrade is a BMW/MINI change for their JCW brakes to correct this problem. My guess is that it makes a correction for this difference in the piston area and probably other things like the increased torque from the larger rotor. The Wilwoods I have are very similar to the JCW brakes so it seems like it would work for me to correct the issue I have experienced and noted above. So far a little bit of playing in a snow covered parking lot indicates that the change has worked. I'm excited to try it out further.

 

Eddie, it seems to make some sense to limit the brake use somewhat.

You need a good mechanical LSD.

 

[QUOTE=slinger688;3876558]Eddie, it seems to make some sense to limit the brake use somewhat.

Eddie: Slinger doesn't use brakes. In fact, Slinger, I think you removed the brake pedal, didn't you?

 

GKP, I think I have forgotten how to drive on the track. Too many days driving my automatic SUV on the narrow HI roads.

Hope everyone has great track plans for their 2014.

 

Work should start up on my car soon......plan is still to have it running by spring.

 

I am looking forward to early May. 3 days of A-Solo coming up.

Still having brake "related" issues. The change I made helped with braking but I lost the eLSD and dynamic traction control of the DTC option that I have. I am going to get everything switched back to stock to get those back. This means new calipers. But still excited about spring coming and wearing out another set of tires



Oh, also - I see that SCDA has a March date for LRP. Anyone going? I am thinking performance snow tires for that one...

S-Driver - great news. Keep us posted.

 

I can't wait to see this thing. If you are driving up some day for a short visit with it, and want company, let me know.

 

Saw the new f30 at the HNL auto show yesterday. Have to say the fit and finish looks much better than my old r56. The car looks better than in the pictures, but still not that graceful in my eyes. Is supposed to be a lot more mainstream and cushy than the previous generations so as to appeal to the road driving public. There is rather limited head room near the window sill for me, especially if you have a helmet.

My favorite car, for my budget is the new BMW M235. This is the updated version of the old 135i. The new Caymans and boxsters are quite nice as well. No gen 7 gti displayed but I have already seen many of those in Asia.

 

Hey, slinger...good to hear from you.

Then there's the old E30 or E36 M3s that everyone uses...just think of the fun there would be replacing all the worn out parts on one of those ... Now as for liking the new M2...I am sure there is a 2 car garage around here that one could be "stored" in. Now it would have to be driven periodically to make sure it didn't die from neglect...you might have to look some to find someone to do that...

As that goes, my brake issue has taken on a life of its own. The computer change that I had done to make the BBK compatible with the ABS system messed up other things in the computer and the guy who did it couldn't undo it. My car is now in with Keeler to get it all set back to stock ... except that they are running into a "block" in the computer (that shouldn't be there) that is keeping them from reprograming it. I should know better then to muck with things like that. Lesson learned

 

I am still searching for a trackable car that can be used as my xusa driver. So I do need a slightly larger car , a hatchback is good. I like the m235 but it is not a car for my needs. It is a pseudo m only.

Sorry to hear about the ecu programming. I never really wanted to play around with that too much. Never know what is being done and the potential outcomes.

 

Got a set of Dunlop ZIIs (215-45x17) and put them on yesterday. I also had my Toyo R888s (225-45x17) mounted on rims with a 45mm ET instead of the 38 ET wheels they were on.

First the R888s - I changed the wheels because they were rubbing the inside of the wheel well last year when they were on the 38 ET wheels and I had to replace the liner on one side. Now the tires fit, just touching liner on a hard bump. However, now that the tires have been moved inboard, they are very close to the front strut, within 1/4". So I guess this is about as good as it gets with these tires of this size. I should also note that the R888s are a very wide tire with a tread that is up to 1/2" wider than most other tires of that size.

As for the ZIIs, they are really nice on the road. They are better than the ZIs and they seem to have good grip but I really didn't push them really hard. I did push them hard enough to tell abou sidewall flex, there was none that I could feel. The turn-in isn't as sharp as R888s but those tires are really good for that. So, initial impression, these are a good tire, especially for the money. More to come after they go to the track. BTW - these went on the 38 ET rims with no clearance issues.

 

Eddie, thanks for the info on the tires.

Did you sort out your ecu programming and the brakes yet?

 

I don't know about Eddie but I bought this sucker...diesel!


Now looking for a trailer!

 

That looks loke a pretty big truck. What year is it?