Only if he doesn't just wind up going to the birds.

:lol::lol:

Hey, I have had a chance to do some highway miles since I had the thermostat and aux water pump fixed.

Got to say, it seems back to normal. No running of the fan. Water temp is spot on and stays there (except stopped when it will climb a bit) and the oil temp is better. I'll have to wait till next track season to see if the high oil temps are really fixed, but for now I am betting 90 to 10 than it is.

So if that is the case, then anyone with a Gen II turbo MINI with excessive running of the fan, I would bet that the aux water pump is dead and you are cooking your oil and turbo...especially if you track your car. A dealer can check for it if you specifically ask. Don't know if a place like MINI Auto Haus can check for it or not. And sorry to say, this is not a cheap fix; think in the range of a couple sets of expensive tires.

Thanks for the update.

Happy the thermostat problem has been fixed. Regarding the seat and cage i got it for my car. The car is not fast, but if you get off and go sideways there is no telling if your car will dig into some peace of dirt and start rolling.

Are you guys still going to LRP tomorrow to meet up?

Still planning on going Saturday if Eddie07S is.

Saturday, I plan to be there 11 - 11:30. Do a lunch, hang out, talk, watch Veggi run around the track, show off tires, pick up brake parts. Right now weather is looking pretty good; mid to high 50's though.

As for tires digging into the dirt...ask Veggi about that...:eek:

VeggiVet might have some thoughts on that. :)

Car flashed a CEL last week, PO171, lean fuel mixture, had it checked this morning. No vacuum leaks per smoke test, high and low fuel pumps okay. Recommend that the fuel filter replacement, de-carbonize intake and new spark plugs. Scheduled for Thursday, will see if this fixes it?

Yup, I can attest that the dirt/grass may not be all that forgiving, even with 'both feet in'. Happened on the turn heading into No Name Straight a few years ago. I can still see it all in slow motion. I didn't make it off the waiting list for Saturday's event, but I don't think my tires would have warmed up until the afternoon. It was 37 at my house that morning. Any reports from those who were there???

Met with Eddie07S on Saturday at LRP. Even though it was "cool", the drivers we spoke with who were out on track said tires did warm up since the event did not start till 1:00 pm.

Fortunate scheduling, for sure! Grip would not have been very good in the morning, I suspect.

Seeing The Birds tonight in Great Barrington...

It was mid-50's Saturday afternoon at LRP. A couple of slides off course but nothing that was a problem. A person we were talking to had the tire pressure come up pretty well from the tires warming up. But it also seemed like people weren't pushing it either.

As for the Hankook R-S3s, the driver didn't particular care for them in comparison to the Pilot Sports he had been using. He said they stuck well but were squirrelly. I wonder if that is because they were brand new and that was his first time out on them (still had the mold release compound on them?). They were at 36 psi hot which seems to be about right, but could go higher.

VV- enjoy the Birds...:thumbsup:

Ridgefield PlayHouse has Cheap Trick performing next week if anyone is a fan...

The mold release compound certainly could have been the cause of the squirrelyness. I think every brand is different, but I've heard that it takes between 50 and 100 miles to get it totally off the tires.

Cheap Trick was surprisingly good last time I saw them @ Saratoga, along with Heart and Journey. Ridgefield Playhouse is a very nice venue. I'll be there for a concert next February.

Nice...but I am busy with ski stuff from here till April...enjoy the show...

I like your positive thinking that you're going to have enough snow to ski on come April…I hope the ski season isn't a replay of last years' lack of snow...

Stowe has already had 20"...yup, I'm hopeful. But last year wasn't too bad. I skied 15 days and 2 were in over 10" of new...:nod:

Fingers crossed for you. Maybe I'll join you a couple of times this winter…I'll point you by on the double diamond runs!

Found out CEL caused by dirty fuel filter, (very dirty). Had carbon cleaned out, not as bad as some. Performance must better especially at low end.

Hope to join Eddie07S at Stowe this winter. Have two weekends at Mount Snow scheduled.

Zre - Glad to hear the problem was solved and things are better. :thumbsup:

At some point email veggi and me about when you are at Mt Snow and we can see about meeting up. :nod:

I'm up for Stowe or Stratton...

time for tires, used 205/45/15 re71r on 15x8 wheels last weekend but they sure do wear out quick, what do you guys like for HPDE ? I thought about some RC1 slicks but then I have to have another set of regular for rain I'm not sure if the rc1 run wide like the other slicks do

I love my Nitto RE01s. I can get several track days out of them, and they have great grip, and are very predictable. I don't drive the car that close to the limits, though; probably a 7/10 is the closest I get…YMMV