OK, who else is in?

 

Guess who? I'll also be there on the 30th to close out the season. Did Monticello yesterday and blew out the #2 spark plug at the end of the second session.

 

blew it out, as in it came out of the threads? ouch!

 

Yup, but I wouldn't use the word 'threads', as there are none left in the cylinder. Car will be fixed as soon as the Time-sert kit is delivered to the garage where the car was towed. www.timesert.com

 

Sorry to hear that, veggivet. Where on the track did it blow? I think Monticello is tough on our everyday drivers because of that crazy-long straight. 130 mph is fun, but I'm not sure the engine internals in MINIs, or most ed drivers, are built to hit speeds like that 30-40 times in a day. It was at Monticello earlier this year where my son's problems with his Legacy began. We're still trying to get to the root of that one.

Claymore: I don't know yet if I'll be at LRP but you said you are going to NJMP in September, didn't you? I look forward to meeting you. You're Intermediate?

 

NJMP will depend on finances, but LRP is a definite.

Not sure about the Intermediate designation just yet; my instructor at WGI made the recommendation, but I need to follow up with SCDA to see if that's official.

 

I will not be able to make LRP Oct 14.

But I will be at LRP Oct 30.

My CV boot (along with the CV) disintegrated at WGI. Car is in the shop.

 

Well that was quick - just got a note from Ian that I should register in the Intermediate group, but go out with an instructor for a few runs to learn LRP. Sounds reasonable.

 

Ouch! You had to leave it in Watkins Glen? You have a lot of hard track time on that car. You really can't complain. DDP (daily driver preservation) is why I'm only going to do 3-4 track days a year with the MINI. For 2011 my son and I are planning a project for a track-dedicated car.

 

Between VV's Mercury 5 spark plug and Slinger's CV, I'm starting to re-think this whole track thing

 

GKP, I am at 29 track days with the car running mostly in the fast group. Not sure it is that many days. Zeke had a similar fail on his R53. But it seems that the CV failure is not that common of a problem. S-driver had a ECU fry on him last month.

I skipped day 2 at WGI and managed to drive home. Am seriously thinking of upgrading my AAA from Plus to Ultimate, so I can get tolling miles increased. Plus is good for 100 miles.I heard Ultimate is 250 miles but I need to confirm that.

 

Claymore,

Just wanted to make sure that you do not have trouble keeping up with others in Intermediate 1. It is less fun just pointing people by. Just ask Boston Mark who runs with VV, S-driver and I in advanced. I think he is so frustrated to have his hand constantly out the window every round.

 

The plug blew out at the end of the back straight. My top speeds along that stretch were no higher than 112 or so. I've seen this issue come up for discussion on some other gear-head forums, but MINI USA has 'never heard of it'. Regarding towing, it was only $265 for about a 55 mile tow. How much do the premium AAA towing programs cost per year?

Monticello was my 24th track date, and I've also done one autocross event with this car.

Claymore, you will learn Lime Rock very quickly. Perfecting it is another thing, altogether!

 

Slinger - if I get too frustrated and it stops being fun, I'll drop back to Novice.

 

I would stick with Intermediate, even if your arm is out the window on the straights. You should have less of an issue with trains in that group. Don't forget, LR is only a mile and half long. Traffic can be an issue here, unlike the Glen and Monticello.

 

VV.....AAA+ is about $95 per year if I remember correctly. Well worth it with only one tow and discounts on admission to LRP! I paid $165 for a 35 mile tow the day I joined AAA in '08...

 

I think AAA plus costs $80 per year.

 

Those prices sound like bargains. Will they tow from a track event, or just public roads?

 

I can't see why they wouldn't tow from an event, it's really not a concern of theirs. I had my tow from an autox lot....

 

I have seen the tow trucks come into the paddock so I will concur with s-driver on this.

 

OK folks, we're about three weeks away. Where is everyone staying? The Days Inn in Great Barrington looks...OK

 

I think there are some bed and breakfasts that are closer in and around CT. I stayed at Falls Village Inn and it was decent.

 

I'm staying at my house, which is about 50 minutes away. I'll 'leave the lights on for ya.'

 

Anyone else? I'm booked at the Days Inn in Great Barrington, supposedly a 30 minute drive away.

 

Just a few mods since WGI:

- 16" Enkei RP-01 wheels (used)
- Bridgestone RE11 tires (new)
- TSW X-Brace (if Way ever gets the supplier to actually ship them )
- new front control arm bushings (Powerflex)