Hi All,

I just got back from doing Saturday and Sunday with the ever wonderful Boston Chapter BMW CCA. The event was a 3 day that started before I could be there and was a combination HPDE and Club Race which is my favorite kind of event as you get to watch the racing and do some driving.

Saturday it rained and at times rained very hard and I was looking forward to this as I have never driven our Cooper S in the rain except on the highway. I have a lot of RWD and AWD track experience in all kinds of conditions but very little FWD and I love learning new things. Took it out on the double chicane course in good heavy rain on the street tires and it was easy to handle and fast as heck. You have to have confidence and STAND on the gas at times to keep the front of the car leading the car itself but if you do the reward is just plain stupid fun. I think the steering ratio makes it feel even more like a video game in the rain than in the dry. Then Sunday came and there were cars that were just too quick for the previously mighty Cooper S...

Cheers,
Davemon

 

I had the same feeling my first track day in the rain. I was amazed how much grip there was! Mine was on the South Course of Pocono in '04.

The affect of the H-Sport rear sway bar / throttle off overstear was increased, and the affect of throttle on understear was increased - the Quaife didn't hurt. At no time did I feel out of control, just a sensation that the right foot had a lot more stearing ability.

I came to the same conclusion. The MINI is a blast in the wet!

Alan