As soon as the wife got the shopping cart at the grocery store in her hands, I headed straight for the magazine section (one of the side-benefits of married life). SCC had a shoot-out of sorts of many modified makes and models at Buttonwillow. There were no MINI's present, but one of the FWD participants finished third (if I recall correctly), which was nice to see. The fastest times were just below 2 minutes, with most between 2 and 2 min 10 seconds. Curious to know what the MINIs have done on this track...

 

Here is a 2:14 for a cooper at Buttonwillow and a write-up by the driver.


http://northamericanbavarianracing.c...willow_jun.htm

http://northamericanbavarianracing.c...g_the_MINI.htm

 

Thanks for sharing asodestrom. A 2:14 sounds quite impressive for a Cooper! I'm not too sure why MINI's were not part of this SCC test. I would think that a modified MCS would be represent us well. After looking at the track, maybe there are too many straights for us to really excel there?

http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/trackconfigs1.htm

 

Minis haven't been around long enough to be really popular in the road race scene. NABR is trying to get a MINI spec sries up and going.

http://www.nasaproracing.com/news/ra...challenge.html.

I think in the future there will be some pretty cool Mini racers. Meanwhile, they are great fun on road courses. The idea is to comtete with similar classed cars. I have not run on Buttonwillow yet, but it is on my list of California tracks to visit.

Get yourself signed up for an HPDE sometime. You should check out Northern Californai Racing Club.

http://www.ncracing.org/


I am currently the only MINI. We do events at Thunderhill, Sears Point and Laguna Seca. Check them out, and join the fun. You will be hooked. There is no cure

Andy

 

Very cool info! Some of the first to get MINIs in the US have had them two years now, so we still have some upside. Good news...

I shared the Buttonwillow track link above because there are different configurations. Either the article didn't note the track of choice, or I failed to notice what track they used. This can make a HUGE difference on times, so I was recently told...

There was a H-Sport sponsored event there several weeks back, and a 500hp AMG was the fastest there doing a 2:13 or 14. Since the driver was a seasoned veteran, I'm quite sure the track choice was different for that occassion...

Thanks Andy for the NorCal link. I do think about it! I live in canyon just south of San Jose where I get my fill regularly simply with my "commute." I consider myself very lucky in that regard. So, I don't really sense that need as much as I would if I resided elsewhere. Thanks again.

Enjoy!

 

tony...doesn't neil young live around there?

 

Not far away John. For a guy from NY, I'm actually somewhat impressed. Neil (like I know him), resides not too far from Half Moon Bay, I think La Honda is the nearest town. That is sort of the mid-point between SJ and SF, so about an hour north of me. He is known actually for driving an old pick-up still . There are some sweet roads in that area as well...

 

Neil is also a hockey fan ... I've seen him at Sharks games many times

 

.

 

I've heard the same thing MINIAC. The Sharks are a sore topic these days after coming so far, and falling short. Kudos to Calgary though. Heck, I know that I'm going OT here big time, but Calgary won it all in '89. I was a senior at Cal (Berkeley) so without a local hockey team at that time, many of us at Cal were pulling for "Cal"gary. I have a soft spot for those guys. Also in '89, the Pistons won it for basketball. So... who will win the World Series this year guys?

Ok, to get us back on topic, if anyone does have Buttonwillow times, please post, along with the track configuration. Really curious to see how we are doing...

Thanks.

 

Andy,
Thanks for posting that link. I am new to Norhtern California and have been looking for a way to get involved in some track events. Looks like a great organization and fun events.

 

Andy, we have three (3!) members with Minis in NCRC - you're just the one that comes out most often

We'd love to see more, of course.

Dave Mills
dave@ncracing.org
NCRC

 

Welcome to NAM Dave, Great to know there are some more MINIs in the club.

For all you West Coast MINI Owners out there, NCRC is a great organization, Great events, great people. Dave is one of the founders of the club and super friendly and helpful as are all the NCRC people.

Andy

 

Thanks for the warm welcome, Andy.

With the influx of Miatas over the last couple years, then MINIs, and presumably Elises next, I see a good trend here for track cars. I'm all for reducing the total mass flying around...

Dave

 

Ah, well, you might think like 4 members, as you should get my app soon.

2003 MSC, not stock. I've had it at Thill a couple of times. Not sure what lap times I run there in the Mini, since they always have a chicane at T1 and T8.

I can tell you I run 2:07's at Thill on a motorcycle, though.

Phil

 

On this configuration I did a 2:14 on a overcast day with the Racer Factory group this past January.