I have talked to several Mini owners and everyone is always impressed with how their cars handle and what their mods do etc. The topic came up at the last bench racing session as to what a true Professional driver might think of our little wonder cars. I thought I might share some recent correspondence which we received from the owner of out latest Cosworth project car as well as some quotes regarding my car. If any of you have similar " testimonials " perhaps you could add them. Its nice to see that our passion is appreciated by some who drive fast for a living not just for fun like we do. Feel free to share your stories .

This was received from Don Cooper regarding his new pearl white Cosworth car.


Peter and Randy

Here's the review on my car by Freddy Rhemrev, F1 and Champ Car Atlantic Pro
driver.

Finally a car that really match the Quick Ratio Steering of a Cooper S.
When I first pulled out, an obnoxious intake sound as I went thru the gears,
brake for the 1st turn, turn in, the car shims a little sliding to the
outside. The M7 reacted quickly when I came off the brakes and responded with a
quick lift off the throttle and immediately back on. I realized right away
that the car must have had a serious tire since they were sliding at cold temp,
also the clutch or flywheel must be modified since the RPM response is very
sensitive when pulling out, but great for Blipping and Matching RPM's. And,
did I tell you about the burble when you back her down on the RPM Range.
This was all in the first 200 yards of the test drive and it was rude, loud,
and a little shocking, but I knew I Loved it --this thing is COOL, beautiful
and serious FUN!!!

The next miles of drive were a challenge to find the limits of M7 and
harmony of the components to work this machine. There is really nothing more to
say. I want to drive it more; I loved it. I felt the car is way ahead of the
DSC and I will drive it with the DSC turned off and I wouldn't mind fiddling
with the rear sway bar to stop the rear weight transfer. I would love to see
how it reacts when I throw it into a turn a little crossed up, I think the
throttle response this car had is amazing and would correct most situations.
And that obnoxious sound I was kidding about? It sounds like a Formula
Atlantic car with front wheel drive. Funny, I won my 1st Pro-Formula Atlantic
race in 1988, at Lime Rock on TNN Network, with COSWORTH Power! It was the
best revving engine I ever drove. This M7 Cosworth reminds me of that wonderful
season of 1988. So Dr. Cooper, when can I drive it again?


And this was Will Turner of Turner Motorsports quote regarding my car .Mind you I have the stock supercharger and stock head on the car .

"The Mini was definitely the most fun car today. It was hard to tell the lap times because the car is deceivingly fast. it doesn't pull like the supercharged M3 ( which we caught and pased in a later session ) but it was great in the corners and easily made up for its lack of pace in the straights. It made good use of its R compound tires too. I'd race the Mini the way it is - it could enter the Grand Am series and be competitive."

Will Turner Eurotuner Magazine 4/06


Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Wow! Those are some great compliments! Makes me want my JCW even sooner.

 

I posted this awhile back in the Driver's School thread, but I'll recap here hoping it is inline with your topic.
I took my first ever Driver's School a couple of months ago at Road Atlanta, sponsored by the Peachtree BMW club. A great event and I will be repeating as often as possible.
Anyway, my instructor was a great guy named Chuck who races a 1974 Porsche. I got to ride with him after my second track time and what a thrilling, eye-opening experience. He told me later that we were going around 130mph (no speedometer in the car) on average. YIKES, but I absolutely loved it.
Due to a possible brake problem with my MINI, I asked him if he would mind driving it for the first go-round on Sunday morning. If he deemed the car safe I would finish out the day. He said that since he'd never driven a MINI it sounded like fun. We went out and he took it easy the first lap or so, he told me my brakes were fine and did I want to go back in. I was really enjoying being in El Kabong as a passenger with a driver who really knew his stuff, so I told him that, no I didn't want to go back yet if he didn't mind I'd like to watch him drive for a little longer. He said he'd love to, but could he open it up a bit more. I told him to go for it, and he stomped it, what a blast!
Anyway, when our time was up, he brought us back in and told me it was an awesome little car, and he wasn't even giving it all he could. He said it was absolutely made for the "Esses" and was geared perfectly (I nodded like I had a clue ). He said the only thing he would change would be the tires if I intended to keep doing track days. I had to agree!!
Annette

 

Randy, wow, those are powerful words! Good stuff for our MINI, and M7's efforts as well .

While such testemonials are nice to see/read... some feel that actions speak even louder:

Indy 500 Champs Bobby Rahal and Juan Pablo Montoya...

NASCAR drivers Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Petty and champ Bobby Labonte

all OWN MINI's

 

Oh the heck with those guys , didn't one of the Schumacher wives race one Now that is hot LOL

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

We sort of had this conversation before!

 

YUP! Ralf's wife was in the Euro/German John Cooper Challenge. and she IS very HOT!!!

 

Ok, I'm to blame for this one.... let's try to get more back on topic.

So... tell us more about Don's car... it's state of tune namely.

 

If you have to go off topic you might as well go big Ok back on topic.

Dons mod list is as follows:

Custom white pearl paint
M7/ Cosworth head with +10 Technology ( new item )
M7 AGS V3 Pro system with CF heat shield
M7 59mm Throttle body
M7 Port matched intake manifold
M7 DFIC intercooler system ( new item )
M7 Cf Hood scoop ( new item )
M7 / RPS 14. lb flywheel with matching pressure plate
M7 Free Flow Cat Back exhaust ( new item )
M7 Oil Catch Can
M7 Under Strut System
M7 Strut brace
M7 Ported and polished supercharger
M7 400 cc fuel injectors
M7 16% Supercharger pulley
M7 2% lightweight Crank pulley
M7 Cf front aero splitter ( new item )
M7 black upper and mid ultimate grill set
Supersprint exhaust header
Schrick Cam
Nology Hotwires
Cf rear aero grill inserts
Custom red powder coated engine parts
JCW CF dash
JCW custom painted CF wing
Aux gages, Water temp, boost, oil pressure, Wide band PLX R-300 A/F meter
Advan RG 2 17" wheels
Toyo Pr-1 215/40 series tires
Leda Coil over shocks
H-Sport front and rear sway bars
H-Sport prototype front camber plates
Rear adjustable control arms ( 4 )
BBK
Stainless Steel brake lines
Cobra Suzuka GT seats custom covered in black leather and red alcantera
Headliner and interior door panels recovered in grey and red alcantera
CF cowl scoops
Factory aero kit


I am sure you will notice that we have not done anything as yet with regards to ECU tuning. That will be remedied shortly

Randy
m7 Tuning

 

Dang, no M7 tires

Good stuff Randy!

These cars are blast for sure. A DINAN e46 got all the MINI he could handle yesterday on the way into the canyon .

 

When we built Don's M7/Cosworth MINI, one important aspect of the
Build-up was to solve the slooooow throttle response we have experienced up till now on the MINI S.

Our new proprietary 10+ Technology is part of
The M7/Cosworth head, giving fantastic throttle response and ease of matching revs....

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

you have been after that throttle response ever since i met you peter....glad to hear that you have finally gotten there.

Way to go (yet again) m7

 

Is there info on your website about this technology?

thanks!

 

Now now....that's why it's proprietary.

And utill the competiton finds out what I cooked up.....It's all mine.
But believe me it's awesome what it does to the MINI performance experience.

peter
Team M7
562-608-8123

 

The throttle response is one of the only things I don't like about my MINI. Well, that and the fact that I can't afford all the cool stuff coming out on the market!!

 

Same here

 

The throttle response on my first gen. Cosworth car [sans +10 technology- damn you Peter for having new ideas!...lol ] is quite sweet. Everyone who has driven my car has loved how responsive it is, including owners of MINIs with other head work. I have no doubt that the new head is probably ...heh. So, yeah, I'm thrilled and madly jealous!

It's a good thing that I live down the street from Don....

 

How much will this head cost me?

 

We are going thru the process or revising our pricing and web site as we speak. We will make a announcement as soon as that is completed. In the mean time feel free to PM me for whatever specifics I can divulge at this time.

Randy
M7 Tuning

 

Uh...Will....it is in the Grand Am series.
Same series he runs his Beemers in.

Tony Nuzzo runs a couple.

 

I gather Will meant that he would consider racing *that* MINI, not a MINI in the Grand Am Cup. The Grand Am Cup rules actually would prevent that MINI from being run though.

 

double post

 

And I believe they will be at LRP this weekend! If not, next...

There are rules galore on what's allowed/disallowed... sometimes unjustly, at least so it seems...

 

You say potatoe, I say potato

 

That is correct Dave ,he was referring to my personal car which wasn't bad considering it has 55k street miles and is still a daily driver. I felt like a parent who's child just graduated LOL I admit I did pull my subs out for the event

Here is a short video clip of Will in my car at California Speedway


https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...icture_588.avi



Randy
M7 Tuning