Had my first track day in the JCW Clubman (or any car for that matter.) Had an Sti, older Mustang GT and Genesis Coupe in my group. Held my own with the Genesis, but couldn't hang with the Sti. Not sure it was stock... I was eating the GT alive, but assume it was the driver, not the car. What a blast.

The Mini was very impressive. Got lots of nice comments from the other groups. Many asked if it was stock (which it is). Was hitting 110 on the back straight at PIR. I'm sure others could top that, but I was quite pleased with myself.

The third group had some special cars. A Lotus Exige, a 2010 GT3, and a Ferrari F430 Scuderia. I could listen to the Ferrari and GT3 all day. Wow!

Thanks for listening. I'll have this grin for weeks! And the slippery slope begins...

 

nice!

I really badly want to do a track day...

One of these days... if they let convertibles out there

 

There were two Honda S2000s and I'm pretty sure they ran top down.

 

For a convertible to be allowed in most HPDE's, it must be able to support it's weight by the windshield frame. The S2000's and Boxsters, for example, meet this standard and are usually allowed in without a rollbar. The cabrio, from my understanding, doesn't, so most groups require a rollbar for the cabrio.

 

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That is as I expected, and totally understandable.

Initially, I think I really want to do lower speed HPDE to get a better driving knowledge.

Although I'd love to race or do higher speed stuff, I don't think it would be wise in a cabrio.

I know the local BMWCCA does allow cabrio minis, so maybe that is a start!

Research time, if I'm to put my money where my mouth is!

Sorry Works Clubman, I didn't mean to hijack your thread

 

If your BMWCCA allows Cabrios, that is a GREAT place to start!

 

I did the Phil Wicks driving school in May at VIR. it was a tremendous amount of fun and obviously MINI focused although other cars were there as well. He is based at Carolina Motorsports Park, but travels to other tracks as well.

http://www.minidriving.com/academy.asp