Congrats to all at the Denver auto-x! Dave did great with a finish ahead of several "faster" BMWs and ficcion got a podium his first time out! Mark spanked the Bimmers as well. All in all a wonderfully fun time!

 

*cough* RANDY TOOK 1ST *cough*

Way to go.

This photo is from the end of the day.


More pix of our fun in the MCO Autocross Gallery and the MCO Rocky Mountain Gallery

_________________
<a href="mailto:dave@northamericanmotoring.com&q uot;>Dave@minicooperonline.com</a> | DarkSilverS

 

Congrats all!!!
Great pics Dave!
SW

 

Some more pics


Kelly waiting for his chance


Mark and I in the morning practice


Randy back from another nice run


Mark's sweet MCS alone in the parking lot thinking about the next time when hopefully it gets to have some fun.

 

It was a great time! Next season I'll be out there with my Cooper!

 

What tires are you running? And how long are they lasting for you? The cost of tires is pretty much the only thing keeping me from trying my hand at Autocrossing...

Rocketboy_X

 

Rocketby: I'm using Yokohama AVS ES 100 205/50 R16 tires. They run about $75 per tire. Everyone else was on the stock 17" run-flats which are anywhere from $174-$271 per tire to replace. So it's much cheaper to use regular tires, plus you get the added bonuses of improved ride comfort and less rotating weight.

Oh, the MINI understeers really badly so I wore the outer edge of the front pretty good. I rotated the tires yesterday (front to back). Since my MINI is lowered, and there is no camber adjustment on the rear, the tires that are now on the rear will wear more on the inside edge. So that should even out the wear on that set.

I'm kind of picturing my tire buying goes something like this. Buy 4 tires, then replace 2 (the set on the back now), then when those wear out, replace all 4 tires together.

 

Dave:
I think this has been covered in another thread...but what the heck. What will regular tires do to the flat tire monitoring sensors? And, does this affect the warranty if you use non-run flats? I've ordered my MCS with the 17" run flats.

 

It doesn't effect the pressure monitoring at all, because the pressure monitoring is electronic and is comparing relative wheel speed. So no change, except I would now not have 50 miles to drive on the tire (I'm carrying fix-a-flat and a compressor around town, and plan on reinstalling the runflats for long road trips).

No change in the warrenty. I specifically asked MINIUSA about this through the owners lounge. The towing coverage is still intacted if you get a flat with non run flat tires on a MINI (cooper or S) that came equipped with run-flats, and need to get towed. So no worries there, you're still covered.

 

You mentioned fix-a-flat...that's what I had in mind. I understand the run-flats get horrible mileage compared to a radial. I have used fix-a-flat for years and thought that with the radials giving 3 times the mileage and a smoother ride, why not...when the time comes...replace the run-flats with radials.

 

Here is a "picture of a picture" (hence the quality). This is the one I won in the raffle!

Little better than that "beer glass" trophy you other guys got...just joking

Congrats to all!

 

>>*cough* RANDY TOOK 1ST *cough*
>>
>>Way to go.
>>
>>This photo is from the end of the day.
>> Dave, this pic of the MINIs in the round is absolutely awesome! Belongs in a MINI magazine...good job! All the others are excellent, as well!

Cheers!
Clover

 

Thanks Clover.

Now all we need is a magazine for the new MINI. :smile:

 

6f7: sorry about mislabeling that pic in the gallery. It's been corrected.