I'm working at this race coming up. I understand some MINIs will be there, along with a bunch of other cools cars.
http://www.stjohnsgrandprix.com/

 

I'm outta here this afternoon!

I know in the Small Bore Group Mark Congleton is driving a MINI Cooper. Hope there will be other MINIs to fill the field.

 

I took a cardfull of photos this weekend!:impatient Tried my low light experience with the Miata squadron. They all have V8s!
The course was on the St. Johns airport runway and taxiways, like an X.
I just got back. Stay tuned, will post some cool shots, some with MINIs in them.

 

Kurt: did the MINI show up in the small bore group?

 

A total of 4 by Sunday. Sorry, I'm trying to catch up with *blech* work, plan to post a bunch of pictures someday soon. BTW: I mooched rides with all of them!

 

I had to stop at Two Guns, an abandoned Route 66 town. Did any MTTS participants dare to drive the rough road to get here?

 

The United Auto paddock. They have the coolest rig!


The first victim, er, driver I begged for a ride was Norm. Like any open-minded driver, he asked for advice, and I gave what little bit I know. He claimed it helped, and his times showed.


Carolyn exhibited the prototypical MINI enthusiasm. Yes, I got a ride!


Carolyn on the track.


Rick was a very smooth driver. The icecream truck music was a cute touch.


Ali was a hard sell, but I told him all the other MINI drivers were really nice to take me for a ride.


The fastest I saw at the end of the long straight was 105 mph, killer brakes are a must! When I ran two laps for a VIP ride I hit only 90 mph.

 

My favorite time of day; on Thursday I convinced my new Miata friends to pose their V8 Monsters on the runway.


The baddest one was this Can Am race car. When new it had about 1100 hp, but for reliability it has "only" about 700 hp.


At the other end of the spectrum, quantity made up for horsepower. Don't laugh, these buggers were pretty fast!


I'm sure the (brand new) Viper driver was wondering why the Miata was hard to catch.


Old Yeller #1 was a hit. It was built in the early 50's in Phoenix, crashed in the early 60's at Riverside, stored at one barn then another for over 20 years, resurected, authenticated by the original builder(s), and enjoys track time.


And yes, I got a wild ride. :impatient


How many races have a parade through town?


The Speed Truck race was (is) to be on television. I was below the flag platform for this shot of the start, percs of being an official looking dude.


Okay, not glamorous like the Monterey Historics. But free room 1.5 miles away, a quick lesson from Larry Pond on a pace lap, rides in race cars (also a Porsche 914-6), and no crowd. I'll be back!

 

Great pictures, Kurt! Looks like you had a real nice time

 

Just to set the record straight:

In the small bore White Production Based Cars, John Dowling in his 3.6 Liter 911 Porsche was the overall winner.
Class winners were:
1. Mini Cooper Class Ali Basakinci Scottsdale , AZ BMW Mini

Forgot to mention I rode in a Lotus Elise.