OK I dont know how to do a survey on this site. But here it is.
Why haven’t you taken your Mini to the track?
1. Too Scary, I’m afraid I might wreck my Mini and Insurance wouldn’t cover any damages.
2. No interest in driving fast. I’m into MPG not speed.
3. I’d like to but never knew how or where to go to do it.
4. I am Intimidated. I don’t want to be blown away.
5. My Mini just would look silly trying to dice it up with the big boys like the Porsche’s.
6. I don’t know anything about driving fast.

 

For me, it's 1 and 6. I have a friend who is willing to teach me, but I'm still scared to go and afraid my insurance won't cover any damages if I do go.

That's why.

 

I don't need one more addiction to feed with one more bank acct. But it's in the long term plans.

 

I don't have my MINI quite yet -- picking it up tomorrow! -- but, #3 and #6 will be, uh, why I will not have taken my MINI to the track by the end of my break-in period. I guess I'd have to find a performance driving school or something, and then find a track. It's all rather intimidating.

Sounds like a blast, though!

-Will

 

Two words: Daily driver.

Now, if some anonymous benefactor were to buy me a second MINI, one of them would definitely on a track somewhere having some fun

 

None of the above for me - I just haven't had the time. YET!!!

I'm game to go to the performance driving school (Phil Wicks), but as for routine track playing...probably not. mostly because I wouldn't want to hurt my poor car, nor do I want to mess up my "track record" (ha ha ha) with my great insurance company.

But the "twisties"....now THEREs a different story!!

 

Some things to keep in mind.
1) It's fun!
2) It actually makes you a better every dayly driver.
3) It's fum! You can do this!

 

Lets dispel a few myths here.

There are a lot of fine track days all over the US that welcome novice drivers with open arms. Provide good training and don't let you out there without some classroom work and an instructor in the seat next to you.

BMW-CCA is known for the quality of their HPDE's (High Performance Drivers Education). As a MINI owner you can join BMW-CCA too.

Taking a MINI out on the track is not going to break it so long as it is in good mechanical condition. You will the brakes and tires a little faster but if you are a novice, you are not going that fast. Sure, you see some of us with our cages, seats, harnesses, BBK's and stacks of gumball type tires. YOU DO NOT NEED THAT. In fact, you learn more in a stock car faster.

There is a series of articles in the NAM Alliance Magazine by Track-Toy, a MINI owning MA in Pittsburgh that is an instructor at his local track, Beaver Run. Download and read all three articles, each builds on the next. There is one article in each of the 3 issues. Still free to download them, you don't have to be an Alliance Member, but it won't hurt if you joined...

Some insurance companies even consider these types of sanctioned Driver Education events as just that, driver education and offer discounts.

If you live near a track go and check it out. See whats going on, talk to the organizers. Remember it behooves them that you have fun, learn some tricks and both you and the MINI go home, a little tired, but happy.

One other point and then I'll shut up...

These type of events help you in everyday driving. You have a better command of the MINI's capabilities and in an emergency situation on the street have more confidence.

 

7. Parents

 

$$$$

 

NO NEED! I saw all of the "Fast and Furious" movies, so I know it's totally acceptable to thrash my MINI around crowded city streets at high speeds with absolutely no regard for anyone else sharing the roads with me!
That means that where ever I am, I'm on a track! Nothing like 'real-life' experience to learn the ins and outs of your car and your own native abilities.

 

None of the above, I take my sportbike to the track. Screw the cage.

Attachment 36726

 

#2 for me. I did not get into MINIs because they are race cars. For me it is enough that they are superbly poised daily drivers that engage the motorer, have the kind of drivability that any good motor car should have, have a solid heritage, have both practicality and great fuel economy, and (probably because of all the previously mentioned) are fun. The track has no interest for me.

 

I scuba dive, ride my bicycle (Roadi), woodworking hobby, business and the GF will kill me if I add another pricey hobby on top of all of that. Thats why!

 

3. I’d like to but never knew how or where to go to do it.

 

Good reason

 

This is great place to start for you. It's the Nebraska region BMW-CCA The chapter pres also lives in Lincoln.

http://www.bmwccamvc.org

 

Took ages for them to let me do a defensive driving course (where I drifted my Mini, hush hush), but flying around a track at break neck speeds they just wont allow

 

None of the above for me, I've done one track day, and I've signed up for a couple more this year.

In Nor-Cal there are at least 4 world class tracks, I've done Thunderhill, I've signed up for days at Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca with Hooked on Driving.

 

You could tell your parents it'd make you a safer driver. First you learn how to control the car in extreme circumstances, which is a good thing. Also people who go to the track tend to drive more conservatively on the street, its not worth it once you've done the real thing. Try to persuade them you'll be safer if you get it out of your system in a safe environment.

 

None of the above for me either. Soon as I got thru the break in period one month after I got my Mini, I was at Thunderhill for their Hooked on MINIs HPDE event. Nervous as hell, but after that first lap..Wow...just wow. It's a great way to find out what your car can do within your own ability without fear of being ticketed.

 

I think you meant MINI would make Porsches look silly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXL3NCmJ1H0

 

Racing is for rich guys, I hate all the whining I hear on this website about why MINI USA won't pick up their repair costs when they trash their cars in a competitive event. All timed events abuse the the cars, RACING IS FOR RICH GUYS, or just buy a nice go-kart and equipment and race within your means. I don't drive my MINI to Mexico either, it voids my finance agreement as well.

 

I have no interest in driving fast, but I do want to learn how to drive better and more in control.

I'll eventually do autocross, but right now, my MINI is my daily driver. I can't afford the excessive wear and expense on something that's got to last me a long time.

 

There is a HUGE difference between racing and attending an HPDE. Racing is wheel to wheel with passing in the middle of corners and pushing both yourself and the car to get the max performance level. HPDE's are Drivers Education at speed where in a controlled environment you explore the limits of the car. No one is going to swoop in for a mid-corner pass. No times are kept. HPDE's are more about personal growth and understanding the way the vehicle works at the limits. A side effect is the fun factor.

From the Wikipedia entry on HPDE's, emphasis mine.