Well. This was an interesting event. I hadn't tracked at all this year because of different priorities this year, but finally being able to ring out the MINI was nice.

It was an interesting day to say the least. It was jam packed compared to the last Black Friday event I went to the year before, so it was hard to find any space on the track.

It was sprinkling the first session out and needless to say, I was the first victim of a nasty spinout in the dirt and I was absolutely caked with dirty. That video will be up later.

I must report though, that my tune from DNA Tuning held up real well on the track. The power and deliver, both linear in feel, were predictable and rewarding throughout the track. The BF Goodrich G-Force Rivals are amazing tires and they felt more grippy, when dry, than the RS-3's I had prior.

The MINI did not go out w/o faults though. Along with the going off the dirt, I did end up cracked a bit of the underbody tray panel (driver side), and went into limp mode on the track. Also I had to get one of my tires dismounted and remounted/balanced because going off the dirt, I got a rock wedged in there and was losing air.

I was expelling so must pressure on WOT between shifts, that the stock tubing just couldn't handle all the air pressure release and I went into limp mode because the discharge pipe came off on my 4th session. It hampered my day having to take off the bumper to reconnect the pipe and after all the mess that I had gone through, I decided to call it a day....

Thanks for reading and enjoy the pictures.

FYI: I think the audio is not in sync. I was in a rush to get on the track, I turned on the GoPro but didn't clap on camera to sync the video with my audio recorder inside the MINI. But it looks kinda right. Either way, enjoy the glamorous beauty of Buttonwillow. The footage is off-center because I had to find a flat surface for my suction cup mount. It was located near the tow-hook.

 

i heard a s2k had bit of an accident on the essess

what were your laptimes?

 

Always fun! I want to get back to Buttonwillow sometime, its a bit far for us to get to and our regular group doesn't get there very often. We were out at Sonoma on Friday, no rain for us. Who was running the event? It looks like you were doing the always popular #13CW configuration.

 

If there was an accident, it probably came after I had left. With the issues I went through I felt my didn't want to take anymore chances and called it a day earlier than I wanted. My discharge pipe has come off twice since the incident so I'm in need of a better pipe.

My times were nowhere near my PR of 2:12 so it's not worth noting. lol. Considering it's been over a year, I have to relearn my lines and adjust accordingly.

13CW is bar far the more fun configuration! A NorCal 1st gen MINI was down here, she keeps telling me to do Thunderhill in February, but I'll have to see if I have the time to make it up. I'd love to track up there, so one day....

 

We're planning on doing MINI Thunder at Thunderhill on the 16th, its always a fun event. Also as everyone is driving a MINI, you're suddenly not the slowest car on track. We're going to take Bertie, probably his first track day (unless we find something in January). I won't feel so slow in the advanced group.

We find its a bit of a hike to get to Thunderhill, so we tend to only bother for special occasions. It really would be a long hike for you. Hope to see you there.

 

Yeah, that's a helluva drive on my end. I have a stay up in Burlingame whenever I want, but I have to be sure I have the time to attend the event. We'll see. Im' sure if I go, I'll end up in an intermediate group or something.

 

Added my spin out video. I should not have taken the pass...

 

Awesome video. I want to get to the track in my Mini too. Soon.

 

I am shocked you weren't black flagged for driving with your passenger window up. Good thing you had it up or even more dirt would have been in the car.

 

Great video.

Why do they make you run with the windows down?

 

I've never been given any warning about my window being up. But I suppose I should have it down.

can be potential hazard

 

Just found this vid, ha, gotta to love that turn, I four wheel drifted that turn a couple of times and it was dry, as you know, a tough high speed blind, hump corner coming off of Riverside in which you are flat out..you reacted appropriately for the situation...I felt your unexpected wheel spin and rotation and shared the ride with you. We will definitely be going to the track together, once you have your new additions tuned, prepped and ready...my Rivals are begging me!

 

Well, I was an idiot for trying to overtake him on lap 1 on cold tires and drizzling conditions....lol