This week our dealership sponsored a track day at a local racing club. It was actually the dealership group, so there were 20 cars and about half were MINI's.

When it came time to head out on the full track in groups I was placed in a group where I was the only MINI. The other cars were 3 series BMW's and a Z3 M roadster. I was a little concerned. I'd never been on a track and a couple of the other guys in my group had. I was worried that I would not be able to keep up.

We followed the instructor driving the lead car to learn the track and the line. He slowly worked us up to speed. Once we got to the full speed he wanted us to go, I was amazed. I had no trouble whatsoever keeping up. In fact, I felt like I could easily go faster.

After we learned the track the instructor switched to riding along with the driver of the lead car. The speed started to creep up even more as whoever was leading got more aggressive and confident. Again, I was worried, but without cause. It was consistently easy for me to hold the line whoever was leading. I was always braking later into the turn. I always had more pedal when we accelerated on the straights. Even when the M Roadster was in the lead I had no problem keeping up.

When the time came for the instructor to ride with me and for me to take the lead, the instructor told me that he had never ridden in a MINI before and he was surprised I had been keeping up so well. I just grinned and took off. He got a little white knuckled after the first straight when I waited until the "2" to brake (the other cars were braking at 3, 3 1/2). I was able to use the throttle to steer swinging wide after two of the turns (and he helped me understand how to control the understeer more smoothly and get even faster coming out of those turns, keeping the line better). After the M Roadster spun coming out of one of the turns during my third lap he told me I'd better take it a little easier so the other cars could keep up.

When we pitted so he could switch to the next car he said, "Man, you've got a great car here. These MINI's are something else."

Now, the track was wet from some rain, so maybe that helped, but I came away even more impressed with our MINI's than I was before. So was one of the 3 series guys in my group. After seeing the MINI's on the track that day he was considering getting one himself.

 

sweet!!
minis really rock..
good to see they gave ur mini the respect they deserve!! lol

 

I've been impressed too, and have earned respect from others at the track. Driven properly, you can embarrass cars with 3 or 4 times the engine. Too bad tires and brakes wear out so dang quickly!

 

Might have something to do with the great roads in your area Kurt!

 

That story is too cool!!!