It's comin' up on that time again. Here are the dates and class run schedule for October and November.

SOLO II: October 26 Hawaii Raceway Park
Heat 1: All Stock
Heat 2: ASP, BSP, CSP, DSP
Heat 3: ESP, FSP, All Modified
Heat 4: All Prepared, STS, SM

SOLO II: November 29 SATURDAY Hawaii Raceway Park
Heat 1: ASP, BSP, CSP, DSP
Heat 2: ESP, FSP, All Modified
Heat 3: All Prepared, STS, SM
Heat 4: All Stock

 

will be there with mini-t. look for the possibly flower'ed or something else EB MCS. mini-t will be driving. i might fun run it though.

b

 

Sorry got something else on Oct 26th, maybe November if all is well.
Looking forward to that.
Do we have any dates for January 2004?

 

scca solo II 2004 dates:

Jan. 25
Feb. 8
Mar. 7
Apr. 4
May 2
May 29, Saturday (Test and Tune)
Jun. 6
Jul. 4
Aug. 1
Aug. 29
Sept. 25, Saturday (Test and Tune)
Oct. 3
Nov. 7
Dec. 5

 

Is there anyone in our area who has participated in numerous SCCA Solo II events with their MINI? Any problems or any suggestions for a MINI Cooper running for the first time as a novice? I am not going to do any modifications other than a K&N drop in air filter and possibly some plug wires. I would like to see how well the car and I do before I spend money on more horsepower. Has anyone run the autocross events with stock runflats?

 

Hi, kencraig! Looking forward to meeting you soon :smile: . I did last month's event as a first-time participant (got turned on to this super fun endeavor by the autox man himself, baronious!). I anticipated only the finest machines available today there at the track: Paul Walker Skylars & such . [Then again, if my bro & his Miata can make it down there in November -- a Saturday, his day off -- then I'd absolutely want family bragging rights LOL.] With my very limited experience, that's all that I can add... See you, kencraig, & everyone else then!

 

I've only done one event myself, but I've watched several. My advice to people who would want to try this is to make sure your tires are inflated properly, show up at 8am, and have a good time. The people out there are for the most part really friendly, and everyone loves to see new people.

If I can get my rear wheel bearings in time (lol the saga of my life) the '71 will be out there this month.

-Andy

 

kencraig. you should have no problems. do you have a MC or MCS? we ran our "S" with autox tires, bone stock otherwise. i just felt that it needed more power. BUT with the stock runflats, there should be just enough power for the available traction for decent balance. go to walmart, buy a cheap air compressor for your cig lighter and also buy a tire gauge. that way, you can adjust your tire pressure there. wear closed toe shoes and sunscreen and bring a snell95 or newer helmet or else bring a nice rag to put over your head to use the loaner helmet.

b

 

>>kencraig. you should have no problems. do you have a MC or MCS? we ran our "S" with autox tires, bone stock otherwise. i just felt that it needed more power. BUT with the stock runflats, there should be just enough power for the available traction for decent balance. go to walmart, buy a cheap air compressor for your cig lighter and also buy a tire gauge. that way, you can adjust your tire pressure there. wear closed toe shoes and sunscreen and bring a snell95 or newer helmet or else bring a nice rag to put over your head to use the loaner helmet.

Ken has a Chili Red/white MC that is stock.
pack a lunch and bring water or liquids. expect to stay all day until about 430pm
it's hot out there and much to learn. bring a camera or camcorder if you like.
you'll need a helmet that is approved or rent one. The stock runflats should be OK to start with. Watch you tire pressure and adjust. Have fun.

 

kencraig... At last month's event, baronious walked mini-t, minihune, and myself thru the course on foot prior to our heats. I felt that that was very helpful. Most seemed to walk thru themselves. P.S. Those loaner helmets are pilau

 

I will be there with my totally stock Chili Red/White MC. I think I may have to get my own helmet, the loaners don't sound too good. I haven't invested in any gear yet, but I figure a personal helmet will be a necessity. I really liked the harnesses in Minihune's MCS. I think that will be my next investment. I will make sure to have two of those installed for the Spring Fling and the Aloha 500.

 

kencraig - make sure that your helmet meets the SCCA requirements. erik808 had an issue with that at the last one so he can guide you to where/what to buy.

 

I have marked both the October and November events on my calendar, I hope to be there for both. :smile:

Now I need to rummage through old MCO-Hawaii posts to find the comprehensive list of "things to bring". :smile:

Ah, and there's been mention of tire pressure changes here. Lucy has stock runflats ... what psi is recommended for this event? I do have one of those plug-in-to-the-cig-lighter air compressors, so I can bring that.

In the event I decide to start doing this EVERY month, what sort of tires do y'all recommend I buy just for using for these events?

MINIangelD

 

Wow! Tires, helmets... You guys are serious about this aren't you!

For tires, I'd get the stickiest set available, but check with the SCCA guys as certain ones will change your class. At least it used to when I raced 20 years ago! Get the lightest wheels available as you want to reduce unsprung weight. Using a smaller diameter wheel will give you better gearing. This means a 15" wheel for the MC and a 16" wheel for the MCS. I know mini-t wanted to put on 15s on her MCS, but some other guys on MINI2 said a 15x7 wheel will not clear the bolt on the control arm. Watch out for mods as they will take you out of hte stock classes and put you in Prepared, Modified or Street Modified.

 

using a different set of wheels is a mod??

 

>>Is there anyone in our area who has participated in numerous SCCA Solo II events with their MINI?

Aloha, I have run two events thus far in a "bone-stock" MINI Cooper.
First event took 3rd place on borrowed race tires (thanks to mini-t); second event took 1st place on stock 16" run-flats


Any problems or any suggestions for a MINI Cooper running for the first time as a novice?

Tire pressures are very important since we have no suspension adjustments (stock MC). I had 5lbs. more pressure on the front tires and seemed to work well. Even with the DSC turned off, the MINI definitely had neutral steering


Has anyone run the autocross events with stock runflats?

Yes, and did fairly well. IMO, the run-flats were more responsive in turn in than the race tires. Maybe due to the stiff sidewalls, steering was precise and quick. The race tires felt like there was a delay after turning the wheel.
The only mod done to my "showroom stock" MINI Cooper was driving school for the nut behind the wheel. The ALOHA 500 help me explore the limits and beyond of the MINI.
I also run with the nose bra on which rumor has it adds 5 more horsepower

 

Well I guess I am going to use the runflats for sure. If I get a nose-bra (extra 5hp) and possibly run with my car cover on (extra 10 hp) I might be in good shape.

 

^^
^^
I might be chasing you at the next autocross !!
After all, you have the 10 HP advantage

 

>>^^
>>^^
>> :evil:

 

MINIangelD,

I *think* that you can run smaller tires - as long as it was an option on your vehicle.

 

Given Kohu'ulaMINI's testimony as to the efficacy of run-flats, I'll stick with them for now, see how it goes.

BTW, even though I know these events are timed, I'm going primarily for the play factor, not the time factor (although my competitive nature might rear it's hungry head after a few turns around the track). :smile:

MINIangelD

 

>>Given Kohu'ulaMINI's testimony as to the efficacy of run-flats, I'll stick with them for now, see how it goes.
>>
>>BTW, even though I know these events are timed, I'm going primarily for the play factor, not the time factor (although my competitive nature might rear it's hungry head after a few turns around the track). :smile:
>>
>>MINIangelD

hey miniangelD. you don't need a MCS to be competitive. there are 2 ways that your times and rank are posted.

-raw time and overall rank (basically no handicap/adjustment between cars and classes)

VS

-pax times and pax rank (adjusted times for car class and rank is from the adjusted pax times)

fun either way you look at it, but the ultimate goal is to be #1 in both raw and pax times. that means you are the fastest hands down, no if ands or buts because you have to beat everyone else even after car handicap adjustment.

hmmm. anyone wanna let me try a fun run in their car?

the reasons for getting tires

-as you begin to drive at the limit of your car, even good stock tires will give, slide and hold you back from driving your car to its potential. especially if they came with "economy tires".
-autoX tires are becoming the standard. the top 30 finishers are most likely on them and the top 20 are 100% on race tires. if you want to see the fastest you can go on "street" tires, look in the STS class. they run street tires that are right before the point of being race tires.
-it is the most cost effective part that will reduce your times. once you are driving your car at its limit, you should be able to drop your times by 2 seconds or more.
-they are made for this purpose.

miniangelD. for the MCS, my stock dunlop 9000's slide and squeel like crazy on the street. they should be enough to get a feel for auto-X, but eventually, they will prove to not be enough. and hey, you can run tires like my kumhos and still stay in stock class. b

 

thanks, baronious! Gosh, so many factors (that's how it looks from here) ...

Let's say, then, that I'm favorably disposed to the idea of getting some just-for-the-track tires, if I end up going there regular-like.

 

A side note....I have been running on 16" wheels (R83) for the track but using the 15 " wheels (R81) for the street.
Once I wear out the all season 15 inchers, then I will install DOT race tires for next season and the 5-spoke 16 inchers will tend to street use.
Those 15" holees are the lightest OEM wheels and will still keep me in stock class

So, MINIangelD, you can use 16" or 17" wheels to remain in stock class.
BTW, running a MINI is ALL Fun Factor, timed or not

 

Hmm, I must have the second lightest set of MC 15 inchers! I have a friend who has some tires for sale 205-50-15 Yokohamas, I think. Will those work on the MC in a stock class?

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