Now THAT is how you do aggressive wheel arches - why couldn't GP3 come with something like that instead of those slabs of carbon/plastic cutting boards attached to the car, so weird looking (but then again, I know that the looks are subjective thing and some people might like it).
I heard those crazy HKS guys already installed a hybrid turbo in their GR Yaris to get 375hp and added 100 hp nitrous shot for a total of 475 hp and all that on stock internals and still didn't kill the engine - freaking amazing!
If I could have Mini GP3 with Yaris GR drive train, stick shift, lsd's and all, but with GP3 engine tuned to about 330-350hp and some regular looking wheel arches it would be my perfect car and I'd buy one even if it was $50k! Aarghhhh, never gonna happen, a man can dream though...
the Rocket Bunny setup is 4.500 Euro, without paintshop. OK the Yaris is straight homologation run of 25.ooo cars, this is serious sport. The car is a new developed WRC weapon and not a cross dressed F56.
Our GP3 will have a little YARIS in this stable, as each champ needs a little companion, like this Japanese race goat.
The GP3 is what it is, a purpose track built car that can be safely driven on public roads......
We don't have any great tracks like the Nuburgring in the U. S.....
What about the likes of VIR, Watkins Glen and Road America? These, like the ‘Ring, are accessible by most anyone. I know they are not any where near to being as long, but even in Europe there is only one ‘Ring, and even that went out of favor for a while because of how dangerous it was (is?).
What about the likes of VIR, Watkins Glen and Road America? These, like the ‘Ring, are accessible by most anyone. I know they are not any where near to being as long, but even in Europe there is only one ‘Ring, and even that went out of favor for a while because of how dangerous it was (is?).
VIR is the closest to where I live and it is still a day's drive away. The Ring is not inherently dangerous, however, some of the drivers on it are, the same can be said for most of the tracks anywhere. Some are more technically challenging than others and more risky. I really prefer twisty back road driving.
It is a bit unfortunate that these sorts of tracks are far and few between and less readily available to a lot people in this country. VIR is a long day’s drive for me, too. I am fortunate to be reasonably close to Watkins Glen and Lime Rock. We have some good roads here, but nothing like the Dragon and the like. And our roads tend to have a bit of traffic on them. So driving them at even 8 tenths is likely out of the question. So I use the tracks instead for my ~10 tenths driving.
When I mentioned about the ‘Ring being unsafe, I was thinking about Niki Lauda’s crash there and how, back in the day, racing pretty much ended there for a while because of relative safety concerns. Some would say the same about WGI, even today. But in general, I agree with you about it being the driver’s responsibility to be safe wherever they are.
Other than the length, history and reputation of the Ring, what makes it that much better than other tracks? We have 2 tracks here in AZ that are a blast to drive. What do you get at the Ring that I can't get locally, or at any other decently long (over 1.5 miles) track?
Other than the length, history and reputation of the Ring, what makes it that much better than other tracks? We have 2 tracks here in AZ that are a blast to drive. What do you get at the Ring that I can't get locally, or at any other decently long (over 1.5 miles) track?
The Ring is the Ring, and as an analogy, there is only one Kentucky Derby, although there are numerous other tracks that are as good as Churchill Downs. We have tracked the Indianapolis Speedway in our minis and other than bragging rights it really isn't any better than a lot of other tracks and not as good as many of them, but there is only one Indianapolis Speedway. Fun is where you find it and what you make of it. It is sort of like Route 66, it is a long and fun road to drive, but it sure is not the best road, however, it is one of a kind, therefore, unique. If you are happy where you track what difference does it make if someone else wants to track a specific course?
The Ring is an iconic, one of a kind track with quite a history. I know a person who went to Europe to have a 2 day “learn to drive the Ring” event. I understand it was quite the experience. The 3 tracks I noted are the ones I know something about and I think are great in their own right. Glad to hear the mid west area has great tracks too.
On a side note - I found this lost car at my dealer that is looking for a home:
GP 2979 wanting a home.
Still dirty from its ride here and it is looking for a home. Nope not me. My JCW serves me well for this area, where we are still cleaning up from a 30” snowfall a few days ago.
The Ring is the Ring, and as an analogy, there is only one Kentucky Derby, although there are numerous other tracks that are as good as Churchill Downs. We have tracked the Indianapolis Speedway in our minis and other than bragging rights it really isn't any better than a lot of other tracks and not as good as many of them, but there is only one Indianapolis Speedway. Fun is where you find it and what you make of it. It is sort of like Route 66, it is a long and fun road to drive, but it sure is not the best road, however, it is one of a kind, therefore, unique. If you are happy where you track what difference does it make if someone else wants to track a specific course?
So true!
And you are also right about that not happening in this country. Tis to dream, though, and enjoy what you have.
Other than the length, history and reputation of the Ring, what makes it that much better than other tracks? We have 2 tracks here in AZ that are a blast to drive. What do you get at the Ring that I can't get locally, or at any other decently long (over 1.5 miles) track?
You get at the ring the competition you dont want ;-)
Unlike other reviewers, he actually manually shift the transmission... Just like a true race car driver. What a novel idea.
I think he could have been a tick faster if he had apex’ed the turns, but still a credible time.
I saw an Edmonds video review of the GP and they clocked it at 13.2 for the quarter mile... Is that right? If it is, then this car is really bookin’ it.
Enjoy!
Edit - found a video with a 13.0 sec 1/4 mile... guess it’s real.
The Ring is the Ring, and as an analogy, there is only one Kentucky Derby, although there are numerous other tracks that are as good as Churchill Downs. We have tracked the Indianapolis Speedway in our minis and other than bragging rights it really isn't any better than a lot of other tracks and not as good as many of them, but there is only one Indianapolis Speedway. Fun is where you find it and what you make of it. It is sort of like Route 66, it is a long and fun road to drive, but it sure is not the best road, however, it is one of a kind, therefore, unique. If you are happy where you track what difference does it make if someone else wants to track a specific course?
Maybe you misunderstood . It doesn't make any difference to me where someone would want to track their car. I was literally just curious if there was something special about it (best straights, best turns, whatever) other than it's history, reputation and such. I mean, if I lived close to it, I'd track there, too
With the thought of better things to come, here is a fun review of the GP done by Randy Pobst at Willow springs: https://youtu.be/SRLREv0odZg
Unlike other reviewers, he actually manually shift the transmission... Just like a true race car driver. What a novel idea.
I think he could have been a tick faster if he had apex’ed the turns, but still a credible time.
I saw an Edmonds video review of the GP and they clocked it at 13.2 for the quarter mile... Is that right? If it is, then this car is really bookin’ it.
Enjoy!
Edit - found a video with a 13.0 sec 1/4 mile... guess it’s real.
I just looked this up - the 13.2 time is legit! Aside from the obvious advantage in HP over the standard JCW, I wonder how much the limited slip diff is helping helping that time.
I just looked this up - the 13.2 time is legit! Aside from the obvious advantage in HP over the standard JCW, I wonder how much the limited slip diff is helping helping that time.
You might have a point there. I have a Quaife mechanical LSD in my R56S and it makes a big differences on the track. The eDLC (MINI’s form of an electronic limited slip) on the JCW or S uses the brake on one front wheel or the other to cut down or eliminate wheel spin. This just slows the car down...
The other thing that really helps is the automatic. These are no longer slush box and it is almost as fast shifting as a DCT (got that from Turner Motor Sports). This show really well the difference between the GP automatic and cars with a stick:
Sorry you have to put up with a few minutes of advertising to get to the good part.
But still, I come from the muscle car days. 454 Chevys, 426 hemis, etc and it was impressive to have a car make it into the 13s in the quarter mile. Here the MINI is almost breaking into the 12s. To me this is like WoW for a little 4 cylinder car.
It speaks for itself that all serious car manufacturers have established test centers close to the track. It take me 5 hour to get there, I need one hour to Oscherleben a track which suits MINI well, but no challenge and easy to drive. What make the Ring unbeatable, that you have sections like Hohe Acht to Schwalbenschwanz, where only skills and ***** decide, you can humiliate Ferraris and Porsches, as its mainly downhill and setup rules. I crashed 2 cars there, and still don`t know why. It needs 25 km attention and high concentration, and it happens mainly there where you dont expect it. Schirra Mini Racing lost one car in the forrest, he was hanging 5 meter high in the trees. However there is nothing more satisfying to see opponents get small in rear mirror, after a couple of corners, and than all of a sudden a GT3 fills out your rear mirror and you the rabbit.
But, it is a bit humbling when the faster “car” is a SUV...
Those things are getting to be really good these days! And that run off into dirt (2:11) to get around that MINI would have had most people walking home with a bucket of busted car parts.
Those things are getting to be really good these days! And that run off into dirt (2:11) to get around that MINI would have had most people walking home with a bucket of busted car parts.
Indeed, that SUV is over the limit and still safe, is he a stoned shisa bar owner or a pro driver is the question ?
That video is also a good impression of a sunny afternoon teadrive, lots of MINI.
I would never join, but I started like that, on a passenger seat.
Indeed, that SUV is over the limit and still safe, is he a stoned shisa bar owner or a pro driver is the question ?
That video is also a good impression of a sunny afternoon teadrive, lots of MINI.
I would never join, but I started like that, on a passenger seat.
Hopefully an Audi test driver or the like...
Whoever was driving knew the track really well judging by how well he/she apexed the turns, and their their general handling of the car. I can also see why avoiding “tourist” time on that track is a good idea.
. It doesn't make any difference to me where someone would want to track their car. I was literally just curious if there was something special about it (best straights, best turns, whatever) other than it's history, reputation and such. I mean, if I lived close to it, I'd track there, too 
