All I can say is wow. I have been running an '04 MCS in TGS (street tire GS) for a few years now and had an opportunity to co-drive a Cooper in THS. It took a little time to adjust to less power, but with concentrating on speed maintenance and left foot braking it ended up feeling as fast as the MCS (just without the wheel spin). I think I even came out ahead of my typical competitors in TGS (including an MCS).

Now I am stuck trying to reconsider my original decision to go with the MCS over the MC.

 

Well stick with your decision on the MCS! I have an MC and regularly beat out MCS's on autox and time trial road racing. I've been driving my MC for just over 3 years and it certinly teaches you how to carry the maximum amount of momentum through each curve. I was told (before I got a Mini and got into motorsports) that if you are learning how to race a car start with as little power as you can stand. Once you have learned to carry the momentum then you add speed. He said and I quote him "a faster car will only get you from turn 1 to turn 2 faster, a faster driver will get you in and out of the turns faster". So IMHO you already have a fast car just learn how to enter and exit a turn faster. Dont regret buying the MCS because you will eventualy want that power back. I on the other hand have an expensive engine swap in my future.

 

That sounds more like an endorsement to find a Cooper. Unfortunately, I am not having any luck in that department.

 

It's not required to have a lower HP car to learn with you just need to remember to concentrate on nailing the entry speed of your turns and keep pushing it through the curve. The main point is the less unsettled the suspension becomes the faster you can drive. Also an important thing to put in your head as your learning is "he who turns the steering wheel the least wins!!!

Good luck and have fun with the new addiction!!

 

As somebody said, tis better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

I certainly haven’t regretted going with the just-a-cooper. Sure, I get passed at the track but in autox I do better than some guys with cars that have way more power (that can’t be effectively used).

I just had to be really honest with myself about my goals. An S doesn’t get you that much if you are gonna stick with HS autox, for example, and it left me lots of $$ for better tires, wheels, and track time. And better gas mileage.