Took my 2004 mini cooper S to the ring last weekend. Figured Id post up the vids. This was my first time EVER driving the ring. Hope you enjoy. This week im putting my summer tires on, this was in my all season/winter tires. This weekend should be a little better and easier on the brakes. Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think.


Vid part 1

Vid part 2



Ill be posting the run I do this comming up weekend also.

 

Looks like a blizzard to me.

(no links)

 

1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVV3g...e_gdata_player
2
Try this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LtNz...e_gdata_player

 

Oh I am SOO jealous!

Thanks for sharing though - even so...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

My son took his Neon SRT-4 there for a couple of laps.
He was grinning ear to ear.
Great entertainment.
Thanks for posting!

 

I was there last Sunday the 27th. My first time driving on the ring too. Think I got around 11:56 on my second lap. Posted it on YouTube also.
Would post the link, but I'm on my phone. You can search for cjfiz. We should meet up at the track sometime. I take it your military also?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e-tNpdTjJM

 

My son is, 82nd Airborne, Fury from the Sky!
He's back at Bragg now.
I don't remember what his laps times were like.
He's got a couple of vids also.
Looks like you were having a great time.

 

You got some work to do, I just booted up Forza 3 and did a cold lap in an '03 MCS in just under 10:30 (with a very minor scrape around one corner but otherwise 98% clean) Then I ran the '09 JCW around and wiped it out within a minute.. restarted and removed the left side mirror at about 6 minutes in but continued at that point to a 10:15ish time... so without altercations a JCW can do the 'ring in under 10 according to Forza 3.

hehe. I'd never drive my car like that though.. tail braking, letting the tail drift sometimes, lofting it... etc.

 

Yeah it was def a good time. Looking forward to this weekend though. Tires are being put on today. @bloodyCow, yeah I am, shoot me a pm and we can meet up sometime.

 

Did the Ring back in '67 whenI was stationed in Germany with the Army. At that time it cost us 5 Duetschmarks, or $1.25 to do a lap.
We did this in a '53 VW, with mechanical brakes, so we didn't really push it that hard. I would love to do it again in my Clubman.

John

 

Now its 24 euros a lap. like 29 bucks....

 

Got my summer tires put on falken fk-452's 215 35 19's. On my SSR gt7's 19x7.5" rim et weight is 19.5lbs per rim. Today its rainy, tomorrow is supposed to be 70 and sunny. Im excited.

 

Note the avatar, I took that pic while a buddy ran a sub 10...

 

'tis one thing on the computer, but oh mercy to do that in person? something else again.

i've driven the ring for 10 years using Grand Prix Legends, and can turn an 8:26 on a good day with one of those 400 hp Ferraris with skinny tires. In '67 Clark's record was an 8:21 I do believe.

these days production cars are faster than that which I find stunning, as I know that I'm turning 190 down the final straight and taking chances everywhere that would scare me witless in the real world.

Just watching some of these vids makes me wonder how the folks that are doing it for real learn the course, as not knowing what's next on that track seems to me to be a recipe for mayhem - given that some blind brows are properly taken flat out, and others are concealing a braking zone.

anyway, it's a wonderful thrill to ride along with those of you that have shared, and I thank you for the grins!

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Driving the 'ring is the top thing on my bucket list...

 

Definitely a fun adventure. I ran this track a bunch with forza but it dosent actually give you the same feeling as taking the g forces and being tossed around in a mini . I made one from this last weekend. I ran a sub 10. My goal is sub 9

 

Why do non-BMW drivers inevitably make stupid comments when they pass BMWs? You're driving a BMW, dude.

 

Yeah. That's my buddie at the camera, he drives a Volvo.

 

Oh stop that! You are spoiling my Anglophilic myopism. The bloody car is Briitish Racing Green and has Cooper's name on it. Never mind the bar codes under the hood.



If I was strictly realistic I'd have to admit the motor is Brazilian and the ECM is German. Who can imagine a Teutonic Samba after all?

 

I'm guessing because those of us driving in Europe get sick of BMW's and Mercedes that think/act like they own the road.

Holy understatement Batman! I take it you're not in Europe right now...or hopefully not buying ANYTHING in Euros using your exchange rate. 24 Euros is about $35 right now...and has been for almost a month.

I've been planning a trip to the Ring, but I just passed 51k kms last week and have about 1k left on my brakes. Mounting my summer tires today so I'll be ready as soon as I get my rear brakes in and can mount them with my Stoptechs.

 

Nope im in germany. I did 3 laps of the ring this last weekend. If you are planning on running it a couple of times this year get the ring pass (4 laps). It runs for 80sumtin euros and comes with a 10"euro loaded on it for use in the shops. Its a pretty good deal. Im there often, but wont be there for the next couple of weeks. My mom is coming to visit so its time for europe travel again. Enjoy your trip, let me know how the new stoptech's work out on the track. Im using my standard brakes with carbotech bobcat pads and they are holding up pretty well even after two sequential laps. They get a little hot and you can feel it, but still work. Im thining of the wilwood race bbk for the front, but who knows.

 

A Teutonic Samba is always on time but got no rhythm nor sexy booty shake!!!

 

When are you going up next? I'm in Stuttgart and would love to go with another MINI. Thanks for the heads up on the pass! I'll definitely do that.