Chasing down a Z06 in the first session (Not really pushing the car that hard):




Most of the second session (had to trim it down to 15 minutes):





At this point, my camera died--right when I was starting to get the rust out.

There are several events each month at RA, and most clubs are very friendly to MINI owners--but there seems to be fewer and fewer MINIs out there each year--if you're interested in RA, shoot me a pm. There are still dates in October (MVP tracktime), but September is looking filled up.

 

Thanks for posting - can't get enough of watching a MINI at a race track! Wish I could get mine on one for hot laps. Seems like there's a lot involved to be able to though...

 

Not really, not to get started--get a helmet, change the brake fluid, make sure your tires and fluids are all good, and you you're good to start. It's worth doing at least once; you really don't need much to go your first time--you won't be pushing it that hard to begin with, you'll be learning more than driving as hard as you can. And MINIs are GREAT cars to learn with on the track--very forgiving, very easy to learn in. It's the guys who go out their first time in a GT3 or Z06 who never get better--it's like trying to go to college without going to grade school and high school first.

Once your ability improves, then it gets more complicated--choosing better brake pads, tires, etc. But there's plenty of resources to help with that, and you'll know when it's time for those.

 

Hey, thanks. I thought for some reason you needed a racing harness/seatbelt... A helmet I could figure out and I think my Bridgestones (RE760 Sports) would do OK.

But what about getting track time? The 2 tracks closest to me would be Lime Rock (doing parade laps on Labor Day!) and New Jersey. Don't you have to be part of a club or somehow be "approved" to get on a track? Maybe I made this more complicated than it actually is.

 

Join the BMWCCA--BMW Car Club of America (technically your MINI is a BMW, and they'll love to have you), you'll choose a local chapter, and they'll have a bunch of track days with instructors. That's how I got started. Any car club would do, but the BMWCCA does it right (some car clubs will get you on the track, but with little or no instruction--not the best way to start). A BMWCCA membership is cheap, and the magazine alone is worth the membership fee.

If you do go, you won't need a harness or anything, stock belts are fine--but I'd recommend buying a CG lock for your stock belt, it's cheap, and it'll make a world of difference for you.

It's not as complicated as it seems--it's a little intimidating at the beginning, but once you see how easy it is to get going, and how encouraging and helpful everyone there is, you'll kick yourself for not doing it sooner....

 

I appreciate the advice. I'm already kicking myself, but with 4 little ones (ages 5-11) it's not like a trek to the track is likely to be a regular thing for me right now. But it's good to know what needs to be done (the right way) so I can at least start to plan.

Thanks!