Am I the only one that makes use of big open parking lots after a nice bit of rain to improve skidpad skills? :smile:

I had a blast this Friday at the parking lot at work! Flip off DSC, turn wheel, rev to 3k, drop clutch, let the fun begin.

The other folks in my office crack up when they see the tracks in the lot. When I moved to Ohio I had already ordered the MINI but needed a winter car and bought a Saturn wahon... I did the same thing to that wagon in order to understand how a front wheel drive car behaved and better understand weight balance and brakes on that car (it was my first front wheel drive car).

The MINI is MUCH MUCH more tossable than the Saturn - properly timed I was capable of getting a 270 and an occasional 360 in a pretty tight space. With a couple more practice sessions I should be able to plant the car in a given spot while pulling a 180.

Then I flipped on the DSC - man... that stuff keeps you planted until you get silly on it and turn quickly then pull the parking break and slide sideways for a bit.

Anyway - I think I've certainly gotten rid of any molding compound that was on the tires.

:smile:

-dq

p.s. Yes, this is a lot with only one entrance to it, no cross traffic, all traveling done at less than 30mph and I've attended many driving schools, no cars, no light poles, no landscaping islands, etc. Know how your car handles in a safe controlled environment and you'll be more likely to know how to get out of dangerous situations better. If you have the opportunity to enroll in a local BMWCCA, MBCA, FCA, PCA, etc. driving school - do it and have an in car instructor help you learn how to maximize your car's and your own potential.

 

I'll admit.. it's fun to push your MINI in the rain with the DSC on... it's just such a totally different driving exp. it's fun... and hey, it's good to know how your MINI handles in situations like that... that way, you know how it's going to handle it if you end up in that situation w/o you trying.. (black ice, etc...)

Rocketboy_X

 

It's great. I just would have waited a couple more days, however. Doing this on day 2 or 3?? That's not good for poor MINI!

 

We did that at the Mid-Atlantic meet today. Sprog doesn't have DSC. I slammed it in 2nd, revved it to 6700 rpm, and kept it there for a few laps, burning rubber like crazy when I wasn't hitting a huge puddle. THAT was fun, ehe.

 

Very cool Dave! There's an urban adventure I hadn't thought of yet.

Have you done a Barber school or something like that? Panoz & Audi do schools at Road Atlanta, which is not far away. I've done motorcycle track days (highly recommended to open your eyes) but not the schools yet.

Later,

Jeff

 

Just to add to the story....
If you tape down the button on the handbrake w/ a small piece of duct tape(its not duck tape for those who don't know), the handbrake is free....
Now all handbrake turns are a total ......trip :smile:!
Peace
D

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2002 MCS:pure silver/black top,lapis int.,all pkgs,17"ROH rims,