Some say that Countryman's (Countrymen?) don't do well on The Dragon. Well here is a video to prove that theory wrong. With just a "few" modifications, you can absolutely fly through there, and safely too.

This was during our first annual Countryman Owners' Lounge Facebook Group Meet Up Extravaganza (haven't quite decided on a name yet LOL)

Enjoy the video of Kowalski absolutely carving up The Dragon!


Kyle

 

Nice. What were the "few" mods?

Also, it sounds like DSC was off but I don't have Connected so am not sure what that light is on the center display.

 

The only modifications which helped in the twisties are the rear sway bar, front strut bar, a lowered and stiffer suspension, and the oh so grippy Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires

I had DSC in "TRACTION" mode... Which allows a bit of slip before the DSC cuts in and kills the fun.

Kyle

 

Hrmmm.. thanks. Traction mode must be an ALL4 thing. On my S, it is only On or Off I believe.

 

Glad to see you and everyone else on the road that day made it out alive. Between you occasionally straddling the double yellow line and the speeds in excess of 80 mph on a road that is posted 30 mph, I'd say it was a good day for all involved.

 

I had mine in TRACTION as well. Had a blast this weekend slaying the Dragon and meeting some great people!

 

Yep...a dangerous drive that's for sure.....glad I wasn't coming the other way at the time.

 

DTC is a option on S models as well, but it's standard on the All4.

 

I am what you might consider a beginner when it comes to driving. I have driven a manual since I was 16 but when I comes to a more spirited drive, like this, I don't have a lot of experience. Is it typical, on a run like this, to have such high revs? Sometimes when I am above 5,000 rpm it really sounds harsh. DOnt get me wrong, there have been many times I might get up there but not for extended periods of time.

Thanks for helping me understand. Some day soon I hope to make it to MOTD.

 

there is no danger in reving your motor out. thats where you make all your hp, although the n18 does kinda poop out around 6,200.

 

Running the dragon!!

 

I wish I lived in the area. I would love to drove that road. Looks like fun. Great looking Countryman too. Is that a blow off I heard? Thought they were not recommend for the N18

 

Great shots Andrew! Tons of fun hanging out with you and the rest of the crew this past weekend

Kyle

 

Well, all N18's have a Blow Off Valve because turbo boost needs to go somewhere. You can hear the noise a lot more with an open air filter. Also, I have an upgraded spring in my factory BOV to hold in the higher boost we normally run with the car. The car was flashed back to stock by the dealer and my ECU will be going to Group4 Autosports next week for a re-tune

I've never heard of an upgraded BOV being a bad thing for the N18... Hmm.


Kyle

 

Thanks Kyle. Can't wait till the next one! I love the fact that it was mostly countryman out there.

 

Yea i knew of the relieve valve. thought it was the forge blow off valve. After i commented on this i got my wife's NM intake installed on her Clubman S :-) sounds great.

Would u recommend the upgraded spring?

 

If the car isn't tuned then you won't really gain anything from the spring. It's extremely cheap ($12 - $25) but can be tedious to install. Some say they've seen the spring help with holding boost when taking off in the hot summer with the AC running, I didn't notice much of a difference but it didn't hurt

Kyle

 

As a motorcyclist and a Mini owner, I'm GLAD I did not see you on the Dragon doing this. I ran the Dragon on a stock Honda Fit, and NEVER ONCE crossed the yellow line. Doing so, on so many blind turns, KILLS PEOPLE.

Let me say that again. You hit someone because of your negligence in driving, can KILL someone.

If your Mini so so much more suited for driving the Dragon, show it please. Keep that road safe, and not shut down because of accidents.

 

I think the camera angle is tricky. To me he looked to be over the line 90% of the time. I doubt that is the case.

 

Oh, no doubt the camera angle doesn't help, but there are several times there is NO way it wasn't crossing the line. And I could only watch 2 min of it before I didn't want to see it anymore!!

 

I have ridden the Dragon several times, but all on a motorcycle.(sport bikes at speed) Here is my take.... One, you were there on an extremely slow day judging by the low traffic. That's a great thing! Wish I was that lucky. Two, In all the times I have been there it was 90% bikes, saw hardly any. Three, never had anyone pull over for me. Four, never saw less than three cops with radar in the first 8 miles. Five, I always get stuck behind a pack of 20 Harley riders running below the speed limit with their wife on the back and they ain't pulling over. Six, Looks like you handled the car well, and I did not see you cross the yellow line, especially in the blind corners. Granted I only watched 2/3 of the video. Coming from a 57 year old ex motorcycle racer, and current knee dragger, I am ok with it. You gotta know when to go, and when to slow. I may drive, ride fast, but it is when no one is around.

One other thing, to me, you can go the other direction, and find other roads better than the Dragon with out all the cops and congestion. Personally I prefer the faster mountain roads including the Blue Ridge Parkway. Without all the dumb azzes out there, you did ok in my opinion, unless you edited it out. LOL

 

No, we ain't. 'Cept my wife is on her own Street Glide.

It isn't a race track, and I don't know you or your skills, so why on earth would I share a lane with you on the twisties? I see a lot of motorcycle wrecks every year, and most are Power Rangers riding way above their skills on a crotch rocket. Go to the track if you want to zip around twisties, not on public roads.

 

Kowalski seems to know that road pretty well. That seemed to me to be a very nice bit of driving. I do like to see folks respect the double yellow, and do particularly appreciated that the driver never carried too much speed into any corner. It was a really fun ride, and thanks for sharing.

All that said, it was a 9/10 run, and I reckon the driver would admit that at that pace there is sometimes too little time and too little room to avoid others mistakes.

That's a run for which I would grin and thank God, but not make a habit of it. Sh*t happens as we all know.

Also for the love of Pete - what is that doing on the Web, and particularly on this site? That's a smoking gun if ever reviewed by a judge!

Peace from one sinner to another,

Charlie

 

Kyle, great drive in Kowalski on the Dragon

 

where is this road called the dragon?