Only 11 MINIs in the HS grid at Nationals? Where's everybody at?

 

Hey H-stockers,

After spending the last 6 months in Street mod with my MCS I can tell you that there isn't a better place to be than driving an MC in H-stock. It's fun, low cost, and you can beat the pants off nearly anything once you are skilled at driving whether you own a 5 speed or CVT.

Sadly our best H-stock MINI driver (using a completely stock MC with 16" runflats) is too busy working on weekends to make it out regularly for solo II so we SM MINIs have to slug it out with the big boys and usually go home with black eyes.

So if anyone is thinking about H-stock it is a really good opportunity and you should definitely go for it.

 

And anyone who doesn't want to see HS and GS get combined should get out to Nationals next year. HS just made the bare-minimum participation level (25 combined entries in HS and HSL) to keep off of probation. We need a strong rebound next year to ensure the continued viability of the class as it exists now.

 

I race in H-Stock and due to a suprise meeting between my bicycle and RR tracks , I was out most of the season last year. I am working on getting into shape and have to do a brake fluid and coolant flush and then I will be back at it for the season opener in our SVR region in Michigan.

 

I am just getting in to my local Autocross this year. I am planning on running the Classic Mini in H-stock. I don't know how competitive I will be with only 50 hp. I am just hoping that the tracks do not have long straights or require a lot of shifting (the gates on the 4 speed are very far apart). I am mainly planning on getting the little car out and having some fun.

 

Driving a classic mini in H-stock should be fine.

You'll have to drive really really hard to keep up on any power part of the course but everything else should be great.

mini is good for:
any turns- the tighter the better
slaloms- the best
any tight element- triangles/lane changes
Maximum fun.

mini is not as good for:
long straights- so don't loose any speed and prepare well coming into a straight- keep your power up as high as possible entering the straight.
Jump starts- just do your best and keep your weight down.
A wide open course- bring your R56 MCS instead.

 

Maybe I'm missing something. I thought the classic Mini would have been in a "historic" class.

 

There is no such class that I am aware of. I am new to all this, but I have been doing a lot of research online.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

nationally there is not a "Historic" or "Vintage" class. but many local clubs provide such a class for classic cars to play. Many have allowances for small reliability updates, things that would keep the cars from being legal in Stock Class.

 

I'm not very good at this yet but I'm willing to serve as cannonfodder at Nationals to help keep HS from being combined with GS. Do you have to qualify to enter? What are the requirements and fees?