Hi guys and girls, Not sure if you've ever discussed it or not, but I'd like to invite the SNMC to autocross in Reno. I'm Matt, I've met a handful of you at Bully's. I am renomojo's brother and minimotorings boyfriend so at least I get to ride in a Mini on occasion, even though I drive a Subaru.

Reno SCCA (found at renoscca.com) is a very well run organization (<---as a member of the board of directors I can say that ) that holds many events over the course of racing season. There is absolutely no better way to learn how to drive your car and really get a feel for it's handling before taking the next step to track days and even time trials. Autocross is a blast, I guarantee you will have a good time.

I'm sure several of you may have tried it over the years, but for those that haven't it basically consists of timed laps set with cones where you race the clock, not other vehicles, so its entirely safe and not too hard on the car. You can borrow a helmet from our supply, and all you really need is $35/ day to race (or you can become a Sports Car Club of America member and pay $25/day). A great additon to our program was the institution of our Novice program two years ago, which makes it very pain-free to get invloved and learn the ropes. You won't have to worry about classes or who you're racing against, all you have to do is drive and learn.

The next event is this coming weekend at the Reno-Stead Airport. July 15-16 .Information can be found at www.renoscca.com . Plan on showing up by 8AM to get set up and registered, and there is always someone there to answer questions.

If all else fails, look for the big group of Subaru's from www.seccs.org. We are the biggest car club in Reno/ Tahoe and are very involved in Racing on all levels. We are also big fans of Mini's, we just don't admit that very often.

Thank for your time, hope to see some of you out there before year's end.

Matt

 

Yep we met at Bully's that night.

I am interested but I am no way good enough to drive Motocross as yet. When we met I had just gotten a PW 2003 Mini...a few weeks ago I traded and got an 04 Mini S...it is a whole learning experience (even from the non S to the S) since the mini drives so differently than anything else I have owned. Maybe I will just come out for a look the first time or 2!

Regards
Jeff

 

You are so great El Matador. What a terrific idea to get us MINIs out on the track where we can really learn to appreciate the cars we drive.

I'm down...can't go this weekend...but give us a heads up on the next race.

So, all you other MINI drivers...let's make a date and really learn how to drive our little speedsters.

 

Hey..........I have already discovered a few awsome roads for my mini and I have actually driven them to thier fullest potential. They are hiway 49, hiway 50 and hiway 80 and hiway 5 and those cool switchbacks outside of Redding and Weaverville. How about hiway 44 north of us. Does anyone actually DRIVE thier mini cooper? I have yet to get a ticket as I am a safe and great driver. Have never been hit or hit another. Knock on wood. My dad raced Porches in the 1950"s and helped pave Leguna Seca Race Track. My husband raced Sear's Point when we met. I have a love of cars in me. But I get frustrated when I can't get people to go on runs and actually drive thier cars. Is it the price of gas? Is it summer time activities? We won't have this winter to do crap because I am not being risky by driving in bad weather so this all ends probably starting of December thru starting of May. I love to see a group of minis, not two, a group like 5 or 6. I can't seem to get even 5. I am interested in doing the cones here locally but I think on the real road it's fun too.I think I may take a drive around Lake Tahoe this friday alone.It's so beautiful up there and cooler weather too.I'll join you in the cones. Just post when and where. Lisa

 

Organized drives are great, but this is a thread about autocross, sorry if the turnout on the drives have been small, but a trip to the bay area is not easy to make for everyone.

[preachy]
Driving Public roads at "Full Potential" is a terrible idea. I doubt you've reached 10/10ths in your Mini on any public road, nor would you want to. That's how people die. Runs are fine, but spirited riving has it's limits, and exceding those limits puts yourself and others at risk.

My car club has had lots of successful runs, most of which are incident free, some of which resulted in totalled cars. (No, people were not driving crazy). Things happen when groups of cars travel together.

I love a nice drive as much as the next car enthusiast, but if you want to get a "speed" fix, it shouldn't happen on roads.

The Next Autocross is at Squaw Valley on Aug 12-13.

The Next Reno- Stead Auotcross is not until Oct 7-8

 

I have to agree with El Matador...drives are fun, but they shouldn't be a place to test your car's ability or push it to the limit.

I'm going to plan on doing the Squaw autocross, but maybe just one day depending on work.

I personally think it would be way cooler having a bunch of MINIs meet at the track...think about how intimidating we would look!

So MINIs lets do a track day and have some (safe)fun

 

So, I'm going to try to come out to the autocross at least one day. I can't wait! I might be able to take Sunday off, so I'm planning on coming out that day.

Any other MINIs feel like racing?