What would be the good year and option to get for Solo2 H-stock?

I heard that 05+ cars have shorter gearing?
Should I get the 16 or 15 wheels?

 

The last 2 years the HS Stock Champion was driving a 2005, Most folks like the 16 inch wheels, but Marshall Cone seems to like the 15's (and he won the Pro Solo this year)

As for options: SS+, sport seats, multifunction wheel.

 

Sorry for the spam, but I have that exact car, A 2005 complete with Koni FSDs and a Milltek exhaust for sale. Two tour wins this year....

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/new...5-mini-cooper/

Kim and I are going to try an S for next year.

Per

 

Would that be a 2007 S?

 

That would be a yes.

 

I'm a little new to the whole MINI thing but I'm learning. What is SS and SS+? I assume we're talking about sport suspension options but I am not aware of any actual options on the 06 MCS. What are they and can they be retrofitted into a base suspension MCS for SCCA G-Stock?

 

This is a thread about H Stock Coopers Not G Stock Cooper S's

But to answer your question, there are no optional suspensions for the S, prior to 07.

 

For those on a budget the early years 2002-2004 MC with 5 speed manual transmission are OK. CVT is OK for those that drive automatic but require some getting used to the manual or sport drive mode for best results.

For any MC the sport suspension option is always better- stiffer than the base suspension and similar to that found in the MCS.

Try not to get options that weigh more like 16" wheels or sunroof, HK stereo,etc.

15" holeys are the lightest possible stock rim and worth considering. If you get this then use the holeys for autocross and buy some aftermarket wheels for daily driving, usually 16x7 is good using 205/55-16 tires.
For autocross consider R compound 205/50-15 tires.

16" MINI wheels are usually the 5 star and a little heavy. If you do get them then 215/40-15 R compound tires would be the best for autocross.

We don't really know how good the newest 2007 MC will be.

The 2005-2006 MC with 5 speed transmission is a getrag and very good.
You also get an adjustable nut for the lower rear control arm that allows a little more rear negative camber which is a plus. Earlier MINIs don't have that.

I'd say the biggest benefit in H-stock class would be getting Kumho V710 tires on stock rims and going to driving school and improving your skills.

Do an autocross alignment (set front toe to 1/16" toe out and zero rear toe) put in a new drop in air filter for autocross use only, add any cat-back exhaust if you can, and remove the spare tire.

 

I like my Bridgestone Potenze G009's for autocross. Very sticky!

 

Nein. You want less negative camber in the rear. Less negative camber in rear works better than excess toe out in rear for getting the car to rotate.

Jack car up with rear wheels off ground, loosen up nut, rotate for maximum camber (ie: less negative camber), and tighten back up. Do not adjust with the wheels on the ground, as you won't get all of the positive that you can get out of it....which is a common problem with taking car to alignment shop for this trick..they'll say that's all they can get and well..they're wrong.