Tontobird: what run group are you in? I imagine d-mini-ero is in the novice seeing as this is his first time out.

 

>>Tontobird: what run group are you in? I imagine d-mini-ero is in the novice seeing as this is his first time out.

d-mini-ero=novice.... :smile:
&
extremely....enthusiastic :smile:

Peace,
D

 

gt6, I'll be in Intermediate 1. How about you? Looks like you've spent a bit of time at track days! :smile:

 

I run in Itermediate 2 and Advanced, depends how many and what types of cars register. I think I am in Intermediate 2 for Lime Rock. Looks like we will have a nice representation for the various run groups.

 

Got my Ferodo DS2500, front and rear, and my Schroth 4 point Rallye Harnesses, right and left. I'm all set! Until new tires, short shifter, camber plates......just kidding! Except about the tires.

 

Do they allow spectators?


Paul

 

Absolutely! We already have a number of MINI spectators joining us. Come on out, the camraderie is half the fun!

 

If you get a chance, go for a ride with one of the instructors when they're doing their runs. A lot of them take their students out but you can often find a ride. Just go out by the staging marshall (Ian Prout) and he'll get you into a car.

 

Just what I need, get hooked on high speed track driving. My wife will kill me. I just want to watch. It been tough getting the dragon bood out of me, can't imagine trying to get the high speed running out.

Paul

 

Well Ken, it was a pleasure to meet you! It was a perfect day for the track, sunny, not too hot. Dennis, it was a pleasure to meet you, as well. Though I'd seen you on at least one run, don't believe we'd ever actually met.

I also had my best session last, which is unusual for me, because I'm tired from the day's previous sessions. I took a good 2-3 laps to warm up and get my mental self focused. I didn't let the other cars rush me. I am happy to say that I was very smooth and consistent, lots of self talk, O.K., look to the next turn, full throttle here, breathe, eyes out for the flag stations, etc. All of the stuff that I've been learning, but that doesn't come naturally.

My instructor was pretty quiet the last session, just a few reminders, pointed out some inconsistencies. Interestingly enough, after having been quiet for a little bit, he asked me if I was looking ahead. He could tell that I was by my driving!

I started the day thinking it would be forever before I would be comfortable without an instructor on the track with me. I ended the day able to imagine it in the foreseeable future.

It was great to hang with other MINI aficionados. Trevor (dkstone), John (GMINIO), Dennis (d-mini-ero), and Ken (gt6). We had a few people come out for part of the day to offer support and enjoy the track day camaraderie.

Altogether, a very satisfying day!

 

Yes, very nice to meet everyone who showed up; drivers as well as "fans". Best two days I've had in a long time.

I spent three runs on Friday, and two on Saturday running nose to tail with a BMW Z3 coupe. We were very evenly matched and had a blast running together. We'll just forget about run three on Saturday.

The Calm Before the Storm



Left to right: Michelle (tontobird), John (GMINIO), Dennis (d-mini-ero), Ken (gt6), Trevor (dkstone)

 

Hey Ken,
It was great to meet you.
A great shot...for a great day.
Peace,
D 8)

 

I stopped down and watched a bit. Didn't get to meet everyone. But I saw most on the track. It looks like a blast and loads of fun, however when I saw the WRX come sliding off the track on "rookies corner" (thats what the drivers were calling it) and destroy the side of the car I am going to have to really think about bringing my car on the track. My nephew really drove the point home when he said "Uncle Paul, I think that is his ride home."

On top of the MINIs there were a bunch of cool cars, a Pantera that sounded like it was idling as it flew through the esses. Also some motorcycle powered race cars. It was a great day and I plan to go watch some more.


Paul

 

LR is a great track. I love the right hander that comes into the straight and the hairpin at the end of it. What did people reach, in terms of top end on the straight? I remember racing my MGB there and it usually managed about 100
mph before I was braking for the hairpin.

 

My top speed at the end of the main straight was 108 as read from the digital speedo in the tach; faster than with my highly modded Passat last spring. The MINI is stock except for an Alta intake.

 

Yes, the speed of gt6 is about right. 110 mph or close to it, modded or not, was the top speed for MINI's before braking for Big Bend. My experience in my non-modded and my modded MINI's, as well as the experience of others.

Paul, are you a slender fellow, wearing a baseball cap? I saw someone that looked familiar in the tower. How come you didn't come over to the MINI's? Maybe you did and I wasn't there. Anyway, I had the instructor from the WRX wipe-out guy. The fellow was doing great, there was a patch of some liquid or something that he spun out on. They remembered the lap before seeing another Subaru behaving strangely through that area, next lap it was them. The driver had a video set up, reviewed it with the instructor and Ian, and could find no fault of the driver. Just one of those things. Yes, there is risk. This instructor has been instructing since '97 and has had only two occasions where a student made contact with something. This past day, June 12th, was the second time, the first time was very minor. That's 7 years, hundreds of students, 2 incidents.

2minis, you can certainly carry alot of speed in that last turn before the straight, awesome! And I love Big Bend, so satisfying when you get it good, smooth and consistent!

Ken, nice photo, thanks!

 

Michelle,

I was wearing a baseball hat and hat a small thin blonde boy with me. (My nephew). I did stop by the minis, but i think you wrer at class, As I was going back around you were going on the track. I wanted to hang around but my nephew wanted to see all the cars/souvenir shop/track and then wanted to go eat.

Next time I willbring food and drink. I will have to see about track driving though. The drivers at the corner thought the wrx brought it up on 2 wheels and then wasn't straight when he went back down to four. DId he get his wrx started?

I'm just starting a new job and will be trying to get cash for the Sep 12 Fox Island trip. (That includes track time). I notic on the SCDA site that Limerock has prices but the other tracks don't any Idea what the costs are?


Paul

 

To answer the questions posted

- My top speed was about 110 or so (in 4th gear)....comming off the Downhill Turn ..into the Main Straight ....
(I spent the whole day in 3rd & 4th gears.... it seemed)

-The price for the track day was $235...... if I recall correctly.
Ian Prout just sent an email re: the next event
"Our Next Event is a week from today at New Hampshire International Speedway (NHIS) on Monday, June 21"


Peace,
D 8)

 

Paul:

The WRX was able to drive home later in the day. Not a happy camper but at least he didn't have to pay for a flat bed.

Nice to meet you, I'm glad you made it out.

 

I knew Limerock was $235, but I was wondering about the other tracks.

Next event I go to it will be without company, so I can spend more time. Also I forgot to bring my camera.

Since the next event is monday I wont be making it ot that.


Paul

 

At Pocono on the 16th, talked to a fellow who referred me to this video:

http://www.minircdude.com/videos/WRX_Crash_LimeRock.wmv

Happy ending: http://skifreakz.com/track/repair/

Threads: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=591148

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho...44&page=1&pp=25

This took place on June 12 at Lime Rock when a number of us were there.