I just wanted to introduce myself to all you NorCal MINI owners.

My wife and I bought our MINI last September but I don't get to drive it much. It's a 2005 liquid yellow MINI that we bought used with 7000 miles on the ODO. It's my wife's daily driver and it makes her smile every time she gets in it.

We hope to join you all someday on a club drive or even karting. Has anyone here autocrossed or tracked their MINI? I plan to let our son autox it when he gets his license later this year.

Chris

btw, I didn't want to wait for the 10k service to let the dealership change the oil for the first time, so I did it. The job couldn't have been easier.

 

Welcome. The next autox event is on Mar. 19 @ Monster Park (Candlestick)
Here is a link the local SCCA web page.
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/
Membership is required in order to compete, spectators are free.

 

Welcome, Norcal has a ride on saturday. Why don't you come out and join us on a drive. Club cell 510-919-8889. Larry P

 

Thanks for the heads up re autox on 3/19. I'll see if I can make that if just to watch.

Can't make the drive on Saturday but I think I received an email about karting this Sunday?

 

You might want to look at the BIG MINI Day at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows. I believe that's May 11th. The track is devoted to all MINIs for the day. It's a great opportunity to get some track time on a "real" race track with all the support and instruction.

 

That's one mean looking MINI you've got there, MINIpooper!

 

Hi And welcome!!
The kart thing isn't an "official" NorCal deal. Just a bunch of us car crazies getting together for some fun. Here's a link:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=61434

Hope to see you there!
Jim

 

Welcome.
Look forward to meeting you...
Thunderhill will be FUN.
Still time to do VEGAS !!!!

 

My car is all stock. What do you do to prep your cars for the track? I have run flats, do you swap out wheels and put on slicks?

 

It depends on what you're wanting to do. Are you looking to Auto-X or Spec Mini racing? Check out the NAM racing section... There are a ton of threads on things that you'll want to do for track setup. Just remember that certain classes require/limit certain mods... The runflats are very heavy as well as the stock rims. I'd change out the run flats as soon as you can.

Typical mod's that folks do... pulley, Cold Air Intake (CAI), exhaust, lowering springs and bigger sway bar. That will help your MINI become a little faster and a little stiffer. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm looking into setting up my car for the Spec MINI series.

 

cantdrv55,
To start out in autox don't mod it. Come as you are, learn how to drive. Mini's are most competitive in stock class. See me at a local event and I will get you set up.

 

Thanks James. Which local events do you attend? Are you with SCCA?

 

I'm at all of the SFR events unless there is a national event. There are also several other MINI drivers that attend these events. Yes I am a SCCA member.