Check out www.ncracing.org. That's the club I have been with for the last three years. Lots of instruction available at all levels from local drivers who know the tracks well. Events at T-hill, Infineon, Laguna. Reno/Fernley and Buttonwillow. We have Laguna events scheduled on Jan 1-2 and Jan 30.

We do HPDE, Time Trials, Relay races, Race school, and races.

Check it out.

 

I think that the sheer ratio of students to instructors was a bit daunting. However, that said, all the instructors, I think, made a real effort to give their students their best. I know that I owe so much to Paul Becker (the driver of the 460 hp counterfeit Mini) for the time he spent with me. Without him, I would have been lost on that track, not to mention would have never received the "best improved" award (thanks also to Waylen for his kind words after the last round of laps). I really feel that, by the end of the day, I had a much better understanding of how to read my car and the track and find my line - ultimately leading to a safer, faster and more fun day.

Thanks to Phil, and everyone involved. Really, an event of a lifetime.

Steve

 

So after driving the track what do you guys think? What corners are key to a fast lap? I've never been able to drive it, but from observation I'd think #3 and #6. I've seen a lot of people get #3 wrong and find that outside guardrail, and #6 has the issue of carrying as much momentum as you can for the climb up to #7, but do you have to lift going into #6 in an MCS?

n the old days everyone said it was all about what is #6 today (old #4) because you were coming down from top speed but wanted to carry it up the hill and 'the fast way to Salinas" was right there. Of course #2 was supposed to be utterly terrifying because the outside was a vertical embankment and you took it at top speed, and most people geared pretty long to cover the 9-1-2-3-4 'straight'.

 

Thanks. I was also pointed to NASA and BMWCCA. Can anyone voice their opinions on the different options?

 

screenshots from the video of the rollover

 

Just wanted to post a thanks to everyone who came out to the Event. And an even bigger thanks to those people who loaned me a car to take a few laps around the track. I flew all the way from Indy to Cal for 3 days to hang out with fellow MINI enthusiasts and take a few laps around the famous track. Let me say that it was well worth it, I would do it again, if the chance comes around.

Also thanks to my students for being understanding about the instructor situation. Hope you learned alot and to see you at another MINI event.

WAY
www.waymotorworks.com

 

We're still wending our way home. Ran in to bad ice west of Amarillo today. Still no pics? of something besides dents?

 

I have pics and Video, hosted at this site ... Page down and click on the video links and pics

http://www.sbtontheweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23491

 

Most excellent Phil, thank you! The rear view perspective is quite interesting for sure... I found myself looking through the wiper arm hole at times . Thanks much!

 

Got back Saturday to LA just in time for a bout of food-poisoning/Flu, but we got some pics up:



(That's Mick, the Killer B!)

More HERE

Additional commentary and more images to come!

_Dave_

 

Phil, Cool video and thanks for being my instructor. I learned alot and now have the "BUG" to do more track time. I should have gotten you back in my car, but I was having WAY too much fun. Altho, I did find myself not concentrating as well as I should towards the end of the day..........which is when I should have grabbed you. All 'n all, what a great day and look forward to the next event....AMVIV3 for sure
I didn't get many photo's with my camera, but when I get the CD I will share them with you.
Thanks again,
willum

 

and legal. The thing that sucks is that it's expensive for sure! Watch out for getting tired and distracted, this is when the problems happen. I've left events with more laps to go, just because I've been so pooped! It surprising how much energy it takes out of you, especially when you conside that the car is doing all the work.

Other than the car and the lug wrench, if you get into this make sure you take lots of water, some fruit, or worst case, some energy bars to keep the fuel for the body going. The folding chairs are good too, and if you really get into it, a pop-up and lunch stuff, and a full cooler (but no beer till the track is closed for the day!)

After looking at all the Minis and the vids, I'm soooo bummed I wasn't there. Besides the links posted above, there are two other groups (among many I'm sure) to look to for track time...

Green Flag Racing (any make or model, no open wheelers)
Nor-Cal Shelby Club (limited to Ford cars or power only on the Mini-Nat events, open to all for all the rest of the time).

I'm a member of the Nor-Cal club, and in late winter/ early spring they'll be doing a driver training/open track event at Thunderhill (I think). The training does more stuff, like wet handling, braking, slalom etc all with coaches. Also, any time you want you can get an instructor to keep you company during your track session.

I've got the bug too, it's just money and time that are hard to find....

Matt

 

Dr Obnxs....
Good advice about getting off the track when tired or distracted. I was in the novice class and found that if I slowed down and really practiced what Phil and Randy Webb had shown me, I was a lot better. As Phil Wicks said "smooth is faster" I'm also a NorCal member and will be checking for Thunder Hill events.....only a couple of hours drive up there for me. Jerry Bradbury aka "Siddarthur" will be keeping me up to date as well. Just might have to spring for a set of dedicated track tires/wheels.....I really liked Siddarthur's neon red ones.....hard to miss him with those on.
willum

 

Who would have thunk it? Now we have at least twe heritics in the clan! Don't know if you need dedicated tires and wheels, while I'm sure it helps, then you need a way to get them to and from the track..... And the Mini doesn't have that much room. I'm on the Goodyear F1 GS-D3s, and liking them. But I'm sure a set of SSR Comps and some good R-compound will get more stick, the cost is a bout 4-5 track weekends.... I just don't have the budget for it.

Matt

ps, I took my 65 out at the MiniNats. Fun but the tires have to go, and the springs are set up for the street, so I get a lot of lean. There's a link to the car in my sig....

 

Randy, for your first time there, and not having you car dialed-in for this track, your 1:46 seems to be pretty dang good! Tony Nuzzo, although he was unable to finish that Grand Am race last May, ended-up having the fastest lap of the day, in class, with a 1:43.918.

So, do you have a video to share with the class?

 

Great Pics, I am glad someone really snapped some good ones, capturing ALL the excitement and beauty of this course ...

I was TOO busy to shoot a lot of pics and having too much FUN to care

 

I'm with you Phil, I was having too much fun and forgot to take more pictures.

Thanks am0eba for sharing that awesome slide show. Felt like I was there all over again!

 

Dr Obnxs....
You're probably right about the extra tires....$$$.....I'm also running Goodyear F1's and love them. Just took the runflats off before the Phil Wick's event and they seemed to hold up pretty well........and probably need to see how many track days I really do....as opposed to dreaming before coughing up the $$ for an additional set. I have the stock MCS sport suspension w/JCW and would have liked to get the JCW suspension but it wasn't an option when I ordered my '05 (Mid July 2004 build). Pretty pricey to put it on now. Maybe just a bigger swaybar? Siddarthur had pulled his back seat out and that made a perfect spot for the tires (with cool covers to keep the interior clean), small jack w/stands, tool box, ice chest, rug, chair and you're good to go......
thanks,

 

my share of photos...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27977407@N00/sets/1616640/

 

Great job on pictures and thanks for sharing.

 

Somehow I missed any forums on the event in Laguna Seca on December 14th. Did it come off? How was it?

 

Here is some feedback info:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=Laguna+Seca

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ht=Laguna+Seca

 

Been so busy since we got back.... But WOW, what a wonderful experience!

There were some rough spots, but over a hundred MINIs participated! The tone in one of the other threads was somewhat negative, focusing on the "incidents" that occurred, but no one was hurt, and out of at least 100 cars on the track that day, only 4 had any damage, they were each single-car accidents, and fairly low-impact. (The MINI that rolled over did it in the gravel, only after sliding a bit bit then catching its wheels deep, which rolled it once. I was on track during that lap, and when I got to the site the driver was already sitting on the wall shaking it off. By the way, kudos to the flag marshalls, who seemed completely on top of things: immediately at each incident, there was a full-course waving black flag at each station, with waving yellows near the scene.)

I had a great time in my MCS convertible started out at the back of the intermediate group and progressed continuously during the day. Many thanks to my instructor, Wendell Van Sickle (Red 'Vette driver), Wicks' Chief Safety Steward, who gave me just what I needed to maximize my learning curve.

My wife Judy and I drove up the coast from LA with a bunch of local club members, and she was all over the infield taking pictures during the day. I got to snap a few while she was driving during the lunchtime touring laps.

She put together some huge slideshows, including one of the road trip, a "highlights" version of the track day, and a massive full-blown track day show with 370 images!

Check 'em out here:
http://TwistedMotoring.org/MyStuff/W...cks121405.html

Here's a view from the tail of the Corkscrew:



We're looking forward to seeing the pics from the professional event photographer as well. The CD should get here soon!

Definitely a worthwhile event, and a long-time dream come true for me!

_Dave_

 

It was great fun, wasn't it. Just got back home last night.

 

5500 miles later I am back home again. What great fun all the way around. It was great to meet so many of you and enjoy Laguna Seca together. We'll return next year but I think we'll fly and rent MINIs.