Just driving at this one. Gotta check my new chassis setup. We're running CW with the Turn 5 bypass so we will see some airborne stuff. This time I'm gonna get all 4 off. Trackmasters link.



Photo credit: Dito Milian, Got Blue Milk

 

Woo hoo! Guess that pricey JCW rear spoiler isn't doing its job. Oh, that's right. It's not designed to actually do anything.

 

Love the calm collected face as wheels start spinning in mid air...

classic

 

Well, actually, it is designed to do something. It's a street version of the rear wing used in the MINI Challenge and was developed in the wind tunnel to add downforce starting somewhere around 80-90 mph. Here at the Turn 5 bypass, I'm in 3rd gear at about 65 mph going over the hump, so it doesn't do anything but look pretty. On the drive down through turn one and onto the front straight at around 90 mph, I can tell you that there is more stickum than I used to get with the stock wing; the car doesn't drift as much as it used to, so I can take the corner faster.

BTW, check the next ish of MC2 for my JCW wing installation article.

 

That's what I love most about this sport: it requires 100% concentration on the task at hand. There is no time for distractions like "OMG! I'm flying!"

 

Just ribbing you about the spoiler. Curious, why didn't you get just get the real deal from JCM?

 

Ummmm . . . because I don't have a MINI Challenge car?

 

Sorry, not following you... I'm actually thinking it would be cool to go with one of these. I don't think they end up being much more expensive than the JCW bling version.

 

Diff'rent strokes. Go for it!

I don't recall making fun of your car, why are you making fun of mine? Bling to me is a part that is just for looks. This is more like form and function. But you are certainly entitled to your opinion . . . even if it's wrong. j/k

 

Siddhartha wrote, "That's what I love most about this sport: it requires 100% concentration on the task at hand. There is no time for distractions like "OMG! I'm flying!"

I'll add from many year's experience racing motorcycles (at Sears Point, Buttonwillow, Thunderhill, and Laguna Seca) this is the case. Whether you are banging into someone, jetting off the road course, sliding, or whatever, you must remain focused. You go through all these crazy things calmly or you don't come out of them OK. Also, you don't allow yourself to become giddy or excited because that can cost you in lap times. Always pushing without losing focus can make the difference in one or two places and/or points that are valuable at season's end.

One more set of comments: track drving and racing is the safest driving you can do. At the track, everyone MUST follow a small set of basic rules, nothing out there is larger than you are, and everyone goes in the same direction. I gravitated toward the track because I thought I was really fast at canyon racing on public streets. Found out how fast I wasn't pretty quick when I got up against real racers. Also found out how much fun it is to drive as fast as you can in the safest environment. Result? Nearly stopped riding motorcycles on public roads altogeher.

Get on the track. You'll be glad you did.

 

Amen, brother. Bring it to the track, y'all!

 

oh
I hear you...

 

Hey, that looks familiar!