Next up for me: NASA TT, August 11th and 12th at Thunderhill. It will be hot! I'm hoping the faster guys in TTD don't want to run in the 100+ degree heat and leave the podium to ME!

 

full HPDE on those days too? I may come up...

 

Better get on the stick. It's filling fast. NASA LINK.

 

damn just found out I may have to travel for work ...

 

i am still thinking about TH in Aug since drive there after work on Fri is kina pain...

 

Oh, I don't know about that. Sure you work hard, and commuter traffic is no fun. But take a break after work and wait until the traffic dies down a little. It's only a couple of hours to Willows from San Jose, and once you get to the 505 it's pretty easy (read fast) going.

One of the fun things about track weekends is getting out of the house on Friday, away from work, hanging out with Karen, the bartender at Casa Ramos, getting a good night's sleep, rising at dawn, grabbing a coffee and maybe a little breakfast at The Common Grounds in Willows, then heading for the track in the early morning light for a day of thrills and excitement.

 

In my quest for an elusive three seconds, I have discovered that at this point it's all about the traction. So I am springing for a new set of shoes:

SSR 17X7.5 C RS wheels and a set of Toyo Proxes RA-1 in 235/40/17, shaved for enduro (6/32nds). They will be installed by midweek in time for Thunderhill on the weekend. All the hotshoes are coming so I gotta get faster.

So bye-bye orange wheels and bye-bye silver wheels. We had a good run. Also bye-bye to the 215/45/17 width limit.

 

your going to love teh RA1's

I picked up 2.5 seconds at TH with the neg camber. I still cant get through 1 fast though...

 

Looks like we are going to get another all MINI trackday. November 1st at Thunderhill with HOD.

This is an excellent opportunity for those who have been thinking about joining us to come out and enjoy the MINI on track. Dont worry about RA1's, camber plates, 3 extra seconds or pulleys or most of whats in this thread..just bring yourself, your MINI and a helmet and enjoy the MINI day. Apparently BIG MINI days are no longer, so this is our california event for MINI only trackdays. Ill be there, will be happy to assist any and all NAM members who want to come out and are not sure what to do, what to pack or how to prep....Event is through HOD so you have to register at www.hookedondriving.com

 

Wow! That's a lot. What are your lap times?

I think the only way to maximize turn 1 is to go off. Then dial it back a bit.

 

Yeah, I'd love to, but I don't think there's a class for me. I scare people at trackdays.

 

I grew some ***** and figured out 9 was much faster than I thought it was, and I stopped shifting to 2nd for 5 and just carried 3rd gear up and over the top, it really made a big difference...not sure what my times were as there were 3 beacons on track screwing things up by my ride along, who suggested the changes was using a stopwatch and told me I got atleast -2 after we made teh adjustments...someday Ill kick down for the traqmate and start gathering data...

 

yabut . . . 2 seconds faster than what? Two seconds faster doesn't really mean much. Anyway, congrats on 9 and 5. Now for 1 . . .

 

Oh boy! New shooz and suspension tweaks. Let's see if I can catch those fast boys this weekend. I know there's 2 seconds in Turn 1. Wish me luck

 

go get em

 

Bad day for me. I just spent all that moolah and my times went the OTHER way. No improved handling or grip, the car just went sliding around every corner. Also the fender lips shredded my rear tires. I tried everything I could think of to fix it, but I really don't understand suspension dynamics and I'm not any kind of mechanic.

Most disappointing.

I saw Mickey and his two new accolytes there. He ended up coaching them since they were mis-classed. He can tell you more about it.

In all three sessions I ran I ended up dead last as all the guys I usually pass, passed me.

Most distressing.

 

Sorry to hear it was a bad day. I'm sure you'll work it out. You know every time you make a change you have to get use to the different handling. You'll get them next time. Were and when is your next track day.

 

I'm taking the NASA Instructor training at Sears in September, so my next event will be in October, running Thunderhill clockwise (in reverse) which means more opportunites to grab air over the Turn 5 bypass.

In case you've forgotten what that looks like:

 

Sid, What suspension are you running now? Camber plates? Our cars may be closer togther than I thought, sans Stoptechs and Wings

 

I have some trouble going counter clockwise let a lone clockwise. I'll have to come and watch you run. Let me know the dates when you find them out.

 

Hotchkiss front camber plates
H&R front sway bar
Webb adjustable rear sway bar
Adjustable lower control arms in the rear
Koni adjustable coilover shocks
Somebody's front shock tower brace
Autopower roll bar and BBM rear shock tower brace/belt attachment
Recaro seat
Schroth 6 point harness
SSR 17X7.5 wheels
235/40/17 Toyo Proxes RA1 tires

Now all I have to do is learn how to drive it.

 

Oh man! It is so fun! You really should try it. I will probably be able to ride with you if you want. I'll have to let you know about that since I'm taking the NASA instructor course in September.

The dates are 13-14 October for NASA at Thunderhill. TrackMasters is also running a clockwise event that Friday, October 12th, so it's a good time to practice.

Cleared for takeoff!

 

I have been reading the Motoring File article on the 2008 JCW Challenge car. It seems like its specs are the same as mine. With the exception that I have the bulletproof Chrysler supercharged I-4 and it has the new turbocharged PSA.

I haven't seen a new S at the track yet, but I'll bet that what they gain in torque, they give up in turbo lag. It would be interesting to do a comparison. MC2 are you listening?

 

If anyone's interested in getting off the tarmac for a bit, there's this event come Sept also at Thunderhill..



Too bad I won't have my car yet by the time this comes around. It looks and is fun..take a look at this classic Mini..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=hoFUfqNpkhA

 

I wonder.... I could put the stock struts back on and have at it!

How much Quick Detailer do you think I'd need afterwards?

Matt