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We did it again! February 22nd, Sunday www.pittstopMINI.org !

We started at 9, ended at 3ish. Compare this to winter driving schools with half the practice time at triple the cost! The format is similar to Gyminikhana, but without the eggs. We had about an hour of professional winter driving instruction, then in-car professional instruction with LOTS of practice time!

Note: This is a driver's education event. We're running a "solo" format.

For more information, see the Club website at www.pittstopMINI.org, or PM me!

 

I remember you posting about this on another thread a while ago. It sounds like a great time! Would love to do it if I can, but I can't schedule this far in advance.

I assume there's a maximum number of registrants? If not, (when) does registration close? I see there's an increase in the fee after 2/15. I may have to wait that long or longer before I know if it really would work for me.

 

Yep,. I'm just a *little* enthusiastic, apologies if I get on anyone's nerves... this event is a blast and is educational to boot. A good combination!

We're working with BeaveRun to try to accommodate everyone. If we get close to a maximum I'll certainly let folks know. Chances are pretty good that we'll have room, but you'll want to sign up as early as you can to assure space and the discount. We're working with the BMW club on this as well, so we'll no doubt see some power-on, tail-out antics on the snowy autocross course...

 

WOW, that looks like a lot of fun.

Are there any restrictions on tire choices? I am running Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2 with studs.

 

UPDATE: NO Studded tires. Sorry for the mis-info.

No tire restrictions aside from street legal. Since the day is all about learning how to handle YOUR car in wintry conditions, bring it with whichever tires you would normally drive on in the winter.

That said, you will likely have a sore right arm by the end of the day.... from yanking the e-brake so often to keep your thrillometer pegged at high!

 

To be on the safe side, we will check with BeaveRun to ensure studded tires are allowed.

Steve

 

I've emailed BR to check. Since we're using their prepared racing surfaces and Karting has become a huge operation there, I'd believe studs may be a no-no on Wilson (the go-kart circuit). If you have another set and can bring them, great.

I'll report on what I get back from BR.

 

OK: Update: "No studs on any race surface -sorry! "

Quite understandable: These guys host the One Lap of America, various magazine car tests, and national-class karting and can't afford surface damage.

Is it possible to bring other wheels/tires? You'll learn a lot using summer or all-seasons, and have just as much fun. It's not like we're competing for "low time of the day"...

 

Well That just shot me from doing it.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.p...&nichtweiter=1

My Hakkapeliitta 1's would be all over this track.
Of course I would not want to hurt the track.

I have my own training driving the Turnpike with Heavy snow storms.
I will be the one going down the road, others will be in the ditch.

 

I wanna do this. I wanna register (and I wanna drive!). BUT, if I register and winter keeps kicking butt and I have to 'unregister', can I get a refund?

 

Well, we do hold the event "rain or shine" - that said, we're not crazy and we're pretty understanding.

While we've had some tough conditions getting TO the event (remember, we WANT to hold the event on snow!); if we have to cancel due to weather we either give refunds or credit to future events. If you have to cancel, however, just help us cover actual Club costs for registration (mainly Club Express website money handling costs) of 10% - which really isn't that much in the grand scheme of things.

To make it easier, we can help arrange good., inexpensive overnights for out-of-towners coming in for the even, since you may not want to be running 3-4 hours TO an event where you're going to want to be sharp in our driving!

Please PM me for details if you need 'em!

 

Thanks much DL2! Will keep you posted if I'm coming!

 

Last Reminder!

If it does NOT snow, we're prepared with either soapy water or sand (depending on temperature) to make some really interesting slippery conditions.

The setup was just finalized with BeaveRun. It will include TWO autocross-type education courses on the VDA, with separate areas to practice
- Straight line braking / threshold braking
- Slalom
- Braking while turning
- Decreasing and increasing radius corners
- Acceleration
- All with traction control / DSC on or off

We'll be practicing on the Wilson Circuit but can't make the surface slippery unless Mother Nature brings snow.

We'll have at least 2 professional driving instructors, as well as several good amateurs and Club people to guide you. We begin with a classroom setting and proceed to the three education areas (shorter lines!) for individual in-car instruction and practice.

It's TONS of fun either way, and all participants learned a LOT the last 3 times we've put this on.

We're also bringing the Big Floor Jacks, impact and torque wrenches (and pit-crew helpers!) if you want to change to summer/all-season tires in the event we're running snow-less.

PM or email me (or respond) with questions, hope everyone can make it!

 

What are surface conditions looking like out that way? We have enough snow in Ohio that I'm leaning towards leaving the snow tires on.....but I have no idea what things look like at Beaverun.

Jason

 

BR had a couple inches, but it's been sunny and windy... BUT... there's sand on the VDA to break traction, and The Weather Channel and the forecasters are thankfully calling for a few inches tonight - PERFECT!

Drive careful coming over. If you want to overnight here, give me a buzz.

 

Thanks for the update, I'm just trying to decide on what "shoes" I want to bring tomorrow. I have a bad habit of chewing thru blizzaks once the snow melts off the Wilson circuit....but that could all be driver error on my part :D

Thanks for the over night offer, but I have to swing by and pick up my dad in the morning, bright and early!

Jason

 

Bring 'em all! Your lil' trailer is great. Heck, I'm bringing 4-5 CARS... of course, I'm also bringing 4-5 drivers...

AND the Grille Car! Yep - no cold fingers while timing the cone course (for comparison purposes only, of course).

 

UPDATE: It's SNOWING! PRedictions vary depending on station, 1-2" but on a cold icy base that'll be quite enough - YES

Jason, bring both sets, we'll likely burn off the snow by 1-2PM and you can lap Wilson... I'm diggin' out the 195/50/15s...

 

Sorry I couldn't make it this year. It was a tough week to get anything planned (this has been a heck of a winter, eh?) and in the end, I had a family thing come up very late in the game that I really wanted to do. I'm hoping all went well and that maybe I can jump in next year--it sounds like a great event!

 

What a perfect day for this event! Here are some pics:

 

THE SNOW NEVER BURNT OFF! Unbelievable conditions for this type of event. The track was dry yesterday, we got ice covered in a few inches of snow, it snowed lightly all day, and the tracks actually got slipperier and more challenging as people's skills improved. How about Henry in the Blizzak-equipped Land Rover sliding on turn 3?

Thanks to ALL who came and participated - made the work worthwhile!

 

Looks like it was a lot of fun!

Thanks for posting the pics--good inspiration for next year!

 

 

I'm sure your pics are wonderful, Leon, but I'll check from home later where photobucket isn't blocked

One more pic from me, taken by my Dad, my appologies to the cone.

 

I'm sure that cone was knocked over before you got to it...
Sent you a few email as well.