Just a quick reminder about the AutoX coming up this Saturday, November 5 up at BeaveRun. Check out our website for details and to register online.

The weather report is looking good so far! Regardless, the event will occur rain or shine.

For any of you still unfamiliar with an autocross I'll give you a quick overview:

There is a large, open paved area in which BeaveRun sets up traffic cones to create a course. The object is to get through this course as efficiently as possible - the runs are timed. The course is new for each event - so nobody has seen this course before. There is generally only one car on the course at a time - sometimes a bigger course can allow for 2 cars to run simultaneously.

The course requires you to handle the car well - not necessarily to travel fast. Often you don't need even to get out of 2nd gear. While you must do things quickly (steer, brake, throttle) you generally do not travel at high speeds.

This is TONS of safe fun in a controlled environment that really shows off the MINIs handling abilities!

Hope to see a bunch of you out there!

 

I'm full of questions, haha.


Is it only autocross this time? None of the box thing or the big track?



Will there be pizza again?



I'll be the non-s cooper, haha. I think there were only 3 of us last time.

 

Good questions.

I'm not sure of all the answers. I'll try to see if wzuzack can respond since he has organized most of it.

While I may not be 100% accurate, here are my impressions:

It doesn't sound like we'll be getting quite as much instruction or "warm-up" excercises as last time. There will be some.

I do know that we generally get at least a few "parade laps" on the big track. Nothing too fast, but a nice little taste. (I guess you missed the track day yesterday.)

If I remember correctly, the pizza delivery was a bit of an issue last time. Things worked out OK, but it took them forever to finally arrive. There will be a "lunch break" around mid afternoon - but I'm not sure if menu is firmly established.

Last time I had Molly ('02 Cooper). This time I'll have Mel - my new '05 Cooper S. I guess we'll see if I'm any better ....or worse? I remember those S owners saying last time that it was harder for them to maintain traction because of the extra power. ....I think they just needed an excuse for some of us Coopers beating them!

 

I liked the parade laps the best. That was my favorite part anyway.

 

I wish we would have know about the Beaver Run gig Sat. We would have been there. We look at the club site all the time We will be there this Sat for sure! Does anyone want to make reservations for dinner at Guiseppie's - close by?See you soon! Gary and Chris

 

I've heard good things about Giuseppie's! Unfortunately, I don't think I can commit for dinner reservations. Are reservations required?

Oops! The Flat-Out day didn't make it onto the website. Even though it wasn't a MINI-specific event, we would have loved to have had more MINIs there - so it should have also made it onto the site.

 

Hi all! I finally found coverage, so I'll be there with bells on! I can't make dinner, but does anyone know what time things will be wrapping up? I am psyched to finally get to check out the BeaveRun Facilities!

 

Coverage? I assume you mean at work and not cell coverage or insurance or fig leaves (do they go with bells)?

Glad to hear you'll make it!

So far I think there are about a dozen pre-registered. Generally, we can double that number - so attendance is looking pretty good!

 

It s a great track, i just wish i was race ready with rims and tires, these 15" 175/65 can't take it and burn up!!
i have to have them replaced by the factory, they just went. But they only stock the same thing.
You have to have something with bite, otherwise sliding is all i did. Even though first time on a track and with the slowest car MCC, i did come in 3rd.

I wonder if i still have to pay if i just go for pizza ??

 

Just increase the tire pressure and you'll be amazed how much better the car will feel.

 

I pre-registered with note that I would pay the $35.00 fee at track and that only one driver at that time. Now looks like there will be two drivers in my car.
BTW: Although it has been many, many,many years, I use to autoX a lot back in the day. I'm sure I'm rusty, but will be happy to help any who ask.

 

As mentioned, inflating pressure should help. Also, last time there was a lot of sandy grit which added a level of complexity. But, we always need to adjust driving style for surface conditions - even at an AutoX. Most folks will be running on their stock tires. (Including me.) No reason you should let that stop you.

But, if you decide to not drive, while it hasn't been discussed among the officers, I imagine we could offer a discounted "attendance" rate. I will check into that.

 

There will be minimal instruction at this event. However if you are new to AutoX and performance driving all you need to do is ask one of the Beaverun people to help you and they will ride with you for one or two times through the course.

The schedule for the day is to start running at 11:00am go till about 2:00 pm then break for lunch and return to the course for more runs.

There is no official plans to get on the North Track for parade laps, however if we have enough interest we can ask the Beaverun people, they have accomodated us in the past.

As far as food goes I was expecting to order pizza early to avoid the problems we had the last time.

 

What a FUN day! My blood was still pumping after I'd been home for a while! (Dinner and a few glasses of wine has taken care of that. ) As the day progressed, people started to drift off and those of us that hung around got to take more and more runs - It was a BLAST!! I ended up taking a number of people as passengers and they all seemed to really enjoy the experience. I think having a first-hand witness in the passenger seat actually helped my times a little too (weight be damned)!

The BeaveRun folks (and the folks doing testing on the North Track) were very nice to let us take a few parade laps on not only the North Track (a 1.6 mile road track), but also on the Wilson Circuit (typically used for go karts!). These really were just a hint of what the reality could be - but fun no less! Oh, and thanks to Vince for "hookin' us up" with all of that!

I didn't get the total count of cars/drivers that came - but it was a very nice turnout. If I had to guess, I'd say no less than 25 cars.

Only one downer for me - someone made off with my stainless steel MINI travel mug. I took it out of the car so it would not be rolling around and it disappeared. Not cool.

Between today's event and the Flat-Out day I did this past Sunday, I've probably put the equivalent of 10,000 miles worth of wear on my stock runflats. ...the sooner I wear them out the sooner I can get replacements!

I guess now it is time to put on the snow tires - even though I expect to park the car for most of the winter. Unbelievably enough though, it was a balmy 70*F today with partly cloudy skies. It was gorgeous weather for an autocross! Who can think about snow in 70 degree temps?

Anyhow, here's looking toward next year and some great performance motoring events!

 

The event was amazing. It was way better than the one last time.

Everyone seemed much more sociable.

Great job guys.

 

Thanks to everyone at PittStop MINI and Mother Nature for putting on a great event. I think it gave us all a better understanding of our MINI's capabilities, to say nothing of it's extracurricular attributes. I can't wait for the next event. Maybe BeaveRun can ice up the skid pad in January. Has anybody ever done any ice racing?
Thanks again for a great day!

 

We already have a Winter Driving event penciled in for February. Not exactly "ice racing" though. which I haven't tried - but it sounds interesting.

 

It was a good event. I counted 32 Minis just before the first runs started. Not sure how many drivers or if additional Minis showed up late. I know of one who showed up late and left early but, he won't be missed.
I thought he course was a bit to tight and should have been marked of with lime. Many new to autoX had trouble getting lost on course which can be frustrating. Hope the next event will be a little more open and better marked.
The Beaverun folks were very nice and allowing us a brief stint on the north course was a big plus.

 

Sorry i missed all the fun , my tires could not take it and i am getting new ones, i contacted the man. and they said the tires are not for tracking at all 175/65 15 but they did give me a 50% dicount on some new one which i have to order . The guys at NTB and Sears did not even know about that size and tire ??
Sound like you had more fun then in the spring.
By the way i did have a tire gauge with me , digital and i have my airtank at home, i think the tires are crap, i have ones for my bmw and never burned them up this quick, I have bought all kinds of $$$$ tires and these are junk.
I have another set of CONT. touring trac tires if the news one wear quick too.
I need to get holeys(sp?) and put track tires on them if I want to join you guys in the twistys.
Does Anyone have a set for sale??
And how many Coopers and S's made it????
Any Pics?
Graham?

-alpinamike

 

How many miles are on the tires? I have not had my car on a track yet, however the 175s were just fine at the Dragon.

I am not surprised that Sears and NTB (same company btw) knew nothing about the tires or even that size. They don't know much about tires at all IMHO.

Steve

 

At 8,000 I noticed they had very bad wear bars. 10,000 they past wear bars and i don't drive hard??
The factory says they are a summer tire and have no tread warenty plus they only last 20,000 miles.
They are a bad tire IMHO and MINI does not use them that much anymore , most people who get 15" get Dounlop or Cont. all season tires, which is what you have, 10 X better tires with warentys.
Plus most people don't keep the 15", they put aftermarkets on.
Have you heard the problem with Runflats....... just check on here!
Another problem and the clicking noise from the two piece (R99 i think) horse shoes due to the bolts!
-alpinamike

 

Had an absolute blast at the track....I'm hooked! What a total adrenaline rush! Whew! A big thanks to Vince and Chris for letting me ride along...too sick! Can't wait til Feb!