R50/53 MCS continues to impress on the track
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
There was a FREE open track day at Second Creek Raceway in Denver today. I took my car down to play. There were some very nice cars that were there: Porsche RS, Porsche S4S, two supercharged S2000's, two WRX STi's, a lot of BMW's, several Audi's, Eclipses and one other MCS.
On the track (on my street tires) I was only passed once all day, by an Audi A4 with AP brakes and a very good driver, he's been my instructor at a drving school. My MCS managed to pass: an Eclipse GSX, a new Mach 1 Mustang, an E36 M3, a 318ti, a 325is, an Acura NSX!, a Nissan SER, both the STI's and the Porsche RS. The car is really amazing! Although I did have my moments today, the cold temperatures made for some interesting lessons in polar rotation
If you haven't taken your car out on the track you should, I guarantee you'll be impressed and impress your co-drivers. Everytime I opened my hood people were asking about the car. Happy New Year!
On the track (on my street tires) I was only passed once all day, by an Audi A4 with AP brakes and a very good driver, he's been my instructor at a drving school. My MCS managed to pass: an Eclipse GSX, a new Mach 1 Mustang, an E36 M3, a 318ti, a 325is, an Acura NSX!, a Nissan SER, both the STI's and the Porsche RS. The car is really amazing! Although I did have my moments today, the cold temperatures made for some interesting lessons in polar rotation
If you haven't taken your car out on the track you should, I guarantee you'll be impressed and impress your co-drivers. Everytime I opened my hood people were asking about the car. Happy New Year!
OVERDRIVE - Racing Champion
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 15,262
Likes: 72
From: Mililani, Hawaii
You have a super MCS with all those mods.
I wish we had free trackdays where I live but that would be just dreaming.
I do have free good weather though.
Good work. I wonder what they were thinking as they watched you pass them- Dang, there goes a hot driver!
I wish we had free trackdays where I live but that would be just dreaming.
I do have free good weather though.
Good work. I wonder what they were thinking as they watched you pass them- Dang, there goes a hot driver!
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
You're too kind.
But really, who would have expected a MINI to keep up with an M3 or an S4 on the track, even if the drivers are not equally skilled?
As far as mods go, I'm just getting warmed up!
But really, who would have expected a MINI to keep up with an M3 or an S4 on the track, even if the drivers are not equally skilled?
As far as mods go, I'm just getting warmed up!
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2002
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My MCS managed to pass: an E36 M3
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come on, let's get serious....my MCS is a fun car and I have driven the works, but passing an M3 on the track...lol, I've driven an M3 on a closed track....forgetaboutit....unless the M3 driver was with his Driver's Ed teacher :smile:
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come on, let's get serious....my MCS is a fun car and I have driven the works, but passing an M3 on the track...lol, I've driven an M3 on a closed track....forgetaboutit....unless the M3 driver was with his Driver's Ed teacher :smile:
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 90
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From: Annapolis MD
Second Creek is a short 1.7 mile track with 10 turns ... it favors small cars. A couple of schools ago I was out in the A group with a new M3 behind me ... it took him 18 minutes to get around me. My MCS was bone stock with the weighty 17" S-lites at the time. Mark can attest to my driving skills (or lack thereof). The track favors MINI's ... not high HP cars ... not enough room for them.
Cheers and congrats Mark
Geoff
PS. That's Mark behind me in the sig ... that didn't last too long!
Cheers and congrats Mark
Geoff
PS. That's Mark behind me in the sig ... that didn't last too long!
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
>>My MCS managed to pass: an E36 M3
>>_____________________
>>
>>come on, let's get serious....my MCS is a fun car and I have driven the works, but passing an M3 on the track...lol, I've driven an M3 on a closed track....forgetaboutit....unless the M3 driver was with his Driver's Ed teacher :smile:
Mblues, I won't argue with you: the M3 should kick my butt on the track. But yesterday at SCR and also at Pueblo, (a faster track), in the Advanced run group at a BMWCCA driver's school, is was pacing and passing M3's. I just am impressed that it does so well - and with the pulley the M3 doesn't pull away from me as quickly as I would have expected on the straights either.
Yesterday's cold temps kept the intercooler from getting heat soaked and the brakes from overheating; sure took a while to get some heat in the tires though.
_________________
IB/W 17" OZ Superleggera's Kumho MX tires or SSR comps and Kumho Ecsta's,
Aero Grills,
ALTA pulley, ALTA rear anti-roll bar, ALTA intake
<IMG SRC=https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/egc.thumb.jpg>
>>_____________________
>>
>>come on, let's get serious....my MCS is a fun car and I have driven the works, but passing an M3 on the track...lol, I've driven an M3 on a closed track....forgetaboutit....unless the M3 driver was with his Driver's Ed teacher :smile:
Mblues, I won't argue with you: the M3 should kick my butt on the track. But yesterday at SCR and also at Pueblo, (a faster track), in the Advanced run group at a BMWCCA driver's school, is was pacing and passing M3's. I just am impressed that it does so well - and with the pulley the M3 doesn't pull away from me as quickly as I would have expected on the straights either.
Yesterday's cold temps kept the intercooler from getting heat soaked and the brakes from overheating; sure took a while to get some heat in the tires though.
_________________
IB/W 17" OZ Superleggera's Kumho MX tires or SSR comps and Kumho Ecsta's,
Aero Grills,
ALTA pulley, ALTA rear anti-roll bar, ALTA intake
<IMG SRC=https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/albums/album04/egc.thumb.jpg>
3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 276
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From: Beverly Hills
What a track day ColoradoMark
Very good story wish I can see it live but I guess I better have training on the track first. hehheheheheh and have all the MOD on my MINI to keep up with all this cool cars. Thank you for sharing the story with us ColoradoMark
Very good story wish I can see it live but I guess I better have training on the track first. hehheheheheh and have all the MOD on my MINI to keep up with all this cool cars. Thank you for sharing the story with us ColoradoMark
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Fort Collins, CO
I've had a couple of more opportunities to be impressed over the last month:
Two weeks ago I instructed at the BMWCCA driver's school at second creek. This was before I had the new suspension put on the car. Again I was able to pass most of the M3's in the INSTRUCTOR run group. The E-30 M3's are comparable from a power to weight ratio to our cars. I was passed by a race-prepared 325is.
This last weekend I instructed at the Audi driver's school at second creek. I now had my new suspension put on: Leda's, RDR control arms, adjustable end links and lower rear control arms. I was the fastest car there. My closest competition was a Cobra SVT Mustang with some mods. If I was behind him I couldn't get around him, becaue he would power away on the straights. But, if I was ahead of him I could pretty easily distance myself from him. I think he was impressed by how well I kept up with him on the straights, I was impressed with how well he did in the twisties.
I still have a long way to go though - I think there's another 3-5 seconds a lap left in the car (with some engine mods) and the driver (practice, practice practice).
On a side note. There was an event at PPIR (Pikes Peak) raceway recently. Evidently two of the drivers there own both a Ferrari and a MINI - they chose to bring the MINI to the track and leave the Ferrari's at home.
Two weeks ago I instructed at the BMWCCA driver's school at second creek. This was before I had the new suspension put on the car. Again I was able to pass most of the M3's in the INSTRUCTOR run group. The E-30 M3's are comparable from a power to weight ratio to our cars. I was passed by a race-prepared 325is.
This last weekend I instructed at the Audi driver's school at second creek. I now had my new suspension put on: Leda's, RDR control arms, adjustable end links and lower rear control arms. I was the fastest car there. My closest competition was a Cobra SVT Mustang with some mods. If I was behind him I couldn't get around him, becaue he would power away on the straights. But, if I was ahead of him I could pretty easily distance myself from him. I think he was impressed by how well I kept up with him on the straights, I was impressed with how well he did in the twisties.
I still have a long way to go though - I think there's another 3-5 seconds a lap left in the car (with some engine mods) and the driver (practice, practice practice).
On a side note. There was an event at PPIR (Pikes Peak) raceway recently. Evidently two of the drivers there own both a Ferrari and a MINI - they chose to bring the MINI to the track and leave the Ferrari's at home.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
>>Whats mods do you have on your mcs?
15% pulley, ALTA CAI, Alta sway bar, Stoptech brakes, Leda coilovers, RDR camber plates, Alta end links, H-sport adjustable rear control arms, 17" SSR comps with 225/45-17 Kumho Victoracers, rollbar, harnesses, SPA oil pressure/oil temp gauge, Autometer boost gauge, Hawk Blue front pads, Ferodo 2500 rear pads
15% pulley, ALTA CAI, Alta sway bar, Stoptech brakes, Leda coilovers, RDR camber plates, Alta end links, H-sport adjustable rear control arms, 17" SSR comps with 225/45-17 Kumho Victoracers, rollbar, harnesses, SPA oil pressure/oil temp gauge, Autometer boost gauge, Hawk Blue front pads, Ferodo 2500 rear pads
Okay, Mark.. now you HAVE to come out to the east coast and instruct for the Quattro Club! I run my car with them and I dearly wish there were an instructor around who'd tracked a mini just to have some feedback on the nuances of the car. 
We've got Lime Rock Park, Watkin's Glen and a Mount Tremblanc meet that I'm itching to catch.
Great report!
We've got Lime Rock Park, Watkin's Glen and a Mount Tremblanc meet that I'm itching to catch. Great report!
4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 470
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From: Orange County, CA
>15% pulley, ALTA CAI, Alta sway bar, Stoptech brakes, Leda coilovers, RDR camber plates, Alta end links, H-sport adjustable rear control arms, 17" SSR comps with 225/45-17 Kumho Victoracers, rollbar, harnesses, SPA oil pressure/oil temp gauge, Autometer boost gauge, Hawk Blue front pads, Ferodo 2500 rear pads
You didn't mention which exhaust system you are running.
I suspect not stock.
Good Luck,
Bill
_________________
MINI COOPER S = Miles of Smiles!!!!
You didn't mention which exhaust system you are running.
I suspect not stock.
Good Luck,
Bill
_________________
MINI COOPER S = Miles of Smiles!!!!
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
Bill,
3/4 stock. I have a one-baller. I've been holding off on spending money on engine and exhaust until I get the rest done.
rfath,
I would love the oppty to run on those tracks sometime. Pretty far drive from here though!
Thanks,
Mark
3/4 stock. I have a one-baller. I've been holding off on spending money on engine and exhaust until I get the rest done.
rfath,
I would love the oppty to run on those tracks sometime. Pretty far drive from here though!
Thanks,
Mark
>>rfath,
>>I would love the oppty to run on those tracks sometime. Pretty far drive from here though!
Nah! It's just a short jaunt across most of the country!
I used to live less than 5 miles from Mid-Ohio and am STILL kicking myself for not being as into cars then. What a perfect opportunity!
>>I would love the oppty to run on those tracks sometime. Pretty far drive from here though!
Nah! It's just a short jaunt across most of the country!
I used to live less than 5 miles from Mid-Ohio and am STILL kicking myself for not being as into cars then. What a perfect opportunity!
Banned
Joined: Feb 2004
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Like the man says....show me the numbers.......show me the lap times, the competitors lap times and maybe, maybe i'll believe it.....going on about "passing" other cars or "not being passed" says nothing whatsoever. i doubt very much that under equally prepared conditions a MINI anything will hold up vs an E36 M3.
The Blue Mini sure sounds pretty fast though......hopefully we'll run inot each other one of these days at a proper race with BMWCCA. Mine should hit the track this month yet at Mid Ohio......the roll cage is going in this week.......
The Blue Mini sure sounds pretty fast though......hopefully we'll run inot each other one of these days at a proper race with BMWCCA. Mine should hit the track this month yet at Mid Ohio......the roll cage is going in this week.......
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4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 556
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From: Fort Collins, CO
Pocket,
That would be fun. I haven't made these comment to brag about my car, even though it is good. Or my driving, which is probably above average, but still in need of much improvement. But rather this post is a testimonial to how great these little cars really are. It's a gas to go out in a $20,000 car (well at least it started that way)and be close, or faster, than cars that cost much, much more.
All the while turning lap after lap without any mechanical problems (knock on wood).
One of my timed laps at Second Creek was 1:22:85 on Sunday. I've run faster in this car, but the person timing me said it was the fastest of the cars he timed that day. I as hoping to be in the 1:21 range with the Leda's. I have a laptimer waiting to be installed, if I can find a cheap serial printer to hook up to it I could even print out my timeslips for you. (are you related to Andy?)
Mark
That would be fun. I haven't made these comment to brag about my car, even though it is good. Or my driving, which is probably above average, but still in need of much improvement. But rather this post is a testimonial to how great these little cars really are. It's a gas to go out in a $20,000 car (well at least it started that way)and be close, or faster, than cars that cost much, much more.
All the while turning lap after lap without any mechanical problems (knock on wood).
One of my timed laps at Second Creek was 1:22:85 on Sunday. I've run faster in this car, but the person timing me said it was the fastest of the cars he timed that day. I as hoping to be in the 1:21 range with the Leda's. I have a laptimer waiting to be installed, if I can find a cheap serial printer to hook up to it I could even print out my timeslips for you. (are you related to Andy?)
Mark
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 137
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From: Lexington Park, MD
Show me the numbers!!!
LOL....
Yes... This car is very impressive. Even stock the car can hold it's own on the track. I have the 15% pulley now - and the car is twice as fun to drive.
Good job man!
Keep it on the track!
LOL....
Yes... This car is very impressive. Even stock the car can hold it's own on the track. I have the 15% pulley now - and the car is twice as fun to drive.
Good job man!
Keep it on the track!
Neutral
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2
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i am cosidering a mini cooper s but think that for the money a wrx might be the way to go. i like the look an the persona of the mini but it's a second and a half slower 0-60. in fact it seems as though performance wise they are in different leages.