Looking through most club websites, it seems like most MINI owners prefer to race their cars and blast through canyons at (in my opinion) dangerous speeds. Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I am just not 100% confident in the driving skills of myself and those around me, but I am just not into death-defying motoring on public roads. I prefer leisurely drives through scenic routes. Anybody agree with me, or am I on the wrong forum?

 

You gotta MC or MCS? I think it makes a difference.

 

hey now.. i have an MC and i definitely drive like a (safe) nut

No, not an oxymoron.

 

Rick,

I definitely share your concern. See this thread:

Off-Topic: Autos :: Group Drives: Do you feel safe?

 

Like my signature says, I don't have one YET

So, it doesn't have to be a function of surplus ponies under the hood, but maybe surplus testosterone behind the wheel. Yes, I'm a guy so I'm not slamming guys in general. Yes, I'm over 40 and have a house, wife, kids, own my own company, the works.

What I think I may be over compensating for is not enough oppurtunity to have this kind of fun as a kid in a car. While I was lucky enough to have parents generous enough to provide me with free transportation, let's just say that the 1968 Buick Sportwagon wasn't the baby blue Scirocco I was hoping for.

This making any sense?

So as long as I'm only putting myself in a situation where I may seriously bend my car, and not hurt anybody else, is it wrong?

 

Noticed something interesting today.

I am in a loaner 325i from the dealer currently (airbag issues, a different thread). I drive approx 60 miles of highway to work every day. Normally I cover the route in under an hour. Today, took a little more time. I realized I drive so fast because the MINI wants to go fast. I am not a dangerous driver (outside of the MINI).

"Sorry officer, the MINI NEEDS SPEED!"

 

IMHO - an adult's body is not the property of The Government, so what consenting adults do is absolutely their right; e.g., harm self without harming others or putting others at risk while doing so... that said, closed courses are for high speed stuff. Driving outside the margin where you can't predict what another car is doing is sociopathic. If you're at a speed in a blind curve where you can't avoid injuring others dute to average mechanical/brain dysfunction, you are wrong... imHo... :smile:

 

Sorry, didn't mean to offend any MC owners out there. I just know that I get a little more "spirited" as I change gears and such.

_________________

 

Cooper Owner. Never drive in groups. Too far out in the country. Bt on the other point maniac??? Yep. Guilty as charged.

 

>>Looking through most club websites, it seems like most MINI owners prefer to race their cars and blast through canyons at (in my opinion) dangerous speeds. Maybe I am getting old, or maybe I am just not 100% confident in the driving skills of myself and those around me, but I am just not into death-defying motoring on public roads. I prefer leisurely drives through scenic routes. Anybody agree with me, or am I on the wrong forum?


I dont know. DO all old people drive like their delivering nitroglycerin on a cobblestone road? I say no, as broad generalizations are not true for all circumstances.

I say making broad generalizations about groups of people on the bulletin boards that support them is considered trolling. No matter what sports car you look at, go to there respective websites and find all about their spirited driving. Trying to make generalizations from a skewed sample like that is wrong.

Just my .02 cents.

Paul
George Carlin said somthing to the effect ' Why is it slower moving drivers are a$$%^^& and faster drivers are maniacs?'

 

To be honest, group drives make me a bit nervous as of late, specially when other MINI drivers from our club begin to speed, swerve in and out of traffic and race other cars on the road. I have seen these behaviors on teens and married "grown ups" with kids and all.

People drive really bad in this city as is and when other MINI driver's don't set an example on public roads the problem only gets progressively worse.


I love to drive but never been into speeding or racing. I guess if other MINI people feel the need to show off and race the cars, then they should get together and organize track day events.

I have ZERO respect for MINI drivers that go 90MPH in a 45MPH zone and I don't care if you are a "seasoned' race car driver with reflexes to match the higher speeds.


Im 32 and pride myself to have never received a speeding ticket (Or other traffic violation) in 16 years of driving. Yeah I drive like my "Grandma" but that attitude has kept me out of trouble so far and also enjoy the benefit of very low insurance rates. Still I enjoy my cars to the max, everytime.


It is alarming to see the careless attitude exhibited by some MINI owners on club meets and special events. In our club we had to "ban" a pretty wreckless MCS owner from our club meets. Unfortunate, but someone has to read the message on the wall.

 

H&J says it well! Since moving to SoCal a few months ago I’ve been in search of good twisties to play on with my Z3 and now with my MCS. I’m appalled by the ‘vettes, rice rockets, bimmers, etc. on some of the canyon roads in the L.A. area and their total disregard for the safety of other drivers! Many of the popular canyon roads are filled with “Sunday drivers” and have numerous side roads and driveways - - not the place for pushing the limits!

I went on one Z3 group drive shortly after arriving here, and I won’t do it again. We went up hwy 18 to hwy 189 to hwy 18 to hwy 330. IMO curves, not really twisties, and the group held the speed to something near reasonable for the road and the traffic. The bad part was when we returned to the freeway for the return to the L.A. area - - they had to continue pushing the limits, weaving in and out of traffic at 15-25 mph over the regular flow (which was about 75 that afternoon).

I can understand the frustration of SoCal drivers that pushes them to exceed safety and good sense limits on what pass for twisties down here - - it turns people into “ramp racers” and red light runners - - but that doesn’t excuse the dangerous driving!

Just today I discovered a 17.1 mile stretch of excellent twisty - - no side roads, no driveways, and very little traffic. Going one direction I didn’t overtake any cars and only met two cars and a forestry pickup. The ‘vette and the bimmer were both pushing it hard. On the return trip I overtook the forestry pickup and met a Harley and a rice rocket. Don’t ask me to tell you where to find “MY” road - - I don’t want to share it with anybody that doesn’t already know about it! I intend to drive it at least a couple of times a week in either the MCS or Z3.

If you can find a safe outlet for your MINI’s handling capabilities there is no reason to turn into a ramp racer and endanger the general public. Don’t tailgate! Don’t weave! Try to avoid the temptation of leading lesser cars into curves/corners at speeds that they can’t handle! In the twisties keep the revs over 4,000 and otherwise keeps the revs below 3,000! Be considerate of other drivers!

 

I was asking this as a somewhat rhetorical question with no ill intent. My point was that the primary focus of the club websites that I visited was "spirited driving." Since I am not a "spirited driver" I would like to see if I am among at least a few like minded individuals before I participate in any MINI functions or I might as well stay home or go for a drive on my own. I would love to go on a canyon drive but I am not going to compete in the Indy 500 to avoid getting left behind either.

 

Come to MINIsOnTop - it is primarily a gathering!
Or check out the 2003 MINI meander or even the older 2002 meander

We don't need a "club" to bring these friendly events together - maybe that is a difference ...

 

I think you all are hitting on something that is very important but not something easy to discuss. We do talk about "spirited driving" alot...MINI's ad campaigns almost encourage such. I do think many (maybe all?) MINI drivers to punch it from time to time as the car is so compliant under such conditions. It is we individually (...and perhaps as clubs) who must honestly come to grips with this. My experience is that the whole "spirited driving" thing is sort of an inside joke and, although we are (all) guilty of doing this on occasion, most clubs have a super abudance of level-headed motorers...as witnessed in this thread...who stand solidly on the side of safety.

That said, I'm eagerly anticipating the arrival of the MINI cabrio...why? Think about it....we in the States went from Coopers...to Cooper Ss (more horses)....to JCW MCSs (still more horses!)...and mods, mods, mods! That's been the progression. Now we'll welcome the cabrio! Its a One or a Cooper we're dealing with now, and I hope the emphasis in MINIdom will once again re-address the fun, carefree, campy ethic of MINI motoring. Its always been a sub-text, but this ethic may have gotten lost a bit.

Racers, in MINIdom, have always been with us (...or we wouldn't even have Coopers) and will continue to pursue their goals, and we respect their skill. That's super! All of us, though, should try to actively encourage and foster a culture of safety (and fun) as we drive our MINIs.....even if we do stomp on it occasionally. My 2 cents.......

 

Unfortunately, some of us are genetically deficient. I am a bit of a moron in about anything I drive, except my long years of suffering at the arms of the law have tamed me on freeways and most heavily trafficked roads.......I consider myself an outstanding driver (and have proof of purchase) very safe and know what I am doing. I adore, however, leisurely drives through winding country lanes gabbing away with madam treasurer......

 

>>I was asking this as a somewhat rhetorical question with no ill intent. My point was that the primary focus of the club websites that I visited was "spirited driving." Since I am not a "spirited driver" I would like to see if I am among at least a few like minded individuals before I participate in any MINI functions or I might as well stay home or go for a drive on my own. I would love to go on a canyon drive but I am not going to compete in the Indy 500 to avoid getting left behind either.

Your question is a valid one. Clearly in our MINI group we have those who would like to cruise at safe and sane speeds and those who like spirited driving. When we do a group cruise we go at an easy pace and enjoy the ride.

If we want to do spirited driving we have monthly autocross and twice yearly track events. It's not worth the risk of getting into an accident.

Each MINI group or club needs to be wary of that sort of driving behavior will be the norm and what actions are to be tolerated. The group can be liable/responsible if an incident occurs so please do be careful out there.

 

I don't want to sound like a stick in the mud. I wouldn't have bought a cooper S if I didn't like the sporting aspect of car ownership. The most fun I have had in my MINI so far was on my way to work the day after I bought it. I live in Tustin Ranch and work in Huntington Beach - a 12 mile drive. I was so excited about my new S that I didn't sleep much the night after I bought it. I got up super early as usual to go to the office and something came over me. Instead of turning left I turned right and drove all the way to Dana Point then took the coast all the way back into the office - probably about 45 or 50 miles out of the way. It was 4:30 in the morning and freezing cold but I had the moon roof open and the windows down. There is nothing as fun as driving down the coast as the sun rises.

By the way, "Miniacs" in the title of this thread was not referring to the club. That is a term we classic Mini owners have been using for several years. Very cool name for a club, though.

 

>>Sorry, didn't mean to offend any MC owners out there. I just know that I get a little more "spirited" as I change gears and such.

No offense taken, but I have an MC and also "change gears and such". We have gear shifts too!

Personally, I do a mix of both leisurely and spirited driving. On the secondary roads in my sleepy little town, I take it easy. Lots of kids around, and the occasional police officer.

On the highway though, I'd say I drive faster than the average commuter, but not recklessly fast.

On deserted back road twisties, I have some fun.

 

So I've owned PKT RKT like for three days and there are these short downhill "twisties" on a way to work. So I am getting there and it is 6:00 AM and pretty deserted......woods on either side and no cops in sight....so I nail it go into the first turn doing 50 and there's a cop car with the lights on.......almost had ANOTHER heart attack, thought I was nailed for sure.......slow way down....a little further, a TT into the trees, upside down.........I drive that road once in a while now, mostly uphill in the afternoon........

While in college my car club had a tremendous rule for group drives.....NO PASSING among the group other than on freeways. Period. Works great........leader/tailer keep the herd together.......no hard feelings.....easy motoring and everyones chosen speed.......no dumb moves......enjoyed Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and the Illinois/Iowa border along the rivers there immensely.

 

I try to save the fast stuff for the track. If a person wants to show how fast they are, go out to the road course or the autocross course and prove it where the clock determines who is king. My autocrossing suffers because of this attitude but I don't want to be responsible for killing someone elses kid. As a teacher, I have been to too many memorial services related to speeding. Maybe my age is showing but the car seems fast enough without all of the "mods". Enjoy

 

>>Sorry, didn't mean to offend any MC owners out there. I just know that I get a little more "spirited" as I change gears and such.

>>No offense taken, but I have an MC and also "change gears and such". We have gear shifts too!

AAAHHH, sorry I forgot that MCs have shifters! I love all MINIs and their drivers! Sorry sorry sorry.

 

I like driving with groups, IF they don't get going faster and faster! One of my concerns is the propensity for many MINI drivers to tailgate! We may have a nimble car, but I am REALLY uncomfortable with those that follow so closely! I realize that if you leave a bit of room, you get cut off, but isn't there a happy medium?

I'm all for taking it to the track for speed-runs! Let's see more track days organized! Let's get some more driving classes organized! Let's have fun motoring, but let's be safe and sporting to other drivers!

 

It's all relative.

Ask Randy Webb, and I drive "like a freakin' grandma" on the road. Ask my Mother, and I drive like Juan Pable Montoya on the road! Generally, I obey the posted signs. I stretch the posted speed occasionally, but mostly when accellerating. After a blash through 1st and 2nd, I putz near the posted speed. I use my turn signal. I honk when people are rude or aren't looking. I use my Schroth harness almost every day, and when I don't, I use the factory 3-point. I check my tire pressures and oil level weekly.

I'm a good boy.

That said, I still drive with my DSC off, and push the limits of adhesion on all available corners and on/off ramps! I keep track of my fuel economy, but also video tape my boost gauge and belt tensioner while on the dyno, hee hee. I pass wherever there're lanes open, not just "on the left". I try to only dice one lane at a time, resisting the temptation to swerve clear across the interstate. I resist the urge to put my foot down and leave it there until I hit redline in every-single-gear. I resist the urge to flip the finger to every stupid idiot that cuts me off or rides my tail. I try to smile when people oogle at my pristine clean MINI. I wave at other MINI's, and nod to fellow Motor-heads.

I'm a good boy.

:smile:

 

If you join a club and feel the members are making the road unsafe for you or others, notify the club's board. Clubs have the ability to plan drives around their members. The more aggressive may like track time with instructors while others like you may enjoy leisure scenic routes. It won't seperate the driving styles but voicing your concern to the members might.

Bottom line, get involved and voice your concern. The club should react positively.