As some of you might know...the Mrs and I ran off to Mid Ohio Vintage Grand Prix this past weekend without the kids for our 10th and had a better than expected time. The weather was predicted to be very threatening this weekend but that wasn't going to stop us. I reattached the wipers, loaded up Msfitoy and prepared for the worst.

Nearly started the day in jail...we got caught up on our state side by bad construction and stupid left lane loads of elephant sized constipations...There was just empty road ahead of these three vehicles doing formation driving taking up all lanes I finally found a desperately needed opening at the far right and shot through...the momentum kept Msfitoy going (must be my 200hp exhaust or something) and by the time I got back over to the left lane, we were zipping at 120 something...right under an overpass...right past a parked trooper on the other side!!!...at full song...then full brakes...four screaming brake LEDs and one CHMSL flashing at his face as I flew by and no one around to save us Lisa goes..."I think you're toast" I automatically started to pull to the right while looking the rearview for the tell tale flashers...nothing yet...I kept moving until I was in the right lane...hey! I might as well pull off the freeway since there's a turn off and the cop will appreciate my concern for his safety...I'll just pull off the highway and wait for him there...no sight yet...make another right...nothing yet...make a left and finally parked in front of someone's house. After 5 minutes of "adjusting my load", we thanked my guardian Angel for this escape and returned back to the trip...slower

The hotel we reserved in Upper Sandusky turned out to "not quite as pictured":impatient So we decided to wing it and kept heading towards Mansfield. Mid Ohio area turns out to have some very nice pavements with lots of open stretches to do plenty of "Italian Tune-Ups" There were plenty of pleasant small towns dotting the landscape as well for some interesting sight seeing. We cruised through Galion and tried to guess which of the "GIANT" homes belonged to Minzilla

As the afternoon grew longer and longer, we were starting to wonder if we'd be sleeping in the Mini...Finally, we found a nice little ground level type hotel in Mansfield where we happily set up camp and unloaded Msfitoy...As it turned out, the time was 4:15pm...enough time to get to the track and catch the final race of the day Later, we stopped at the Road House per Squirlz's suggestion and had a great RED meaty dinner

So far so good...no rain yet as I had hoped to be able to cover up the Mini in preparation for Saturday's deluge...

Saturday morning was a thick as soup...dense fog and humidity...we knew we were going to get it big time. We hustled towards the track and was nearly busted again by Ohio's finest as I merged onto a 35mph road very loudly...he followed me for a few blocks and set us free...whew...

We managed to get to the track with only a bit of sprinkle. My best hope was that I could get to the display field to attend the "British Car Show Down" without getting poured on. That way, not all would be lost if it rained while I'm parked...can always dry it later...so far so good. As it turned out, everyone lucked out at the track that day and missed the 60% thunderstorm that luckily landed everywhere but on the track...yeay

The last time I was at this track was nearly 7 years ago and only viewed it from about 2 feet off the pavement traveling at 125mph while racing in my shifter kart. This time, the track had been newly repaved with many new observation areas that I wasn't aware of for some of the best track viewing I have every seen...what a deal for 2, three days, all access, free drinks/food totalling $60 And we got to do parade laps Saturday and Sunday...YEAH!!! The pace car (S2K), pulled over at several good vantage points and did cloudy donuts Got videos of that as well as Msfitoy being naughty doing a little four wheel drift around turns 4 and 7 esses

Last but not least, we met some of Ohio's Mini NAM members...welshmenwillnotyield, Ralleymini, Notsoredmini and many many other nice ensusiasts

There will definitely be a next year for us...


Just a small slice of what was all around us...


Miniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssss ss on the track...


More Minis...





Of course...incase you haven't seen this Mini yet...


Me and my very own "Detroit Tuned Babe"


HOT!!!



NOT!!! Barf...

 

Alright!! Glad everything worked out. Wish I coulda been there!

 

Love your adventure tale!! Especially the load adjustment!! Pictures were terrific. Made me wish I could have attended.

 

Yeah man, it was nice to meet you.

It was cool to see the car too, it helped me out with starting my intercooler project.

Good times, good racing. I even got to see that Peter Klut guy from Dream Car Garage on Speed with their Corvette's out there!

Here are a few of the pics i got....

 

PS....


917 my ***!!!! hahaha

 

One of my lawn chairs became a missile when I nailed the Stoptechs...luckily, it was stopped by my right arm...ouch

 

Is this an annual event? That track's only an hour and half from me! If so, maybe I'll see you there next year! Sounds like a really good time! Woohoo!

 

I sure hope so...this will become another annual road trip to be added to the Dragon

 

Yes it is. It was in june for the last 10 years, switched to August this year.

Strangely enough, a good friend of mine that I meet at Mid-Ohio every year is from Canal Fulton...Rick Anderson. Recognize him? You might know him from bars, all-you-can-eat buffets, or holding tanks?

 

I wholeheartedly agree! Saturday's show was nice for everyone as was the parade. It was nice to finally meet some people whose name I recognize on NAM, too. Sunday, while a Concours event, still gave plenty of time to watch the races. And the weather...ya just couldn't beat it!

 

That's cool! Hmmm, looks like most folks from Canal Fulton! Just kidding, I don't recognize him but I'll be on the look out!

 

When does this particular track event happen anyway?
Cause god knows i would like to go

 

CANAL FULTON???? OMG...i was raised in Massillon

 

it was last weekend, at mid-ohio

 

It's been in June forever. Until this year when it moved to August. I don't have a clue why they did that. Keep an eye out on Mid-Ohio's web site. They probably won't have next years schedules listed until around Christmas.

http://www.midohio.com/

 

I don't care...I'm in love with this track and will find any excuse to go back

 

Hrmmm, I was under the impression that Mid-Ohio was training only..ie. HP classes. Is this track open to the public daily, or only on certian days? I would love to go, but what kind of racing is it? Is it more, lesurly racing, or more full blown racing?

Another thing I would love to do would be to take a course, like the HPD "Lapping Program" course, but it's $675! Or even the "Acura High Performance Course" that's $625. Maybe this would be more of a reality after I have my MINI done.

And do they let anyone on? Do you have to obtain a racing license or anything special besides a helmet? How much!?

Thanks!
-Cody

 

The Mid-Ohio vintage weekend is always a lot of fun. The Kohler International Challenge with Brian Redman at Road America is well-worth attending, too. Vintage racing in general is great fun. Highly recommended if you've never been to one.

Mark

 

Oh, and the SVRA rules are on their web site.

Mark

 

Mid-Ohio has it all from SCCA regional & national racing all the way up to American LeMans & the Rolex cup racers. At one time they held a CART racing weekend that was the bomb.

As far as drivers schools go you can do it for much less than the cost of a Mid-Ohio school. I love the track, but for me their school is little bang for the buck.

 

Join BMWCCA and have them place you into a local chapter that has drivers schools at various tracks. That's how we are able to do Mid-Ohio this weekend, and how we did Putnam Park last month. Sure, you have to pay...but not as much as for some other well-known schools. And, the instruction is top-notch.

 

Ah, thanks Welsh. I will try to remember to look into that next year when I turn 18. Hopefully I will be able to attend some event's with you guys!

Thanks for the explanation!
-Cody

 

Just remember to give us old folks a break if/when you pull me over

 

Well, you have at least another 4years before you have to worry. I started school on Tuesday, and so far it's very exciting! I have to read a very thick EMT book to become a certified EMT. Whooo!

And if everything goes to plan, when I'm 26 I won't be a police officer anymore, but on SWAT instead. Wish me luck!

Watch out!
-Cody

 

Whew...I'll be in my rocking chair by then I take it that we like guns?