I had an opportunity to drive "paced" laps at VIR yesterday - it was great. I'd love to do some HPDE type events... but the tracks and/or sanctioning bodies typically require a REAL roll bar - not the built in hoops...

I saw an M3 convertible at the track with a nice bolt-in 4-point bar - all attachment was done where the rear seat normally is - so it would be relatively easy to remove the bar (10 bolts) and reinstall the seat for a completely stock look - or bolt in the bar for track days...

Has anyone done or seen anything like this for a MINI cabrio? Because I really want one... and would love a solution that has already been "blessed" by BMWCCA or whoever...

 

A instructor told me it was possible. He mentioned a fellow who could do one and make it so that when removed there'd be little evidence of the mods to mount it. But the problem was that it would need to be higher than the one in the MINI now, and hence the top would not be able to go up without removing the bolt in bar / cage. So you'd have to watch for rain and trailor the bar to and from the event if there was a chance of rain in order to put the top up.

I decided to stick to 'school' format events where they accept the car for track use as is for now. Once I want to get that far into it in a couple years I'll buy a old MG, Truimph, Formual V or something, no street use hence no tags or insurance and trailer it to track days. Then if something 'unfortunate' happens it's not to a high $ car that sees normal weekday use.

Good luck, tracking the MINI convert is fun!

 

Interesting - please help me understand what kind of "school" events you've done (and where) where the extra rollbar wasn't required.

Thanks!

 

Hey Paul, I have an e mail into SCCA just to see what they have to say. I'll let you know what I hear, when I hear it..

 

I did the NASA school that uses BMW club instructors out at Summitt point raceway in West Virginia. I've found that most "Track day' events won't allow the car. "Driving schools or performance driving schools" often/usually will. This is often a point of great confusion however. I got half 'yes' and half 'no' answers on this. I eventually bypassed the dealer organizing it for our club and got in touch with the organization that was providing the training and instructors to try and get a straight answer. It was 'yes'. My instructor was even teasing the other instructors that he 'got the convertible'. They started offering bids to bump him.

The difference between the "Track days" and "Driving school / track events" is this in my opinion. The "school events" tend to include or emphasize training, and hence allow most street cars. "Track days" often include some training but only until you've reached a certain level, then some just let you go out and run.

I also prefer the schools that require a instructor in each car at all times. It helps keep some of the more rowdy drivers in check who've spent too much time with video games and who take greater chances than their skill level should dictate.

In the end a drving school will often involve quite a bit of track time allowing you to stretch your and your MINI's legs and is quite a blast. The one's I've done you could only pass in two places and only when the car ahead signaled you to go by, I.E. that you were seen and they expected you to go. They allowed only a few cars on track at a time. This reduces the chances of anyone writing off their car. The schools are about you getting around the track quickly and honing your skill. They're not about comparing your speed to other cars.

A typical school will NOT turn you loose on your own with 20 other cars on a track to mess around uncontrolled.

I don't want to run my MINI that I'm making payments on in too uncontrolled a situation. Now some day when I can buy a $1000 trailer and a $5000 toy car just for track use, I'd like to also do track days and some local fun SCCA racing too.