I have seen NOTHING on the internet about this event. It's either really bad marketing or I'm very blind.

Is anyone going? Even just to watch?

Currently I only know of 3 people going... me, Brian and Yegor.

 

Sorry to let Brian and the rest of you down. Due to my illness I won't be able to make the drive out to Buttonwillow. This also means I'am going to miss SEMA. Hope you guys have a great time. See you at the next race.

 

Sounds like a blast

 

It WAS a blast. No new MINIs showed to race, but I did get to play with 4 classics. Two of which were very quick. Dale Shore in the blue and white classic was the fastest(same car and driver that won the Leguna Seca race back in December), and a Yellow and black classic(sorry, I forgot the drivers name) not far behind.

The first race was a standing start with Dale on pole, followed by the yellow classic, then myself in third, and two more classics behind. I passed the yellow classic into turn one, and tried to keep up with Dale. He made a 5 or 6 second gap on the first lap and kept that through the race. The first several laps consisted of me trying to keep the yellow classic behind me(they ate me alive through the turns). After 5 or 6 laps the yellow classic fell behind, and later lost a wheel which caused him to not finish the race. Dale finished 1st, I was second, followed by the orange classic and then the BRG classic.

The yellow classic had minor damage to the left rear fender, but was ok for the second race. This time, Phil made the same decision as with the Carolina race, and decided to handicap the start. Therefore BRG classic(20 second head start) was on pole, then the orange(15 second head start), then the yellow classic, myself, and Dale started in that order. I got a better start and took the lead into turn one followed by Dale, with the yellow classic in 3rd. After 4 laps of keeping Dale at bay and passing the two classics that started before us, he got a good run off of the last turn, ran up next to me on the front straight, and we went side by side into turn one. He of course managed to nudge his way in, and take the lead. The blue and white then made 2 seconds on me before the checker. The final order was blue and white classic: 1st, Myself: 2nd, orange classic: 3rd, yellow classic: 4th, and the BRG classic in 5th.

All in all, it was a great day of racing. It was cool to have the orders reversed, with my car being the HP monster, and the smaller classics eating me up through the turns. I learned a lot by racing with Dale too, like how to block going into a turn . I think it was also very entertaining for the spectators as well.

I need to thank Rich Peterson for helping me out with tires! It was fun helping you out on Sunday. I also need to thank Matt Rickman(CamelPilot) for letting me crash at his place, feeding me, and kicking my a$$ at Boggle . And also Phil and Noree for putting on the series. It was a great learning experiance and I look forward to next year!

Hope to see more of you next season.

-Brian

 

It sounds like you had fun with the wee beasts Brian. Sure wish we could have come. I always like to see both new and old on the track, each working their advantages.

 

Uggh, man, I was in San Diego/LA working and didn't even realize I could have come up to watch/compete. They need a website with a schedule, I would have been there for sure.

 

Here is a link to a short video that has some pretty good action shots of the day.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptJjP5uNFgg

 

very cool video!

 

Great video Willum! Did you notice the speed limit going in was different than going out? It was fun riding with you and giving pointers. To bad I was split between 3 people... Hope to see you in Vegas.

And, there is a website with all of the dates! But I guess its kind of hard to find since it is not really advertised. www.MINIdriving.com. I did make sure to tell Phil he needs to talk next season up more if he wants more entrants. I will be doing my part!

Lets go racing!

-Brian

 

Brian,
My gf Terrie and I thought it was pretty funny...39mph going in 'n 37mph on the way out. Thanks for your pointers.... it helped alot.. Except when I spun out in the turn leading onto the front straight......lifted when I should "gas'd" it when I put 2 wheels off coming out of the turn ......See you in Vegas.....room is already booked...

 

When is Vegas?

 

First event of the season will be agian at AMVIV. End of March sometime...

Also, I talked to Phil about getting the video that was shot by that production company from Summit Point. Sounds like it will be cool. I will make sure and post a copy if I am aloud .

-Brian

 

Per Phil at Buttonwillow.......It will be a 2 day event on Saturday 'n Sunday, March 24th 'n 25th on the bigger course, outside of LVMS oval track. The short course was the "pits" (too many cars 'n too little track) and chewed up tires "big time".