T minus one week!

Hope all is going well in the preparations... share where you are, and what still needs to be done. I'm sure you both are very excited!

 

Sorry for being 'among the missing' . . . We have been really busy . . . but, I guess that goes without saying.

Progress is being made and we are basically ready to go. There are some wrap up items but all is well.

The transporter arrived in CT in spite of ice storms and other weather related problems. It should depart for Daytona on Sunday as planned.

We sent a second vehicle from AZ to Florida with the 'last second' stuff and it too avoided the most recent storm in NM . . . another ice storm. I think the weather Gods drive Mini's because we have dodged some real bullets the last few days.

We are still dealing with the shock problem but. at least, we now have them. They are not fitting up as we had hoped, but we will be ready to race.

We put the graphics on the car last night . . . looks good. Our sponsors will be proud.

That's it for now . . . 7 days to go. Remember to watch this thread starting Thursday. We will give on-site updates and let you know how it's going.

Randy

 

Randy, no need to apologize. I think all here would agree that your race preparations are of the highest priority.

First and foremost, be safe. Finish the race; as that has proven to be difficult at times. A podium would be awesome!

I'll be monitoring this thread on Thu...

 

The best of luck to Randy and Mark. I'm sorta new here and wanted to wish you the winners flag. I will be following this thread since I'm a nut for racing and love the Mini world.

Please give us more pictures of the car if you can. And I wanted to know how will you broadcast the race here? Will we be able to see the race from here as it's happening??

If so, what a pleasure that would be. I'm very excited and can't wait.

 

Here is a picture during the recent graphics installation . . . lots of body trim parts still awaiting installation . . . but you get the idea.

If you have ever seen a Cruise America RV Rental unit, you will understand the Statue of Liberty picture.
The car graphics mimic the "Salute to America" theme used on the Cruise America rental fleet.
The Golden Gate Bridge is on the other side.


Car is currently on the dyno being run in and 'tweaked'. Feeling pretty good right about now. (knock on wood!).

Heading to Florida soon !

 

The laptimes and race progress will be on line at:

http://www.grand-am.com/Events/Event.asp?ID=191

We will update this thread with information as time permits. Unfortunately, there will not be any video . . . but we will post pictures. I think the actual race will be delayed broadcast on Speed but I don't know when.

Randy

 

From past experience, Speed will have it about 2-3 weeks later, if covered...

Car looks great. Love the side-exit exhaust!

 

I wanted the exhaust out the back but the location of the fuel cell requires the removal of the center tunnel that the exhaust runs through. Normally, the side exhaust makes the car really loud. It was particularly loud at PIR with the sound echoing off the walls.

I wanted the exhaust quieter so we engineered a special side tunnel and pipe with a resonator. It has not hurt performance but has fixed the 'blatttt' sound that is caused by the side exit.

No one wants a Mini that sounds like a Mazda!! Ours sounds really sweet.

 

Nice dash cluster. The car looks great guys, good luck next week!

 

Very, very nice job. Good luck next weekend and this week putting the final touches on the car.

 

Damn......that is looking good !

Instead of just posting on this thread, why don't you start a new one about Daytona?

 

It was suggested that I start a new thread for Daytona . . . here it is.

The Transporter leaves for Florida Monday morning. The car is loaded and ready to go. We still need to install some series stickers, mount some tires, rent some nitrogen bottles and other housekeeping type BS stuff.

As a new team . . . with the highest car number . . . we think we will probably be the last guys allowed into the paddock . . . probably get the worst pit stall, etc

We will have an update from the speedway by Wednesday. We will post some pictures too.

Randy

 

Hey, at least you guys are going to race and not just going to BBQ chicken .
Rooting for you guys here. Hope you will be doing some in car vids!
Are you already set up with the Bosch system?

 

We have the 'DaVid' video system from AIM. It overlays all the engine data onto a split screen video. We will be able to watch engine performance, temps, RPM's, shift points, etc relative to the car's position on the track. It's brand new and I don't know anyone who has been using it but it looks like it will be very valuable for both car performance and driver training.

Example: If Mark has a better line, I will be able to see this line AND his shift points, braking points, etc.

I guess I will have to learn how to load videos on this site now . . .

Randy

 

Good luck Randy !

Hope to see you in Portland,OR !

 

Randy & Mark, best of luck! Hope your trek to FL is uneventful...

The vid needs to be hosted somewhere else, then you can provide the link here. This should not pose any problems are there are several such sites. Heck, I'm sure someone here would be willing to host it for you possibly!

Looks like no rain, but cloudy, mild temps (high 50's, low 60's)...

 

I love the Airbag "idiot" sticker

Seriously, It LOOKS GREAT !!!!

Stay ON the GAS !!!!

 

Two more days and then off to Daytona!!!

Randy should get a standing ovation for his commitment to the MINI and jumping into the Grand Am fray. I have witnessed the behind the scene work involved in this endeavor and have a good idea of financial outlay involved with putting the car together, the crew organized and transporter equipped. It is mind boggling what is involved not only in time and effort, but financially.

The MINI community support is fantastic, thanks to all who post and to those who will attend events as we come to a track near you. I hope MINIUSA is watching what is going on here and at some point feels there is real value in supporting the RSR Motorsport effort to field what should be a competitive car in the most competitive series in road racing.

The excitement is building and trust me Daytona is just the begining of what should be a wild ride in the 2007 Grand Am Koni Challenge.

 

Thanks to all, Daytona will be a great experience. I think the goal is to first sort the car out, get it qualified in a good position and slowly work our way up without drama and with good clean pit work.

The excitement is building!!

 

pics of the car look great. you may be pleasantly surprised at the MINI support that you are about to receive! have a safe trip.....see you friday...bean

 

Randy,
Question. Since the JCW is now factory option, are you using upgraded JCW parts, ie pulley, head, other? How about factory parts off the GP? If not alowed yet in GA, is there anything that the Mini comunitty can do to help swade GA?

 

Greg

Randy is off to Daytona, I leave first thing in the morning. With regard to JCW or GP parts, none of those parts are on the car. Due to the quick build time of the car, time did not permit discussions with GA on allowing any "upgrades". I would not be surprised if now that the dust has settled, GA may be approached about these upgrages.

Mark

 

Good luck guys. I have been Follow Grand Am Racing for about two years now and I'm glad to know there will be MINI's on the track again.

 

I'm heading up a group of about ~12 Minis that will be there to cheer you on! We'll find your garage stall & check out the car, and if you need any help there will surely be some willing volunteers. I'll be taking lots of pics, so I'll post them here. I'll be at the track all weekend - so maybe we'll meet up again.

 

We are looking at 11 Minis coming out to the track on Friday right now, we will be there to cheer you on!