I'll have some data after this coming Sunday...

Cheers,

Charlie

 

Got my butt thoroughly kicked last weekend in Peru. I was not even competitive.

We've been plagued by poor weather in Detroit this season, and we've also temporarily lost Toledo Express Airport, so I am well out of tune. No valid excuse, as 5 of the 7 people ahead of me are from my region. Tough crowd, too, 5 Nationals trophy winners, 3 people that finished ahead of me in DS last year in Lincoln.

Saturday I just did NOT drive well, had a real lack of intensity and focus. Hitting a cone early in my third run snapped me back to reality a bit and I finished that run out to my satisfaction.

Sunday I felt I drove better. Some course tweaks were made in the backwards direction that saw some out of normal AX speeds, I logged 70.2mph. Either it's my technique or my car, but it doesn't seem to like a 3-2 downshift in the heat of the moment, even though I can't duplicate the issue on the street. I know I lost a few tenths trying to not screw the shift up, but I was still 0.7 seconds off pace Sunday too. I will say entering a slalom at 70+ miles an hour was a riot, though.

Ah well, it is what it is. That's my last national event for this season, so it may end up being my last event in the Mini.

 

I've had the car for two years and today was the first time I've had it on a track. Car was great, even in 97 degree heat.

Usually leaving the track I have a soft brake pedal, or a lazy clutch, or a grumpy transmission until everything either cools off or gets bled, including my R53. I was shocked this thing was as if I just drove to the grocery store. Quite pleased. Only my AMG left the track as unfazed.

Anyways, here's me grabbing slightly more curb than intended.

 

 

I bought an '18 Civic Si and plan on running GS with it next year.

 

 

Probably done with it.