Hi,

I just placed my $1000 deposit for an 2006 MC with SS+ , Sport, Hyper Blue.

I live in San Francisco and bike/bus to work, so it will be a weekend daily driver. I have no intention of being a "competitive" autocrosser, but after getting a chance to drive an MC that had only the intake, exhaust, wheels and tires upgraded, I know that I will be making these changes.

My goal is to have a fun car to drive, and to develop my skills as a beginner autocross racer and a track day driver.

I'm also signed up for the "intro to sprint kart" course at Infineon later this winter and am planning on racing in the "arrive and drive" kart series this summer. Again, just for fun, and for skill development/seat time.

In 2/3 years, I'll be replacing this MC with one focused more tightly on meeting "stock specs" but for now I just want to have fun.

My dilemma:

I -must- have the Aero Kit.

I know that this knocks me out of HS, but would anyone at the NorCal regional races care? If it -is- a big deal, what class would it knock me into?

I really don't care about winning right now, I just want the seat time for the next two years or so. I figure, if I'm in a tougher class, Since the car will be HS in every other way but the Aero Kit, I can always compare my times against HS for my own reference.

Also, I'm bewildered by all of the wheels/tires threads. Whatever tires I get need to be up to daily driving. Any suggestions on how to get the most bang for my buck on wheels/tires and on intake/exhaust setups?


Thanks!!

-Morgan

 

Good to hear we'll have some more HS Mini's in the area. I have been running mine in the SF Region since 2003.

I wouldn't worry too much about the Aero kit locally. Unless you get really competitive no one is going to protest you. The only bummer about the Aero kit is that it is not easy to take on and off should you decide to take it to the next level. Still, unless you really want to go down the autocross path build the car the way you want it and then find a place to run it. Chances are you'll have more fun and be associating with people with similar interests. That being said, I'll be running STS in 2006. It's probably not the best class for the MINI but it should be fun and is a new challenge.

Track me down at the next event and I'll give you a ride and share some tips.

Stuart

HS / STS 47

 

sorry to ask, but what exactly is the hs class?

Is it just intake and exhaust that can be modified? can you have a pulley? Sorry I should really look these up, I am in slo,ca and want to start getting some track time too, and am trying to determine which is the best place for me to begin

 

H Stock is the SCCA Solo stock category where Coopers can play. G Stock is the class that Cooper S's are in.

What you can do:

Tires (R compounds)
Stock size rims (that means 16x6.5s are ok for the Cooper, as well as the 15x5.5, but not the 17s)
shocks that are dimensionally the same as stock (2 way adjustable ok)
brake pads
alignment within factory range.
better seat belts
cat back exhausts
air filter
and front anti-rollbar changes (but not rear)

what you can't do:
Pretty much anything that it doesn't say you can.
no rear bar
no intake changes other than filter
no spring changes
etc.

http://www.scca.org has more info.

Per
http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com

 

Welcome.

SF-specific if you haven;t found them alrady:
http://www.sfrscca.org/solo2/
Next event [FONT=Arial,Helvetica]2006 Feb 05, Oakland.[/FONT] Info forthcoming.
May have street tire index class; also consider STS.

http://www.ggcbmwcca.org
Car control clinics and autox. Unique classing.

Best deal on tires: used 205-50-15 from Miata, Honda folk.
Maybe some in 16" sizes, too.

 

Are you thinking of bringing another set of tires to race on, or do you want to simply drive daily on your autocross tires?

As a beginner it's usually best to start on street tires to improve your driving skills. Race tires (R compounds) can make up for mistakes with their extra stickiness (word?), where as on street tires you will know when you do something wrong and you'll loose lots of time. The best street tires (also best bang for your buck) to race on depends on who you ask, either Falken Azenis RT-615 in 16'' form, or Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 in 205/50 15'' or 215/45 16''. Locally you will still be competitive, you just need to keep in mind R compounds are worth about 3 seconds (give or take) over streets on a 60s course.

If you want R compounds, Kuhmo V710 215/40 16 is the only way to go.

Best bang for your buck wheel is the Rota Slipstreams (last I heard about $150/each @ about 14 lbs/each). SSR Comps are 11lbs/each, but over twice as much.

Best Cooper exhaust I know of is the Borla Sport, sounds great, makes a little power, maybe. Really for autocross, very little is to be gained from change of exhaust unless you can find oen significantly lighter.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for the tips!

Is it true (heard it from the dealer) that the MC gear ratios were changed starting with the 05's??

I had an early 03 Velvet Red MC and loved it, but yearned (yes yearned) for a less "blocky" feeling powerband.

Have all the MCS's always had the same ratios?

I guess what I want to know is, if I end up shopping used, (ignoring cost) are there any significant performance differences between identically spec'd/driven MC's and MCS's?

Ignoring things like LSD and JCW...

Would identical MC's with the same mileage perform differently with the model year being the only variable? And what about the same question applied to the MCS's?

-Morgan

 

Someone would have to be a real sore loser to protest you for an aero kit.

The one big thing is that front aero bumper is expensive to hit cones with, trust me I've hit alot.

Also I put together a couple HS cars for customers. Drop me an email or call and I can give you some good ideas.

 

How long do you have to wait for delivery? Just curious - have heard of long waits on the west coast