This is a question I was looking for an answer for but couldn't fine a thread that talked about it.

With the 07 MCS realease getting nearer, what do you guys think on the classification? Do you think it'll stay in GS or be bumped to DS? If it goes to GS, will it be the death of the 05-06's, or will it be too much of a "corner cutter" to compete with the current one. From what I've been hearing the 07 is slighty faster than the 05-06 off the line, but I'm not sure if that's true. Not much said as far as sheer handling, but with it dropping 150 lbs, who knows. As for the the 07 MC, I haven't looked into it much in comparison to the current one. Will this stay in HS???

Any thoughts on this??

 

The R56 actually only loses 22 pounds.

 

Ya, I think the real question marks are what they do with the front suspension, and wheel options.

If they somehow bless with with 3 degrees of negative camber and 8" wide wheels, I don't think you'll see it end up in GS

Even if it has a lot more caster than the current car could be significant.

I'm curious, but don't think I'll be buying a new car based on where either of the new Mini's go.

 

I stand corrected.

 

OK
As a newbie, I can ask.... What do GS, HS and DS stand for???

 

Different stock SCCA autocross classes

The "general" order of "speed" is AS -> HS with HS being slowest. Then there's SS which is faster than AS.

So despite the general internet theory that Mini's are the god's of autocross cars, they occupy the two slowest stock SCCA classes Granted, they do very well in their respective classes, and are REALLY fun, but they're slower than, say, Camaros and Mustangs, even at an autocross. Driver dependant of course. I beat lots of cars that I shouldn't, but it's more about me having a lot more seat time than my car being faster.

 

Because of the similarities in weight and power, I don't see them changing, at least for the first year of production. If they both prove to be overdogs in their classes (even moreso than the current Cooper and S in HS and GS), then I could see them possibly getting reclassed, but that would be a shame, because I can't see the new Cooper taking on the old S in GS with any degree of success, especially if there is on LSD available on the base Cooper. I'm hoping they are as good as the old models, but no better. I would like to have a couple more years of competitiveness with my Cooper in HS.

-Keith

 

Can I say that too?

 

Ya, I agree with Motoring, you said exactly what I feel

I did see in the Mini literature that the S would have an optional LSD. The wording implied that the base Cooper would not.

 

This is way I started this thread. I'm hoping to have a good year next year in my 05 MCS. Nationals and Pro's. Just hope the R56 doesn't dethrone the current models.

 

I thought I heard the suspension was tuned for run-flats from the get go on the 07 MCS. I wonder if that means softer springs. . .

 

I'd guess GS for the 07 MCS, and, I'd also guess that the 05-06 MCS will take the 07 down for the first season for sure. After that, its anyones guess, but, right out of the box with no development, I doubt it will hang with the 05-06.

 

That's what I hope happens if the 07's are placed in GS. I guess we'll never know until the car is offically released. Powertrain seems to favor the 07 slightly, but I wonder how the suspension will end up being. If they're designed for the runflats, who knows what to expect once you throw on some 16's and R's.

 

I looked into my crystal ball:

'05-'06 MCS remain king in GS.
'07– actually has a shot at doing some real damage consistantly in STX, maybe even DSP.

I'm basing this on the assumption that the spring rates are going to be a little more plush on the '07s and that will negate the powertrain benefits. Now in STX/DSP you can tune that out. That combined with the torque down low will do the trick.

Thoughts?

 

The automobile press in Europe is saying the handling of the 07 is softer, less able than the 06. With the new turbo on the 07 MCS, well, things will get interesting.

As with the MGB of yesteryear, newer is not always better.

 

The stock MCS suspension may be a bit softer ride but the sport suspension should bring it back to current levels of roll control. I just can't imagine how the car could be slower coming from BMW with the weight slightly less, more torque, same wheelbase, etc. My guess is, out of the box stock, the new cars will be faster than old reguardless of the new suspension option purchased. Once tuned they should be a bit faster. The question being how long will that take and how much faster.

 

mc im guessing will stay in HS who knows about the MCS though..
I cant imagine there being to many differences between the 07 MC and 05-06

 

Do you know that the sport suspension isn't the only option on the MCS?

In other words, do you know that things are changing from what we have now where SS+ is the only option for the MCS and that the SS+ is an upgrade for the MC.

I'm certain the new car will be quicker in a straight line. . . .

 

but Miniusa says new Mini is 2546lbs... which is roughly 20 more than
what Edmund said current MC is.

 

I'd also like to know what class it will be in. I'm a novice, and I'll be getting the '07 MCS. I doubt I'll be able to do any damage in GS, but I think the car will be better than people think. Who knows? Anyway I think the Sports Suspension package gives the new mini larger swaybars. I ordered that and the LSD.

 

I think the torque of the new car, coupled with the optional Sport Suspension, should make the new car hard to take in GS - I could be wrong though. The new motor is certainly trick, but we'll have to wait on the suspension...

Randy

 

SCCA still hasn't listed ANY 2007 cars yet.

 

It doesn't? The downloadable 2007 Solo II rulebook has the Mazdaspeed 3 in it. Isn't that a 2007 only model so far? AS and SS also have several listings for 2007+ cars. For the Mini it says Cooper S (02-04) and Cooper S (05+) for GS and Cooper non-S (02+) HS. If a new model car isn't listed separately, than it is covered by the "+".

 

I think that is correct. Its definitely a Cooper S 05+, I also heard a pre-rule book rumor that it was going into GS. I'm just hoping its not too soft, maybe the video's I've seen don't have Mini's with the upgraded suspension. I guess we will find out soon enough.

 

Doug Gill at SCCA said H and G for the new cars..he's the tech manager for Solo and acts as the communicator between SAC/SEB and competitors.

Hopefully, we'll find out at the Dixie Tour, although I won't have time for shocks or probably even an alignment. Break-in miles on the trip up there!