[quote=djdport66;1336655]Since I have moved up to SM class this year, it seems only fitting that I start a new post for the results of the 2007 season.

Date: 8-4/5-2007
Location: Carolina Motorsport Park
Event: Tarheel Sports Car Club, Time Trials

Runing on a new set of M7 coilovers from Peter, I went on to run 2:02.34 and 2:01.23 at CMP. I was the only car in SM, I guess it was to damn hot for folks to go to South Carolina in August! My time placed me in second in the SM2 class behind a 260 hp. Miata. Overall placed 19 of 32 total cars, mostly track prepared E30-E36 BMWs

Postscript: It was fun to see the expression on the guy who gave me a pass-by in the Lotus Elise and the Cobra who couldn't find enough straight to pass me. (LOL) After three years of tinkering I finally have my Mini dialed in.

good luck this season


DJDport66

 

Autox on 8/12..........

16th out of 130+ cars/driver entrants on raw time.

3rd out of 4 cars in SM, lost out to modded EVO & STI....

Need to get some new tires as the STI came wrapped in new ones...

 

updated post 122 with 8/12/07 results .. was beaten by my own hired driver again by .02 but did finish 1-2 for the day in SM class. Since the Hot days have set in the Turn outs at the races have been getting smaller each time. Only the Diehards and "Professionals" are showing up regulary and some normal folks as well. Have 4 Formulas, 2 vetts, 2 Lotus and a Morgan +8 That is beating me currently in raw but not by much if at all. I still can say im the fastest FWD which is a small compensation but it helps.

 

Update to post #57.

Doing well enough in SM class but still stuggling to be in top 5 raw scores and in the top 10 with PAX overall out of about 110 drivers.

Seems everyone else is getting better and competition is close.

This month about 0.5 seconds was the spread between 2nd and 11th on raw times. 31 second run.

It boils down to who can make the fewest mistakes and drive smoother within the 4 runs we each get.

 

Autox today:

18th out of about 105 entries (Raw)

2nd out of 6 in SM

Lost out to that darn STI again by about 1.9 seconds. This course favored higher HP cars with AWD. Also would have been behind a sickly modded EVO but he was DQ'd for excessive noise.

 

Added another couple of events.

FYI, when cooling off your intercooler between runs don't dump the last of your spray bottle over the top of the engine. I did that on before my last run today. Intake air temp was nice and low, but I was only running on 3 cylinders for that run and threw a code (P304?). To top it all off, I was only .2seconds slower than my fastest run because I flat out NAILED my line. Too bad acceleration was at HS speeds. Oh well.

The car was fine after sitting through the 2nd heat and drying out. I think I got some water on one of the plug wires.

Scott
90SM

 

Placed 4th out of 12 on Sept 3rd - my best finish this year. The top 3 guys were all 3+ seconds ahead of me, so I guess I have to settle for the best of the rest. Wife was 10 of 12 --- "as long as I don't DFL" is all she says.

I have had a bunch of computer problems this year with the car - finally got that all sorted out (was several things) in late July.

Went away from the Avon Techs on the 15x8 wheels with spacers -- I've gone to 205/50/15 R6 hoosiers on my old 15x7 K1's - less tire width, but lighter, and better grip than the Avon's (ha, and more $ too).

Got the car realigned - added a bit more front camber (-2.5). Tried to fit the new springs on the PSS9 fronts (Scott's suggestion and mod) - but no go with my camber plates and top hat.

Went to Lucky Dog garage in late August and got the custom - cell x cell tune. Wow. Much better low to mid range torque. Even with the quaife, I now must turn off the DSC at all times.

Anyway - now that there is only one more local event this season the car is dialed in and doing well. The driver is still slow but is still having fun trying to go faster.

 

Update to post #57.

Doing well in my class but unable to make a break through to get into top 5 overall on raw time or in PAX. I was close though about 0.18 seconds from top 3.

I had my chances with two reruns but was unable to make much of it.
Course was challenging and the harder I drove the slower I went. Should have realized this early but was unable to put 2 and 2 together. Now I will be smarter.

I felt my Hoosier A6 tires got hot and greasy slippery at the end when I had to do the reruns closer together- that was a waste. I was in the last heat of the day and the track was hot in the afternoon sun.

 

Ok somehow in the last 5 events I have won the SM Class. The Sm class where I auto cross is always small but in the last event there was a total of 5 cars. There was a wrx,two older rx7s and a Honda civic with a Turbo and One Fast Mini Cooper S.

Every since I went to the R comp ties I have been doing really good. Before this year people only knew me by my car but now they know my Name.

But on a side note , at the last event a 2007 Mini cooper s got me by .204 seconds and by .898 because it was a two driver car. That was the Raw times.

 

Congratulations!

I don't think it happened by chance. You were more consistent, came to every event and drove well, or both.

I checked your website and pictures and saw Kumho Ecsta MX tires before the R compounds.

How are your times when adjusted for PAX compared to the entire field? How many total drivers per event? Was the other MCS in your class or another class like Street Touring or Street Performance?

What other mods are you thinking of adding if any and still be legal in SM class?

Your sig lists:
BRG MCS 15%Alta Pulley, BMP CAI, Screamin Demon, Nology Hotwires, hawk Brakes, Alta Exhaust, Alta Sway Bar, Alta Short Shifter. Alta 2%crank pulley,KONI Sport Suspension Kit,Alta exhaust Manifold. ECU RETUNE from Stephen's Garage in Bham.

From that some suggestions-
Adjustable front camber plates- realign front for more negative camber from -2.0 to -2.5 degrees if your suspension allows, then adjust rear camber to about -1.2 degrees or about +1 degree compared to the fronts.

Alignment- set front toe to about 1/8" toe out for quick turn in response and rear toe to about 1/16" toe in. If you have not done alignment in the last two years then before next season is a good time to do it. The more toe out you have in the front the more you do wear front tires, but only a little. If you do heavy commuting and want better tire wear then go for 1/16" toe out in the front.

Adjustable lower rear control arms- you probably have them but didn't list them. You need them for adjusting rear camber when ready.

Be sure you cold air filter is clean, even having a spare clean filter element only for events is a good idea.

Remove your rear seat, two seat backs and seat bottom cushion- it's legal and not that difficult. Loose 40 pounds.

Change engine oil at least twice per year and use the best stuff you can find. Redline, Royal Purple, any premium fully synthetic.

Keep going to driving school events when you can, there is so much more to learn.

Get a tire pyrometer (probe type) to use at the track/autocross to check your tire temps inside middle and outside to see how you are using your tires and adjust air pressures to make the most of your rubber given your course and driving style. You won't know by feel or looks, check the temperatures after the second run and do it immediately as the tires are cooling off the second you stop. It's really tough to get the temperatures even across the full tire width but at least two sites should be fairly close.
When cornering fast you will heat up the outer front edges and rear temperatures will be 20 degrees cooler than the fronts.

 

Standings after pax. The first event of the year I came in 62 out of 78 Paxed. Last event I was 37 out of 72 paxed. There are a few events where I was higher in the paxed but I can't remember which ones.

Mods: Adjustable lower rear control arms- I don't have then yet. I know I need them but just haven't got them yet.
Adjustable front camber plates -I have never really thought about getting these. I need to think about this one. In the rear I can see that I need the rear control arms but in the front I don't really see the need but I need to take time to learn more about camber then maybe I will understand why I need them.

"Remove your rear seat, two seat backs and seat bottom cushion- it's legal and not that difficult. Loose 40 pounds." I have thought about this but just haven't done it. I know the back seats are easy to take out. I have done it when I was working on the rear speakers and when I replaced the HK amp.
I just at the next event if the same people are in my class I will need something because they are coming after me now.

"Change engine oil at least twice per year and use the best stuff you can find. Redline, Royal Purple, any premium fully synthetic." : I change my oil like every two months and I use Redline. When I change my oil I clean the intercooler and clean the air filter.. I guess I need to clean the air filter more.

""Get a tire pyrometer"": Ok I have never even heard of this until now. The two sites I run at I use the same tire pressure and check them to make sure they stay at that pressure thru out the event. The way I come up with this pressure is back asking a pro with a Mini cooper in H stock what he runs at one of the sites. 45lbs is what he runs but I know that could change from site to site so I will check into this tire pyrometer thing.

OOO the 2007 Mini was in G stock. The only thing I could see they had was Koni shocks. I guess that is all they can have.

I have videos of all most all my events over on Youtube. If you are bored.
http://www.youtube.com/mcsbg2004

Thanks for the advice Minihue. You are always a great help.

 

OK, For SM class you can do many many many legal mods.

Rear seat delete is legal and you do loose weight. Other classes like ST and SP cannot do this.

Suspension is key. Front camber for you now is likely -0.5 degrees which is stock. Front camber plates allow you to get the most out of your front tire tread. In SM class we are looking for about -2.5 degrees with the adjustable plates. That way you can use almost all of your tread, right now you are running on your outer edges when you corner. Rear lower adjustable control arm allows for getting the rear camber just right in relation to the front. You don't want the rear to be too negative as that increases understeer. That's why I suggest +1 degree in the rear compared to the front. Toe settings are also key. Alignment was last done when?

OK on the oil changes, air filter doesn't need a full cleaning that often maybe every 4 months. I'm just saying a new spare filter could be used for events only.

Tire pressures are based on your suspension, your driving style and your track or course surfaces. The MC in H-stock is very different from you with your full suspension mods and tuning in SM class. Most times we run with higher pressures in the front to reduce understeer. About 3 psi difference. 45 psi can be ok but the tire pyrometer will show what needs to be done.
You can also use the pyrometer to help determine how much camber to have in the front and rear. As you increase negative camber in front you get more even tire temperature readings up to a point. For example -1.5 would be good, -2.0 would be better and -2.5 or as much as you can get negative would be best- you can confirm this with your pyrometer.

The other MCS in G-stock can use any front swaybar and any Cat back exhaust. R compound tires on stock rims are legal as are shocks.

Your goal is to get in the top 10 on PAX for the day. Then the competition will be really going after you. PAX for SM class is horrible, you have to drive really fast to make up for the handicap because the amount of legal mods is very large in class.

Good luck.

 

Today was interesting. I swapped cars with a pretty good STU driver at his request. I ran his car in SM so we could directly compete. It was a 2006 Subaru STi, with suspension and camber upgrades. That thing really hauled the mail in a straight line!!!! Made my poor MINI feel doggy. The Subie doesn't transition as well, but it was really pretty darn well if you turned the wheel like you meant it. Brembo brakes were good, shifter was good. Tires were the OEM Sti Bridgestones and were pretty well shot, but lateral grip wasn't obviously different than my car on Azenis.

The only thing I didn't like was the fancy center diff. I found it hard to predict when the backend would come out under power as the computer controlled diff shifted power around. If I drive it again, I'll try disabling it and see if that works better. I've been told that leaving the computer control turned on is the fastest way, but I'm not convinced yet.

The Subie driver was grinning ear-to-ear driving the MINI. It was bad enough that the course workers were even commenting on it!

Fun day though.

Scott
90SM

 

Update to Post #57.

After 7 events this season, finally something to write home about.

I'm not even sure what happened to me but I'm going to try to make a habit of it.

I was 2nd out of 105 drivers on raw time just 0.212 seconds behind the leader and 3rd overall on PAX just 0.083 seconds behind 2nd place who was also driving a MINI in G stock class. On raw time I was ahead of him by 2 seconds and was almost able to make up the PAX difference.

Normally my SM PAX kills me or rather I lack the necessary skill to make a serious run for the top 5 spots.

 

Wow, excellent showing. Congratulations on a great day!

Scott
90SM

 

havent posted reciently due to blown head (now fixed) and other problem that has pretty much knocked me out for the rest of the season

 

That sucks. Better luck next season.

Scott
90SM

 

 

Season results... 4th in SM, 7th in street (3 STS ahead of me in points). It was a blast but I don't know what I'll be doing for next year. Part of me wants to blow $$$ on HP, the rational part says that I've already hosed any resale value and to cut my losses now.

In either case, anyone know what size r-comps would fit best on Kosei K1s (16x7.5, +43(?)) with about 1" lowering? Ideally would like 225, but after some cursory looking, I'm liking Hoosier A6s in 205/45-16...

Just hoping to find a deal between now and next season....

 

We're down to fun events for the rest of the season, so I've got SM locked up for 1st place, and 5th on PAX for the season.

I've been requested to drive a WRX and a Z3 for the last two events (owners want to see how fast they'll go and get some free instruction), so I'm not even sure if I'll get any more runs in the MINI for the year. We'll see.

Scott
90SM

 

Update to post #57

Only one week after doing so well I hit

Rock bottom - well maybe I exagerate.

I did well for SM class and came in first but only because the next closest driver hit a cone on his final run (after I finished for the day) and was ready to snap up first place by 0.2 seconds. Ends up his next best time was slower than each of my four runs on the day.

For the day my time was slow (for me), 11th out of 122 while PAX was a dreadful 19th. Actually once I get beyond 10th on PAX it doesn't matter much except for pride.

So why all the dismay? Well I will be first to admit grievous driver error. I tried too hard to run the whole course (only 1/4th mile long) in first gear- about 27.6 seconds. Seems like it could work but I was reving to redline enough that 2nd might have helped but I did only one run with that in mind. The first gear strategy did work for my all season including last week but it certainly did not work yesterday. Interestingly top speed was about 48 mph compared to last week's 41 and my 1st gear tops off about 45 mph.

Well I will certainly learn from this but driving all out in first only IS different than driving all out in 2nd.

Two years ago I was 8th on PAX and last season 7th on PAX. This year I am no where in site bringing up the rear. Having 0.856 PAX for this season doesn't help.

 

Added results from the last two events to post #48. That's it until the 2008 season starts in late February.

Scott
90SM

 

Ok I'm getting closer to the top. I placed 11th in raw times yesterday But still paxed at 20th. I won SM but I was the only one in it.

WE do this points Championship thing in the two groups I auto cross with. I have already won the SM class in both groups for the year. AS of today I'm 7th over all in Raw times for the year and 9th over all in Paxed.

I'm going to try to get the rear control arms and the camber plates for the last event this year which is December 9th.

 

Update to post #57.

After one good event then one bad event I was determined to not do bad again.

While I did better (than last month) I think I could have finished in the top 3 to 5 for the day (always a good goal).

I did a bunch of fun runs trying different things. Downshifting to first in tight corners and using more of second gear early were practiced. I hope I can make these work for me without missing a shift when it really counts.

I have to say that my MINI is quite good and it is I who lack the skill to make things happen in my favor.

 

minihune,

perhaps off-topic, and forgive me, but i resonate so much with your last sentance i cannot resist asking

how many minutes per year do you spend on course would you guess?

last year my total was less than 60 minutes... i ran the full scca schedule for NER and one or two Porsche Club events...

i learned a lot in those 60 minutes, but that's what makes solo II such a stiff climb (or rather, just one of the factors) I think...