Jerry: If we think it's necessary (wait and see what Hollywood Park is like) then I'd be game for attending. I'm not sure who else would be, but I wouldn't think we'd want to send more than 2 or 3 people. No sense in overtaking the chapter board meeting with a bunch of MINI owners, when a softer sell might be more appreciated. My current thoughts on it.


You can have a lot of fun in stock form too.

 

I agree. Also, if you are after a softer approach, it is probably best if I don't go. I tend to be a fiery public speaker.

Oh, yeah, 36 and a wake up!

 

you know.... I didn't order LSD. I am thinking that I made a mistake.

 

While I'd love to have an LSD, it just wasn't available on the MC.

While an LSD would be nice, it isn't essential for autocross success. The best thing you can do to get better is to get out to these events and start participating, so you can get more seat time.

Also, I know of at least a couple people that have autocrossed their cars while in the break-in period. One person still tried to observe the 4500 rpm restriction, the other threw down the hammer and never looked back.

It's up to you, but I think you'd have a lot of fun and you could look at the 1250 mile break-in miles as a good excuse to go out and drive your new MINI and explore a bit in the evenings or on the weekends leading up to the event.

Dave

 

When we got our first MINI, we drove all over creation for an hour or two 3 nights a week, just for the fun of motoring- for at least the first month. Most weekends we'd seek out old haunts to motor to. I think we had the break-in period done within 2 or 3 weeks.

 

Well, now that I have a 100 mile RT commute 3 times a week I will probably get through the break in fairly fast. But, I am guessing that if my car arrives to the VDC on the 29th of September, I probably wont be able to pick it up from the dealership until around the 2nd wk of Oct.:impatient That would give me umm.. oh 1 wk to drive 1250 miles. 300 miles knocked off for work. hmm.. 4 days to drive 950 miles. I can't add any mileage during my work day because I am gone from 6am to 830pm. By the time I get home the only thing I want is my nice comfy bed. I don't even eat dinner. So, to error on the side of caution.. I will spectate. Did I tell you guys that I went to the free Mazda rev it up show? I drove their 3 series and miata around the slalom (sp) track. I didn't do so bad. I like the miata better because it was a stick. The 3 kept messing me up because I was trying to use the tiptronic or steptronic, whatever they call it. It was fun. I attended twice.

 

Can Geoffrey and I come watch??

 

Absolutely

There is no cost and you don't need to be a BMWCCA member to spectate.

The practice runs usually start around 9:00 to 9:30 and cars are on the course until about 5 PM. The MINIs will be split up into each of the run groups, so there will always be MINIs to watch driving the course throughout the day.

The MINIs usually set up a common pit area to keep everyone clustered together. Someone at the gate will direct you where to park (generally just avoid the pit area and you'll be fine), then come on over and introduce yourself as a MINI owner in the pit area. That will get you connected up with some of the people participating in the event.

If you're there around lunchtime, spectators can buy a lunch from BMWCCA. As I recall that runs about $5 (note for first time people driving in the event: the lunch is included with your registration fee).

 

but I have a few questions-specifically, what is the helmet rule? the RACE RULES at the bmwcca site specify a c snell helmet. The MAJOR difference between a C (car) and an M (motorcycle) helmet is the C has a liner that is more fire resistant. IMHO, as a life long car drag racer and motorcycle enthusiast, the Motorycycle helmet is at least as good, if not better, than the car helmet, from a crash worthiness point of view. the reason I ask is I have a couple of fairly new (less than a year old) high end motorcycle helmets and dont really want to buy a different helmet just because there is a chance in ten million my modern, extremely safe vehicle might burn in a minor accident on a parking lot. Will i get bounced for no C sticker in my helmet? also, what about tech? who does it, what are they looking for? thanks for your help!

 

Yes, to the best of my knowledge, they require atleast a Snell 2005 SA helmet. There was a guy at the last Autocross who forgot his helmet but he had a Motorcycle helmet, but Tech wouldn't approve it. Had to be SA.

I bought a GForce open face helmet for around $150 or so.

I thought the SA application difference had to do with protecting from multiple impacts. The thinking behind motorcycle helmets was that when you fall, your impacts will likely be one time, rather than in a car where you are tumbling in a roll, your head is hitting the sides, possibly a roll bar, and so the SA helmets are designed for that in mind.

Can't wait to see you out there Scott. Its about time. LOL.

Richard

 

Scott,

I just added you to the list.

To answer your questions:

• RE: helmet - I'm not sure which BMWCCA site you saw (the national one?), but for the L.A. and San Diego BMWCCA autocross a motorcycle helmet is fine. I'm not positive, but I think they are looking for something snell 95 or newer, that is either M (motorcycle) or SA (autoracing) rated.
• RE: tech - BMWCCA does a pretty basic tech - make sure your car has all the clutter emptied out, they check your helmet (for those that don't have helmets yet rentals are available for $5/10), possibly battery mounting, and maybe wiggle the wheels a bit. Nothing fancy. You just need to get BMWCCA to tech your car once you've got it cleaned out, so you can get the "tech" area of your registration card checked off (they will give you a card when you get in line at tech if they weren't already handing them out at the gate).

Maybe Matt can add a little about what they look for in in terms of a motorcycle standard, since I know he has two motorcycle helmets that have been used in recent BMWCCA autocross events.

Dave

EDIT:
I know they will take SA2000, since that's what mine is, and I'm fairly certain that snell 95 or better will work. Also, matt has used a motorcycle helmet before.

 

found the answer to my snell question, richard you are definitely correct.
What are the key differences between SA and M Rated Helmets:

SA standard requires flammability test while the M standard does not.
SA standard has rollbar impact test while M standard does not.
SA standard allows narrower visual field than M standard (Some SA helmets aren't street legal).

 

Scott
Thanks for the clarification

Dave
At the last San Diego Autocross one of the MINI guys forgot his helmet. He had to rent one because he told me they wouldnt' permit his Motorcycle helmet. As for 95 SA, you're right. I forgot it's like a 10 year window that they permit, so 1995 to 2005 are all acceptable--going off fuzzy memory.

re: Matt
Me thinks the LA tech inspection is more lax than the San Diego one.

Richard

 

I don't know about the LA chapter, but SD told me that I can no longer use my SA95 helmet at the next auto-x. Based on the 10 year window comment, SA95 is now 11 years old.

Joe

 

Oh wait, are we in 2006 already??? Haha my bad, I really forgot.

Richard

 

Same here. I was told that I can no longer use CamelPilots SA95. He will now have to buy a new helmet so I can borrow that.

 

do you HAVE to be a bmwcca member to run this event? I didnt renew my membership and I am not sure I can justify $100+ for the day. ( $65 + $40 + extras ) If you dont how much is it? I really want to try autocross so I can make the descision if its for me or not.

 

Yes you do have to be a BMWCCA member to drive the event.

 

Yes you must be a current member and they will check this as soon as you enter the gates. Don't forget the membership is per year, not per event.

Would love to see you out there Brian! If you don't have a helmet you can rent it for $10. Costs are pretty minimal to test it out.

Richard

 

Hmmm I guess I will think about it a bit and make sure the scedule is open for that day. Maybe if I renew now then when the day comes it wont seem like as much LOL

Or maybe I can take donations from people who want to beat me and make me look bad out there ROFLMAO ! Or just laugh in general.

 

Ok, well anyway...I just renewed my BMWCCA membership and I will try to be there.

 

Cool. This would be a good one to go to since it's close by.

 

Real close ! Should I bring the cooper or the S? Cooper is stock CVT And the S is well...got a few mods.

 

Your cooper is hot. Having seen pictures of it, I'd love to see it in person, I'd say bring that. Plus, if you brought the cooper and you needed a helmet, I'd pay for the helmet rental.

That said, since your MCS is pretty set-up, you might just want to bring that.

Either way, you'll be in the MINI Modified class with most everyone else.

 

If Amanda is off that day maybe I wil bring both and drive the S.

Thanks !