Well...im looking in to racing my 05 mcs...if you look at my signature thats what i have on the car...what i need to know is what class my car will run in, and maybe if some one can point me in the direction of what i need to do before i get started... im not 100% sure on any thing... i thought i needed a license and stuff but honestly i have not idea where to start... please help!

 

Based on the mods in your sig, mainly the pulley, you would probably be in SM for SCCA autox. (The local events I run don't use all of the SCCA classes.)

Autox doesn't require any special license or training, just show up and have fun. Most clubs have loaner helmets, but you might want to pick up a helmet (check with your local club for standards.) Tires and improving your own skill level are the first places to focus.

Based on your location this (SCCA) might be a good place to start, or here (BMWCCA). Looks like the SCCA has winter autox events and rallycross.

 

i was looking for more road racing, i guess i like the idea of racing side by side with other cars on a track... thank you so so so much for the info however.. im just trying to make sure i cover all my bases before i just show up and race you know...

 

Road Racing will require a full roll cage, and other safety gear. As well as a competition license.

Since you are in Denver, contact Randy Webb at Webb Motorsports he can answer all your questions.

 

1. Join a local club, try auto cross 1st and learn how to handle your car at and beyond the limit and have a ton of fun for little cost.
2. Go to the track for some lapping events preferrably sponsored by your club, where you will get lots of help and advice from experienced people you know and have a ton of fun.
3. Go to racing school and get a licence.
4. buy a race car or convert yours into a race car. Either way you'll probably need another car. And a trailer to haul your race car on and a truck to haul the trailer.
This could all be done in one season if you had the time and money.

 

The two clubs I posted links to, SCCA and BMWCCA, would still be a good place to start. Also, you might want to try posting here on NAM and ask about getting started in road racing.

I would bet that the BMWCCA in your area does track days, not really side by side on the track, but enough to get you started in that direction.

 

Also, doing some NASA HPDEs.

 

hpde??? nooobeeee sorry haha

 

http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html

 

Thanks!!!

 

Tommy,

The only way in Colorado for getting into road racing with your 05 as currently setup is in a NASA HPDE.

They run at PPIR, Pueblo, and will be running at HPR in 09.

If you want to go all out, then SCCA racing with full modifications into one of the modified classes.

To be a front runner, you need to really push $$$ into the MINI. Think about buying Randy's 07 Turbo and adding a SCCA approved cage and go racing with SCCA or NASA.

Or put a cage in your 05 and do the same. Get a truck to tow and do your daily driving.

Don

 

yeah I'm much more of an r53 boy, the plan when I bought the car was to race it so when the money is there i put it into the car. I don't think I'll be able to make the 09 season but possibly the 2010. I'll probably go to a few events and start my membership asap to attend meetings and learn as much as I can.

 

As much as I love my R53, you're not going to be competitive against experienced drivers in R56s off the bat. The new set-up is superior, and when they're classed together, it'll outhandle you and out pull you.

I'd also definitely recommend doing a season or so of autocross before you try to move on to higher speed road racing, because most people don't come to the track equipped with the skills they need. Autocross is a cheap, safe way to break you of bad habits and instill good ones in you, without much risk of tearing your car to shreds in the process.