Mini hits the track!

Brad B. · 04-11-04, 03:52

Took the Mini Cooper S to the track for the first time this past weekend at Gateway International Raceway in St. Louis. It was a blast. Despite a pretty gloomy and wet weekend I did manage to get a couple dry and 'really' fast runs in.

My only mods so far are a Alta 15% reduced supercharger pulley and Alta Intake, Ferado 2500 Track pads with ATE Super Blue fluid. I am running upsized 215/45-17 Yoko ES 100 tires on Flik wheels that weigh about 6lbs each less than stock wheels. I have a Hotchkiss Competition sway bar on order but it didn't make it in on time.

Under full throttle I am amazed at how this thing scoots. In the twisties the torque is right there-now and nothing could outrun me. At the beginning of the session I had a Supra (with carbon fiber hood, r-compound tires, etc) and a BMW 325 (with race tires, roll cage, etc) right on my butt for a couple laps. Finally on the straight I figured I am holding them up so I point them by. Two laps go by and I realize I am right on their butts still. Going into the straight I am on them. They pull away on the straight because they have more power. I can dive deeper into turn one at the end of the straight and make up a lot of ground. By turn two I can carry more speed and am on their butts again all the way through the course until we hit the straight again. Finally, I realize..."Hey, I can run with these guys!". Then the guy in the BMW points me by! DAMN! OK, I am all over it and this time down the straight I am in between the Bimmer and the Supra with the monster wing. I am on his A** like a cheap bumper sticker and I am driving my best lap of the day. The very next lap at the end of the twisties just before the entrance to the straight he points me by. Woohoo! As I flew down the straight infront of the start-finish I see there are a group of about 10 onlookers who had been watching the duel of the Sampson and the Goliaths and they are cheering me! Wow! Talk about an ego boost.

It's not the fastest car on the track but it sure might be the most fun...even in stock form. I can't wait to get a few mods done and get back out there now that I have a feeling what it can do and have gained some confidence with it. I am still learning.

Our Mini club had many members there and we had a group shot at lunch.

blkZ28Conv · 04-11-04, 04:01

Cooool!!!
Thanks for sharing.

Pats300zx · 04-11-04, 05:25

Awesome...

Especially like the shot of all the mini's on the track at once.

KevinA · 04-12-04, 08:29

Now that's how to spend a day!

Greg · 04-12-04, 09:57

Sweet story! How did that STI behind you fare? Looks like you had a fun day!

2wheelsx2 · 04-12-04, 10:09

Yeah, I am curious about the Mini's performance relative to the STi also. On NASIOC, there are many guys eyeing the Mini for Autocross, but no talk of them choosing the Mini for open tracking.

Good job, BTW. As the instructors of all my track days have said, "it's the rider, not the bike". In this case, it must have been the driver, nor the car.

Brad B. · 04-12-04, 01:41

Quote:

Originally posted by Greg
How did that STI behind you fare?

"Behind me" is the operative phrase!

Seriously, I don't even remember him so I know he didn't pass me on this run. But those things are quick, I know.

SP 325i · 04-15-04, 05:55

In the UK "hot hatches" (Peugeot 205, mini new and old, Renault 5 /Clio, Hondas Teg /Civic Rs) are popular for track work and often with a committed driver on a twisty track they handle like go carts and have a great power to weight ratio to worry more exotic machinery. I am looking to build a Peugeot 205 track car (again!) with a 16v engine transplant running carbs. This should be good for 170bhp (@ fly) with a weight of 750kg.

I take it the mini is popular in the states ? Do you have any of the official upgrade packages like the Cooper works ?

Steve

Brad B. · 04-15-04, 06:50

The Mini is gaining quite a bit of popularity. Due to the cost the Cooper Works packages are rather scarce. The same output can be had with aftermarket mods such as reduced supercharger pulley, better intakes, exhaust, ignition, etc. The superserious folks get into special heads and cams but not many.

We have our share of hatches as well-mostly VW GTI's and the newer Subaru WRX's are hot.

The Peugeot 205 has always been one of my favorites. Good luck on that. It's always been a successful track and rally car.