Autocrossing MINIs?

[tjwoodson1]

I have a guy looking for an R53 to be a daily driver/ autocross car. I'm young, so comfort is not a major factor...

But any advice or parts recommendations would be greatly appreciated...

I know I'm going to go with the featherlights from Alta in black, and invidia n1 exhaust. I'm open to everything...

Thanks guys!

Taylor

[Catseye]

spend your money on driving schools.

[MidnightDave]

He's right, you know...I took a three pronged approach, Zing - RSD, M7 pulley, Helix CAI, Invidia, JCW 380s, RMW tune, Bling - wet okoles, tint, stripes, other doodads, and the ultimate thing - track time with instruction.

I'm a road course junkie, not auto-x, and the same applies, the fastest mod you can make is improving your driving skills.

God rest his soul, Rob / Bullfrog was a dear friend who kicked my @ss, (and others) at CMP and VIR in his "JustaCooper" because he had so much seat time. He carried momentum into turns that blasted him past any suspension mods, LSDs, or unsprung weight reductions he encountered.

Likewise, a buddy of mine who used to race thrashed my car around the BMW PC track WAAAYY faster than I did, with the exact same set up and conditions. We'll be back in November. You should join us, it's nearly an auto-x course the way they set it up. Look for posts on here when the time comes.

Looking forward to meeting you, and your Cooper!

[tjwoodson1]

Okay great! I've been through one Phil Wicks class and I intend to do more.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Also, for autocross, pay VERY CLOSE attention to what mods (if any) you do and how they impact the class you will run in. Some common MINI mods (example: supercharger pulley) immediately catapult your car into the hyper-competitive street-mod cl**** where you will have much less fun, because you'll get creamed by much more capable cars and much more capable drivers.... There's much good reading on autocross setups, mod constraints, etc. on northamericanmotoring.com

[Catseye]

I know I'm going to sound like a broken record, but we are very fortunate to have one of the finest track programs anywhere right here in NC, the Tarheel Sportscar Club. They are cheap as these things go (not for profit), have some of the best instructors at every event and in-depth track and classroom instruction. The organization and thoroughness of the program will astound you. Their next event is at Carolina Motorsports Park in October. Here is the link to the program (http://timetrials.net), which will lead you to event info/registration.

Only drawbacks are cabrios are NOT allowed on track without SCCA type rollbars at this time, and you MUST wear a SA helmet (no motorcycle helmets), but you can borrow one from the club.

If these schools interest anyone here, you owe it to yourself to check THSCC out. A lot of what you will learn on track carries over to autocross. They also have a first class autocross program, at www.thscc.com (http://www.thscc.com).

[tjwoodson1]

Okay great! I'll look into them!

[Catseye]

In conjunction with THSCC, Asphalt Ventures is putting on a 2 day seminar on Sept 6-7 in Durham, featuring Ross Bentley, the author of the Speed Secrets series and books and the man behind the Speed Secrets program who will be leading the seminar.

The first day (Saturday September 6th) will focus on in-car instructing and will transition into many of the mental aspects of high-performance driving. We encourage any and all high performance driving and racing in-car instructors, classroom instructors, as well as team trainers, managers, and owners to participate.

The second day will focus more on the driver, including driving techniques, theory, preparation, mental and physical exercises to make us all better drivers.

Here's the itinerary, you can do either or both days:

Saturday Instructor / Advanced seminar



What instruction is really about (the student)
Instructing vs. Coaching
How the driver's mind works
Instructing techniques
Common driving errors and what to do about them
Much more... plus Q&A session

Sunday Driver's seminar


Performance... what is it?
How the driver's mind works
Improving your mental performance
Vehicle dynamics
Mysteries of trail braking
Using the "end-of" braking point
Plus more, including Q&A session

link to event (https://www.asphaltventures.com/Speed_Secrets)

[minimark]

Remember when I first joined this club there was a fellow "Bullfrog" that had a just a cooper and the first time we went on a run up around Hanging Rock and he led the group, I was thinking he was really going to be holding up the MCS's.......My front teeth went numb TRYING to keep up with him..... No better mod than driving skills.

[TWISTER]

Bullfrog will be remembered in this club for eternity. He did have skills. Some of us wear the frog decal to remember a great member and great friend

[BTBYAGRL]

Yes, Tarheel Sports Car Club is one of the best clubs in the country! I have been autocrossing my MINI with them for 3 seasons now and I love it.

A good opportunity would be to do one of the autocross schools that THSCC does. It is cheap, friendly, laid back, and has some of the best instructors you can find! I know this Saturday they are having an intermediate school in Danville, VA., followed by a points autocross on Sunday. You can get instruction from some of the best! There are about 6-10 MINI drivers out there every event and we would love to have another.

Also Blimey is correct, if you put an aftermarket pulley on... you are immediately bumped up to street mod (SM).

I would love to talk to you more about autocross and/or THSCC... are you going to be at the meet up on the 14th?

[tjwoodson1]

Yes, Tarheel Sports Car Club is one of the best clubs in the country! I have been autocrossing my MINI with them for 3 seasons now and I love it.

A good opportunity would be to do one of the autocross schools that THSCC does. It is cheap, friendly, laid back, and has some of the best instructors you can find! I know this Saturday they are having an intermediate school in Danville, VA., followed by a points autocross on Sunday. You can get instruction from some of the best! There are about 6-10 MINI drivers out there every event and we would love to have another.

Also Blimey is correct, if you put an aftermarket pulley on... you are immediately bumped up to street mod (SM).

I would love to talk to you more about autocross and/or THSCC... are you going to be at the meet up on the 14th?

Probably not--I start school the 20th. I'm trying to get back in that routine. :/

I still haven't gotten the second MINI yet, so I guess it depends on when that happens...

[kiwigould]

I would love to start getting into autocross, if you have some time to talk I would love here what you have to say.

[DougnAmy]

Autocross is great fun, I come from racing blood (my father was an SCCA driver in the 60s racing Formula 2s, Formula Vs, Formula Fords etc) and got second place in my first Autocross in a STOCK automatic non-S with run-flat tires! There were S models and folks that spent lots of money on their cars, but I was more than a second faster.
The secret was the 3 runs with an experienced driver and my knowhow of the dynamics of the brake, steering and weight transfer manipulations learned from my father and reading Bob Bonderaunt's book on High Performance Driving. Phenominal book balanced with question and answers with my father to understand and practice.
Take everyone's advice and learn all you can, read and keep the antics on the course... It's no fun if you lose your license!

[minimark]

Good advice, just placed an order for the book too....;)

[BTBYAGRL]

Autocross is great fun, I come from racing blood (my father was an SCCA driver in the 60s racing Formula 2s, Formula Vs, Formula Fords etc) and got second place in my first Autocross in a STOCK automatic non-S with run-flat tires! There were S models and folks that spent lots of money on their cars, but I was more than a second faster.
The secret was the 3 runs with an experienced driver and my knowhow of the dynamics of the brake, steering and weight transfer manipulations learned from my father and reading Bob Bonderaunt's book on High Performance Driving. Phenominal book balanced with question and answers with my father to understand and practice.
Take everyone's advice and learn all you can, read and keep the antics on the course... It's no fun if you lose your license!


I think that is the beauty of autocross... you get to learn how your car feels and functions on the edge without any danger. (In the history of THSCC, no one has ever been hurt on an autocross course. The cone marks come out with detail clay in under a minute.) It gives you an outlet to get to know your car. One of the club members took his 16 year old son out to an event to teach him to drive stick. Now that is a little ambitious, but he has since learned and come back and his dad feels that he is better to handle the car and could potentially save his life on the road. No one likes to think about it but the best way to not get it in an accident is a good defense.

Here are a couple good links off of Tarheel Sports Car Club's website and if you have any questions let me know or I will also be at the meet up in Brier Creek next Thursday.

http://www.thscc.com/autocross/info/autox_whatis.html
http://www.thscc.com/autocross/info/faq.html
http://www.thscc.com/general/info/calendar.shtml (the dates with cones)
http://www.thscc.com/autocross/info/girlthing.html

If your car is stock:
MINI Cooper runs in H-stock
MINI Cooper S runs in G-stock
MINI Cooper S with JCW (from factory) runs in B-Stock
MINI Cooper S with JCW (aftermarket or dealer add on) does not have a stock class

For people with mods:
http://www.scca.com/documents/Solo%20Rules/solo_categories.pdf

Hope this helps!