Hi, my name is Ken and I'm new to this community. I just recently moved to Brussels, Belgium but I'm originally from Washington, DC.

I have some experience on race tracks in the U.S. but haven't been on tracks here in Europe. Are there any folks on this message board who've been out on Zolder or Spa, particularly in their MINIs?

Hi, welcome on MINI2 and welcome in Belgium.
Have you alredy tried our Supurb Belgian Beer's, Karmeliet, Duvel...enz????
I am familiar with a lot of racetracks in Europ, Spa Zolder Nurburgring Silverstone enz...
I am not yet driving with my MCS on any racetrack.
There is comming an BMW MINI challenge next year here in Belgium, dealer sponsored.
You can drive in Zolder (with your racepermission) on thursday and there are also test days in Spa.
Francorchamps circuit (http://www.spa-francorchamps.be/)
or
Zolder circuit (http://www.circuit-zolder.be/taal.htm)
or
BelCar (http://www.sportplanet.be/belcar/nl/)
or
AutoSport (http://http://www.autosport.be/)
or
Nurburgring (http://www.nuerburgring.de/)
How long will you stay in Belgium???
M.J.J.
There are few Belgian MINI drivers here, interested in the meetings???

Hi and welcome to Mini2 :D

Where in Brussels are you?
I live in Antwerp.
If you fancy meeting a couple of guys, we have a meeting the 15th february in Liege. :D :D

About racing then.
Like M.J.J. said that's the info.
For those activities you need a license :(
Otherwise you go for some speeding on the motorway, but then don't get caught by the police (like little old me) :rolleyes:

I do know that a couple of UK drivers are planning to come over in spring to go for a drive on the german Nurburgring.

Originally posted by M.J.J.
Hi, welcome on MINI2 and welcome in Belgium.
Have you alredy tried our Supurb Belgian Beer's, Karmeliet, Duvel...enz????

Thanks for the welcome MJJ! I saw the pictures in your gallery. My home is near Square Ambiorix, less than 1km from Cinquantennaire.

I am familiar with a lot of racetracks in Europ, Spa Zolder Nurburgring Silverstone enz... I am not yet driving with my MCS on any racetrack. There is comming an BMW MINI challenge next year here in Belgium, dealer sponsored. You can drive in Zolder (with your racepermission) on thursday and there are also test days in Spa.

You do not necessarily need a racing license to drive Zolder. Eran Racing (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/navigatie_eran_racing_frame.htm) has lapping sessions called "Circuit Experience" (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/circuit_experience.htm) at Zolder for 150 euro per day. In 2002 the sessions were held about once a month on every Wednesday. Any beginner in any car can attend the "Circuit Experience" where you are trained in high speed driving techniques. I will be calling Eran Racing tomorrow to enroll as soon as possible. I need to gain as much expereience as possible before April 13th :).

How long will you stay in Belgium???

I arrived this past summer and will be here for 3 years total.


There are few Belgian MINI drivers here, interested in the meetings???

Yes, sure. Along with my 2003 MCS "Club Sport" my wife owns a 2002 MINI Cooper, red with white top, mirrors and bonnet stripes. We both bought our MINIs at de Smith BMW near Overijse. Fanstatic group of folks out there at de Smith BMW!

Originally posted by Morty
Hi and welcome to Mini2 :D

Where in Brussels are you? I live in Antwerp.
If you fancy meeting a couple of guys, we have a meeting the 15th february in Liege. :D :D

Thanks for the welcome Morty. As I mentioned to MJJ, I live very near Cinquantennaire. I will try and make it to the meeting in Leige. Hopefully I can follow someone from Brussels to the meeting :). I also hope to have my MCS delivered by then.


About racing then.
Like M.J.J. said that's the info.
For those activities you need a license :(
Otherwise you go for some speeding on the motorway, but then don't get caught by the police (like little old me) :rolleyes:

I will be getting my FIA "C Promo." racing license as soon as possible. The next test date is March 31st at Zolder. I will be racing in the Belgian MINI Cooper S Challenge (http://www.autosport.be/shownews.aspx?id=1419) which MJJ mentioned earlier. The first race is April 13th at Zolder. My goal is to not get lapped too many times ;).

Sorry to hear of your run in with the police. You should come out to Zolder with me to get your speed fix legally :). If you've never been on track, its easier than you might think and its the most fun you can have in your car - with your clothes on ;).


I do know that a couple of UK drivers are planning to come over in spring to go for a drive on the german Nurburgring.

I read about that with interest. Depending on when they go, both my wife (she races too :)) and I will most likely also go.

Oh you're gonna race that?

Aha then you can get me free tickets :D :D :D :D :D

The meeting in Liege shouldn't be a problem. I'll have to catch up with DK in Brussels anyway I guess so you could easily tag along I guess.

Hope to Cu Soon.

Morty

Originally posted by L8APEKS


I read about that with interest. Depending on when they go, both my wife (she races too :)) and I will most likely also go.

Just to let you know, the thread has been eaten by a gremlin but the Ring in Spring lives on. We will probably be going on April 12-13 but are just waiting confirmation from the track re opening times.
Hope you can make it, and good luck in the series!

Originally posted by s_and_m
We will probably be going on April 12-13...


Thanks for the heads up S&M. Unfortunately that is the weekend of the the first race of the season to be held at Zolder.

Speaking of which, I've signed up for Eran Racing's (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/navigatie_eran_racing_frame.htm) Circuit Experience (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/circuit_experience.htm) (150 Euros) on January 25th. Any other local Belgian MINI pilots willing to give it a go? I'll be driving my wife's MINI Cooper for this event.

Originally posted by L8APEKS




Speaking of which, I've signed up for Eran Racing's (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/navigatie_eran_racing_frame.htm) Circuit Experience (http://www.eranracing.be/nieuw/EN/circuit_experience.htm) (150 Euros) on January 25th.

I checked out the Eran link. Looks pretty good. L8, can you give us your feed back when you have completed it as I may be want to bring the Mini Too Xtremers over for a bit of a continental craziness later in the year!
:cool:

Hey L8APEKS,

Stupid question I know but.... :rolleyes:
Couldn't you provide me 2 tickets for the first race at Zolder??? :D

Originally posted by s_and_m
...can you give us your feed back when you have completed it...

Sure, no problme. I will also talk to the event personnel about putting on a group event and see what kind of group discount might be available.

Originally posted by Morty
Couldn't you provide me 2 tickets for the first race at Zolder??? :D

Morty,

I'd love for you to come out to the event, but unfortunately I don't have any tickets to provide for free.

On the other hand, I'm working on a sponsorship package for my team through which I may have some tickets available, but I'm waiting on details from the series organizers to determine just exactly what that might encompass. From my initial understanding tickets will grant you access to the <<MINI PADDOCK LOUNGE>> which will be set up at each event and include food, possibly music and access to the race cars for the whole race weekend to include testing, qualifying & racing. I will be sure to pass on more details when they become available.

It is not an inexpensive proposition to field a race team, even if it is for a series like the Belgian MINI Cooper Challenge - especially for an American like myself who's new to the area :). Thus I will be searching for sponsorship support as I imagine most amature teams will be. I hope you understand.

Hey L8APEKS,

It was just a question, I know it ain't easy.
I hope I didn't offend you in any way.
But if you know more about the sponsorship things etc etc.
Just let me know...

I know I'm going to see those races anyway.

Morty

Hey L8

I am living in Germany now, but I am almost every Weekend in Brussels... I live near the Monkey Business... and am often there..

so if you see a DS cooper s with german license plate DN P 6669 ... honk wildly and stop me ..

you will LOVE brussels and if you have ANY questions on what where when to do what there tell me

my mail:

DN-P6669@mini.de


also if you come to liege we shall meet there .. I am currently living between the nürburgring and Liège .. so it's a short trip for me .. and beware: the city center of Liège is packed with pubs and bars

I hope you have fun in our little country!

cheers

Originally posted by Morty
Hey L8APEKS,

It was just a question, I know it ain't easy.
I hope I didn't offend you in any way.

Oh no, you absolutely did not offend me in any way whatsoever! I have a pretty thick skin. It takes an awful lot to offend me.