MINI2

MsAmy · Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:24 PM

Just interested if anybody here has undertaken the 'official' driver training offered by Mini Austalia...

I'm absolutely bummed that there's nothing coming up at Sandown (as I know the track reasonably well), however the second half of the year sees a sesh at Philip Island, so...

Any thoughts on the worth of this? I class myself as a reasonable driver under normal conditions, but having an MCS under my control has made me realise how little I may actually know.

Cheers!
MsAmy.
xox

PPE · Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:34 PM

I can let you know, I'm booked in for the morning session of Level 1 at Eastern Creek

Rich

poki · Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:37 PM

Hiya!

You might find this an interesting read.

In hindsight, it was a fabulous day but a bit overpriced - although I did do my best to trash the clutch in a new MCS getting J turns all wrong. Then again, I had never been anywhere near a race track and by no stretch of the imagination am I a good driver (although I thoroughly enjoy getting it wrong).

YMMV

"Megan" · Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:57 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by PPE

I can let you know, I'm booked in for the morning session of Level 1 at Eastern Creek

Rich

Have they decided when yet?? Last we heard, a date hadn't been confirmed

But we are down for the next one that is held at Eastern Creek - so we will see you there (Nick and myself).

The only criticism I would have of these days is that it would be SO much more valuable to do it in your own car - as you learn so much more about how your particular car handles and reacts in situations.

Having said that, I am not going to give up the chance of having a track day in a MINI

Mike Clarke · Apr 23rd, 2006, 12:34 AM

I did this in Perth on Wednesday
It is definitely not a track day but a training day
It is well worth doing just to learn how little you really know about controlling your car

Your local clubMINI should have all the details of dates and venues if you haven't yet received a letter from MINI

SA
Level 1
Tuesday 2 May
Mallala Motor Sport Park
VIC
Level 2
Monday 29 May
Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit
NSW
Level 2
Monday 19 June
Eastern Creek International Raceway
NSW
Level 1
Thursday 22 June
Eastern Creek International Raceway

You can book here
Registration and administration is handled by the BMW Driver Training infrastructure.

A toll free telephone number (1800 000 269) and e-mail address (drivertraining@mini.com.au) is used for customer inquiries and bookings.

minigolf · Apr 23rd, 2006, 01:00 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Megan

Have they decided when yet?? Last we heard, a date hadn't been confirmed

But we are down for the next one that is held at Eastern Creek - so we will see you there (Nick and myself).

The only criticism I would have of these days is that it would be SO much more valuable to do it in your own car - as you learn so much more about how your particular car handles and reacts in situations.

Having said that, I am not going to give up the chance of having a track day in a MINI

Avril, you need to get your name on the list for the next clubMINI NSW/ACT MINIkhana day. They're superb!

hyprblu · Apr 23rd, 2006, 02:23 AM

I have done the BMW level 1 at Phillip Island and it was a good day. I am booked on the LVL 2 mini training at Phillip Island on 29 May which is doing timed lps, best line etc. and is a full day.....can't wait

maryc · Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:09 AM

Hi Amy,

Kyle and I both did the MINI driver training at Eastern Creek. I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone who has a MINI. Yes, I consider myself an above average driver, have years behind various wheels in various countries, but this was worth every cent it cost. Yes, it is expensive but so is your car and you.

You get to use 'their' cars, not your own. This is good and bad but as they tell you during the session, ' it is not your car, flog it'.

After the session they tell you to go a very short distance and pull in for a coffee. Don't do the long drive as you will be pumped and you certainly are.

I drove in a manual MCS, Kyle opted for the automatic which he enjoyed driving.

Well worth it, go for it and enjoy.

Bonus from the day: one of our instructors was Geoff Brabham

Have fun and congrats on your MINI.

minigolf · Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:30 AM

Who's he?

"Megan" · Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf

Avril, you need to get your name on the list for the next clubMINI NSW/ACT MINIkhana day. They're superb!

We will for sure - can't wait

MickyD · Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:25 AM

oh, and the usual tidbit that people may not realise, if you're an EPP customer (you'll know if you are), you get $250 off, making it about $150 which is pretty good value IMHO

aussiesupermini · Apr 23rd, 2006, 12:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MickyD

oh, and the usual tidbit that people may not realise, if you're an EPP customer (you'll know if you are), you get $250 off, making it about $150 which is pretty good value IMHO

Obviously i am not a customer cause i have to ask who is EPP and where can i join?

maryc · Apr 24th, 2006, 04:17 AM

I was being polite and didn't mention that as I have ranted about it in the past. My co-driver on the day paid $127 for the same training I paid $440 for

. Gee that really ******ed me off. He was given 'membership', didn't even know what it meant and didn't fit any of the questions like: how many BMW/MINIs do you own, business profile, who do you know etc?

He owned one MINI only.

Despite all that, go for it. Better to spend the $440 and get full enjoyment from the car.

MsAmy · Apr 24th, 2006, 08:31 AM

Thanks everybody, I'm sold.

MsAmy.
xox

Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:24 PM	#1
MsAmy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 124 Offline	Mini driver training... Just interested if anybody here has undertaken the 'official' driver training offered by Mini Austalia... I'm absolutely bummed that there's nothing coming up at Sandown (as I know the track reasonably well), however the second half of the year sees a sesh at Philip Island, so... Any thoughts on the worth of this? I class myself as a reasonable driver under normal conditions, but having an MCS under my control has made me realise how little I may actually know. Cheers! MsAmy. xox

Apr 23rd, 2006, 01:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 14,095 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Megan Have they decided when yet?? Last we heard, a date hadn't been confirmed But we are down for the next one that is held at Eastern Creek - so we will see you there (Nick and myself). The only criticism I would have of these days is that it would be SO much more valuable to do it in your own car - as you learn so much more about how your particular car handles and reacts in situations. Having said that, I am not going to give up the chance of having a track day in a MINI Avril, you need to get your name on the list for the next clubMINI NSW/ACT MINIkhana day. They're superb! Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:30 AM	#9 (permalink)
minigolf Blue is the colour! Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canberra, Australia Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 14,095 Offline	Who's he? Sabine Schmitz: Fear disturbs your concentration.

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Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
PPE Painting the town purple Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Western Sydney Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 592 Offline	I can let you know, I'm booked in for the morning session of Level 1 at Eastern Creek Rich

Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
poki Whatev. Join Date: Sep 2003 Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 2,995 Offline	Hiya! You might find this an interesting read. In hindsight, it was a fabulous day but a bit overpriced - although I did do my best to trash the clutch in a new MCS getting J turns all wrong. Then again, I had never been anywhere near a race track and by no stretch of the imagination am I a good driver (although I thoroughly enjoy getting it wrong). YMMV

Apr 22nd, 2006, 01:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
"Megan" MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 08:51 PM Posts: 1,768 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by PPE I can let you know, I'm booked in for the morning session of Level 1 at Eastern Creek Rich Have they decided when yet?? Last we heard, a date hadn't been confirmed But we are down for the next one that is held at Eastern Creek - so we will see you there (Nick and myself). The only criticism I would have of these days is that it would be SO much more valuable to do it in your own car - as you learn so much more about how your particular car handles and reacts in situations. Having said that, I am not going to give up the chance of having a track day in a MINI

Apr 23rd, 2006, 12:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mike Clarke You are number 6 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Perth WA Local Time: 06:51 PM Posts: 5,247 Offline	I did this in Perth on Wednesday It is definitely not a track day but a training day It is well worth doing just to learn how little you really know about controlling your car Your local clubMINI should have all the details of dates and venues if you haven't yet received a letter from MINI SA Level 1 Tuesday 2 May Mallala Motor Sport Park VIC Level 2 Monday 29 May Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit NSW Level 2 Monday 19 June Eastern Creek International Raceway NSW Level 1 Thursday 22 June Eastern Creek International Raceway You can book here Registration and administration is handled by the BMW Driver Training infrastructure. A toll free telephone number (1800 000 269) and e-mail address (drivertraining@mini.com.au) is used for customer inquiries and bookings.

Apr 23rd, 2006, 02:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
hyprblu MINI2 Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 08:51 PM Posts: 326 Offline	I have done the BMW level 1 at Phillip Island and it was a good day. I am booked on the LVL 2 mini training at Phillip Island on 29 May which is doing timed lps, best line etc. and is a full day.....can't wait

Apr 23rd, 2006, 03:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
maryc - Little Miss Sunshine - My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canberra Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 1,291 Offline	Hi Amy, Kyle and I both did the MINI driver training at Eastern Creek. I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone who has a MINI. Yes, I consider myself an above average driver, have years behind various wheels in various countries, but this was worth every cent it cost. Yes, it is expensive but so is your car and you. You get to use 'their' cars, not your own. This is good and bad but as they tell you during the session, ' it is not your car, flog it'. After the session they tell you to go a very short distance and pull in for a coffee. Don't do the long drive as you will be pumped and you certainly are. I drove in a manual MCS, Kyle opted for the automatic which he enjoyed driving. Well worth it, go for it and enjoy. Bonus from the day: one of our instructors was Geoff Brabham Have fun and congrats on your MINI.

Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
"Megan" MINI2 Master Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Sydney Local Time: 08:51 PM Posts: 1,768 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by minigolf Avril, you need to get your name on the list for the next clubMINI NSW/ACT MINIkhana day. They're superb! We will for sure - can't wait

Apr 23rd, 2006, 11:25 AM	#11 (permalink)
MickyD MINI2 Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 3,780 Offline	oh, and the usual tidbit that people may not realise, if you're an EPP customer (you'll know if you are), you get $250 off, making it about $150 which is pretty good value IMHO

Apr 23rd, 2006, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
aussiesupermini Poker Pirate Join Date: May 2004 Location: Chrome City Local Time: 08:51 PM Posts: 979 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by MickyD oh, and the usual tidbit that people may not realise, if you're an EPP customer (you'll know if you are), you get $250 off, making it about $150 which is pretty good value IMHO Obviously i am not a customer cause i have to ask who is EPP and where can i join?

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Apr 24th, 2006, 04:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
maryc - Little Miss Sunshine - My Classifieds Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canberra Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 1,291 Offline	I was being polite and didn't mention that as I have ranted about it in the past. My co-driver on the day paid $127 for the same training I paid $440 for . Gee that really ******ed me off. He was given 'membership', didn't even know what it meant and didn't fit any of the questions like: how many BMW/MINIs do you own, business profile, who do you know etc? He owned one MINI only. Despite all that, go for it. Better to spend the $440 and get full enjoyment from the car.

Apr 24th, 2006, 08:31 AM	#14 (permalink)
MsAmy MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Local Time: 09:51 PM Posts: 124 Offline	Thanks everybody, I'm sold. MsAmy. xox