[FLiPSiDE]

PS- another option , we could all line up a BMW driver training day.. i wonder if we get a discount for booking in a group? its not cheap.. but meh it'd b cool

[nhodge]

Good call on the meetings thingo. Lets see if they comply. Also, get them to turn off the cussin' filter!

Driving w/o insurance is a risk, yes.

But interestingly enough - Mrs nhodge stated that her track work @ Wakefield park helped her recover from the "corner too fast incident" on Sunday...

When I was on the track, I just didn't push it too far to show off my d*ck size. Others in Nissan 200's, WRXes etc felt that their manhood was being contested with every lap. I went to have some fun.

[IML337]

if you want a contest of real driver skill I'll meet you all at Eastern Creek go karting and we'll see who else can do a sub 48 second lap

On a more serious note, I have lots of friends who have driven at wakefield (I've not driven a car on a track myself, only karts) and the worst damage I've seen was $800 to a Honda Integra that bent a suspension piece when sliding across the grass up the back of the track at speed.

Perhaps a BMW driver day (as Wes said, but it's expensive and it's not your car - which is both good and bad) or maybe a driver training day at a track that is endorsed by your insurance company (most of them do one - just call and ask!) could be a good stepping stone.

From what I've seen though, if you're gonna go for a bit of an all out blast in your S from time to time, the courses and trackwork are well worth doing!

just my $0.05+GST worth

[snoopy]

BMW driver days are a good idea. The cost is normally about $450 but if a club or group book you can get a discount of 25%. Makes the price more reasonable.

The only problem is that you do the course in a RWD BMW not FWD MINI. But we could ask if they are going to do one for the MINI.

Here is a link to the

BWM driver website

[FLiPSiDE]

25% off all courses? geez thats a huge discount as u go up the levels..

i'd b interested for sure if any1 else is, i have another non- mini driving friend who had been askin me if i'd go 2 one for a while now 2..

btw - i'm pretty sure they'd let us drive cooper S's if we asked... if it can b arranged for dealership sales guys today.. surely it'd b no more hassle

[Harry Morant]

I'd be interested in a BMW course if one is arranged.

One thing from the photo's which I must ask. No-ones got stripes in Sydney?

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by clarus
Problem with that is it'll likely void your insurance policy. Wakefield Park in Goulburn are having an open day this Thursday, no restrictions, no racing license required. I thought about going along for half a second, until I remembered insurance. Doh!

Mate,

I used to worry about that too. However, I then thought that if I was having a fang on the road, and did have a big prang, I would have the following problems.

-have to explain to my insurance company how I did it (and there is the chance that they might decide I was being very silly). And the possibility that I'd still have to pay for car damage.
-the charges that the cops might lay, including possible licence suspension (resulting in difficulty insuring anything with four wheels).
-the possible harm I could do to innocents person or property resulting in lawsuits and much guilt.
-the possibilty I could die trapped in my car in a deserted ditch.

VS the risks involved in driving in time trials at a track (i.e, not racing anyone)

-I could damage my car (and there is less chance of that on the track).

I'm sorry to be such a pessimist, but the world is out to get me All these consequences (road or track) can be avoided by driving with care. Therefore, the only difference is that on the race track the only photos of the car will be for the wall, not the licence

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by snoopy
BMW driver days are a good idea. The cost is normally about $450 but if a club or group book you can get a discount of 25%. Makes the price more reasonable.

The only problem is that you do the course in a RWD BMW not FWD MINI. But we could ask if they are going to do one for the MINI.

Here is a link to the

BWM driver website

This is another good reason for getting a "Loose Assembly of Mini Enthusiasts" (LAME) going in QLD (notice I didn't say the C word???)

[nhodge]

1. Paying $450 (even w/25% discount) is only worthwhile if you get a small group and great instructors

-otherwise-

I know the Honda Car Club run 2 Wakefield Driver training days per year. There are 3-4 members of the club that are certified to instruct you in the process of taking your street car around the track. Driving rules, cornering lines, braking, when to change gears, how to pass and be passed safely.

The cost was

1. membership with the club
2. interim CAMS license (~$30) for Wakefield
3. proper helmet

Other "hidden costs":

1. increased wear and tear on your tires
2. brakes also get worn down

You only get to do 3-5 laps before you:

1. find out your brakes are not working anymore!
2. your tires aren't gripping like the used to (too hot) and things start to feel spongy
3. your brain is getting spongy with all the inputs going on! This conflicts with the adrenalin rush you're getting from ripping around the track.


You'll miss judge some corners (go in too fast) and lose it; but you hit the ripple strips and maybe the gravel. You just create a ball of dust, not roll.

By the end of the day, you and your car interact on a deeper, more intimate level. You look at other drivers on the road and mock their lack of driving prowess. You are a master of your domain.

A well run day will have a limited number of cars on the track at any one period, and the drivers will let you pass and pass you safely. Its not like F1 where tires are inches apart and people fight for extra speed and late brake into the corners to pass.

In my Civic, I only reached 130 km/h on the straight. The rest of the track, you're fighting gravity and power to keep the beastie on the asphalt. I think the MINI will test my driving skills more...

... the only better driving training I received was from my Dad - a trained Navy chauffeur - out in a paddock in the middle of winter. He taught me how to control cars when losing the backend in a turn (don't overcorrect, point in the direction you want to go, slightly back off power, never brake too much) ...

You'll love it.

Nick

[IML337]

Quote:

Originally posted by Harry Morant
I'd be interested in a BMW course if one is arranged.

One thing from the photo's which I must ask. No-ones got stripes in Sydney?

I'd be interested too - was planning on it anyway... To go with a bunch of people I know and perhaps get a discount would be a bonus!

Boo has stripes, and he usually lives in Sydney, but ever since his MCS purchase and subsequent engagement he hasn't really been in town... Stripes and White 17" rims on a BRG/W car really do look the business - I saw Boo in traffic one day a few weeks back

Tim

[clarus]

Quote:

Originally posted by Harry Morant
One thing from the photo's which I must ask. No-ones got stripes in Sydney?

dsc68, from Canberra, has stripes on his chilli red MCS. Unfortunately he didn't make it to the latest outing at Robertson. Look forward to seeing you at the next meet Harry.

[Harry Morant]

I think I saw his red MCS w/stripes yesterday when driving to work (only one I've seen on the road in Canberra so far). Mine doesn't come till March but I couldn't help but grin just seeing one of the road.

[dsc68]

I actually took the long way to work yesterday - Point Hut Crossing, Tidbinbilla, Cotter to Woden and clocked up my 2000km . No longer need to restrain myself. The only problem is what to do with the extra gears when you reach 100km/h in second.

[Harry Morant]

Or did I see you Monday about 9ish on the parkway from Woden heading into the city past the Mint? Either way I saw a flash looking car that brought a smile to my face

[dsc68]

No, that wasn't me. There is a another chilli red Cooper that I've seen around Civic and Woden quite frequently. I know of another red Cooper with stripes but I haven't seen it on the road. As far as I know mine is the only chilli red MCS with stripes though.

[Harry Morant]

I'm sooo confused - well anyway it was definately a chilli red MCS with Bonnet Stripes and it had these tiny mirrors attached to the wing mirrors.

Heh just kidding about the wing mirrors - I read that on one of your other posts

[clarus]

Quote:

Originally posted by dsc68
and clocked up my 2000km

You're not the only one



Time to do something about these consumption figures.

[FLiPSiDE]

8.4???? jesus
mine started at 9.sumthin
and now wont go any lower than 10.4 no matter what i do

not that concerned. but still impressive
haha

[clarus]

Quote:

Originally posted by FLiPSiDE
8.4???? jesus
mine started at 9.sumthin
and now wont go any lower than 10.4 no matter what i do

Well you could just press and hold the computer button, which resets it.

You can also reset the average speed by the same method.

Its a nice way to see what actual speed you are going, just press and hold the button to reset, then see what the digital readout comes up with. The digital speed displayed is always lower than that displayed on the analog dial.

[nhodge]

oooh. It looks like the speedo overreports the speed by 5% (or the electronics is underreporting by 5%) ... at least on my MCS.

That explains why Mrs nhodge didn't loose points a month ago going through a radar trap. We expected a nice letter in the mail...

I tried to reset the outside temperature, but it wouldn't. It looks like the MINI doesn't have an external climate control.