[robbo mcs]

Hi,

Today was a big day.

Maddie is now 4 weeks old, so it was time to take her to the track.

I went to Burrows Drive Day at Eastern Creek. This is an event I have done several times before in my BMW M3.

Fortunately I had Boo to keep me and maddie company. It was nice to catch up with all of you again!

To cut a long story short ... I simply love this car!!!!!! It is so much fun to drive on the circuit. Completely controllable and almost foolproof, very neutral for a FWD. You can just throw the thing around, the chassis is so well balanced it is amazing. Words cannot describe how much fun this car is on the track. Many cars are fun to drive on the street or the track but not both. This car is incredible fun on both.

The driving instructors were all blown away by the performance and fun factor of the mini.

One of my favourite sights of the day was Boo being held up around the back part of the circuit by a $500,000 lamborghini diablo!

Just out of interest my best time today was 2.02 compared to my best time in the M3 of 1.55. However, looking at the times is immaterial. I was having a lot more fun doing that time in the mini than in the M3. Top speed 220km M3 / vs 185 mini. The mini definitely corners faster, especially through the slow corners such as the two hairpins. Cornering speed is similar in the fast sweepers.

Any downsides? Not really. The brakes got a little hot for both of us, but with correct cool down techniques etc it was OK. I went through a tank of petrol in 170km.

I would encourage anyone to try this car on the track. You will not be dissapointed.

Robbo

Attached is a picture of the two cars "almost twins"

[robbo mcs]

Hi,

I'm impressed at the diversity of these days.

If you check out the photo closely you will note 3 awesome cars,

In order

Ferrari, Ferrari, Ferrari, MINI, Lotus, MINI, wrx, ANCIENT VOLVO, Ferrari.

Cheers
Robbo

[disdis]

nice pics!

I will be going to my first rack day in May with my stock MCS...

btw, were there any mods on either of the cars??

I noticed the tyres are different. what are they???

did u suggest me upgrading the brake pads b4 tracking?

[Boo]

Hi all,
disdis, we are both running semi-slicks that are really awesome for grip. I would definitely say if you have the spare cash ($1420/set for 17") that you give them a go. I am running Bridgestone Potenza RE540R's and i think Robbo is running Dunlop DO1's (could be wrong here).. As for brakes, mine were fine... no brake fade.. and i thank Robbo for the advice on cooling down the brakes (as well as other gems of info he shared) as i came in from the first session and they were smoking pretty bad but after slowly driving the car around for 5 mins they were fine..

I am a novice (2nd track day ever, first performance car) and i really enjoy this car cause it gives you so much confidence to learn...

As for Eastern Creek...wow, it is awesome, i love this track... can't wait to get back there.... the Burrows drive day is awesome, some of the machinery there was just amazing..
I have heaps of video footage that i am going to slice up including some in car stuff... will post in the next couple of days..

Thanks goes to Robbo for his advice, shared Mini enthusiasm and showing me how fast this thing can go... He is quick (I got to 180 )

[Boo]

Here is a picture of the Lotus with Melody in the passenger seat (although it is a bit too far away to see her) and the main straight in the background..

[Boo]

close up..

[tip]

Love the colour of the Lotus. How did the Minis fair against the competition?

Charles

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by robbo mcs

One of my favourite sights of the day was Boo being held up around the back part of the circuit by a $500,000 lamborghini diablo!

Geez he had it all over me on the straight though

My favourite period was following robbo around the track for a couple of laps and learning just how fast i could take some of those corners and down the main straight at 180km/hr, before that i had only reached 165.. thanks for showing me that i could brake a lot deeper before that awesome first corner

On the last session i reset the fuel economy guage and found out i was getting 3.5km/litre pretty good burn rate i thought

[ratboy]

great pic cant wait to see the video footage
Boo I bet you can't wipe that smile off your face now

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by ratboy
great pic cant wait to see the video footage
Boo I bet you can't wipe that smile off your face now

I can't nearly describe to you how much fun we had... The Cooper S is soooooo good on the track.

The more powerful cars had it all over me on the main straight but we held our own on the rest of the track.. The Mini keeps a lot of speed in the corners where the big V12 Lambo's and Ferraris had to watch they didn't plant the loud pedal and turn their cars into pendulums...

The tricked up Elise's however were a different story, they are monsters...
Hopefully Robbo will give us a narrative of his ride in the Race Specced Elise which was easily the fastest car there..

[AussieMini]

Excelent shots. I'd love to see the faces of the half mil Diablo owners try to shake the $50k MINIs. Would have been a laugh.

Looking forward to the video as well.

[Goul]

Robbo mcs great report good to see you had great times, out of curiosity do u have lap times for the other cars?

[eltel]

Boo, sounds like you're having a ball. Good on you.

I'd love to see some footage.

Regards, ElTel

[disdis]

Boo:

can't wait for my first track day in May!

btw, how long do the semi-slicks lasts??? I presume u swap them to std run-flats after the track-day rite??

I was thinking of yoko Advan A048- dunno if it comes in 17" size... but i heard they r sticky as hell.


okok. I think we should organise a track day (MCS and MC) in Melb.

what do u say Etel?? we can book out a track with like 10-20 ppl and the experienced racers (not me!) can teach us -the amateurs a thing or two.

how about that? anyone interested?

[eltel]

Track day sounds good. I think WAY has been involved in one or two with the AUDI group.

I'm afraid I might get addicted like Boo.

Regards, ElTel

[Boo]

Who is the track day with disdis??
Robbo is much more experienced (and quicker ) than I as i have only been on the track twice now.. He might know about the Yokohama's...
The most important thing i think about track days is go with an organised group and build up to it on the day..
Use the instructors, next time i go to Eastern Creek i will definately have more time with the instructors..

The first lap around both tracks i've been to was at pretty slow speeds to get the lines right and sussed out the potential black spots.. I just waved the faster cars through till i got my confidence up..

ElTel, you are right, it is addictive but also very safe if you keep level headed

[swamos]

I absolutely love to see people enjoying their cars. This thread is heaven for me

Melody can now say she's been in three Lotus. That's probably more than most people will in their lifetime. What did she think??

What do the Queenslanders think of a track day??

[ratboy]

disdis to hire a track is not cheap you will be looking at about $4500.00 for the day, and that is for calder race way.
As Boo said you will need an instructer as well if you realy want to benifit from it. I don't mind going out for a fang on the track but it would be good to do it the way Boo and Robbo did it with other makes and draw from there expertize.

[Boo]

Quote:

Originally posted by swamos
I absolutely love to see people enjoying their cars. This thread is heaven for me

Melody can now say she's been in three Lotus. That's probably more than most people will in their lifetime. What did she think??

What do the Queenslanders think of a track day??

Both Melody and Ashley (cousin) loved the Lotus... they said it was pretty extreme as they were being piloted by pro's...
There thoughts whilst in the car were...
"We are rapidly approaching a corner, why is he still accelerating"

[need for speed]

if you own a mini you are addicted, a mcs mc race day sounds grate do we nedd cams licens or and thing like that