[robbo mcs]

Hi,

I just returned from a 2 day meet at Winton Raceway. The meeting was a joint meeting of the Victorian and NSW BMW clubs.

I had a great time for the 2 days.

The first day was driver training on the circuit, with no timing, and an emphasis on improving car control with instructors.

The second day was timed.

It was the first outing for me after making some big modifications to my car. The difference was phenomenal! There was a huge improvement in power. However, the major difference was in handling. Much better turn in, flatter in the curves, better grip. Also despite the increase in power there was less front wheel spin coming out of corners.

By the way, the upgrades are Hartge kit, cold air intake, lightweight racing muffler, suspension (coil overs, adjustable camber and bigger bars)

Unfortunately, I had a major problem at the end of the first day. A weld on my exhaust broke, leaving me unable to compete on the second day. The mechanics managed to patch it up so I could manage the 7 hour drive home!

I only picked the car up on Friday, so my experience is limited. The car is now back in the workshop for a couple of days to get the muffler fixed. I will post a more detailed review of the mods, and experience on the road and the track next week after a drive day at Eastern creek.

My problems however we fortunately minor, althout annoying. Unfortunately one guy destroyed his M3. He crashed less than 150m after coming out of pit lane, and it looks like a writeoff.

There were 3 minis including mine there!

ccsmini and eltel from Melbourne came along. It was great to meet both of you, and share mini enthusiasm and tips. I would love to get back down to victoria and meet up again at some stage.

Eltel stayed for the timed session the second day, and put down some very impressive times for his first time on the track!

Here are some photos. By the way the wheels on the liquid yellow car look awesome and familiar!

Robbo

[robbo mcs]

ccsmini fine tuning his tyre pressure for optimal performance

[robbo mcs]

Eltel carving up the winton circuit.

[robbo mcs]

Three thirsty minis in search of fuel (and a photo opportunity) at the end of a fantastic day!

[swamos]

Quote:

Originally posted by robbo mcs
Three thirsty minis in search of fuel (and a photo opportunity) at the end of a fantastic day!

Did you try some of the local avgas

[eltel]

Well what can I say. Two great days of track work with a fabulous car, and some excellent company.

Thanks robbo for your help (folks, this guys is a real professional), you helped me out of a tight spot and gave me some great advice. You really helped me get in the mood early on. Really unfortunate that your car that was so well prepared and running so well, suffered mechanical problems. I really felt for you.

Chris also gave me some great words of encouragement, and like a true mate looked after me on Saturday, and saved a spot in the prep area so that all MINIs could be together. Chris helped me to prepare my car during the week and bought some bits and pieces for me. Sorry that you weren't there on the Sunday.

And to someone else who shall remain nameless but has to be one of the greatest guys on the planet, thanks for donating something that gave me a chance to get out there and give it a try. Not sure how to repay you for that.

I managed a 1:51.36 at Winton, and that wasn't too far off the mark, and I actually amazed myself. I think I'm hooked.

Thanks for taking and posting those photos, robbo. Fabulous weekend.

[disdis]

sounds awesome!

Etel, nice wheels!

how about organising a track day for ppl in Melbourne. I would be the first to sign up!

I hvnt been to the track since my last visit to Sandown in June.

and i m hving that ichy feeling already...

[robbo mcs]

[quote]Originally posted by eltel
Thanks robbo for your help (folks, this guys is a real professional), you helped me out of a tight spot and gave me some great advice.

Thanks for the kind words Terry.

However, I wouldn't describe myself as a professional. My first track day was June 2002, so I am a relative newcomer, hopefully progressing well.

I am a rank beginner compared to some people at the meet who turned up with multiple trailers and cars! However, that was one of the good things about this meet, there was a mix of cars from rank beginners to serious track people doing times that would rate them in top line racing categories.

Now you are hooked you should do some more track days. My dream is to have track day where the minis make up one group! Six or seven minis chasing each other around the circuit would be awesome!

Cheers

Robbo

[OZChris]

Thanks to Robbo and Eltel for helping make Winton an excellent experience for novice.

It was great to meet Robbo and learn from his experiences on the track. Certainly will try to catch you at any dual events in the near future.

After Saturday, I would certainly encourage any MINI owners that are interested in track work to participate in events like the one just held at Winton.

Here's a photo of Robbo on the main straight:

[OZChris]

The MINI pits were buzzing with excitement:

[OZChris]

There is however a downside:

Option1: new intake $400
Option2: new wheels and tyres $2500
Option3: new suspension $1500
Option4: new exhaust $1000
Option5: new brakes $1000

Which option first and how do I explain this to the missus?

[robbo mcs]

Quote:

Originally posted by ccsmini
There is however a downside:

Option1: new intake $400
Option2: new wheels and tyres $2500
Option3: new suspension $1500
Option4: new exhaust $1000
Option5: new brakes $1000

Which option first and how do I explain this to the missus?

Hi,

What upgrade path you take depends on your priorities.

Some options only help you on the track (eg track wheels and tyres) and add nothing to daily driving. Others (eg brakes) will help on the track, but add a little performance to daily driving.

Suspension can help both track and daily driving. You can also modify suspension to make the car look better, but not necessarily aid performance!

Therefore, before making any mods, you need to decide what your aim is. Are you trying to go faster on the race track, look better, drive with more sporty performance on the street etc.

Also there is allways the option of making NO changes. After all, the car is brilliant out of the box, and you do not need to modify the car to enjoy it!

Robbo

[dsakko]

Can I just say to all of you guys - AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHH! Concrete Walls!

I'm lucky, Mallala doesn't have any nasty concrete anywhere where a FWD car is likely to go off. Don't know if I'd have the balls to run somewhere where there are lots of them, though, like the street circuits (Adelaide and especially Canberra).

[DJP]

Eltel - Very nice wheels
XMINIX - Option 6: $39,900