Queensland Raceway - Saturday, January 31

[m1n130]

Howdy All,

The Queensland Raceway Saturday Afternoon Sprints have started again, and the first for the year is Saturday 31st of January.

Cost is $40 for the first set of 7 laps, $25 for the second set of 7, and if you still want more and time is permitting, the third set is free. There was talk last year of the format changing to 5 laps rather than 7, but the QR website is still saying 7 laps.

If you don't already have a AAA license or a QR license, it will cost you a further $55, but the license will last you 12 months. You will need a helmet, if you don't the track will provide you one, but you will need to purchase a sock for your head for about $5.

It is pretty warm out there, and you should probably consider a hat, sunglasses, sun cream etc. There is a canteen for some food and drink as well.

We will be meeting at McDonalds at Goodna at 10.30am in the morning and trundle out en masse.

If you have any further questions, feel free to ask, or check out the Queensland Raceway website www.queenslandraceway.com.au

Even if you don't want to drive on the track or don't know if you want to, come along and have look. We have managed to get seven MINI's on the track at the same time, which is a pretty neat sight to see

Catch Ya - Rob

[kenhenry]

Thanks Rob - beat me to it.

I just checked the QR website. It still says 7 laps, however John Tetley, the owner, had indicated that this year they would be reduced to 5 laps sprints.

Still great fun and good value, but don't be disappointed if when we get out there it has been reduced to 3 sets of 5.

Hope to see as many MINI folk as possible.

If you want to discuss putting your car on the track, send me a PM or email.

Ken

[cjay]

How many MINI's are we going to have this weekend???

Is it worth me taking a camera out and trying to better my time from my place to the track of 1 hr 24 Minutes and 36.23145 Second ???

At least I could try out my new "Non Cooper Works Kit" on the way... not to mention my new extra long wheel nuts

cjay.

[tm75tm]

Damn silly &^*^ing boat show %^$ing work &*^%ing miss out again.


Have fun boys.

One day soon I will try out these new wheels and tyres which are collecting dust.


Rob - I need to get back your esky to you?


-t.

[kenhenry]

Some very good advice was given here yesterday, before a very animated discussion had it moderated off.

That advice is still valid and needs to be repeated.

Swamos correctly told us that temperatures at QR are predicted to be 37 degrees on Saturday. This will put your MINIs under a lot of mechanical stress.

By all means come on out, but give this advice serious consideration before you make your decision to run your car on the track.

[m1n130]

Quote: Originally Posted by tm75tm

Damn silly &^*^ing boat show %^$ing work &*^%ing miss out again.


Have fun boys.

One day soon I will try out these new wheels and tyres which are collecting dust.


Rob - I need to get back your esky to you?


-t.

Howdy Trev, Sorry you can't make it, I will PM about the esky, gives me an excuse to go for a drive down the coast. Catch Ya - Rob

[kenhenry]

Hi Guys,

I will be heading out to QR earlier than usual tomorrow to make sure I get a spot under cover on pit lane. So, if any else is still coming, I won't see you at McDonalds at the usual time.

PM me if you want to head out early as well, or ring me on 0402 797954, if you have any queries..

Ken

[kenhenry]

Hi Guys,

Great day was had by all MINI pilots yesterday - Me.

Sorry you couldn't make it Rob, having to chainsaw your way through the fallen trees after the storms couldn't have been much fun in 35 degree heat..

Looks possibly like the guys that ran high in the A2 Class points last year have moved to Level 2 sprints, leaving the door open to more MINIs to be in the points for Level 1.

The temperature ended up maxxing out at 35 with a nice breeze and only about 60 cars. So, things went quickly and smoothly with the last of the cars finished by 5pm. It was a nice being in Group 1 too. First on the track for a change.

David Bell in the modded 2 litre Silver Clio was there as usual. He was the only A2 in my group. Based on previous best lap times they put the 2 of us in with a mixed of modded A4 class - SS Commodore ute, XR8 Falcon ute, SS Commodore, Twin Turbo 300ZX, a Carbon Fibre panelled Nissan GTR and a WRX STi 2 door.

Except for the 300ZX owner, all other owners spent most of the day talking, lunching, etc with David and me. This was the first time that the A4 guys have come face to face with the MINI and all praised it for its ability to play seriously with the 'big boys'. It got to the point where they were racing to get my time sheet for me each time so they could check out if they did actually score a faster lap. Hilarious actually, because when I did, they already their story as to why they were slower before they got back to the pits.

It's finally nice to know what times these guys are doing (with all of them in the A4 points last year on track tyres). Mostly sustantially less than a second. Shows you just how good our cars are, especially when you see all of these guys pass you on the main straight, as if you were just out for a Sunday drive. (Wanted to say like we are standing still, obviously they don't, but it sure as hell feels like it when your car gets sucked into their wake as they pass.)

My best time yesterday - 1.05 even, 3/4 of a second slower than personal best - best of the rest 1.04.25 (strangely enough, my PB).

As fun as it was, and having made some great new friends, it would be great to be back to having a full grid of MINIs.

Hope to see you next time.

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by kenhenry

Hi Guys,

Great day was had by all MINI pilots yesterday - Me.

Sorry you couldn't make it Rob, having to chainsaw your way through the fallen trees after the storms couldn't have been much fun in 35 degree heat..

Looks possibly like the guys that ran high in the A2 Class points last year have moved to Level 2 sprints, leaving the door open to more MINIs to be in the points for Level 1.

The temperature ended up maxxing out at 35 with a nice breeze and only about 60 cars. So, things went quickly and smoothly with the last of the cars finished by 5pm. It was a nice being in Group 1 too. First on the track for a change.

David Bell in the modded 2 litre Silver Clio was there as usual. He was the only A2 in my group. Based on previous best lap times they put the 2 of us in with a mixed of modded A4 class - SS Commodore ute, XR8 Falcon ute, SS Commodore, Twin Turbo 300ZX, a Carbon Fibre panelled Nissan GTR and a WRX STi 2 door.

Except for the 300ZX owner, all other owners spent most of the day talking, lunching, etc with David and me. This was the first time that the A4 guys have come face to face with the MINI and all praised it for its ability to play seriously with the 'big boys'. It got to the point where they were racing to get my time sheet for me each time so they could check out if they did actually score a faster lap. Hilarious actually, because when I did, they already their story as to why they were slower before they got back to the pits.

It's finally nice to know what times these guys are doing (with all of them in the A4 points last year on track tyres). Mostly sustantially less than a second. Shows you just how good our cars are, especially when you see all of these guys pass you on the main straight, as if you were just out for a Sunday drive. (Wanted to say like we are standing still, obviously they don't, but it sure as hell feels like it when your car gets sucked into their wake as they pass.)

My best time yesterday - 1.05 even, 3/4 of a second slower than personal best - best of the rest 1.04.25 (strangely enough, my PB).

As fun as it was, and having made some great new friends, it would be great to be back to having a full grid of MINIs.

Hope to see you next time.

Hi KenHenry,

Glad to see you had a great time, and held up the honour of the mini on the track Pity it was so warm, as that would have affected the mini more than other cars

It is great fun mixing with cars who don't expect the mini to go fast. It is amazing the excuses they come up with If they are faster you should politely complain about being held up by the slow taxis or "Jenny Craigs" in the twisty bits

Robbo

[swamos]

Sounds like you had fun, Ken. It was significantly cooler than forecast too, which is always a bonus at this time of year. My mini's temp gauge siad 36.5 before

[kenhenry]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi KenHenry,

Glad to see you had a great time, and held up the honour of the mini on the track Pity it was so warm, as that would have affected the mini more than other cars

It is great fun mixing with cars who don't expect the mini to go fast. It is amazing the excuses they come up with If they are faster you should politely complain about being held up by the slow taxis or "Jenny Craigs" in the twisty bits

Robbo

Thanks for the encouragement Robbo. Usually, we only compete in our own Class up here. This gives the MINIs a great advantage.

Unfortunately, QR does favour cars with long legs. Once we start playing against the boys with the big cubes, if it wasn't for the pair of quick right left esses, we'd be blown into the weeds. Some of these cars are doing 60-70 kph faster than the MINI at the end of the front straight. But then again, they have to scrub off a hell of a lot of speed as well.

After your EC day last week, there was a lot of banter going on between the guys and gals that participated, both on and off the track. Being the only MINI out at QR this weekend, I miss that. So I appreciate the post - thanks

I suppose I'm asking for a miracle here, but do you have an EC or Wakefield trackday the weekend before we head to Tassie?

Ken

[kenhenry]

Quote: Originally Posted by swamos

Sounds like you had fun, Ken. It was significantly cooler than forecast too, which is always a bonus at this time of year. My mini's temp gauge siad 36.5 before

Yeah, it was hotter in Bris today, than it was at QR yesterday. A pleasant surprise.

[robbo mcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by kenhenry

I suppose I'm asking for a miracle here, but do you have an EC or Wakefield trackday the weekend before we head to Tassie?

Ken

Hi,

Sometimes miracles do happen

There is an Events O'Neill / Burrows drive day on Wednesday 5th of May, just before the Tasminia event

The Burrows drive days attract some of the most exotic cars around, ie ferraris, lamborghinis, porsches and minis! The days are not cheap, but you get great tuition, and virtually unlimited lapping. You can do 300km of laps if you or your car are up to it. Often they also have the wet skid pan running as well.

I will definitely be going, and I am sure Boo will be going as well. Trelo also often goes.

You should try and go. Eastern Creek is a great circuit, and very different from Queensland raceway. There are corners of varying radius, camber and a lot of elevation changes, as well as a loooong straight

Check out the website Events O'Neill for details. I would drop Luke O'Neill the organiser an email, and get him to add you to his mailing list. Technically the events are "by invitation", so tell him Robbo recommended the day to you.

Robbo

[kenhenry]

Quote: Originally Posted by robbo mcs

Hi,

Sometimes miracles do happen

There is an Events O'Neill / Burrows drive day on Wednesday 5th of May, just before the Tasminia event

Check out the website Events O'Neill for details. I would drop Luke O'Neill the organiser an email, and get him to add you to his mailing list. Technically the events are "by invitation", so tell him Robbo recommended the day to you.

Robbo

Robbo,

Thanks! I will email them and register my interest.

Ken