[L8APEKS]

Hello Again Everyone,

Yet another event looming on the MINI calendar here in Belgium! In a little more than 3 weeks, you will have your third chance to see the teams of the Belgian MINI Cooper Challenge (MCC) in action at Circuit-Zolder. This will be the second official test day (click here for more info on first test day) on Wednesday, April 2. This event is also open to anyone.

In addition to testing, teams will be able to present themselves in up-close action to their sponsors. Team sponsors will be allowed full pit lane access and also be allowed for rides in the car. All teams and sponsors will have access to a light breakfast and a catered lunch. Their will also be an open bar. A nominal fee applies.

Again, the 3 teams of the De Smeth Racers group (including my team ) will be in attendance and we hope to see you there!

[quicksilver]

Sounds very good......
Zolder isn't so far from here, so if we possible can, we are there!!!

[Morty]

Sorry 2nd of April is working day ... Can't make it.
too bad.

[xoura]

I'try to be there, in order to get a lot of pictures of Ken's car

But it's a working day too... wait and see...

Thanks Ken for asking us to get a helmet next time we're on the racetrack!

Cu soon...

(The MINI2 FAN's TEAM)

[L8APEKS]

Quote:

Originally posted by xoura
I'try to be there, in order to get a lot of pictures of Ken's car

...

Thanks Ken for asking us to get a helmet next time we're on the racetrack!

xoura,

I hope you can make it to take some pictures. I would like more picutres for my website so its is very nice to have your help.

Definetly for Zolder bring your helmet and we'll take a few laps. Zolder is a fun little track that keeps me very busy. If you haven't been on it, I think you will really enjoy it.

[xoura]

I'll see what I can do... 80% I'll come!!!

[xoura]

So, I did!!!

I arrived in Zolder about 2'O clock this afternoon. A typical Belgian Weather: heavy Rain on the track!


Ken is ready for a new test session on this wet track... He is a bit anxious, Rain is not really typical on US Tracks.

First Test: Chrono are quiet Good: average: 2 minutes 23 seconds. (under the rain!!!)

3...2...1...GO!


Ken is making a a good time facing other teams( some of them are making about 2 minutes 34 secondes!)...

The car is working great (it looks like), even with this new design on the backdoor. (a new design from Spa-FRancorchamps).


I had a great afternoon, a lot of nice discussions with differents teams...

The rest of the Picures are HERE

[xoura]

I left about 5 O clock, I had to go back. Sorry, I could'nt find you on the circuit. The car was on the pitlane, but none of you around it... Anyway, Thanks for the invitation... CU in 2 weeks!!!

[L8APEKS]

Laurent,

Fantastic photos! I've shown them to my team mates and they really liked them also. I particularly liked this one:

http://www.club-nouvelle-mini.com/mo...view_photo.php

I'm sorry that I did not have time to ask you if you brought your helmet. With the terrible weather and my race license test I was too busy to remember. Please, next time remind me and we will go out for a few laps together.

I'm happy to report I passed my race licensing test! I have been practicing since January and it has paid off. All my practice days were sunny and mostly dry, so it should come as no surprise that my test day would have very heavy rain. This was my first time driving on such a wet circuit. I learned a lot about the wet line/trajectory vs the dry line/trajectory.

The lap times were all over the place. The best I heard of yesterday was 2:11-2:14 just before lunch when the track was not so wet. During the heaviest rains, the laps dropped down to 2:18-2:24 depending on how wet the circuit was. At one point, the rain was so heavy I could not see very far ahead and when I was behind a car I was practically blind. I had to drive by memory until I could overtake the car in front of me. It was scary but exciting as well.

Nonetheless, a good day because I passed my test plus I was able to practice driving in the rain! Now I'm looking forward to my first race (as long as it is dry ) and I'll see you in Zolder in 2 weeks.

[L8APEKS]

Quote:

Originally posted by xoura
The car is working great (it looks like), even with this new design on the backdoor. (a new design from Spa-FRancorchamps).

Oh yes, about the "new design". This was the result of my spinning at Radillon at about 120-140kph (I don't recall exactly) during my first practice at Spa on Monday!!! I spent all day Tuesday repairing the car to be ready for my test yesterday.

The car spun around twice before impacting the tire wall backward at the top of Radillon. It felt like I was spinning forever but if there is anyway to crash safely, going in backward is the best. Fortunately the damage wasn't too bad. For the speed and the spinning it could have been much, much, much worse. I was very lucky not to have more damage.

It was simply the result of trying to learn too fast my first time to a new track. Not very wise at all . For each corner, as you are learning, you are only supposed to increase your speed little by little until you are at the limits. Sometimes this can take many laps of practice. I tried to skip that step and paid the price.

[Morty]

Quote:

Originally posted by L8APEKS

I'm happy to report I passed my race licensing test!

Congratulations Ken, I'm happy for you.

See you in Zolder next week