[RickB]

Here in the U.S., we measure the 1/4 mile performance, so I have no clue what to make of a 24-point-something 0-1000m time; is that good? What do some other benchmark cars do (in other words, not a Peugot 206, or Rover, or Citroen, or . . .)?

[BI GAL]

I don't understand the obsession with driving as fast as you can, but only for a quarter of a mile.

If i'm only going a quarter of a mile down the road, i tend to walk.....it's much more environmentally friendly and it allows more time to look at girls

[Hanny]

I posted this link on another thread yesterday, but again may be of interest on this topic.

Cooper but no Cooper S figures yet.

Quarter Mile Rivals

[Cape Cod MINI]

Bi Gal,
I think it's a matter of: if you have the wheels that will go real fast, the more the girls will look at you You know, go by fast one time, then cruise real slow on the second pass!

Quarter mile is definately a USA show of muscle phenomenon.
The drag races are actually a lot of fun. The smokey burnouts, the thumping of huge Detroit 8 cyclinders, the blinding speed, etc.
On the other hand, the USA NASCAR (stock car racing) has to be the most boring sport on 4 wheels: around and around and around............and around................. boring.

[Viscount Charles]

Weird - I'm fast coming around to the idea that the world's dullest motorsport is Formula 1 - you know the deal, there's a crash at the first corner followed by a procession for the rest of the race. Oh, and maybe one significant bit of overtaking in the 60+ laps if you're lucky. Yawn.

NASCAR is *much* more exciting. The tracks may be boring ovals, but there's jockeying for position every lap.

[RickB]

There's a show on Speed Channel, called "NASCAR Tech". Stories about carburettors, live axles, etc.; boy, that's tech for ya! There's more "tech" in a F1 steering wheel than in a NAS-car. And, at least in F1, the fastest car wins, instead of being penalized!

[Viscount Charles]

Problem with F1 is that the fastest car wins in qualifying. Once pole is secured and the first-corner shunt avoided, the result is rarely in doubt. The next two hours is just an extended advert for the sponsors of the leading cars. Which brings in a lot of money for the top teams. Ensuring they have the best tech. Which means they'll qualify first next season too ...

[Wildride]

Quote:

Originally posted by RickB
... 24-point-something 0-1000m time; ...

Please tell me, where did you find this?? 24 seconds for 1000m! puh, would be more than a good time for the s!!!

[Casey]

F1 and nascar are totally different things. Nascar is put on to be a show, end of story. They changes rules constantly on cars to force them to be closely matched to put on a good show. F1 on the other hand is about pure technology, fastest, most advanced cars in the world w/o giving much of a crap about budget. I love f1, but I don't watch it for 500 lead changes just cuz of a draft, or i'll pass you by running you into the wall with a little chrome horn, i watch it cuz it is amazing to see what the cars and teams can do with no budget caps...hehe.

To each their own, but nascar to me is nothing but a show and artificial racing....i see right past it. To me the best racing is, in no particular order - F1, CART, ALMS, LeMans, WRC, Speedvision GT and Touring, BTCC, Austrailian Touring, Toyota Atlantics, Barber Dodge, karts....notice the exclusion of IRL, Nascar, the 6 pack of milwalkees best and my straw hat. (okay the last comment was a joke just to prode a bit at all the nascar fans)

I think we will all agree that MINI racing will be the best though...lets motor.

Cheers

[RickB]

OK, so how 'bout that 0-1000m time? That it would be printed, along with 0-100km/h, made me think that it was some kind of European standard? No? Can anyone come up with the 0-1000 run for any other car? Preferably something available across the pond?
The S's U.S. competition (four cylinder hatches) all do the 1/4 mile run in 15.2-15.6 range. I suspect that there's that much difference among various examples of each car, so they're roughly the same. The Cooper has less weight and more torque than any of the competitors, save for the somewhat torquier, but MUCH heavier GTI.
Actually, F1 races are most often won on pit strategy. If you pick your tire compounds and fuel stops correctly, you can win from the third row.