Mini Challenge UK - Donnington

[ian67]

Quote: Originally Posted by TimCrighton (original)

I was out in Sport Maxx instead of the Challenge this weekend just to see how we go on. Its very different on road tyres! We had a quickest lap of the weekend at 1.27.49 in the Sport Maxx, but last time out at Doningtone I ran a 1.22.9 in Challenge spec, with the only difference between the cars being the tyres.

We're going to look at some options to improve the performance of the car within the SportMaxx regulations - you are able to remove more of the interior parts than in the Challenge in order to save weight, and there are various other bits that you can change as well - including a remap and exhaust, plus lots of other bits to save weight, such as alternative road wheels (providing they are OEM - so likely to run R84's as those seem to be the lightest OEM wheel option).

Its suprising how much difference the tyres make(are the challenge tyres slicks).The Corsa SRI was really quick(must be a really light car considering that the bhp isnt that high).Like you say you will probablly have to get the weight down as much as possible.Do they allow carbon fibre panels in the SportMaxx (that should save some weight).

[CrazyPhil]

good to chat yesterday Tim - don't forget to send details of the porsche soon as you know anything.

and the S looked great - another Mini Pirate livery

[Shaun]

You mean this S ?

[CrazyPhil]

Yep - its one of mine

It was originally designed for another Challenge racer but he has since changed cars and teams - so Tim and Advent are developing it for the SportMax series.

[ayde_bury]

Great pics there Buffster - looks like pretty good weather for the racing

[TimCrighton]

Quote: Originally Posted by ian67 (original)

Its suprising how much difference the tyres make(are the challenge tyres slicks).The Corsa SRI was really quick(must be a really light car considering that the bhp isnt that high).Like you say you will probablly have to get the weight down as much as possible.Do they allow carbon fibre panels in the SportMaxx (that should save some weight).

The panels need to remain standard in terms of construction and panel thickness unfortunately.

The Corsa is very quick undoubtably. Although its Class B, it is right at the top of the power to weight grouping. Its 185bhp and around 1150kgs I believe bringing it in JUST under the 161bhp power cap for Class B.

The tyres do make a huge difference. We only found out on Saturday that we were permitted to 'buff' the tyres (effectively putting the tyre in a lathe and trimming it down from the full tread to only around 2-3mm tread). According to several of the other runners in the class having the tyres buffed is worth around a second a lap - no small difference! With the tread blocks at standard height they flex around and cause the car to move around, particularly under braking and through turn in. We'll definitely have those sorted for the next time we're out!

The Challenge tyres are also slicks which allow you to run much deeper into the corners on the brakes and carry significantly more corner speed - they are also lighter, thus reducing the unsprung weight. We are planning to swap from the existing R90 BBS wheel (9.6kg) to the lighter R84 X lite (8kg) which should also help a little. Shame as I'm not a fan of the R84, but we're going to do them in anthracite so they should look ok! Lets hope the MINI2 wheel facts are correct as that's where I got the wheel weights from!

It should be good fun developing the car, and its nice to be able to work at some of the things we haven't been able to play with under the Challenge regulations.

[TimCrighton]

Shaun, that pick is fab - Please can I use it for the Gallery on my website?

[minicabrio]

I can see what you mean with the tyres Tim - a couple of times I noticed your car 'skipping' on the tyres under turn in. What was interesting in the SportMaxx though was hearing how hard some drivers are on the tyres compared to others. Carrying too much speed in, and generating loads of understeer.

Managed to whittle the photos down from 427, to around 140 last night, just need to do a bit of editing then they can be uploaded tonight

[Shaun]

Quote: Originally Posted by TimCrighton (original)

Shaun, that pick is fab - Please can I use it for the Gallery on my website?

Certainly if you need a larger picture let me know.

[Shaun]

Speaking of the Sport Maxx series I never realised there were so many possible lines through the chicane they were all over the place.

[minicabrio]

My favourite line is straight across - saves a lot of that steering business

[Shaun]

Loads of pictures up ... 2008 Donnington Mini Challenge - a set on Flickr

For results can I just point out this excellent site Timing Solutions Ltd Online Results Service go to club results then BARC and pick the even this allows you to download a full pdf of they days timings.
A wealth of information.

[Buffster Bird]

Some great pictures on there Shaun.

[TimCrighton]

Some great snaps there Shaun!