[Dlatu1983]

God willing, I'm hoping to get my mini (cooper or cooper s, I haven't yet decided) for graduation. I have visions in my head of wet parking lots, and powersliding huge arcs through them, e-brake turns, reverse to forward 180's, etc. None of which is feasable in my Pontiac Sunfire (which has the body roll of a covered wagon)...what's the "craziest" thing you do or have done on a regular basis? Do you guys drive hopped-up grocery getters, or are you serious about insane (yet SAFE) driving? Let's hear some stories...perhaps it'll keep me satiated for the LOOOONG wait I have ahead of me.

[Dlatu1983]

C'mon, give me something to work with here...I want some idea of what I can do in my Mini...I'm thinking auto-x

[Paul]

Moved to the 'racing' forum as the only time you can really be insane and "safe" for others as well as your self is off the public highway.


I'd rather not comment myself, don't want to get crossed off the list at BMW Press when it comes to their fleet of test MINIs.

[Dlatu1983]

hahaha....so it's safe to say some rather "spirited" driving is being done? I was watching the making of The Italian Job, and the driving that the actual actors (not stuntpeople) were doing in stock Minis, and I was blown away.

[andyupnorth]

I hope if you ever come to sell your MINI you don't descibe it as " one careful owner...."

[Paul]

A couple photo's I've decided are OK to publish are (click on little pictures to see bigger ones):

Me in a small puddle, August 2001, press MINI Cooper. Very rare car at that time!



Me, taking it easy over a bridge in a press John Cooper Works MINI this Summer. It survived the landing.



True, these were on public roads, but carried in controlled conditions with expert assistance and advice.

If you ever went on a press event you might well cry to see how the little MINIs are treated *cough* abused *cough*. But believe me, it's fun, and all in the name of 'science'.

[Electrc109]

I spent about 2 minutes in an empty parking lot in the rain sliding around all over the place. Had to be cautious not to run into a light pole. I stopped when it started to get a little out of hand....

I know there's other spirited drivers out there!!

[nlevine]

...just waiting for the lakes to freeze so Ice Racing season can begin (there aren't any light ples to hit on a frozen lake). MINIs on Ice should be fun.

[SteveS]

Attend an autocross diriver's school. Various regions have them periodically - 2 days for $100 or so. I did one this fall and you get lots of seat time, practicing first day on skid pad, chicane, slalom, mini course and second day running long course. Safe - usually first and second gear only, with instructors, fun rides, etc. Great experience, crazy driving if you want, learn ing limits of the car, and not jeapordizing anyone.

[liminiac]

Without a car in site , on a long uphill straight-away on Maine Tpk at 5am on a Sunday am (all rationalizations, I know) easily hit 125mph before I had to slow down in case of speed trap at the top of the hill. Then I drove like a "normal" person the rest of the way home to NY.

[agiduda]

You're scaring me - that's because I'm thinking what I was like when young. Now that I have survived youth inspite of the scars, broken bones, smashed cars, mangled bikes and insurance penalties I must say - have fun.

But, you might have more fun and less expense if you try out some high speed driving schools like TrackMasters and other venues for "spirited" driving. Your insurance should cover since it is a "school" and not racing. You get to drive on some of the countries best tracks with instruction from experienced people. But why listen to me I was a slow learner

Pass the aspirin, it's going to rain.... where is my rocking chair?

[Dutchy]

Where I live in Australia, there are no speed limits in the Outback. I drove for over 1000 miles at 130mp/hr (can't I just say 1600kms and 200km/hr ??? ). The only problem with this (not related to safety at least), is that I had to stop to fill up the tank at every township. But it was great fun to do so.

Dutchy.

[Electrc109]

I never want live wishing I had done something when I decided not to.

[JimW]

Quote: Originally Posted by Electrc109

I never want live wishing I had done something when I decided not to.

Been on track during a drivers school in a rainstorm, went much of the way down one hill looking out the pass side window at half throttle in 3rd gear, I've seen 128mph racing a modified 2002 (he ran out of RPM at 7200 in 4th, so I didn't need to go any faster), I've also been practicing my e-brake turns now that there's snow on the ground, but first and foremost, I've done these things when the only people at risk, KNEW they were at risk, ie they were there with me, never on a crowded road, or where there are side streets or any possibility of hurting anyone other than myself. If Darwin wants me, he'll get me, but I won't take any unsuspecting with me. When you get it you'll have tremendous fun, but you need respect the fact that when you do make the car go out of control, you'll be going much faster than in your Pontiac, and as such, will be at much greater risk. Best bet, take everyone's advice and learn the limits at a school where you have experienced instructors walk you to the edge, so you aren't posting on here in your first month looking for a rim or body panels to fix a curb or lightpole incident (or worse, posting a crash or rollover pic)...
Take care!

[sunnyfire]

actually i'm looking at buying one myself and also currently drive a sunfire but the craziest thing ive done is take my Sunfire on the Jeep 4x4 trails at Sam Houston National Forest.

[Electrc109]

Quote: Originally Posted by JimW

Best bet, take everyone's advice and learn the limits at a school where you have experienced instructors walk you to the edge, so you aren't posting on here in your first month looking for a rim or body panels to fix a curb or lightpole incident (or worse, posting a crash or rollover pic)...
Take care!

I have bent many a rim in the past. I have definately found the line between aggressive/adventureous driving and reckless/costly driving. I've spent plenty of time on both sides of the spectrum, and now won't even drive my car in the dirt unless I absolutely have to.

Anyone know of a stunt driving school on the East Coast?

[Keevan]

i 4-whel drift through 3 corners every morning going to work ... that's my daily fun ...

[Keevan]

the rest is done on the ring .. and "cool stunts" are rather unvoluntary ...

[Shawzie]

*Sob story*

With 000040 miles on the car, I was driving her home from the dealer, hit black ice on an on ramp, and managed to miss a few reflectors on the side of the highway. Well, the fourth one had it out for me... Took out my sideview mirror, door handle and rear fender flare. Oh well, leason learned. Now that it's out of my system, I am ready for Auto-X events this spring...

I hit 130 way too easily on a highway in PA

S-Z

[Parc77]

Mr Mullet - looks like you had as much fun with the press mini's as a certain Mr Swift
Nice pics