[Garfield]

The other way around if you want the rear to come around. You'll need higher pressures in the rear once you reach the high 30's. But, I'm still experimenting myself.

[TBDAugs]

I've had nothing but up front discussions with most ax'ers on tire pressure, particularly after I get to know them well. Now specific SUSPENSION settings get a little esoteric becasue of the investment involved, but in stock, it really isn't an issue I'd think.

Problem with advising tire pressures is it depends on the tire, the driver, course set up, asphalt or concrete, and the car. But generally speaking, I would suspect (and to qualify the statement, I've lots of experience with an ASP class Viper and none yet with the Mini) to help counter the understeer I hear about on the Mini you'd want the rears a bit higher pressure than the fronts so as to help throttle on oversteer, not vice versa as you pointed out.

At Salina's Mirrorkhana event May 18-19 I intend to start with a 2-4 pound difference between front and rears for the Saturday trial runs (l;ower front than aft), then make a decision that evening for the next day.

MiniBeginnerAugs

[districtofc]

yeah for the most part id assume people are helpful...im actually reading a book right now and that's one of the things mentioned...i can quote it because its right in front of me (how sad is that ). "As a practical matter, once you become a competent driver and competitive driver you should not expect a lot of help from people in your class that you are trying to beat..." taken from Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry A. Watts. This is my second time going through the book, and while i'm by no means a competent driver ive learned quite a bit from it. im expecting to be running against garfield next year, well not really running...but losing to him. (it'll be my first season)

[TBDAugs]

the Solo Bible some call it. Got it myself some time ago and re-read sections every now and then. Best way to get better though IMHO is to go to school (they are a regular event in most SCCA clubs), and drive, drive, drive.

Seat time with theory of physics behind it (and some disposable income or sponsorship) makes a great combination.

Natural talent's tough to beat for sure, but that's true in any sport. Some just have a nack for it, the rest of us just have to slog along.

ClubFootAugs

[districtofc]

im hoping to go to a school down in FL. right now im debating whether i want to go to rally school or autox school. i love rallying but i also wanna learn autox...we'll see. no matter what i choose i know i'll have a good time.

[Garfield]

Back to the suspension and where it belongs in Solo II.

district, E Stock is "supposed" to be faster than D Stock, the letters have never been completely in order. F Stock is also faster than D Stock. If you swapped the D and F cars, the indexes would theoretically be in order. So, given identical drivers in both cars, the NA MR2 should be faster, but only by a tad. Same with the 1.6 Miatas, they should also be a tad faster than a Cooper S.

The Sport Suspension Plus is a given for autocross. If can afford to wait on a Cooper, specifically order it than. But, if you can't wait, you can still add it afterwards legally in the stock class, so don't worry about it.

Assuming a top driver is in a Cooper this year, it WILL win H Stock at Nationals. Who knows, it may only take a driver like me

[FlaggerStan]

I think I Sould be getting my Cooper in July. My order included the Sports suspension and the SSP so I think got that right. I will be getting a spare set of wheels but I’m not sure if I should get 15’s or 16’s. I will be ordering the Kumho VictorRacers to go with them.

Ran the Nationals at Atwater in my Honda Insight to get a feel for that level of competition. Had a ball during the 3 days and didn’t do too badly considering what I drove. Finnish 4th in HS only 82/100 seconds out of a trophy and was actually in second place Saturday. What can I say, I choked. Can’t wait to try the Mini in HS.

[districtofc]

so is the general consensus that the cooper will be kicked out of h stock next season?

[squid]

Stan, I hope you get your Mini in time to practise
with it before Nationals in Topeka.

I had a question re Atwater, but I don't see a button
to PM you. Can you send me a PM I could reply to ?

Thanks,

[squid]

Stan:

I think I should be getting my Cooper in July. My order
included the Sports suspension and the SSP so I think
got that right.


The sports package is seats, foglights and DSC
(which you can and will turn off with a dash toggle).

The sport suspension is standard equipment on
the Coopers in the US. The SSP is an optional
alternative upgrade on the Coopers.

The sport suspension is likley good enough to
win at 3com/Candlestick.

[Garfield]

Quote:

Originally posted by districtofc
so is the general consensus that the cooper will be kicked out of h stock next season?

Ahh, that'd be a yes from me. Just from seeing what I can do in one run vs. the best drivers from G Stock from our area (although that's not National level). We have some very good G Stock Neons in our area, and with one quick fun run on Sunday, I would've not only beat H Stock by 1.5 seconds, but also G by a few tenths.

It's obvious to me that it shouldn't be in H Stock, but also, it will be a top contender in G Stock, not just the average. It's tough to beat a Mark Daddio in a well prepped Neon (now running SM), but in a well prepped Cooper, I think it's very possible.

[squid]

I start with 52 psi front, 48 psi rear, then bleed.
How much I bleed depends on the course, the
surface, the temperature, the time between runs,
there's no stock answer.

St Louis Solo2 results .

[Garfield]

That's Hoosiers, correct? Definitely different from Kumhos, was the same difference on my Miata.

[squid]

Yes, those high pressures were in Hoosiers.

[TBDAugs]

Why the VictoRacers when you can get the Ecsta V700 Kumho's. Or are you compromising for some streetable tires like me with my Yokohama A520's, 205/50's on a 16 x 6".

16 versus 15: well, this is the quesiton, 16 for greater tire width, but 15 for faster rev's (with a lower aspect than the stock 65) which the Mini Cooper stock needs.

How WIDE a tire can one fit on the stock 15 wheel. 205/50?

A 15" 50 aspect would reduce rolling radius by about 3%.

16"Augs

[Garfield]

The Ecsta's are still being made with the original compound, just a different tread and carcass right now. So, you're actually getting more tread squirm from the Ecsta. Sizes are one reason to go with one or the other, for example, the 205/45R16 isn't offered in the Victoracer.
The Victos are certainly no more a street tire, that's for sure, they're both equally R Compounds.

Your logic is incorrect on the 16's vs. 15's. The 16's can actually have a lower rolling diameter in race tires than the 15's. The 215/40R16 Hoosier is wider AND lower diameter (1.3%) than a 205/50R15 Kumho/Hoosier/whatever. You choose depending on budget and preference. It's certainly cheaper to run on the stock 15's and buy a 15x7 for the street. It just depends on what route you're going to take.

You won't get more than a 205 on that 5.5" wide wheel.

[TBDAugs]

I was comparing the stock Continental 185(?)/65 aspect on the stock 15" wheel versus a 205/50 aspect on the same stock 15" wheel.

Sharpening my pencil I get a ralling radius diff of 5.7% for the "shorter" 205/50-15.

Agree with the 15 versus 16, my calculations with your tire sizes says your 16" combination is 'shorter' by 2.6% (49 millimeters).

Thanks for the insight on the V700's, I'm really clueless on historic tire compounds.

MathematicalAugs

[districtofc]

while this topic is covering anything and everything... can someone explain what is involved in heat cycling a tire? should i pay to have my tires heat cycled?? thanks

[FlaggerStan]

Squid
Won’t be making Topeka this year. See I’m buying this new car this year and with the down payment, well you know. Have to buy new wheels and tires too.

PM is now available.

Sorry I meant to say Sports Package. I went with the Sports Pak for a couple of reasons, 16” wheels, Fog lamps and of course I want those seats.

Incidentally 3COM doesn’t sponsor Candlestick anymore. It’s just Candlestick.

TBDAugs
The reason I got the VictorRacers over the Ecsta is that the dealer I use here in California couldn’t find them but could get the VictorRacers and the first Solo II event was close. It was a matter of expediency.

Garfield
Probably will get the 205/45R16 Ecsta V700. Trying to decide on Mini wheels or getting another brand.

On tire heat cycling check out TireRack’s web site.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete...tcycletech.htm

[Garfield]

Just bought two sets of Enkei RPO-1's, dead on size with a 45mm offset. Now my street set will be Stock legal. 215/40R16 Hoosiers for race, 215/45R16 Falkens for street (if they'll fit).

I heat cycle my own, but honestly, I don't think it does as much as TR claims it does.