MINI2

slegorreta · Sep 23rd, 2002, 12:12 AM

I am preparing an article on a Mini that has been prepared and is being raced in the Mexican Rally Championship. Yesterday, the driver took me for an exhilerating demonstration of the Mini's ability.

I have been racing cars for more than 10 years and have ridden in many professional race cars.

Having a Mini with Sport Suspension + as a daily driver and having just sold a track-prepared Golf A4, I kind of knew what to expect.

I must say that the Rally Mini left me with my jaws dropped and still drooling in amaze. The car used is a Stock Mini Cooper with 115 bhp, so acceleration was not that surprising. However, as soon as we got to the first large turn, which is a steep left hander that runs for about 800 mts. and is on a bridge, with a fall of more than 100 mts. (a scary turn in other words), and then I knew this Mini's capabilities were WAY-beyond normal. The grip was absolutely disturbing. I could feel my body been pushed by the later acceleration so hard, that I remembered my old lessons in a Formula car or on a hard turn in my 125cc Kart.

The rally Mini has been fitted a custom-made suspension which costed around U$8000, including coilovers.

I was left with the impresion that the Mini's cornering abilities can be greatly (as from regular "sporty" car to super car handling) improved by using a coilover kit and a decent set of tires.

SO, NOW FOR THE QUESTION:

I will definitely save for a custom-made US$8000 suspension as the next mod to my Mini (and believe me, most of you would), but in the meantime, can anyone provide with comments on how the cornering (lateral grip) ability of their Minis have been improved by using a specific coilover kit?

I am only posting a pic of the rally car for you to dream. As soon as the article is ready, I will send al link for you to see the whole enchilada...

Cheers

Colorado "S" · Sep 23rd, 2002, 08:22 AM

I'm looking forward to the article.

ezrally · Sep 23rd, 2002, 10:28 AM

Nice cage
Wow 8K for suspension- better be good!
I take it thats tarmac spec...

gromit · Sep 23rd, 2002, 02:15 PM

I've got to see more of that car!!!

slegorreta · Sep 24th, 2002, 12:00 AM

I promise to post pics once the article is published. Can't do before.

Probably in another week or so.

Cheers!!

BTW, the suspension was prepared in Argentina, by the Villagra brothers...

Sep 23rd, 2002, 12:12 AM	#1
slegorreta Mexican MINI Maniac Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Mexico City Local Time: 09:38 AM Posts: 165 Offline	Comments on coilover kits available please (triggered by my Mini rally-car ride) I am preparing an article on a Mini that has been prepared and is being raced in the Mexican Rally Championship. Yesterday, the driver took me for an exhilerating demonstration of the Mini's ability. I have been racing cars for more than 10 years and have ridden in many professional race cars. Having a Mini with Sport Suspension + as a daily driver and having just sold a track-prepared Golf A4, I kind of knew what to expect. I must say that the Rally Mini left me with my jaws dropped and still drooling in amaze. The car used is a Stock Mini Cooper with 115 bhp, so acceleration was not that surprising. However, as soon as we got to the first large turn, which is a steep left hander that runs for about 800 mts. and is on a bridge, with a fall of more than 100 mts. (a scary turn in other words), and then I knew this Mini's capabilities were WAY-beyond normal. The grip was absolutely disturbing. I could feel my body been pushed by the later acceleration so hard, that I remembered my old lessons in a Formula car or on a hard turn in my 125cc Kart. The rally Mini has been fitted a custom-made suspension which costed around U$8000, including coilovers. I was left with the impresion that the Mini's cornering abilities can be greatly (as from regular "sporty" car to super car handling) improved by using a coilover kit and a decent set of tires. SO, NOW FOR THE QUESTION: I will definitely save for a custom-made US$8000 suspension as the next mod to my Mini (and believe me, most of you would), but in the meantime, can anyone provide with comments on how the cornering (lateral grip) ability of their Minis have been improved by using a specific coilover kit? I am only posting a pic of the rally car for you to dream. As soon as the article is ready, I will send al link for you to see the whole enchilada... Cheers MEXICAN MINI Maniac "As we have seen, you can be at high "tenth values" without going over 50 m.p.h." Denis Jenkinson, in The Racing Driver. MundoMini.com El sitio del nuevo MINI en Español

Sep 23rd, 2002, 08:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Colorado "S" MINI2 Senior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver Local Time: 07:38 AM Posts: 416 Offline	Very Cool. I'm looking forward to the article. Dave @ MCO MINI5280

Sep 23rd, 2002, 10:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
ezrally MINI2 Senior Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Delavan, WI Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 663 Offline	Nice cage Wow 8K for suspension- better be good! I take it thats tarmac spec... Jet Black MCS Lapis leather 17s or 15s (winter) no DSC

Sep 23rd, 2002, 02:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
gromit Bad Dog, Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Rochester, NY USA Local Time: 08:38 AM Posts: 838 Offline	Post more pics!!! I've got to see more of that car!!! Chili Red / Black Roof Cooper "S", delivered Aug 5, 2002. If you have read this far you are obsessed - Make a donation to MINI2 and become a sponsor! Enjoy every sandwich. - Warren Zevon

Sep 24th, 2002, 12:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
slegorreta Mexican MINI Maniac Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Mexico City Local Time: 09:38 AM Posts: 165 Offline	I promise to post pics once the article is published. Can't do before. Probably in another week or so. Cheers!! BTW, the suspension was prepared in Argentina, by the Villagra brothers... MEXICAN MINI Maniac "As we have seen, you can be at high "tenth values" without going over 50 m.p.h." Denis Jenkinson, in The Racing Driver. MundoMini.com El sitio del nuevo MINI en Español

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