Time to shake off the winter doldrums, get your MINI out , put your summer tires on and come to the track. This year the start times have been moved up to 12 pm for tech and check in, first cars on the track at 1 pm. This should easily give us time for up to 5 runs, although personally 4 is about enough for me, especially for the first event of the year.
For those who haven't done this before, this is not a timed event - it's not a race. It's a chance to take your car onto the track and learn about it's handling, braking and speed performance in a controlled and safe environment. They are fully manned with corner workers, EMT and support staff, as well as intructors for those in the Novice catagory. They hold a classroom session first, then your first run is done completely under yellow flag rules - no passing and controlled speeds - so you can learn the proper line, braking points and where to look for flagmen as you find your way around the track. The next runs will be done with an instructor aboard or driving behind one to again to learn the track and rules. By the end of the day you'll be lapping at speed, however you only drive as quickly as your skill and comfort levels allow. Repeat - it's not a timed event!
As you progress you can move into the intermediate class and start running with faster drivers and without an instructor sitting beside you or running directly in front of you on the track. However, I ran the first 4 events when I started in the Novice group, even tho I had previous track experinece. There is no hurry to move up, and you can learn plenty while enjoying your car at less than breakneck speeds!
When you're ready, move up to imtermediate and run as quickly as you're comfortable.
You will not tear up your tires or wear out your brakes, especially in the novice group, the focus is on learning and enjoying the car, not ultimate lap times. You also do not need special clothes, tires, suspension or brake pads, a stock MINI is quite fast! ( A stock Cooper S will hit well over 100 mph on the main straight - ask me how I know!
) You do need your car to be in good condition, with tread on the tires and good brake pads. Also, fill the tank up, you'll go thru a suprising amount of gas if you do all the sessions. If you find you are grinding your tires off or smoking your brakes, you're doing it wrong, and need to spend some time with an instructor. Sometimes you go faster by slowing down....
Bottom line, it's just about the most thrilling, most fun thing you can do in your MINI with your clothes on, so plan to join us!
You do need a helmet, and a most motorcycle helmets do not qualify, as they are not fire rated. However you don't have to spend a lot for a helmet, they can be bought for as little as $125. Look around online or I can post some of the links to companys I use.
Bring your MINI and come out and play! If you don't have a MINI or want to bring your other car, you can - there's plenty of room on the track, but entry is limited to a total of 75 cars, so register soon as the Novice class tends to fill up quickly.
As usual, we'll meet in the Legends for lunch, then caravan up - or just meet us at the track. It's only about a 1 hour drive to get there. The entry gate is on the east side of the track, just follow the main road around till you see the gatehouse, that's where you'll check in and get your credentials. Don't worry, there will be plenty of us there to show you the ropes!
See you at the Legends, restaurant of choice TBA later.
