Heartland Park Touring Laps - June 11th

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:09 am

OK, only a couple of weeks till our next "speed" fix, who's going?

Besides Me? Yes, I wasn't supposed to be able to go, but plans changed so, for the moment I'm in...........

Post by **Laurie** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:14 am

I am thinking about going to this one. I just hope that there will be more instructors this time for the novice group.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:09 pm

This last time there were a lot more instructors, plus they spent a lot more time in the driver's meeting explaining what to do and so on.......

The very best thing would be to have Minijayhawk as your instructor, as he drives an R56 now........he says he'll be at each of the events if some MINI owners are going to show up, so let's get a good turnout!

Post by **Laurie** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 12:25 pm

That would be awesome if MiniJ was there to instruct. I really want to feel some speed this time!

sundance · Post by **sundance** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 1:22 pm

Would love to be there but I'll be tracking a MINI at Homestead Speedway in Miami that week and then on my way to Boston on MTTS.

Have fun and I'll most likely have the GP at HPT in July.

hctiev · Post by **hctiev** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 10:07 pm

I think MiniJayhawk is out for June - at least that's what he told me at the Audi HPDE.

They only had 3 instructors at the beginning of last session and ended up with 4 or 5 by the end of the night.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:15 pm

You coming, Alex?

Hey Pete, did you get a chance to download and look at your track data from the last event?

burley · Post by **burley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:27 pm

what exactly goes on at these events? Im bored and may swing by since I live in Topeka.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 2:53 pm

burley,

Touring Laps at Heartland Park is an opportunity to drive your MINI at speed in a safe and controlled environment on the HP road course. Once you go thru the Novice class you'll be allowed to drive your car as fast as you can, safely and in control. This is not a race, none of your laps are timed, and the only time you can pass another car is on the straight and having been "pointed by" by the car in front.

Go to any of the previous Heartland Park threads for discussion, member's impressions and video.

You'll want to join up and sign up for the upcoming event on June 11th, several members of the KC MINIacs will be there and you are more than welcome to join us. The only thing you need to do to your car is ensure that your brakes and tires are in good shape, fluids topped up and so on.
You also need a helmet with the current snell rating, but you don't need any special clothes, shoes or seat belts......

If you just want to come watch, feel free - there's no admission charge for spectators, but you probably won't be able to run that day if you don't sign up ahead of time, the event only allows 60 cars total and they usually sell out.

Come join us, you'll have a blast - ask anyone who's done it!

Bernard Cline · Post by **Bernard Cline** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:14 pm

Dave

What time is this event, I might be able to go and watch I can't spring for laps this time.

I would love to get some pictures and if anyone is interested depending on where I can go at the track I might be able to put together a nice set of pictures for everyone.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:21 pm

You can go pretty much around the whole track, so there are plenty of photo ops.......

Admission is free for spectators, and if you like you can get a ride on track with someone.

Tech starts at 3 pm, but nothing really happens till 4:30 when the first cars hit the track. Come on up!

dimini · Post by **dimini** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:45 pm

I just paid my entry fee for June 11 HPT laps. Planning on having fun and not getting in trouble due to inappropriate passing.

burley · Post by **burley** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:57 pm

How much is it to do the laps and how much are helmets? I just told told my wife about it and she's pretty exited. I own a "justa cooper", so I might be the guy in the slow lane

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:16 pm

It costs a once a year fee of $20 and the sessions are only $60 each (for each date, not each run)

You can buy an open faced helmet for about $120 from Soloracer.com, a closed one for about $140. Wherever you buy it, be sure to get one with the latest Snell rating, a DOT rated helmet (like for a motorcycle) won't be allowed on track.

There are several members who have run or currently run a Justacooper at HPT and they are surprisingly fast, so don't feel like you shouldn't come out and play with us!

If you check this heading, you'll find some threads on our previous outings, including some comments by sliboa on this forum who also runs a justacooper and he even put up some video of his runs. Check it out!

Last fall Hagar put up some vids of his justacooper running with us at HPT, and his has the CVT automatic - he's plenty fast too!

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:44 pm

I might be there with the new Mini...not sure yet.

Hagar46 · Post by **Hagar46** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:24 am

I'm not sure if I can attend. Still recovering from surgery on my toe. I'll know next Monday.

Post by **Laurie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:27 am

Minidave wrote:Admission is free for spectators, and if you like you can get a ride on track with someone.

According to the paperwork, "no passengers except for instructors". I wouldn't wan't you to come out expecting to take a ride if it is not allowed.

I just paid, so I am for sure in for next Wednesday.

JRutherford · Post by **JRutherford** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:45 pm

I'm very much interested - will see if may be able to coordinate work scheduling... Is the intent to meet at HPT around 3PM?

Thanks!

Bernard Cline · Post by **Bernard Cline** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:51 pm

Laurie wrote:
Minidave wrote:Admission is free for spectators, and if you like you can get a ride on track with someone.
According to the paperwork, "no passengers except for instructors". I wouldn't wan't you to come out expecting to take a ride if it is not allowed.

I just paid, so I am for sure in for next Wednesday.

I just want exterior pictures, so no ride-a-longs is ok with me. I am a horrible backseat/shotgun driver anyway. I wouldn't put anyone though that, yet!!!!!!

Post by **Laurie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 2:52 pm

Usually we meet somewhere for lunch (typically out at The Legends) and then head on out to Topeka as a group. If your schedule does not allow for lunch, then meeting at HPT is always good too.

Minidave · Post by **Minidave** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:21 pm

Laurie, several of us have ridden along with advanced or intermediate class drivers with no problems.
I rode with MiniJayhawk in his R56 last time, FWIW.......and I took LilRed in my car last fall with no comments or stink-eye looks from TPTB.......

chknlil · Post by **chknlil** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:52 pm

I might like to go to this as well. I'd just be a tag along though.

Post by **Laurie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:55 pm

Minidave wrote:Laurie, several of us have ridden along with advanced or intermediate class drivers with no problems.
I rode with MiniJayhawk in his R56 last time, FWIW.......and I took LilRed in my car last fall with no comments or stink-eye looks from TPTB.......

I know people have ridden along, but what I wrote was the "offical" word that HPT has on their registration form. I suppose they can enforce it as they see fit. Heck, I even rode along with an instructor in his car last time.

Post by **Laurie** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:58 pm

chknlil wrote:I might like to go to this as well. I'd just be a tag along though.

The more the merrier! You can get a taste so when your MINI finally arrives, you will already know what to expect when you do it for yourself!

kabootist · Post by **kabootist** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:09 pm

Sorry Guys, Can't go, work obligations, next month I'm bringing the new mini, my dad in a E430 4matic, and my older brother in a 911. We were all going to go next week but since I can't go cause of work they dropped out as well.