First trackday done

[izza]

So on 1st March, I took our Mini (R53) up to Ruapuna, just outside Christchurch (NZ) for my first ever trackday.
Thankfully I wasn't alone, a friend of mine took his VR4 Galant along, he's done some trackdays but not for a few years.



The format was 10 min sessions with about 12 cars on track at a time. We were in the third group, Evos, Skylines, a couple fo race cars and me ( probably should have been group 2, but we had asked to be in the same group together)

When group 2 went out, a car caught fire and there was an hour delay to get that sorted. (Battery exploded apparently)
So when our turn finally came, I was shaking like a leaf. The nerves had REALLY built up.
Once we got out on track it went pretty well, nearly pooed myself once when an Evo4 came out of no where on the main straight and flew down my inside at the first corner. But other than that I got into the grove and had fun.



Everyone there was super friendly and keen to talk cars. There were plenty of positive comments about the Mini. I met so many good people, and it didnt matter if you had a Suzuki Swift or a Porsche Cayman GT4.
The Mini ran almost faultlessly, during the last session 3 of the 4 bolts holding the ignition block had rattled loose, but a quick tighten with the socket set fixed that.
I had a timing app on my phone (RaceChrono) and I showed a huge improvement over the day. I started out with a 2:14, and by the end my fastest lap was 1:57.
While I learnt alot, there were atill some corners where I had NO idea what to do. So plenty more to come from me and the car.
My brakes got pretty hot and the pedal pretty squishy. Never ran out of brakes but performance definitely dropped off. Something to upgrade for next time (as well as decent tyres)

All in all I had a great time. I'm looking forward to more.



Here's some videos from the day as well
https://youtube.com/shorts/O2jAlDgwulk?feature=sha...

https://youtu.be/qbKAcm52ZHM

https://youtu.be/H4GKo6yV1qU

Edited by izza on Saturday 4th March 02:19

Edited by izza on Saturday 4th March 02:20

Edited by izza on Saturday 4th March 02:21

[izza]

Does anyone have any recommendations for uprated brake pads and tyres?

[SlimJim16v]

It's not worth doing anything with your brakes, too small. Most people fit the brakes from the R56 Cooper S

[izza]

Will R56 brakes fit under 16" wheels or do they need 17s?

[E-bmw]

They will fit under 16s comfortably.

You need calipers, caliper carriers & hoses.

It is a VERY good upgrade.

Had mine done & used it on track for several years with never a want for more with the right pads in.

I used Ferodo DS1.11/DS2500 F/R.

[SlimJim16v]

And discs

[E-bmw]

Good point.

[nickfrog]

E-bmw said:

I used Ferodo DS1.11/DS2500 F/R.

This is a difficult combination to beat for a road friendly track capable pad. Although I am going to try the Mintex 1155 on the JCW next. They're only £100 or so for the fronts.

[E-bmw]

nickfrog said:

E-bmw said:

I used Ferodo DS1.11/DS2500 F/R.

This is a difficult combination to beat for a road friendly track capable pad. Although I am going to try the Mintex 1155 on the JCW next. They're only £100 or so for the fronts.

Never tried the 1155 but did try 1166/1144 F/R & that was OK, but at the time I preferred RS29/1144 F/R until I found DS1.11/2500, which I sort of settled on.

Used that combo on E36 & R53 both were excellent.