View Full Version : Yet another "what class is my car" question
Tube-frame, carbon shell, mid-engine Mk1 Mini. 1500lbs, 200hp. Street legal!
Will it be in Modified or do I get thrown straight against ex-F1 formula cars? :eek:
frosty
03-28-2006, 12:02 PM
Former F1 cars? We have a harsher fate for you. It involves a carbon-fiber RX-7. :D
(I actually don't know your class, sorry)
But by the time it's muffled down to 93dB it'll make about 63hp. ;)
cshodges
03-28-2006, 01:00 PM
If it's street legal, you can always run in our local SU class until you figure it out.
Thanks, I'll try that class. I don't really care which class I'm in as I'm not interested in any points race. What's SU, Street... Unlimited?
Thanks, I'll try that class. I don't really care which class I'm in as I'm not interested in any points race. What's SU, Street... Unlimited?
Yes.
Just don't run in SM, I don't need anymore competition (especially a MK1 Mini):rolleyes:
woodrufj
03-28-2006, 02:44 PM
DM and EM are for production body cars, but I think they both might have the limitation that the engine must stay on the same side of the driver as original. So those would be out. Check the BM and AM rules.
Note that SM isn't really in the same preperation line as the "Mod" classes.
SU is only local. So if you plan on taking it farther out than San Diego, make sure you find a class. Also SU requires DOT tires, no pure racing slicks. Need not be street legal for SU.
Jay W
505/287 Dakota
mievil
03-28-2006, 02:53 PM
That is the coolest car EVER!!!!!! Can't wait to see you out there. And catch a ride.:D
1. 20 years out of practice.
2. Driving a car with unknown handling.
3. Afraid the cones will bash in the composite.
4. Knowing lots of people will be watching and no doubt disappointed when I don't get fastest time...
No, no pressure at all.
This reminds me the first time I autocrossed, I got no sleep the night before. This may be the same.
civicsi887
03-28-2006, 03:22 PM
Yes.
Just don't run in SM, I don't need anymore competition (especially a MK1 Mini):rolleyes:
yeah that!;)
D Rex
03-28-2006, 04:23 PM
Tube-frame, carbon shell, mid-engine Mk1 Mini. 1500lbs, 200hp. Street legal!
Will it be in Modified or do I get thrown straight against ex-F1 formula cars? :eek:
SU fits Kimi perfect. Any streetable car on DOT tires. If you like auto-x and want to get serious about it (full race tires) you appear to fit into CM. It might take some mods or weight penalties to fit and IMHO that's way to clean a project for that. Just come on down on the rubber you got and chase that pesky Fiat Charlie.
:thumbup: Honda power :cool:
frosty
03-28-2006, 04:44 PM
Tube-frame, carbon shell, mid-engine Mk1 Mini. 1500lbs, 200hp. Street legal!
I'm confused. Wasn't the mini a front engine car? Did you throw the engine in the back seat or something?
jason
03-28-2006, 04:47 PM
I'm confused. Wasn't the mini a front engine car? Did you throw the engine in the back seat or something?
Check out the link in his signature...
RandyC
03-28-2006, 04:50 PM
1. 20 years out of practice.
2. Driving a car with unknown handling.
3. Afraid the cones will bash in the composite.
4. Knowing lots of people will be watching and no doubt disappointed when I don't get fastest time...
No, no pressure at all.
This reminds me the first time I autocrossed, I got no sleep the night before. This may be the same.
Should be fun. :) Let me know if you need someone to help drive that thing around the cones. :)
nalbar
03-28-2006, 05:15 PM
This is without a doubt the most amazing car I have ever seen. It may not impress everyone but it impressed me.
It's the only 'ground up' build that I have actually wanted. Most 'ground ups' make me think "why spend all that time on THAT". With this one you can see why.
Incredible car.
nalbar
mievil
03-29-2006, 07:49 AM
I'm confused. Wasn't the mini a front engine car? Did you throw the engine in the back seat or something?
Pretty much. :p
I agree with Warren. It's just plain amazing.
Thanks guys, it's been a long but enjoyable nine years(!). If someone would have told me it would've taken that long I'd either have not believed them or given up. That said, the journey has been very enjoyable and I've learned a tremendous amount, and now it's time to drive the thing as intended.
About where the engine is, yes, all Mini's are FWD but when I set out to do this project I made a laundry list of everything I wanted in a car, and item#1 was "mid-engine." It may well be the only car I ever build so I wanted "the works." OTOH I didn't want a real, true race car, one only driven a dozen times a year; it had to be street legal. So it's really a combination of street rod, cruiser, autocrosser, timetrial sort of thing.
I used to be heavily involved in the San Diego autocross, driving a Datsun 1200 (I sometimes wonder if the new owner ever drives it at the auto-x.) This was way back when Steve Coe worked at Performance World... now Dave Turner Motorsports. But that was 20 years ago so I need a lot of practice to be able to exploit the car's potential. As it is I'm pretty sure with my lack of practice and the unrealistic expectations of people it won't be near the fast run that's expected.
mievil
03-29-2006, 10:02 AM
I'm not sure that people have unrealistic expectations of how you or the car will perform. It'd be more likely that people love seeing a unique car being thrown around the track.
Or you could drive a Focus and have the people with realistic expectations that no matter what you do to it, it's still a Focus. :p
cshodges
03-29-2006, 10:21 AM
Not trying to make an overweight, bloated, 3200-pound so-called "sports sedan" handle. Hey! I resemble that remark!
Though, I do have to admit there's a 90 VW Cabriolet in the garage, and once I get it running, I'm curious how it'd do at an autocross.... not sure I'd go the the lengths you have. Very cool Mini. I'm anxious to see the car in person now. :)
froggy47
03-29-2006, 10:54 AM
Thanks guys, it's been a long but enjoyable nine years(!). If someone would have told me it would've taken that long I'd either have not believed them or given up. That said, the journey has been very enjoyable and I've learned a tremendous amount, and now it's time to drive the thing as intended.
About where the engine is, yes, all Mini's are FWD but when I set out to do this project I made a laundry list of everything I wanted in a car, and item#1 was "mid-engine." It may well be the only car I ever build so I wanted "the works." OTOH I didn't want a real, true race car, one only driven a dozen times a year; it had to be street legal. So it's really a combination of street rod, cruiser, autocrosser, timetrial sort of thing.
I used to be heavily involved in the San Diego autocross, driving a Datsun 1200 (I sometimes wonder if the new owner ever drives it at the auto-x.) This was way back when Steve Coe worked at Performance World... now Dave Turner Motorsports. But that was 20 years ago so I need a lot of practice to be able to exploit the car's potential. As it is I'm pretty sure with my lack of practice and the unrealistic expectations of people it won't be near the fast run that's expected.
Great write up/web site.
I look forward to seeing you run it.
:)
This Sat/Sun ?
Rain tires?
jason
03-29-2006, 11:07 AM
This Sat/Sun ?
Rain tires?
The forecast looks ok for this weekend. You seem to be pretty scared of the rain. :p
MX5bob
03-29-2006, 02:09 PM
The forecast looks ok for this weekend. You seem to be pretty scared of the rain. :p
Yeah, no mention of rain in the Accuweather forecast.
If there's a hint of rain I'll be scarce. The reasons, buried in the build diaries, are that the floorpan doesn't have drain holes, the fenders don't have inner fender liners, and water will get thrown all around the engine compartment fogging up the windows. Oh and I don't have wipers (though Rain-X fixes that.) And the tires have little tread, and so on. I don't want to drive it in the rain. After nine years of building I can wait for decent weather. I don't want to go off a road backwards because of rushing things.
froggy47
03-29-2006, 06:23 PM
The forecast looks ok for this weekend. You seem to be pretty scared of the rain. :p
Not me, I've got some old Victors on my heavy rims (front only) that our friend used when he ran a Vette. matched to 710's on the back with 100 plus runs on them also on the lead rims.
I'm going to try LFB (left foot braking) so bring the rain on, I'll be all crossed up no matter what.
:D
Saving the new 710's for Sunday, I feel a podium finish coming. I ran pretty decent at Fontana last Sunday.
:)
jason
03-29-2006, 06:36 PM
I'm going to try LFB (left foot braking)... I feel a podium finish coming.
Not sure those two things go together, but good luck! :)
I saw you barely missed 2nd place last SD event, and almost beat my time too. Nice job. Fresh tires = good. :cool:
froggy47
03-29-2006, 08:20 PM
Not sure those two things go together, but good luck! :)
I saw you barely missed 2nd place last SD event, and almost beat my time too. Nice job. Fresh tires = good. :cool:
The LFB is a Saturday experiment, Sunday reverts back to normal (unless I learn really quickly)
:)
aslaveofaudio
04-25-2006, 10:19 PM
hey everyone.
i just thought i'd tag on to the back of this "what is my class" thread, hope nobody minds.
i have an '05 VW GTI with AEM Cold Air Intake and Ansa Silverline Cat-back Exhaust. Looking at getting some Dunlop SP Sport 9000's for the next autox.
last time i ran in STX, my friend has a mini + JCW + sport springs and we run about the same on the street so i thought it be a good class, he kinda beat the crap out of me with the tuned suspension and falken azinas. so im considering going into a "less-moded" class.
what can u recommend?
thanks ahead of time.
--phil
If your exhaust is truely cat back, you can ditch the CAI and run stock. You'll still be under prepped and wayyyy under tire-ed without r-comps though. If you're just getting started, don't worry about class, you won't be competitive no matter where you are.
MX5bob
04-26-2006, 08:02 AM
Instead of the Dunlops, consider the Kumho MX or Falken Azenis or the Hankooks, not sure what model though.
Mazda_Gremlyn
04-27-2006, 09:18 AM
If your exhaust is truely cat back, you can ditch the CAI and run stock. You'll still be under prepped and wayyyy under tire-ed without r-comps though. If you're just getting started, don't worry about class, you won't be competitive no matter where you are.
Him and the mini not being competitive still beat me :( Stupid 3400lbs car.... I need shocks!!!!
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