Multimedia Library

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Both the Mini engines spark into life for the first time together.  First one started is the front followed by the rear then the front is switch off leaving only the rear.  I was surprised that the rear wasn't as loud as expected due to such a short exhaust system but it will probably be much louder when under load.

The Mini's first public appearance (Mini Showdown 2006) at Shakespeare County Raceway had very large traction problems not having the assistance of a front LSD of some type causing massive wheelspin when launching in 2nd gear at any decent rpm.  In the end I decided to try and let the engines bog down at the launch hopefully eliminating the wheelspin so the power was put down properly.  This made the 60ft time no quicker than a high rpm launch but it gave both engines the chance to power away albeit out of the torque band initially but still helped it along to a respectable first event effort of 12.695sec 1/4 mile @ 115.39mph.  Came 4th Place in Class 'J' and 6th place overall which i'm very happy about for the cars first time out.

At TOTB 2006 there were a few problems getting gears correctly and as usual not having much grip on the 1/4 mile so only a 13.07 1/4 mile then ran out of time.  This is a video of the Mini on it's only run on the little sprint circuit as there was no time for further runs which was a little disappointing as it was good fun and I think that the speed would have improved over a few more runs.  Still managed to win Class D overall on the sprint circuit but only as none of the other Class D cars actually had a go :o)

For a bit of fun I attended the Curborough Sprint Circuit with the 200+ Club on the 19th April 2007.  There wasn't any timing setup but this clip shows the traction control in action, it's most noticeable as entering the short main straight from the hairpin with the front scrabbling for grip and the traction control bringing it back into line with the rear.

Always have a go at the 0-60 at Trax although i'm never certain of the accuracy of the timing gear :)  Here at the 2007 event I did 4.4sec 0-60 here which isn't my best as had given the traction control at the front too much allowance as can be seen from the front tyre smoking away but good fun none the less.

At a test and tune day at Shakespeare County Raceway I ran a 12.8second 1/4 mile which was similar to the previous events but recorded from outside the car so I thought i'd add it to the multimedia library.

Some very strange handling issues during a RWYB day at Shakespeare Raceway, had snapped the front right engine mount into 2 pieces and also located a very bent top arm on the front passenger side.  Now made a very strong mount to replace the rubber one with a bolt all the way through so shouldn't break again.  Made for an entertaining start to the run however as a side point the car really hooked up off the line with the new Quaife ATB diff installed even in 1st gear. 

Quartermile2.wmv 1010kb