minis

RazorRacer · 12-14-2005, 10:02 AM

From the Southwest region: Our current knowledge base of minis seemingly to have the propensity to rollover and for doors to pop open.

These occurrences may have been simply random events but there are certainly a number of them which have occurred at TWS (turn 7). I would be interested in hearing about specific examples of rollovers of minis anywhere with the pertinent details of each case. If there is a trend, the manufacturer would be interested in this information and your information could save lives in the future. Thanks for your time.

Jims5543 · 12-14-2005, 10:28 AM

Rollovers? in what situation?

I autocrossed mine a lot and NEVER felt like it was going over. I also tracked it once and again VERY stable.

RazorRacer · 12-14-2005, 10:34 AM

Higher speeds > 100 mph

Jims5543 · 12-14-2005, 11:11 AM

Tracked it too pushing a C-5 around Moroso West Palm Beach. Some turns were at the top of 3rd gear which put me at about 110. I know down the back I was into 4th gear 120-130. Not sure what kind of turns your talking about.

What track is TWS?

thrown_hammer · 12-14-2005, 11:44 AM

Almost everyone in our PCA chapter has a Mini. If you couldn’t find a PCA dinner just look for all the Mini’s. They started bringing them to our track events and I have never seen one exhibit roll over tendencies. Of course I dropped out of our PCA chapter because I didn’t own a Mini, so we never had anything in common to talk about…….

RazorRacer · 12-14-2005, 12:03 PM

http://www.texasworldspeedway.com/

tc-sacto · 12-14-2005, 12:23 PM

I saw a nasty flip by the Nuzzo motorsports MINI at Phoenix International Raceway grand-am race this year. Got pushed off the track into the dirt. Ran over the burm on the way back on the track. With the short wheel base fliped the as soon as it had come back on track.

Pretty wild ride.

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by tc-sacto
I saw a nasty flip by the Nuzzo motorsports MINI at Phoenix International Raceway grand-am race this year. Got pushed off the track into the dirt. Ran over the burm on the way back on the track. With the short wheel base fliped the as soon as it had come back on track.

Pretty wild ride.

The Mini looks smaller than it is:
Mini wheelbase: 97.1"
996 wheelbase: 92.6"

-Chris

Neilk · 12-14-2005, 01:27 PM

You mean like the one at the F1 pre-race at Spa-Francorchamps this year? Tried, but couldn't find the video. Actually, in that wreck, the Mini rolled about 6 times, but that was AFTER hitting a guard rail.

VINMAN · 12-14-2005, 01:29 PM

Damn! I thought you where talking about these kind of minis!

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Yeah, like I've never seen an Evo roll at the track...

RazorRacer · 12-14-2005, 02:43 PM

I guess it's also about the drivers door coming open.

Jims5543 · 12-14-2005, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RazorRacer
I guess it's also about the drivers door coming open.

Like, it would just swing open for no reason or, it would swing open as the car rolled? Never heard of tha tone either.

RazorRacer · 12-14-2005, 04:42 PM

"swing open as the car rolled." Also, there is some indication that the car handles fine until it crosses the line of controlled driving, but then after it crosses the line, the car is unpredictable, if that's the right word.

Some people say it's because of the after market equipment (brakes, shocks, sway bars, etc.) that causes the handling problem. However, the drivers side door should not open.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

VINMAN,
I'm pretty sure they're talking about these- that end up looking like this....kinda scary as my wife has one!

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

I have a Cooper S. It's a really fun car, but I have no interest in taking it to the Track. It does not inspire the confidence and low center of gravity feeling of the 911. That's not to say it wouldn't make an excellent track car in the right hands...but the FWD steering is not for me. YMMV

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

car is predictable until it crosses the line of unpredictability? sounds like every car made. carerra gt is supposed to be like that.

I don't get the point of this thread. don't track your mini because they're dangerous?

Porsche Bob · 12-15-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

I'm pretty sure they're talking about these- that end up looking like this....kinda scary as my wife has one!

You want one of these, right? Pretty scary, huh? Probably should think again.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Bob,
LOL! Thanks for the concern- I plan to enrol in DE events so I can get the most from my car. I think the reason for most wrecks is driver inexperience. A look at wreckedexotics.com is evidence of how much that can hurt!

Cheers,

Paul.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

Which Mini are we talking about?

Mini: The original Mini can be tipped. I've seen a couple on two wheels at auto-cross events. Since the design pre-dates 1964, I suspect the doors can pop open.

MINI: I've never seen the new MINI exhibit any tendency to tip on the track, or the street. (At least not more than any other car.) They also meet strict safety standards that should eliminate doors popping open in an accident.

Personally, I think the MINI would make a good track car. ;