One thing a lot of people don't realize is that actual track times are vastly different than the benchracing times you hear. I had a 2000 Mustang GT that was extensively modified. It never went better than 14.0 on the track, but the trap speed was 126. As fast as I was at the end of the track, I should have been running 12s, but I am TERRIBLE with a stick shift. My 100ft times were terrible.

I doubt you'll make it near low 12s unless you have a sick reaction time and great traction, even if you managed to get about 300hp to the tires.

At any rate, good luck. I'll post here when I'm going to Maple Grove, maybe you can meet me. My friend owns a chassis shop right up the road. He's gonna be doing the back half and the cage and I'll run it at test & tune when we're done.

Somebody better hit up AMG, RUF, BRABUS, the M department at BMW, SVT, SRT, and so on.

Shneemann thinks they are Pathetic.

traction is not an issue with the all wheel drive. i couldn't spin tire if wanted too. i just use the factory launch limiter to build boost at the line, then dump the clutch and am on my way.

the reason i am aiming for low 12's, is that i did a 13.8@100 last year at the strip, with my old 2005 evo, and i couldn't drive for shit at the time. the 2006 i picked up in january has a good deal more horsepower, and much better boost response due to mitsubishi's addition of a computer controlled adjustable intake cam. well, that and the extra goodies i have added to the car after picking it up a few months ago ;)

good drivers have gone 12.8 with a stock 2006 evo, so i am thinking it is within the realm of possibility for my to go 12.3 - 12.4 with a few practice runs.

i just gotta get a day when the the strip isn't closed due to rain, and i don't an autocross the same time the drags are open.

where is maple grove at?

god i love race season.

You laugh now! When that shneeman 502 comes out,the veyron will look like a lawnmower.
:winkwink:

You clearly have a major reading comprehension issue. AMG, RUF, etc. are starting with cars that already have more than 210 horsepower.

Not at all, I can find multiple examples from those After Market Companies that have modified cars from less than 210 horsepower.

You on the other hand, keep putting foot in mouth. It's a good look for you.

the mini isn't made to be fast in a straight line though. it is made for the corners.

i've seen mini's kick some serious fucking ass at the track and on the autocross course.

it may only have 210 horsepower in that particular trim, but with a low curb weight, and incredible suspension, take it to the twisties and it will dust muscle cars like they are sitting still.

really it's kind of an apples to oranges thing.

And yet most of the ones you listed don't do that, and in cases where they do, its fucking pathetic.

Let's see, which is cooler, the SVT Lightning or the SVT Ford Focus? What do you get out of an SVT Focus? 170 horsepower? For $17,995? That's not cool, its borderline retarded.

nice car..... :) :) :)

Jesus Christ, did someone come into a Mini thread bragging about dropping big blocks into 70s pony cars? :1orglaugh

Oh and for the record, the new Mini is a disgrace to the original :)

i had that one and i sold it (damn me!!)

yoyo man!

well you mean the John Cooper Works? or the Cooper GP?

If you're asking if they're built well, the answer is yes. But why would you want to go from a WRX to a Mini?? Wouldn't the logical move be a WRX to an STI?? Plus I've driven my friends, it drives nice, but it feels like you're sitting in something the size of a golf cart!

If you like zipping around corners without slowing down car is great.

i have SOLD the wrx years ago and now well i want a small car

I've owned a MiniS for a couple years. I use it mostly on the track. It handles better than any of my other cars. The brakes are amazing on it. I went with the 17" wheels.When the car is driven *normally* it gets near 30 mpg.

The best thing about having a mini is that if I ever mess it up on the track it's no big expense down the drain.
I've read a few opinions about comfort.. If I had to drive the MiniS across the country I would survive it. It's roomier inside than it looks like it should be.
It does have it's quirks. One of them is to open the door from the inside you have to pull the handle twice. A couple of the HK speakers were replaced because of rattles..but overall,good car. If there isn't anything better for tracking out next year,i'll probably get another one.

I used to race a Cooper S (the original) back in the late 60's. Particularly on tracks like Snetterton with lots of curves, it was fun blowing away Mach 1 Mustangs and BMW CSI's...

Mind you the time I went straight into an armco barrier at near full speed wasn't so much fun. I ended up eating the steering wheel :)

I would love to spend an afternoon with an original. It was that car that originally fueled my enthusiasm for racing. They looked like TOO much fun.
I've taken the Porsche's out on Road America a few times,and I didn't have anywhere near as much fun as I do with the Mini. I am going to take my Lambo up there this summer for a few laps just to see. But I won't push it hard. Smacking that car would not be my first choice.
Funny,I got the mini because I wasn't concerned at all about damage on it.So far this will be the 4th summer and there is not a single scratch on the car.