H-stock dominator: the MINI

zx3isme · Jun 10, 2002

I finally have some good competition now in H-Stock in the form of the new MINI. This thing tears it up. It ended up beating me by 1 second in my fully stock zx3 (with firestone firehawks). But the driver is really experienced and happened to design the course for that day. I expect to see many more of these things autocrossing in the future. Have yet to see the Cooper S autocross

OmniFocus · Jun 11, 2002

Yep!

I got my ass kicked at the Atwater ProSolo by a mini...

Word is that they may get moved to G stock next year, but who knows! They sure are fast!

[ 06-11-2002: Message edited by: OmniFocus ]

S. on Da 5 · Jun 11, 2002

I think its in the right class. I hope they don't move it. Ford just need to make the Focus better and some driving experience will help too.

[ 06-10-2002: Message edited by: S. on Da 5 ]

Thameth · Jun 11, 2002

I doubt they will move a stock mini to G-stock. It does kick ass in H-Stock though.

Now the Cooper S is a whole other story. I don't know where they would put it now but i would be scared to run against it in G-stock with my SVT.

corey_dyck · Jun 11, 2002

The Minis do seem to be dominating HS in all the results I've seen.

But, as a course designer I can tell you that planning and laying out a course does not give you an advantage over other people, other than not getting lost on-course. It's very rare that the elements you design actually work exactly the way you planned them. I'd say it may even go so far as to be a disadvantage.

If I make a course on the same day as the race, I have to forget completely about what I was trying to do and do a course walk like I'd never seen the course before. If I don't do that, I'm significantly slower.

Giraffe_hauler · Jun 11, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by S. on Da 5:
I think its in the right class. I hope they don't move it.<hr></blockquote>

I agree. The Mini is rated at lower horsepower and has higher curb weight than a Focus. With the Mini in contention in H-Stock, all the more reason to get rid of that stock rubber and upgrade the tires/shocks.

s2d2 · Jun 11, 2002

considering the very low number of Mini dealers in the country, i would attribute much of the domination of the Mini in HS to the drivers. anyone who auto-Xes a Mini probably has tons of seat time and bought the car because they need a car that will equal their driving skills.

i plan on getting better, so if i do encounter a Mini i can beat it.

OmniFocus · Jun 11, 2002

Pulling a Naz...

The Focus has one clear advantage over the Mini that we must learn to use: Horsepower.

The Mini weighed in at 2450 lbs, and my Focus with under 1/8 tank of gas was around 2500 lbs.. We've got tons of low end torque compared to the Mini. With Konis, the need for an LSD is reduced somewhat, allowing us to get more power down out of the corners.

I think that a well driven Focus on a horsepower or transistion/technical course can do well against the Mini.

Where the Mini excels the most is a g-force type course... The Mini has more rubber on the ground, and seems the follow the sweepers like it is on rails!

Many people including myself have been using ProSolos to determine where the Mini should lie... which really isn't a good idea. We need to give it time to play out, and see how it works out on all types of courses.

I know that I'm going to have fun at Nationals against the Minis no matter where I end up.

zx3isme · Jun 12, 2002

I hope they arn't re-classed. The car fits well in H-stock. They arnt' completely untouchable but definitely have a slight edge.

I still think the course designer had the advantage over myself. Mainly because he might have set up turns that he is very familiar with and has gone through the best line many more times in his head.

OmniFocus · Jun 12, 2002

The HS Mini can also be competitive in GS. At the same ProSolo, if placed in GS, the Mini would have placed 3rd and 4th out of 15, which would both be trophy positions. These cars aren't even dialed in yet... It was running less than optimal tire height, and shorter Hoosiers are already available. Konis will be available soon for the Mini as well, allowing them to be dialed in even further.

The car is kind of an in-between car. It will dominate HS, but may not dominate GS.

The Mini S has been placed in D stock, BTW, so you SVT guys are safe... for now.

ZXmurph · Jun 13, 2002

Yep, everyone in my region is flapping about the Mini. No one expected it to be THIS good, and everyone notes that it would do great is GS as well, especially with some development time.

bigdaddyG8 · Jun 17, 2002

Omni, I've seen you drive, and I think you'll give the Minis a run for their money even if they do have the edge.

BTW, I just got the Koni's for my ride, and you are the man I wanted to ask "Where are your settings front and rear on your Koni's?"

I'm not running HS (STS for me) nor am I anywhere near the driver you are, so don't be afraid to give anything away.

Thanks buddy,

bigdaddyzx3 (Hale)

derty's focus · Jun 17, 2002

cooper-s whooped my azz by 1.3 secs in h-stock my last time out with my last car. i havent run with the foci yet but soon come............

keith k · Jun 18, 2002

I was under the impression the regular Mini was in HS, but the Cooper S was in DS. Is that wrong?

Giraffe_hauler · Jun 18, 2002

<blockquote>quote:<hr>Originally posted by keith k:
I was under the impression the regular Mini was in HS, but the Cooper S was in DS. Is that wrong?<hr></blockquote>

No, I think you are right. If someone cleaned up in H-Sock with a Mini S he was mis-classified.

JC_focus_ZX3 · Jun 18, 2002

Derty said he hasn't run his Focus, so I wonder what he was in in DS?

derty's focus · Jun 18, 2002

nope im sorry guys he was in ds and i was in hs. i was driving.....get this......a daewoo lanos sport '01 106hp reworked intake (dual runner), cat back, sway bars, sticky toyo proxies on 17" and a few cheap tricks but i was shaming ALOT of cars with that thing and i wouldve kept it but the value dropped off the face of the earth (as if you didnt know that) one more long week til the next event my way got 1000 miles on the zx3 and im gonna clean up at the track (if i was spanking cars the way i was with the daewoo?!?!?!) the focus is a bit heavier but alot more low end tourque. and i am a driver soooooo....... i will post to let those who care know how my bone stock zx3 stomped hondas

OmniFocus · Jun 18, 2002

You were running those mods in stock?

derty's focus · Jun 20, 2002

yup in HS tech never questioned the stock airbox but underneith was completely reworked into a ram air with the dual runner always open. the sways wouldnt have bumped me

squid · Jun 23, 2002

re yup in HS tech never questioned the stock
airbox but underneith was completely
reworked into a ram air with the dual runner
always open. the sways wouldnt have
bumped me .

Generally tech is a safety inspection before
the driving to ensure the wheels don't fall
off, etc. Having aftermarket 16" wheels on
a 15" car won't get you kicked out of tech.

If you win a place to win a trophy, your competitors
may take closer look at your car, and point
out unlawful mods. If that happens, you will
be DSQ. On the other hand, you can always
enter your car in SM or STS of DSP or whatever
and enjoy your mods.

squid,
MINI driver visiting this thread.
whish there was a preview post
to see if I got the line length right.

H-stock dominator: the MINI

zx3isme

OmniFocus

S. on Da 5

Thameth

corey_dyck

Giraffe_hauler

s2d2

OmniFocus

zx3isme

OmniFocus

ZXmurph

bigdaddyG8

derty's focus

keith k

Giraffe_hauler

JC_focus_ZX3

derty's focus

OmniFocus

derty's focus

squid

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