The Independent American Magazine for all Mini Owners
Issue link: http://mc2.epubxp.com/i/33538
mini heritage section “The more I know about Minis, the more I know I don’t know about Minis.” With a race theme to this issue, I’ve put together some answers to classic Mini race-related questions, even though the race theme is more in Mini Cindy’s backyard. My few years of serious autocrossing, and not quite so serious racecar crewing doesn’t give me her credentials, but I’ll do my best, and she can correct my mistakes in a future issue! Getting Started in Classic Racing I want to see what my Mini and I are capable of. I’ve been thinking of getting involved in sports car racing but I don’t want to jump right in at that level. Where do I start? Al Grebnik Milwaukee, WI Spec’ing A Race Mini I’ve been spec’ing out a race Mini on paper and would like your advice on which of the many engine options to use. I’ve heard that the 60’s Cooper S would be the place to start. Paul Henry New Orleans, LA I watched a couple of sports car races last year and saw a few Minis like mine running. I think I’m hooked and I want to get involved. How do I go about it? Roberto Sanchez Miami, FL by Chuck Heleker Who Builds Fast Engines? Where can I go to get a fast Mini engine built? I’d like someplace that can give me lots of advice, has “been there, done that,” and can supply me with other parts I might need. Bill Wilson, San Francisco, CA A Track and Street Classic? Can I track my Mini and still keep it street drivable? Giles Smith Los Angeles, CA 42 MC2 Magazine www.mc2magazine.com f eatuy take on ths topit an e on th r n M ou both w ot ve di of th Dennis, did just that. si er s y good as a s l em begi d be di i cu son an Sol e couot Grand P n A good pl y ti of th P o II compei arking L tr, th i s ty con C y th me, agai es an r d at s ues h e are SC l s SC n t by l e cou A Sol th tr, al abou gh th thou o II r gh th p th g u . ow l av t. Stare Sol ou n on ooki ecti aci er o II s C y ou s on ted. Y ou ar tar r aci n tact y ou mos ou r l ocal r h e i d s g an ing with race sanctioning officials and drivers/owners of any race Minis. T competi sr n th ow ue cou p at s e th ny tr. D va.com) an , af ti on ar con n rgh h i vn el iced th ter ch ies sovren.org). Check out their websites for rules and regulations. If ace s atch t lkel wo popular sanctioning bodies for vintage Miniol ome r an i y w o s cti ed v ome In on d th e Spor e Soci fr , or hp as a cr e y t i , an excel eckiou w at y en n ig gr i n tage r ter n ety of Vncar Vn ts ew member f l t w Shine type of guy! av unny you should ask! I was discussing this very topic recently with Mini Mania ou deci F e oth er tw o bei ’s Don R i n g h s s on an d h i gh g ou t to par g i ay of bei n t th an e s an ci cti di n or a M e r g y n ou ’r ou aci ear aces maki n n p an g an chn are different rules and regulations for racing based on where y d th n at w et sg a poi d th l ig f n itage R n itage R aci g En aci n ti pate, bu on n v v il get er e or vn t of tal g As ui s oci th noled iat w ii team. Th t ar eal l s to v y mor itage - k ig bodi e h uteer to e es sas , y ou ar i estan l e of a Sh th il ei ow aner fel th n e s u t to j til l mp u d ati wts (w. w on (w. w w driving abilities in a hurry and in a safer venue. It is one car at a ti ace to s on . No matter w meti s i tar t i nt th er the cl an rock, on a coupeedse mos ou g s pe of ev rix, will teach you the li . o n au h en tocr os s cal at i s t, s s re mar e become th wer l n e oth A ( s C ocal gr w w.s , gy l t i mkann y ed i r mes r ered to as a ou a, s r par al ked ou l om or t mits of your car and ef t common acr cca.com) br t w ps s i th tr afi fc os s catter s ed ow e n s th fi l nn ig on page 20) p w l fcu eet or tr d i c i d y ack car tr ou d s ai at to bu d u on took t at h ’d en . D e…an id a car si . i t can be don Mnsii, w day r Th e thou . Thg “col l r expen fn id; an bl acecar n sv As f ie beie mor gi or en egon an th e s es av e s ou e al h th w ou ar rl e w a 1275cc A+ en Y l ue i es a s g par n n n s en l em of f gi idi e tr pen t v e h t cer om a M ad s tai , l d s d bu av ow d h mos n l ack. (t a l cl eh on ev l i g ago s , i Spec r n e s ie, i u z er al i es on th aci me we tr ot of ti g! H atch ome l l adv or san u n ocal clb r mal gi u ts f e f aci ee C obable get l based on any of the Mini engines. A friend in Pg amoni rn er ock on wid thhch to bas n th d pr ey ar ector car en e moder ooper S enot make thy n n gi es th n e a reor n , A+ en n , y gi n ace enou cou y gi gi gges cal den n ted th ti , 848cc-basr r at w e. d bu e get a f l e w n nu ome good r n as ah id a r l ig oucldi n n to be bas r ack ( aci g a Mo. Th i ead of h i tage, bu gi n t y es ch en g th ou . Sti n ii or M i at w’d al ck w ou s l n etr v d gi ed r s ti i n ew peoplns an ou g l ear vew mi u . i ace M g th g ou me.) W , bei e tow trcks e togeth i ii e rosrr ace en gh e mi reles s v gi o be fth th e on n i e w n ) ortland, Ord h d r tig a bi n e gi es t l acecar - t , bu n t e on e of th aci t be aer e A+ 1275. g th e othob- e pr at w e top of the av e l er l on ;” th es yey ar g i aiabl t f h n te toothar v e i i ; th s or a moder n th e 60s n e e h tudi ou a s ey ar der to r er d th th a car th er sat w de utabl e to doas h i e oth ons s i , companies that sell parts as well as build engines still leaves th Nar r H i ee good opti i r ow M w (w an .7en w C ig th n ertage G .mi . w a ( t.com) w ar n w u hck H i i Minis for years and he now shares the track with a three Mini team, th acine. Don has been racing s dau ter (ee ou s since then, he’s mostly driven Minis. He is happy to answer cl e f i d dow on w el age (man el as r Be s r s th .h i w a.com) w er i sc M nu ue to i n cl ii techde y eker got h i at comtagegar ke at Sev , or M n to th e to mi age.com) n e U S W es d. T i i is ou t C al ncal qu ame, cir n s frt M ti es ii s on n s at: s d s ty an ome 40 y f taf @mc2magaz tate i ear n th s ago, an n d e emai ie.com. l . oas t, an , D d to k w on at Mies i th Gah n r en En ter am at ii prs keep ’em running