The shadowy third guy at TSW

Mike · 05-05-2009, 04:58 PM

Folks over at NAM may have wondered why Scott and Jeff refer often to a guy named Dr. Mike who supposedly designs many of the TSW items, and yet that person rarely shows up on NAM to help people, or to talk about TSW stuff. So who is this DrMike character, anyway?

First of all, my apologies for not rocking out at NAM more often, but honestly I shy away from the place due to the shamelessness of some of the people who post regularly there.

I speak not for TSW but just as a regular guy. The flamebaiting and trolling are so bad sometimes that it all looks like an elementary school playground to me, with all the bullies, sissies, brats, losers, and whiners one would expect at the playground. It really takes the fun out of the experience for me sometimes.

NAM is still a great place to visit. To be clear, the relationship between TSW and NAM is, and has been, a very good thing.

Having said all that, I am VERY excited about the launch of MA, and I do plan to be here a LOT. Hopefully I can shed more light on why I make the engineering choices that I do, and how the designs I create can help us to enjoy our MINIs that much more. Also, I would like to be here to give technical support to our customers.

That's that. But who the heck am I?

I am a mechanical engineer, working at a small aerospace company in the Mojave desert, California. I spend most of my time designing, building, and testing rocket propulsion systems, as well as other systems and components for rocket-powered vehicles, including launch vehicles. When I'm not doing that, I'm at home dreaming up new parts for MINIs and other cars. I grew up in my dad's car shop/speed shop, so racing and performance cars are just in my blood.

For the record, I am not a real doctor. The nickname "Dr. Mike" stuck when I was working on a PhD in engineering (which I still have not finished!)

Anyway, I'm SOOOOOO glad to be here, and I'm looking forward to the future of Motoring Alliance.

Deviant · 05-05-2009, 05:02 PM

Welcome and good to see you come out from under the rocket in the desert to introduce yourself. So if anyone asks if there's a doctor in the house we shouldn't look at you, got it.

beaner · 05-05-2009, 06:52 PM

dr. mike: glad to see you here. i know it is not rocket science, but shouldn't you post something in the "brakes" thread as the brake abuser of all time? if you cannot break it, it works for everyone.
greg

Bimmer Lite · 05-05-2009, 06:56 PM

drmike:

First of all, I love TSW and all you guys stand for. I've spent much time on the phone with Jeff about modding my suspension and the best directions to go. I've never actually gone in any of said directions, but that's my problem because I'm cheap and paying for grad. school...

It was so refreshing a few years ago to call you guys up trying to buy a fancy suspension only to be told, "learn to drive first." I just think that's cool, so you have my business as far as I'm concerned. I rock my TSW shirt all over the place, just so you know.

Secondly, I saw some photo album a long time ago (no idea how I found it) about how you (I think it was you) came to figure out that the MINI could benefit from a big valve head. It was so over my head (pun intended, I suppose) and impressively done that I thought to myself, "I trust what this guy does to his car..." If that wasn't you, then, well, I feel stupid.

So please help us trackaholics take the right paths to safe/fun/quick track cars.

- Marc

Mike · 05-05-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaner

shouldn't you post something in the "brakes" thread as the brake abuser of all time? if you cannot break it, it works for everyone.
greg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Lite

drmike:

Secondly, I saw some photo album a long time ago (no idea how I found it) about how you (I think it was you) came to figure out that the MINI could benefit from a big valve head. It was so over my head (pun intended, I suppose) and impressively done that I thought to myself, "I trust what this guy does to his car..." If that wasn't you, then, well, I feel stupid.

- Marc

Nathan: Multi-quote ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!! I love it.

Greg: I'm sure there are many contenders for "brake abuser of the year" but, yeah, I'm guilty of killing the brakes on every car I've owned so far. You are right, I should do a tech piece on brakes.

Marc: Don't feel stupid, your memory serves you well. Here's the page you remembered: MeV Engineering and Performance

Also here's a page on porting the head: MeV Engineering and Performance

I wish I had that head on my car!