Here is a video of the record setting lap at Sebring last Sunday. Ian Stewart of Maitland Imports in Orlando drove the MINI to a 2:32 time beating the old lap record by 3.6 seconds.:eek6: The next closet MINI was ran a best 2:50. Ian's time was good enough to beat the next two classes above his, which means the Z06's, M3's and EVO's all took a back seat to the MINI that day. A newly completed turbo Miata, both lighter and more powerful than the MINI, was favored for the lap record and ended up 1.8 seconds behind Ian in the MINI. What's most impressive about this is his MINI is that it is only moderately modified with an RMW Cam/Header/Methanol kit and remote tune. Suspension is a Vorshlag/AST coilover setup. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPrfoF6yjXI"]YouTube - Maitland Importers Inc. TTC Mini Cooper Sebring raceway[/ame] Suffice to say there were a lot of surprised and disapointed folks at Sebring last weekend. Ian is planning to head out to Miller Motorsports Park for the Championships later in the year. Check out Ian at his webpage; Mrsideways.com Ian Stewart Racing
Impressive and congrats. Of course it would help if you stated what class the lap record is for, otherwise it is a bit misleading. From Sebring web site: Vehicle Lap Time Audi R10 1:47.373 Audi R8 1:48.580 Aston Martin DBR9 1:56.599 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 2:04.547 Porsche 993 cup ?:?? Spec Racer Ford 2:35.100 Spec Miata 2:39.7 Honda S2000 2:37.26 Dodge Viper ?:?? Porsche 968 2:33.34 Porsche 944 2:40 Porsche Cup car 2:17 00 Team BDR widebody S2000 stock motor Kumho V710 2:28.8 07' Team BDR Zeus S2000 stock w/ coilovers + RA1's 2:33.2 99 Team BDR Miata stock motor R888's 2:39.3 02 Team BDR Z06 stock motor V710's 2:24.01 02 Team BDR Z06 383hp Hoosier A6 w/ rear wing 2:20.3 Never have been to this track I remember it well from some of my old racing games (which I now wish I never got rid off). It didn't look as narrow on the computer screen.
SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (LC) Class No. Name Vehicle Time Date TTR 15 Alex Gonzalez 03 West P Blu/Silv 2:13.92 6/18/06 TTU 2 Jared McGillicuddy 02 ZO6 Black 2:18.18 10/12/08 TTS 112 Jared McGillicuddy 02 ZO6 Black 2:20.40 6/23/08 TTA 131 Oliver Licul 00 Audi Super 4 2:28.89 6/24/08 TTB 132 Jim Platis 06 Evo Grey 2:27.59 10/12/08 TTC 117 Luis Jimenez 03 Nissan 350Z Silver 2:35.19 10/14/07 TTD 126 Mark McKay 04 Blue Stang GT 2:41.55 10/12/08 TTE 722 Mike Blanchard 99 Red Miata 2:39.14 10/12/08 TTF 171 James Dean 96 BMW 323 is 2:49.73 10/14/07 Not sure what class the MINI is in looks like list is maybe not updated. These are the NASA track records believe he was running with NASA.
From My Laps Pos No. Name Overall BestTm R1 R2 R3 R4 1 27X Derik Royal 2:25.919 2:25.919 2:28.066 -.--- -.--- 2 32X Jim Platis 2:28.850 2:29.378 -.--- -.--- 2:28.850 3 210 Ian Stewart 2:32.178 2:32.178 -.--- -.--- -.--- 4 53 X Manny Platis 2:33.044 2:33.170 2:33.044 -.--- -.--- 5 25x Santiago Pericas 2:33.737 2:37.029 2:33.737 -.--- 2:36.185 6 00 Victor Leo 2:33.834 2:33.834 -.--- 2:35.443 -.--- 7 119 Billy Stacy 2:34.802 -.--- -.--- 2:34.802 -.--- 8 14X Ernesto Bianchi 2:35.776 2:36.947 2:35.776 2:36.579 2:36.394 9 117X Luis Jimenez 2:36.629 2:36.629 3:15.659 -.--- -.--- 10 09 Chi Ho 2:37.598 2:37.598 -.--- 2:43.872 2:41.490 11 7X Fernando Carbone 2:37.602 2:40.039 2:38.467 -.--- 2:37.602 12 34x Alex Bolanos 2:38.593 2:40.205 2:38.593 -.--- 2:40.383 13 26 Mark McKay 2:39.009 2:39.498 2:39.009 2:46.901 2:47.812 14 176X Joshua Feingold 2:41.905 2:41.905 2:42.988 -.--- -.--- 15 63 Brian Healy 2:53.556 3:01.667 2:53.618 2:56.452 2:53.556
The class is at the top of the video, TTC. He also beat the TTB and TTS cars for the weekend. This was done in over 100F temps, the consensus around the paddock was that the track would be 3-4 seconds a lap faster in the cooler weather.
Ya know that record is for that class with that sanctioning body. Y'all are smart enough to figure that out. Why not celebrate the success? Instead you bring negativity and sour grapes... Good way to chase people off... I say Good Show Mate!! Congrats on your success and and thanks for sharing it with us.
I'm always amazed at how bumpy Sebring looks in all the in-car footage. I'm really not surprised that the MINI was able to lap it faster than a lighter, more powerful car. All the power in the world does nothing if you're bouncing into the air half the time. Good run!
even in the MINI, you are bouncing around A LOT. that lap is wicked fast. my street car could have beat the next MINI at 2:50. i'm no where near the time that ian posted. the car is obviously set up well, but ian can flat out drive. large balls and soft hands make one faster.
Jeez, sorry to get you all worked up Roach. I thought when it said TTC at the top of the video and I said he beat the two classes above his it was assumed he didn't set an all out lap record at Sebring. From what I've heard from other folks who frequent the track, that time in that track condition was quite an accomplishment. I don't know of many instances where a MINI outright wins it's class in open track competition so I thought folks might like to check it out.
Nice! The audio was horrible, but I just turned the volume down to 1 so I could hear the revs without all the popping. When I'm done studying, I'd like to track down more info on this car. Looks like it's even rocking the two-spoke R53 wheel, complete with cruise buttons, heh.
Sebring times in a Mini Great time Ian, my first time at Sebring was in April of 2006 with NAMCC Phil Wicks series. We raced with the NASA GTS group, I posted a 2:35 which was pole for the class and 5th overall. Finished 1st in class and 4th overall behind a Brumos Porshe TT 911, a Ferrari 355 Challenge car, a 997 Cup Car then me. Enjoyed racing there and would like to see what my times would be these days, the car is much improved since "06. Steve (DM #53)
Yeah 2:50 is easy to beat. I turned a 2:43 without a pulley, Yes without a pulley. I'd like to see what I can do with it now.
that's a great time, Ian ran 2:43 in a bone stock Ford Focus weighing 3023lbs so it's definitely doable My laps in the focus... MYLAPS The Focus did 141whp on high reading dyno. 96,000 miles on the untouched engine. Ian never used 5th gear on the back straights.:blush2: It hit 106 mph.:cornut: Ian's old civic with 135whp used to hit 118mph on the back straight. Ian's Mini does just over 135mph down the back straight. The Mini was run in 100deg heat too:devil:
Thanks for sharing Jeff H.:cornut: I'm always amazed that the cars we drive, without necessarily needing a full on race setup, do so well on the track. Truly great little cars.