Most liked posts in thread: MINI Cooper Sets Lap Record at Sebring

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

 

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.

 

Completely missed that. I guess I was concentrating more on the video. Once again, good show.

 

Then why not say it that way in the first place? It's a screamin fast lap and great driving.

 

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.

 

Great video and yes a ballsy drive!

What class allows this "racing" w/o a cage?

 

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.