-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USTCC RACE #2 AND GTS3 THUNDERHILL RACEWAY WILLOWS CA. 5-30/31-9 Vincent Parker driving the MiniMania/ BayBridge Motors #96 Mini Cooper S competed with NASA this weekend in the USTCC (United States Touring Car Championship) and GTS (German Touring Series). The Mini was running stronger than ever since getting an engine management error code fixed with the help of Mini Mania and Niello Mini. Luckily 2 weeks before the race while at the Mini Mania annual "Nevada City Adventure" the car was put on the dyno and showed poor results, down 20-30 whp. Scans showed a fault code and with the help of Hans Dinse, the service manager for Niello Mini in attendance at the event, he offered Niellos assistance by having the car diagnosed at Niello. They found a faulty fuse circuit and were able to repair it quickly. Off to the races. On Saturday the car felt very good, nice to have power again. NASA is trying to increase numbers in the GTS class and offered a $50 upgrade to add a class. This was to good a deal to pass up since it would give me an extra 2 runs per day. The Mini fit into group 3 for GTS which is based on a HP/WT ratio. For the USTCC I run at 11.5/1 and GTS allows 11/1 so the Mini should be competitive. Qualified 4th for the USTCC and 2nd for the GTS. Saturday races started with the USTCC which is a practice race. Race on Sununday for Money. Started 4th, muffed the standing start and missed 2nd gear, fell to 5th behind the RX8 of Michael Mccolligan. Stayed right behind the leaders for the first lap then passed the RX8 down the straight into turn 1. Pulled away from the RX8 and held onto 4th. GTS race on Saturday started at the back of the GTS group with an inverted starting order next to the pole sitting E46M3. Flying start, passed 3 GTS2 cars by turn 1 behind the M3, came out of turn 2 in 2nd place. Fought the whole race with the M3 who was faster on the straights but the Mini was faster in the corners. Finished 2nd. Sunday race for the USTCC. Qualified 5th. The Mini was about 3 seconds a lap faster than last month with the improved HP. Started 3rd on grid aafter a DQ for wieght and a blend line infraction by the competition. Standing start behind the pole, green flag waved and the pole car stalled, went right but was blocked by the BMW 328i of Andy Chitum and followed him into turn 1 in 3rd place with Andrie Hartando in the AcuraRSX in 1st. The faster cars that were penalised on the start quickly caught up and were able to overtake the Mini within several laps. The Mini finished 5th. Sunday GTS class Started on pole for all GTS cars. Our group was behind the faster American Iron Extreme group for the flying start. Walked off and left the GTS cars and slowly caught the AIX mustangs. Did a nice outside pass of the mustang in turn 2 a long sweeper. I saw the Mustangs behind racing each other so I let them by and criused the rest of the race. Unfortunately I was DQ'd for passing under a yellow flag. Never saw it but reviewed my video and there it was. Rookie Mistake. [ame="http://www.vimeo.com/5071759"]NASA GTS3 5-31-9 on Vimeo[/ame] Since I did'nt hurt anyone in my first 4 races I have officially recieved my competition license, off probation. Next up is Infineon Raceway in Sonoma CA for round 3on June 27/28. Thanks to the Sponsors Mini Mania Mini Cooper Parts and Accessories Online! BMW MINI Cooper and Classic Mini Coopers! Baybridge Motors Bay Bridge Motors - Mini Cooper & BMW Repair Pointsix Racing/ Valley Motorwerks Texas Speedwerks Texas Speedwerks Home Page and Niello Mini of Sacramento for thier help.
Congrats on losing the novice stripes...if they still do that. Thanks for sharing, its good to see what the MINI racers are up too...
Thanks Nathan and Mike. I'm working on the videos now. This is all new to me so the editing is slow, mostly because I've been stuck at work without a computer. The GTS class was fun, the Mini is very competitive. Still need to lose a few pounds, I'm about 250lbs over. vince
Very cool! Congrats!!! By chance, any idea what/where Bob and Jerry are? I thought they were going to run this season as well, but I haven't heard a peep out of either of them... Are you the lone Mini so far in the USTCC this season?
Jerry is parked in my backyard in his RV. He mowed my lawn today and made dinner. He also swept my pool:cornut:. He is selling his race car. It's also at my house and is a great deal. Ready to race, log book and annual inspection completed this weekend. Bob last I heard was going to do the Redline Time Attack stuff with his uber turbo powered mini. Rich Peterson is rumored to be coming out to race with me in the USTCC but so far is a no show. So yea I'm all alone rep'n the Mini's in USTCC.
Well done! You didn't mention any exhaust issues so I assume that means there weren't any issues with your fix (this one). How was the noise? Were you deafening everyone behind you?
Added a video to the first post. Its of the GTS3 race on sunday. At the end I pass a lapped car and did not see the yellow flag so I was DQ'd. Live and learn. I'll be uploading others as time permits.
Steve did you watch the video. The sound is kinda crappy, picking up noise from the rollbar I think, but you can hear the exhaust if you turn up the sound.
New video Finally finished editing the video for the USTCC race on 5-31-9. [ame=http://www.vimeo.com/5154716]USTCC #2 thunderhill 5-31-9 on Vimeo[/ame]
Video link to the FinalDriveTV of the USTCC race from Thunderhill. http://www.finaldrive.net/FD-9.wmv Some good Mini exposure.