Another Mini GP

[The1Driver]

lol

The Brecon Beacons is literally in my back garden (okay not really.... Its 40 mins away) . I'm there at least once or twice a month.

[MDifficult]

mikeyb1987 said:

You guys need to move somewhere with better/more interesting roads on your doorstep

That's true! My view of the GP2 as a daily driver is warped by my commute along the 50mph average speed camera zone of the M4

[ECG1000]

Great thread. Enjoying reading that.
I'd be interested to hear more thoughts and details on your 'Ring trip? PM me if you prefer.

I made the move from a Caterham 360R into an Exige Sport 350. A move I am yet to regret

[The1Driver]

ECG1000 said:

Great thread. Enjoying reading that.
I'd be interested to hear more thoughts and details on your 'Ring trip? PM me if you prefer.

I made the move from a Caterham 360R into an Exige Sport 350. A move I am yet to regret

Thanks. I've been flowing you threads too (I'm a LotusForums member)!

Regarding the 'ring trip..... A friend of mine put me in touch with an acquaintance who was planning to head to Europe to collect his new 991.2 GT3. As part of the collection and tour of Europe. He had signed for a Nurburgring driving course with a company called ScuderiaS7 ( https://www.scuderia-s7.com/en/ ). So in short.... I done the same lol.


The Schedule -

Registration

Late Sunday afternoon all participants were req'd to show up at the Dorint Hotel for registration and receipt of our welcome pack - This included labels to place on our cars, a transponder and a few other pieces of information.

• Sunday's Schedule

1500 - 1900 - Check-in, delivering of personal docs with starting numbers etc
1700 - 1800 - Option talk / lecture for rookies
1830 - Official welcome
1715 - Introduction to the team and a talk on what to expect
2000 - Meal

DSC00569 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

DSC00561 by Daniel Air, on Flickr


Itinerary for the following days -

MVIMG_20180918_070219 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

The numbers - There were apparently around 80 participants (separate vehicles) in total. All participants were split up into two groups. There were 12 groups in total.

Some of the participants -

1 Mini GP
1 Honda NSX
8 Skoda Octavia RS - Skoda had some sort of presence there too. One of the drivers was simply amazing.
1 Lambo Huracan Performante
1 Merc GTS
2 Merc AMG GTR
n Porsche GT3/GT2RS/GT3RS - There were **** loads.
1 Audi R8 GT / 1 r8 v10 Plus
1 Ferrari 488 GTB
1 Ferrari F599
n Porsche GT4

DSC00592 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

The training

The track was divided into the following sections -
Brünnchen - Döttinger Höhe
Klostertal - Brünnchen
Exmühle - Klostertal
Adenauer Forst - Exmühle
Flugplatz - Adenauer Forst
Antoniusbuche - Flugplatz

In total we spent around 45 mins (or perhaps a little less). On each section of the track. Each driver would have the opportunity to be directly behind the instructor - This was how we would learn how to take the corners.

In a line (and at some considerable pace), we would all follow the instructor to the end of our section. Swap places and then drive backwards (yes.... backwards) to the start of our section. And the repeat.... Now the first couple of times it was fun. After while it really did become exhausting. Obviously everyone needs to have the opportunity to be behind the instructor at least twice. Needless to say this was all very intense - The heat didn't help either

Once complete, all groups would move onto their next section. And begin the process again.

Technical Support

MVIMG_20180918_105102 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

After a hard lap (day two included open sessions) I decided to come in to get some petrol. When I noticed a scraping sound. Part of the under-tray had come loose. And Manthey Racing (they were onsite to help anyone and everyone) offered to sort it our for me.

The final day was our opportunity to string all the sections together. By doing some full laps. This was just as intense as the previous day. But for more enjoyable. The final day also included an "examination". The truth was that this was a time attack competition . The aim was to complete two similar lap times... The smaller the difference between the two laps the better!

The 80 or so cars were now split into 3 groups. And I somehow came home with this -

DSC00637 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Completely unexpected as my first lap compromised by a hesitant 911 GT2.

All in all it was a great experience. Very well organised cant fault them..... It was worth every penny.

[mattf93]

The1Driver said:

Im sure there are plenty of other cars. Though I'd never want to use this on a daily basis.

lol why not?

I do drive mine daily luckily mainly short distances, think I need new teeth due to the state of the roads and on long journeys I think i need a catheter as it wants to make me go to the loo!
The only gripes i have with it bizarrely are cruise control, multi function buttons on steering wheel, heated front screen and a rear wiper (it does become a pain after a while).

Does anyone know if they can code out the fuel light that comes up and blocks the speedo when you get to circa 50 miles range?

The other issue is unless i somehow come into a lot of money what an earth do I replace it with? As a 'sidegrade/upgrade' the only things I can think of is golf gti/R or m135/m140i none of which will be as engaging I wouldn't have thought or have the monster brakes and lightness...

GP2 is truly a car that seems to be able to punch far above where it should...

[The1Driver]

I'd get bored of it lol. For me, too much of anything becomes boring.

[The1Driver]

Had the car serviced and checked over at Lohen a week or so back. Other than that no real updates.

I did have it up for sale for a while. Received a few offers in that time.... And chose not to accept. I fear I've become emotionally attached to the car.

I may start working abroad soon. So the car could end up going into storage for about a year or so. Trying to fit one last trackday in. Probably Goodwood.

[The1Driver]

Well.... My time with the Mini GP is almost up.

Buyer found. Which means the GP could be gone before the end of this week.

Its been fun.

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Mini JCW GP by Daniel Air, on Flickr

[chrismc1977]

What’s next?

Always considered the GP to be a very underrated hot hatch- a modern day DC2 Integra (such as mine) almost....

Certainly tricky to replace with something that will match in the fun stakes

[The1Driver]

I'd like an Exige next. That won't be happening anytime soon. As I'll be leaving the country soon to start a new job.

[chrismc1977]

K20 Exige!!!

[The1Driver]

Na. The Vee Sex!

[The1Driver]

Private plate is now off and up for sale

[The1Driver]

And.................... Sold!

It's been great fun owning this car. I really felt as though I made the most of this car. Never got the chance to fully enjoy my first ownership experience of this car. So made sure I went all out this time. Multiple roadtrips and trackdays... With the highlight being the trip to the "Motherland"!

MVIMG_20180916_170332 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

flitzfoto.de_2018-09-17-1018 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

racetracker_5309952_79686 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

DSC01615 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

DSC01617 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

DSC01553 by Daniel Air, on Flickr

Going to have a cry now. Bye!

[MDifficult]

I feel for you man - sad days but an Exige will cheer you up

Did you sell privately? If so, any chance the new owner will continue the thread?

[The1Driver]

Yeah sold privately.

Apparently this is the new owner's 3rd GP iirc. And is a member of the GP Owners group of Facebook.