Classic Mini as Track Day Car

[BigRuss]

After missing a track day because I didn't book until the last minute due to of the possibility of rain, and me not wanting to get the westfield wet, I have managed to convince the missus that we need a cheap second track car with a roof.

We are thinking about a mini, anyone got any thoughts or advice?

We currently have a westfield SEi which we tow on a Brian James minno trailer, so we want something:

Small enough to fit on the minno trailer.
Weighs at most 800kg, preferably less.
Cheap to run / insure / repair.
Not too bothered about speed, it'd be more about having fun on wet days.

Don't really know much about minis yet, how much am I likely to be looking at for a not rubbish one? Where is best to find out more?

Thanks

[Defcon5]

I appreciate you say you are not bothered about speed, but a sub - litre mini is going to be far too slow surely?

[Munter]

I believe you are looking for a Peugeot 106 GTi or Rallye.

[BigRuss]

Should have added, will it be too slow and hold everyone up making me really unpopular?

What about a cooper?

[Callyuk]

classic minis arent that cheap these days either and now that parts are getting harder to find as well might be worth looking at something different

[A.Wang]

Classic minis should be good fun on track, but it'd be such a shame if anything happens to it.

Also as stated, parts are getting hard to come by now.

Cheap & light 2nd track toy? Golf GTI Mk2 or Pug 205 GTI - should be a good laugh and when stripped, should come in at a sensible weight too.

How I envy your dilemma of picking a 2nd track day car!

[iguana]

Not normally a mini fan but this beasty looks a tad exciting

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1031360.htm

[t11ner]

I've got a Westfield and a 106GTi as trackday cars, perfect combo I reckon

[braddo]

Or sell the Westfield and just buy an Elise?

[casbar]

Got 2 x Minis, and a Caterham 7. All ok for the track. Parts are not hard to come by, there are loads of mini parts dealers and breakers. I've never had a problem getting a piece for either our 87 mini or the 97 Cooper.

Was on a track day yesterday and there were a couple of classic minis there, they were not hanging around, straight line speed wasn't great, but they caught up on the bends. All you have to do, is pick tracks that are twisty, and not go for fast ccts.

[Altrezia]

casbar said:

Got 2 x Minis, and a Caterham 7. All ok for the track. Parts are not hard to come by, there are loads of mini parts dealers and breakers. I've never had a problem getting a piece for either our 87 mini or the 97 Cooper.

Was on a track day yesterday and there were a couple of classic minis there, they were not hanging around, straight line speed wasn't great, but they caught up on the bends. All you have to do, is pick tracks that are twisty, and not go for fast ccts.

Agree with the above.

Also, there are so many tuning options for minis - you can have anything from 30bhp, to 250bhp on an A-series, and thats before you start messing around with engine swaps.

[mat205125]

Munter said:

I believe you are looking for a Peugeot 106 GTi or Rallye.

... or a Clio 172, or 205 GTi

Minis are great fun, however a nice little french pocket rocket will be more reliable, cheaper to buy and run, and safer if you have an off.

Unless you are a "tinkerer" then I'd go for a newer option for equal thrills, and better performance ... A "normal" mini would be lost on a larger circuit like Silverstone.

Another option is a waterproof jacket, and a tonneau cover for the Westy .... RWD is fun in the wet