Settle a dispute for me.
Turbo Mini Forums

Right, I know its biased asking on here, so i'm going to ask you to be perfectly honest in your answers!

Me and my mates are a bit competitve, we all have project cars mid build at the moment and intend showing each other who's boss when they are done (at track days, naked wrestling etc).

I know its down to driver skill, admitedly we're all not bad drivers really, but we'll see who has the minerals when the time comes. But, given a track, lets say castle combe, who do you reckon would be the victor out of the following chariots:

1x 180bhp, 130lb/ft N/A 1600cc 20v mk1 Toyota Mr2, roughly about 800kg with coilovers arbs etc etc

1x 160 bhp, N/A 1800cc mk1 Mazda mx5, coilovers arbs and chassis bracing, roughly 900kg w/ interior and hard top

1x 180bhp mini turbo, 4-pin diff , shocks and subframes, 2 seats a dash and a steering wheel, hopefully 600kg's


Now I reckon I have a fair chance destroying them in the mini, but they keep going on about me having traction/torque steer issues aswell as lag! (annoyingly reliability aswell!)

What do you guys think? Do they even have a chance? It's only for a laugh but I find myself NEEDING to beat them on track!

mate, suspension set-up!

that will be the win lose factor!

the MX-5 will be a good match for the twisties but then again its all down to set-up! i would say it would be a hard one to win!

your mini if the suspensions set up right!

and you have some balls

ive driven an mr2 with a spec close to that, and id reckon the mx-5 would prob beat it!
ive NOT driven the combe, or a mini with that power though! huummm close one me thinks.
i cant wait to hear the result.

ps. Balls is right!!
regards
Colin

Both the MR2 and MX5 are very good handling cars as standard, so you've certainly got your work cut out.

We shall see then!! I'll defo have a deeper think into suspension setup, plan was to go fully adjustable but retaining subbys/cones and uprated shocks.

I've been looking at Wil and Bens TT2 and there setup seems to work! :)

180hp from n/a mr2 mk1 seems quite a high power output imo. personally get some track experiance to hand and balls does help lol, i personally would say mini would probably win but it would be very close

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Colin, check the spec of the TT2 here:

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk/The%20Spec.html

I need to have a serious think about the setup im aiming for, havnt really researched it yet so I need to get stuck-in!!

Paul, he's got the standard 4age in there at the moment which is 130bhp, he's on his way buying a 20v 4age from the newer shape "levins" which are 170bhp standard with individual throttle bodies!! Its going to be a right beast :).

I like it that its going to be a close call, makes it very competitive!! (and all the sweeter when I annialate them!)

I reckon circuit knowledge followed by a lack of imagination/fear will be the decider.Remember Sabine Schmidt and J.... y C....n in Transit v Jaguar at the Ring ?.

double post

Edited by Ben H on 30th Jan, 2009.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

Personally I think that the MR2 will have it, but it will be close.

As has already been mentioned, with cars potentially so closely matched knowing the circuit will be vital. Why not do it properly and enter a sprint or hillclimb.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

We don't have 180 bhp (yet!) but with our set up you can throw the car around and we have no torque steer issues.

Having said that, the setup is for hillclimb slicks and would need altering for road tyres.

I would say you would definately have the speed on the straight, and be good in the slow corners. But the longer wheel base of the others will be an advantage in the faster corners.

even if you lose, you'll look the least gay though!

Fastest 998 mini in the world? 13.05 1/4 mile 106mph

I think Wil is spot on with the longer wheelbase bit, round Combe there are a couple of longer bends where stability at speed is the key, the Mini will be more suited to changing direction quickly through twisty stuff. If you went to Curborough you'll whip them, but at Combe I think it would be harder to drive the Mini quickly than the others TBH.

totally agree with the above, i have some excellent footage of me peddaling my mk1 crx round combe faster than some of the bigger stuff

also can you say that your mate in the mr2 has big balls? i have had 2 of these and they can be very unstable on the limit i always felt i could not attack a corner 100%

180bhp and no LSD, means you'll lose!

This is turning out quite interesting!! I think it'll be quite close.

Tbh I fear the MR2 is my main rival, I dont think id have a problem with my mate in his MX5 as I think once he's on track he'll transforim into a bit of a pussy (figures driving an MX5!).

But I do know my mate in his MR2 is pretty fearless and has some track experience, not combe though so I have an advantage there!

I definately see what you mean about the wheelbase playing an important part, I think i'll try and get some seat time round there beforehand to gain more of an advantage!!

I might try and see if I can urge them to finish their cars in time for miniworld action day and get them to come along for the later sessions, if some of you are up for joining me perhaps we could try some smokey and the bandit style formations so they cant pass!!

Ben - ive been wanting to try some hillclimbs/sprints or generally take my car to competitions when its done (will need all the prepping though!).

I know its a bit vague, but what circuit classes could I enter and be quite competitive in with some seat time? Against what cars?

I've always wanted a pop at mighty minis or the metro challenge, but wont be able to fund another car and would like to compete in my turbomini, what would be something to look in to?

as per v, id think an lsd would increase your chances

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

Whatever the outcome, whos gunna look cooler??

1/4 Mile 14.3secs 96Mph Terminal 10psi of boost.


Fibreglass Parts? - http://www.tdkracing.co.uk/
Split Rims? - http://www.force-racing.co.uk/

Hmm good point, I am worried about the torque steer but was hoping it'd be manageable!!

Can torque steer not be lessened with a certain geometry setup?

I'd like and LSD later down the line.

Mike, its a good point! But the MR2 is gonna look pretty badass:

are there not pics of you in your old leguna sideways at quarry :)

also another thing get somone with track experiance to go out with you. the first time i went around combe i had wolfie in the mini with me, it helped so much and got to say he managed to just about put up with me for 20 mins lol :).
there are quite a few trackdays at combe, if your popping along to one give me a shout ill take the 106 up again :)

Edited by Paul R on 30th Jan, 2009.

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis

Haha, I suppose he'll be looking in the mirror and pouting too much in his MX5, missing all the braking points and apex's!

I've been round combe once before and gave my car an absolute ragging only being passed by the mighty minis and an R1 engined saloon, not saying im quick or anything but I was pretty on it!!

Only span out once too, not bad going, lift off oversteer into bobbies!

I think Old Paddcok Bend will be the issue after coming out of the esses.

i never found old paddock that bad, i have always had back end issues with quarry and somtimes with tower, old padock in a n/a car was pritty easy both in the 106 and mini i didnt seem to understeer that much but i take a wideish line around there so i could keep abit more power on

Drives
-Ford S-max Mk2 Ecoboost
-Rover 100 VVC #2 - track project

Searching is all you need on TurboMinis