Think you can drive your mini? You're nothing compared to Giallofly - believe me!
Turbo Mini Forums

I witnessed a real giant killing feat today, and then experienced this race driver from the passenger seat of his frantic yellow turbo mini at Castle combe circuit.

Starting on the outlap, we did half a lap to get the heatsoak out of the engine whilst it had been wainting in the paddock. Then, the hammer was eased to the floor, and we increased speed to levels i've never experienced in a mini in those conditions... Oh yes, it was wet. Sorry, I mean WET!
Non-stop rain all day - heavy at times - did not seem to phase Jon at all. A Dutton Phaeton with a pretty powerful kent was taken with ease, shortly followed by a 250hp 911. The 911 driver was not 'pretending' by the way, he was giving his passenger as much of a thrill as possible, but had seen Jon's speed round the circuit earlier, so not wanting a dual, simply indicated and let us past, before trying to keep up - failing i might add. the next two laps, no cars were seen, allowing me to watch, and attempt to learn how this guy can work a mini on A032R's so well, despite the rain and huge areas of standing water.
One thing did stand out in particular for me, the case for fitting an LSD for a track car is now thrown out of court- attempting this kind of track action without one would be akin to climbing everest in roller skates! That said, I'm sure 'Flan the Man' - as the flash on his helmet proudly announces - would have hassled the same Ferrari Maranello we caught up to on the fourth lap without the aid of an LSD.
As it was of course, the Ferrari was finally reeled in and taken in a confident manouvere along Dean straight, before scrubbing off speed with the much under-rated S-discs, then firing round Camp Corner with stunned spectators not quite believing what they'd just witnessed. Of course any car on the track is only as good as the driver, but Jon was clearly at one with his steed, and revelled in embarrasing some arguably finer - at least on paper - machines.
If you are ever able to get a ride with Jon, sieze the opportunity is my advice. Alternativly, get this master to take your car round the track, and study how he gets the best out of every corner and line, then try and replicate the same technique and watch your lap-times improve.

Jon, Super-Mighty-Minis has a trophy waiting for you... Enough said!

Edited by turbodave16v on 24th Oct, 2004.

you now what it is , i don`t think i`ve ever been out with flan the man .


As usual very impressive stuff from jon.

Everyone knows that instructions only have to be read if the thing doesn't work....

Hell, nice one Jon

And wet isn't the word.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

I can back dave up on every word there, Jon took both my Mrs, and myself out yesterday, outstanding as always

Team Racing

To be honest the Ferrari Marinello driver was a bit lame as he proved when he stuffed it into a tyre wall damaging the front all of one side and the rear..i felt sorry for him!

I did spin off once with Jimster on board, on good old quarry. For some daft reason i lifted off mid apex and WAYHAY the back stepped out beyond retrive.

I must admit the car did handle very well dispite the wet conditions proving those yokos 032R boots realy can do the bussiness, ofcourse not forgetting shocks,rose joints,bushes,ride height etc etc...

The Mini did have the edge on most cars around the bends(bends the rules and rules the bends). In paricular the real race 911's would edge away on the straights but i would gain half of that back under breaking and cornering, as with those tuned Datsun 240Z's.

All of "Our Buddies" that came along took a ride,Nick,Tom,Ellie,Natalie,Dave,James,2 Bar Terry,Jim,My Daughter Heather and many paying passengers. I hope they all enjoyed the experience as Much as Dave did.

All this track action was done at between 12 and 15 pounds of boost, any more and the wheel spin was too much given the conditions.

Thanks to all those that came along and supported the event and help run the car throughout the day, refueling,demisting,spark plug cleaning,seatbelting up passengers etc..cheers guys and gals!!

Jon...

no problem jon, anytime

Team Racing

good advert for next time. i think ill come for a go next charity day(had to work all wekend this time)

did giallofly not break anything today?

no longer a series, but still 1.3 turbo.

Sounds like dave enjoyed himself!!

Jon, did you get any nice comments from the people in ferrari's, 911's etc? Also is your car a road runner or pure track day car?

Cheers

Cheers, Stevo

The guy in the 630hp RS6 was highly complimentary of Jon...
oh, yes, that was some car - but not as quick as JF!

To be honest i spoke to only 2 other drivers, the rainy weather was not the kind of type you would like to spend time out in chatting. I did speak to 2 other drivers though. One was in a Pug 205GTI, i thought it it had something realy special in it but it was a £150 car he bought...A 1.6!!!!!....But he races in a saloon car championship and was there last year in a very tidy 1.6 205GTI in race trim that was unfortunatly stuffed beyond repair 2 weeks back. His car was quick but was great to follow as he took great lines and defended the corners in true race driver style.

The other bloke i chatted to was in a works type replica Cooper S thingy, it was quick but not that quick!!..He was up his own a*?e

did ya mother tell you, never go out in play in the rain. nice day a bit like m8 in glasgow

I have never listened to my Mother and i will not start at 35 years!!!!

got to agree here jon is one of the bestist mini pilots around

did look for you lot at combe but as the weather was poo i did not hang round long

Sorry we missed you Niel...

The car looks great. Inspiring stuff.......

Bugger off, I'm getting there.

Any videos available?

yep and i think i might be squeeling like a little girl in it