Took the Mini over to the local school and took it for it's very first test drive.
Looks pretty rough as it's not even in primer yet. :cool

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/first_ran.wmv

Wow, that thing is gonna be a beast.

For some reason it reminded me of this Huffaker Mini. Two completely different cars but I've always love the look of this mini.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/dhabes/lg_huf.jpg

Damn, how the hell did the cops not come and arrest you!?

I can't even take a kart out in a back lot without be swarmed by cops down here.

Looks like fun, now get some incar doing some highway runs ;)

We have no police in my town, or neighboring towns. Once in a while a statey will drive through, but usually no problem with that here. It's part of the benefit of living in the middle of no where, ..... and one of the reasons everyone has a gun:help. :D

Congrats! It looks like it will be fun!

Oh right, you live in THAT part of CT :)

In that case, definitely take it through some local twisty roads for a shake down!

Man, its pretty up there this time of year. I had almost forgotten what tree and hills look like :)

Love that distinctively lightweight bodywork!

Neil
96 M3
05 MCS

Man, its pretty up there this time of year. I had almost forgotten what tree and hills look like :)

;):D

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/fall1.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/fall2.jpg


http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/miniback4.jpg

Wow, that thing is gonna be a beast.

For some reason it reminded me of this Huffaker Mini. Two completely different cars but I've always love the look of this mini.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v493/dhabes/lg_huf.jpg

Kinda :)

http://ghmyc_1m.tripod.com/miniside1.jpg

Sweet!! Can't wait to see this thing at the track.

Very nice.. Can't wait to see what it looks like when it's all done..

The car is looking great!

Does the roof line match a stock Mini (A, B, & C pillars un-modified in length, angle, etc)? In this unpainted form, it looks as if the rear end of the roof is lowered somewhat compared to the windshield area, but it could easily be nothing more than an optical illusion in the photos of that incredible machine you've fabricated that will go away once the paint work is completed. Regardless, it is VERY impressive looking and should be a hoot to drive! :)

The car is looking great!

Does the roof line match a stock Mini (A, B, & C pillars un-modified in length, angle, etc)? In this unpainted form, it looks as if the rear end of the roof is lowered somewhat compared to the windshield area, but it could easily be nothing more than an optical illusion in the photos of that incredible machine you've fabricated that will go away once the paint work is completed. Regardless, it is VERY impressive looking and should be a hoot to drive! :)

I think it is an optical illusion because of how the ride height is changed from the stock mini.

I doubt it'll be as much of a hoot to drive as an antiquated e30 ;) lol

I do have to admit, that 4 banger sounds nasty! (in a good way)

I think it is an optical illusion because of how the ride height is changed from the stock mini.

I doubt it'll be as much of a hoot to drive as an antiquated e30 ;) lol

I do have to admit, that 4 banger sounds nasty! (in a good way)

I'm hoping you're right since it'll be in DM with me, but I'm right with you on the sound too!

We had an innocent looking Mini S Convertible that was absolutely WICKED and that thing weighed a LOT more than this well planned race car. With the power I'm hearing folks are getting from those engines now.....it should be a land-rocket on rails when its on a road course! Probably crush my old CM lap record at NHIS without breaking a sweat. ;)

Mike, no, pillars are factory and no mods there. It's by the rules..:)
Car does feel a lot more rocket like, but fact is that I have not even tuned it yet. Still running on the factory tuned ECU. Now that I know it works the ECU gets sent out to the other coast for a custom tune and higher rpm limit. As you can hear I get into the rev limiter quickly. Was not ready for that as she spools up a ton faster. It's really hardly a Mini anymore :D.
Not so sure you will have to worry though ... :stickoutt

Yea, as long as you can get the Diff tuned right, FWD can be pretty quick...use WC/BTCC/WTCC as examples. But, realize they are all under 300hp. You just can't have a road race with a lot of power and be quick with fwd. DM is a perfect fit though, although there are some very fast E36 and now E46 Dm's.

Mike, no, pillars are factory and no mods there. It's by the rules..:)
Car does feel a lot more rocket like, but fact is that I have not even tuned it yet. Still running on the factory tuned ECU. Now that I know it works the ECU gets sent out to the other coast for a custom tune and higher rpm limit. As you can hear I get into the rev limiter quickly. Was not ready for that as she spools up a ton faster. It's really hardly a Mini anymore :D.
Not so sure you will have to worry though ... :stickoutt

After looking at the video and photos again, I was thinking it was likely an optical illusion. Glad you did the right thing building to the rules, and I've seen a few cars in racing that have altered roof lines without making a fuss. Much of the "change" I was seeing was caused by the rear window area and that will certainly improve when the finish work is completed. Once again, I am VERY impressed with your car and meant absolutely no offense in asking the question about the roof line. The awesome work you've done has roused my curiosity having driven an overweight/underslicked version of same car with significant satisfaction.

The tuning should make a ton of difference (at least it did with our Mini). Forgive me if you've shared the info previously....whose tuning are you planning to utilize? Madness? Whose clutch (we had a significant amount of trouble with clutch in our heavy but powerful convertible)?

I truly expect your car to be a force to be reckoned with in DM once you get the setup dialed-in since it appears to have all the goodies necessary to "Get-R-Done!" ;)

Absolutly no offence taken Mike.
My tuning will be done through my sponsor, M7 (http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/adserver/www/delivery/ck.php?oaparams=2__bannerid=43__zoneid=0__cb=2bc26 67953__maxdest=http://www.m7tuning.com). They have a guy out there they use who is quite good I here. He will actually get into the ECU so it's not an injected type of tune. Being that I personally rewired the entire car I think that I may feel comfortable enough to go aftermarket down the road if need be.
I'm using a Quarter Master flywheel, clutch plate and presure. Flywheel is about 7.5# :). So far so good.
Personally I don't think I'll be able to keep up with a lot of DMs out there. :cool