depends which canyon you run. if you goto GMR, the roads are so windy people cant gain enough speed to drift safely. everyone there drives grip (except the newbies who usually crash). i heard Angeles Crest and come canyon roads in OC/Temecula are more drift compliant.

 

In my opinion, if you have to ask for suspension upgrade advice on a forum you're not ready to go fast on some twisty canyon road.

 

well i knoe i cant run with a stock suspension... and i need a good setup before i can even begin to learn....

 

Don't need a Mini to be fast, may take a bit more work to make a tC handle really well compared to a "mini" ("mini" referring to a BMW Maxi, compared to a real Mini;) but it can be done, ours is not completed yet and is already a very quick and stable car in the mountains.

Stock, just a cool looking car that is a bit to high off the ground. Get some serious handling parts installed, good tires and low weight wheels, it changes dramatically. My buddy has one that is nearly stock and compared to mine it is like driving a luxoboat compared to real race car, huge difference!!!!!!

Rick

 

ahahaah

touge runners ahhaaha

all i say is be safe

its not a race

the fight is between you and the mountain. DONT GET HOT HEADED. take it easy. i know plenty of people who flipped or drove over the edge or over and down the mountain (yes i said drove as in steering and stufF)


GMR and azusa = INFAMOUS

 

As I stated before, you must learn to really drive first then learn to "touge" or you will crash, maybe permanently out of commision after that.

You have zero time to think then react to a stituation, you must do it on autopilot which can only be learned by experience. That kind of experience is far to costly on public roads. Take it to a track, learn to control being out of control, then if you wish, play in the mountains.

Sincerly,
Rick

 

Touge driving looks fun, but I need a good set of coilovers first which I hope to get soon.

 

STAY OUT OF THE CANYONS.

The tC is not a touge worthy vehicle.

And to Raam... no the tC will not even be competative with a MINI in a touge environment.

I already know this. End of discussion.

Except this.

STAY OUT OF THE CANYONS with your Initial D Dreams

 

Mightysure of yourself there buddy;)

I autocross, dable in drag racing, will be running this car on road courses on track days, rarely race on the streets and if I do it is in a very very safe situation and for a very short time, a few moments is all it takes, like go through a couple of gears on the freeway then back it down to legal speeds right away, either own or lost, done deal.

I have made hundreds of canyon and mountain runs in my time, been modding and having fun doing this with imports for 37 years now. Still alive, must be doing something right, maybe that is by not racing others in dangerous situations or going someplace and trying to show off to everyone how cool I am. I go alone for the fun of the drive, not bragging rights or to hang with a bunch of wannabe "racers" most of which have to little common since or the skill required to do this properly, as in safely for them and others on the road.

I was going to ask, is your name refering to Mini Coopers, BMW Maxi "Coopers" or Mini Cars as we used be known as back in my 10 years of 510 Datsun days???

Just Curious

Rick

I am not saying I am some gifted driver, I know my limits and stay within them almost always. On the rare occasion I error my learned reactions take over and I seem to be able to get out of some very close calls, so far but no garrantees that will always be the case.

 

I have to disagree. Driving the touge is not about pushing your car to the limit. You don't have to be racing or going all out. The mountain pass should be enjoyed by everyone, in whatever vehicle they own. There is no reason people shouldn't enjoy the mountain pass, whether they own a xA, xB or tC. Every running vehicle is worthy of the touge. All that is required is a passion for driving. Being competitive is a different story.

Have fun and be safe out there.

 

Back in my youth, when another part of my anatomy made to many of my decisions, I schooled a few in "superior" cars compared to what I drove at the time. The last three all crashed trying to keep up so I quite, never did it again.

I also let a former SCCA FF national champ run my car on a really fast autocross track one day, he spanked me bad!!!! Then I knew my place, not a bad driver at all but there are better ones. It was a good lesson to learn as it has probably done more to save my life than anything else possibly could, I learned I have limits;)

 

you= http://media.putfile.com/hov2

 

Interesting video. Pretty terrifying if you've ever really seen something bad happen in person. It brought back some really bad memories.

 

Yep, sad day for him, seen far to many myself. I did not see much of a sign of trying to save it either, maybe he needed some lessons at a race school before playing road warrior;)

Rick

 

No joke. The sad part is, he thought he was going too fast, but I bet if he'd've applied throttle and drove through he'd've been fine. It's really rare to completely overcook a turn, and it's even harder to convince yourself the best thing to do is apply throttle, transfer weight to the rear, and complete the turn. Fear keeps telling you need to slow down with the brakes, when it's the worst thing you can do. Ahh, the things you learn on a track under controlled conditions...

 

I grew up driving sideways on dirt, gravel, in the snow and sometimes dry pavement. When I am really going at it in the mountains I try to have a mindset like I would on very slippery roads, using the brakes and throttle delicately to maintain as much balance as possible at all times. Of course I am tromping on them at times during this but that is for certain sections where appropriate.

Overall, just to many unknowns around that next corner to go anywhere near as fast as you safely can on a track.

Once I have a car really well setup it never is as satsifiying on public roads as it could be, just far to fast to take it to the edge at such high velocities, something goes wrong when at 10/10ths, your butt can be in alot of trouble real fast.

I actually enjoy a lessor vehicle that has far lower limits, can push it really hard but the speeds are such that you have time to fix major issues as they come up, at least for me, maybe I am getting old, not as quick reflexively as I used to be, lol!

Rick

 

Auto-X 1st! Learn your car. Mod, then learn your mods. Orange cones are more forgiving than cliffs. I have personally seen 3 cars go off a cayon road mostly from being over driven.

Read Colemans article in this Oct. Sport Compact Car, 7rules of Mt Akara. Talks about the basics of togue driving.

 

I was thinking the exact same thing. Pay close attention to rules 2 and 3.

 

I agree completely and that is how I usually drive in the mountains but I do use the whole road ocasionally though.

Rick

 

Ouch! Atleast that guy came out of it okay... I know some that haven't been so lucky..
For sure experience is essential when racing (specially from a race school). By going to a race school however it isn't the solution to all problems. Even the most experienced drivers crash and isn't limited to only noob drivers. One lesson can be learned from that video: BRAKE before you turn.