# mini cooper v. race

**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-cooper-v-race/70925
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive
**Created:** [July 22, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-cooper-v-race/70925 "2009-07-22T14:01:37Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![technoticmedia](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/technoticmedia/32/4990_2.png) [@technoticmedia](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/technoticmedia)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/mini-cooper-v-race/70925/1 "2009-07-22T14:01:37Z")

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So in preparation for the calabogie track day this past weekend, I did a couple upgrades on the coop :dance: First up was a set of Rota SVN wheels, 17x7.5 ET+45, black w/ red lip. They are ~18lbs each, so just about the same weight as the Team Dynamics wheels. The wheels are wrapped in Nitto NT01 DOT-R tires, 225/45R17, which are pretty big for a mini cooper. They rubbed on the inside in the front, so a 5mm spacer was needed.

Because I was experiencing some brake fade at Dunnville, at the last event that I was there, I decided to upgrade to Hawk DTC-70 race pads in the front only. Lastly, I had to fix the exhaust again lol because the midpipe bolts keep falling out.

Anyways onto some pics!

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8727.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8727.jpg)

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8726.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8726.jpg)

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8728.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8728.jpg)

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_9271.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_9271.jpg)

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_9273.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_9273.jpg)

![http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8866.jpg](http://www.rspeed.org/forums/gallery/data/526/medium/IMG_8866.jpg)

My first impression was that these tires REALLY stick. It was also my first track day on r-comps, as I only ever did autox’s with victoracers on my wrx. I also spent the entire first day at calabogie on the ds2500’s and then didn’t switch until the second day. OMG what a difference. At the first corner out, I braked almost 50 feet too early haha! Anyways, definitely a great upgrade for a the weekend track car 🙂 :rockon: