Race Cars and Motorsports

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Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: Moderator
Date: November 10, 2011 03:10PM

Today's addition to BritishRacecar.com is a Mini... and I don't need to remind you that the Mini certainly rates among the top half dozen models to ever compete in international rally racing. (You might enjoy comparing the Mini to the Escort RS1600 I wrote about last week.) Minis are also fantastic road racers. And they're especially fun to watch. Great cars!

This particular example stands out for its exceptional standard of presentation. It's looks like a show car, but it goes like stink!

Here's the link:
Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S Racecar

Please do me a big favor and share this link with anyone and everyone you think might enjoy it!


http://www.britishracecar.com/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS-A.jpg http://www.britishracecar.com/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS-B.jpg

http://www.britishracecar.com/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS-C.jpg http://www.britishracecar.com/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS/RachelNelson-Austin-CooperS-D.jpg


djw090
David Witham
Warwick UK
(115 posts)

Registered:
06/12/2008 11:20AM

Main British Car:
MGB 1974 and MG ZT 160 turbo 2005

Re: Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: djw090
Date: November 11, 2011 08:19AM

That is a great car. Seeing that it otherwise so original looking it is a shame she has found it best to switch to rubber cone. I have driven a number of hydrolastic/hydrogas cars over the years and always been impressed with the system for road cars.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: Moderator
Date: November 11, 2011 10:39PM

I don't have any opinion or information on which suspension works better or even what the weight difference is. As I understand it though, there may be only one Mini racecar still racing in North America with hydrolastic suspension. The one I know of is Bruce McCalister's car. Like Rachel's, his car has been raced since new. The difference is that it hasn't been restored. Lots of gorgeous patina! I photographed it on Halloween weekend at a Rocky Mountain Vintage Racers event and I don't even know if I've downloaded the photos yet, but sooner or later I'll publish an article about it.
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Flygirl
Rachel Nelson
Haldimand County Ontario
(8 posts)

Registered:
11/19/2011 07:48AM

Main British Car:


authors avatar
Re: Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: Flygirl
Date: November 19, 2011 08:12AM

Thanks for the great write up Curtis!

David, the hydro is awesome for a street car but not so practical for a race car. The main thing is that these old hydro bags are prone to failure, and it is a big job to change this at the track. Plus the handling is far superior using dry! I have retained all the components and can change the car back anytime, but I doubt I ever would do so.

Cheers,

Rachel


HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(489 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: November 19, 2011 10:28AM

What a great looking Mini. Hard to believe a car so sanitary sees track time.


Flygirl
Rachel Nelson
Haldimand County Ontario
(8 posts)

Registered:
11/19/2011 07:48AM

Main British Car:


authors avatar
Re: Mighty Mini! (Rachel Nelson's 1965 Austin Cooper S)
Posted by: Flygirl
Date: November 19, 2011 05:50PM

Rick,
Thanks for the Kudos...lots of time with the cleaning cloth for sure! Here is a photo of #68 in current trim at Watkins Glen (Oct 2011), with Andy at the wheel. VERY wet!

Thanks to Stephen Minnig for the great photo.

Cheers,
Rachel
_DSC4838-1533151051-O1a.jpg


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