Test Drive a Mini - Battle of Britain GTA Downsview Park

[careener]

It's back...

http://www.mini.ca/battle/

"The Battle of Britain

Not sure which MINI will win you over? Then step up for your restricted access, closed course drive of both the powerful MINI Cooper S with RALLYE Package or the stylish MINI Cooper with SOHO Package. Do your part today and enlist now! Last year's event was booked up in less than 72 hours"

Enjoy..

[spdztr]

Sweeet!! Been waiting for this one!

edit: signed up for Thursday @ 12... any other RFD'ers going?

I guess this is different from the Mini test drive last year.. did anyone go to this one?

[Fragle]

Nice, registered!!

I went to the one last year, since I didn't register I just got a ride with one of the instructors there. Amazing how well those little cars handle :-0

[Pete00]

Thanks registered!

[Gundam]

I went there the last 2 years. they have some mini gifts and food for free.

[AztecSpec]

Thanks, I signed up. I went to the very first one of these - maybe 4 years ago? Maybe only 3, I can't remember. Anyway it will be fun to go again.

[McLaren]

Awesome! and registered

[xopt1js]

Thanks, and registered for Thursday at 1pm!!! :)

[teknoluv]

A quick question for those who have been there in the past: are they all manual or do they have the upgraded automatic model as well?

[warpdrive]

How's the "test track" for this event? Is it just a loop with a snaking path through cones? Is it possible to get out of second gear?

[AztecSpec]

A quick question for those who have been there in the past: are they all manual or do they have the upgraded automatic model as well?

I'm pretty sure that they had some automatics when I was there. I only drove the manual cars so I'm not positive though.

[beppy]

manual rulez!

damn i cant register, it leads me to a 404 page.

[Gundam]

A quick question for those who have been there in the past: are they all manual or do they have the upgraded automatic model as well?

they have 8 cars last year. some auto and manual for all model including the cooper S. the track is really small, you can finish 1 lap in like 20 seconds. they even tell you to stay at 2nd or 1st for the manual. the fun part is when they let you test out their ABS at the end by stepping hard on the brake.

[maniacshopper]

thanks registered

[wrcfocus]

Thanks, registered for Sunday at 12.

[MP3_SKY]

There is the same event in Montreal from today to Sunday.

I registered for Saturday afternoon, hehe
Guess we will beat up the mini before it goes to GTA. haha :lol:

*I posted this in freebies as well

[careener]

There is the same event in Montreal from today to Sunday.

I registered for Saturday afternoon, hehe
Guess we will beat up the mini before it goes to GTA. haha :lol:

*I posted this in freebies as well
haha..actually all of the Minis last time were from local dealers...
Don't buy a "demo" unit for a few months ;-)

[bcheng123]

thank you, registed for friday 11:00am :D

[shawn99]

what are the gear ranges for a 6 speed? I have only driven a 4 speed, old car.

[RBK]

Nice, signed up friday for 10am. Anyone else have this time booked in?

[MP3_SKY]

from those who drove today in MTL...you wont able to shift 3rd...track is not long enough...only 1-2

only S got 6spd i think

[xenyz]

thanks, registered! got four other people from work going as well.

funny thing too, the company we work for used to operate a warehouse where downsview park is now. time to revisit the site :)

[jeeva86]

WOW, I never knew events like this existed!!! But crap I haven't got my G yet, been too lazy and don't wanna pay $75 to use a car, so gonna wait til my dad buys a new car :cheesygri . I'm guessing they don't take G2 drivers eh? Website says G or equiv. The cars are 6spd too??? Dam, are there any other companies that do this? There is no cost to this right?

[MP3_SKY]

No cost. Free + free a bottle of water NAYA

I just came back from this event in MTL.

There is a 20-30 min info session, then you get your car and go...
track is so short....max u go is about 40km (so 1-2 gear).

There is a stop sign where they want you to slam the brake and feel the ABS.

Mini SOHO is lack of power.
S is way better. :D
Automatic is boring and repsone time is very slow.

Great event.

*By the way, there is 2 mini which were Ontatio plated. :D

[jeeva86]

Do other car companies do this annually too?

[MP3_SKY]

Do other car companies do this annually too?

I wish...., even they do, it's not to public....I heard Subaru invited the recent Subaru owners to test drive the WRX when it came out few years ago...

but not to everyone, random selected

[jeeva86]

wow

[warpdrive]

I wish...., even they do, it's not to public....I heard Subaru invited the recent Subaru owners to test drive the WRX when it came out few years ago...
When the WRX came out, there was an event open to the general public, however, like this one, signup was limited so you had to know about it in a timely matter so you could get onto the list.

Other car companies hold similar events occasionally too. There was one for the CTS-V (the one with the Corvette engine) last year, and the previous year there was a great one with the Chrylser cars, and you also got to ride in the new Viper with a professional driver who weren't afraid of burning rubber (doughnuts galore)

[cruisn76]

Mini SOHO is lack of power.
S is way better. :D
Automatic is boring and repsone time is very slow.

Great event.

*By the way, there is 2 mini which were Ontatio plated. :D

Was there a choice at all for a manual or auto? It would really sux if your doing 40km/h on auto.

[ES_Revenge]

Mini SOHO is lack of power.
S is way better. :D
Automatic is boring and repsone time is very slow.

Great event.
So is only one car at the event an auto or are there auto and manual versions of both cars? They both come with manual transmissions standard, automatic w/Steptronic is optional on both...

Do you get to pick which you drive (SOHO v. S Rallye)? Or do you drive both, or is it just random?

And why is it called a SOHO? Doesn't that stand for Small Office/Home Office? LOL. SOHO does seem a little underpowered at 115hp, the 168hp of the S seems a lot more appealing :)

[charliebrown]

Do other car companies do this annually too?

not annually; i tested the new 3 series when it was launched in 2005; same location; by invitation (i signed up for updates about new products)

although u will get spammed in ur email by signing up, you could get some nice bonuses (also attended the lexus IS launch party (no test drive, just openbar + snacks at a downtown club)

[royal]

i was bron in 89 but i got g2.. is it okay if i put 88.. cause thats the only option??

plz lnmk dont wantto let my spot go.

[MP3_SKY]

So is only one car at the event an auto or are there auto and manual versions of both cars? They both come with manual transmissions standard, automatic w/Steptronic is optional on both...

Do you get to pick which you drive (SOHO v. S Rallye)? Or do you drive both, or is it just random?

And why is it called a SOHO? Doesn't that stand for Small Office/Home Office? LOL. SOHO does seem a little underpowered at 115hp, the 168hp of the S seems a lot more appealing :)


They got all models with manual/auto. (SOHO, S, Convertible)
You can drive the manual soho on the first lap then back to S 6spd, then back on a soho automatic...just switch aslong as the car is available after ppl finished the lap.

[Alvito]

i was bron in 89 but i got g2.. is it okay if i put 88.. cause thats the only option??

plz lnmk dont wantto let my spot go.

are u 19? do you have a G?

NO AND NO YOU CANT GO!

[teknoluv]

i was bron in 89 but i got g2.. is it okay if i put 88.. cause thats the only option??
You mean your driver's licence does not show your birthday?

[jeeva86]

G2 Holders can't get in right?

[MP3_SKY]

Not sure about Ontario, but here we need to have a full license, not a learner one...

[spdztr]

Anyone else going today?

[Leonie]

I will be there today at 12!!

[teknoluv]

For those who are going, please take some pictures and share them here. Thanks.

[spdztr]

I will be there today at 12!!

Same here. I hope they give away the Mini hats like they did last year.

[MP3_SKY]

No hat from the event occured in MTL.


2$ to buy a coupon to have a hcnace to win a mini..and free NAYA bottle of water. that's it.

[Leonie]

just back from there.. got a Mini hat..

sign.. need to line up for Mini!!! they should put more manual instead of auto... drove a SOHO auto and a Cooper S Rallye..

the Rallye was fun to drive!! althought they only allow you to go in 2nd gear, there is no need to go the 3rd... i wish the track is longer... it was a fun ride..

[spdztr]

When did you get the hat? After the survey? I had to get back to work so I didn't have to time to get the hat...
Ah well, going back on Sunday for another round... :-D

[Leonie]

after you hand in the survey after the rides.. you get the bag with hat inside..

[spdztr]

Bah.. I was looking around to see if they had the bags, but couldn't see them, so I thought it wasn't worth it to fill out the survey. Oh well...

It was definitely fun, and I noticed a big difference in the way the S handled vs. the Soho..
It was funny to see that nobody wanted to drive the automatics.. I took an Auto S out as my 3rd car, and found the response time a bit slow.

[xenyz]

I went today at 4pm with some other guys from work. Overall it was fun, but the track was too short, and not enough track time to try all three cars.

I went ripping around it pretty good though, got it up to 60-70+ around the straight and the first corner. Squealed the tires around every turn. Basically drove it like a racing car. :)

Still, in the end I was disappointed with the Rally edition and the Minis in general. I don't think I'd like to drive one daily; too underpowered for me.

I think it would be a lot more fun to have a longer track (hell, they've got the space at Downsview!) and less automatics.

Thanks for the heads up on this one, RFD!

[Spray]

Went today at 12...was the white dude wearing the orange hat

Cars were okay, I'm seriously kinda let down...they were pretty nimble, but I was positive they'd handle better than my saab, which they didn't.

Granted my saab has about $1500 in the suspension alone..ahhh :( I was seriously considering one too.

[shawn99]

Went for 2pm, I found that they was a delay in the timming. This was because people came for the 1pm came late so they get pushed to the 2pm. Which sucks, because you get a overcrowd for 2pm, and less chance for people to go many rounds and trying different cars. Most of us only went 2 rounds. Last time around, I got to go 5 rounds. There was a couple that were really interested in buying the rally edition, but wouldn't let em drive it, WTF? Regardless, it was a exhilrating experience. Handles very well, it is like driving a GO KART!

[bowwer]

Thanks a lot to the OP -

Went today at 5:00 PM and had a blast. Got a bag with a free hat at the end. I drove an automatic, and the plus side to their unpopularity was that I didn't need to get very far out of my car before getting back in. I had no waiting time, only driving. No one wanted auto so I went around and around in the same car.

[KevC]

Went today at 12...was the white dude wearing the orange hat

Cars were okay, I'm seriously kinda let down...they were pretty nimble, but I was positive they'd handle better than my saab, which they didn't.

Granted my saab has about $1500 in the suspension alone..ahhh :( I was seriously considering one too.

Did you drive the Type-S?

[agent86]

Went 9:00 am this morning. It was fun. Over half of the people didn't drive stick. So basically no waiting time. The longest I waited as about 3 minutes. I got to do 4 rounds. Drove both the manual Soho and the manual Rally. Got the hat. Too bad no Z103 booth, so no t-shirt. Looking forward to next year.

Thanks OP.

[bob0]

Went 9:00 am this morning. It was fun. Over half of the people didn't drive stick. So basically no waiting time. The longest I waited as about 3 minutes. I got to do 4 rounds. Drove both the manual Soho and the manual Rally. Got the hat. Too bad no Z103 booth, so no t-shirt. Looking forward to next year.

Thanks OP.


i was there at 9am too! was the guy in the white hat

yea, surprised that no a lot of ppl drove stick.... i only got out 3 rounds tho. the soho and the rally.

rally was amazing! had a great time...thanks op!!

[maniacshopper]

I went today at 4pm with some other guys from work. Overall it was fun, but the track was too short, and not enough track time to try all three cars.

I went ripping around it pretty good though, got it up to 60-70+ around the straight and the first corner. Squealed the tires around every turn. Basically drove it like a racing car. :)

Still, in the end I was disappointed with the Rally edition and the Minis in general. I don't think I'd like to drive one daily; too underpowered for me.

I think it would be a lot more fun to have a longer track (hell, they've got the space at Downsview!) and less automatics.

Thanks for the heads up on this one, RFD!


In slow corners, they give the feeling it is fast. I agree track is too short.
If the track was bigger and longer, then the car would show its true gear ratio. They were bragging about its power flexibility in 2nd gear.

Hope they have a bigger track next year.

It's a nice car, but a little too $$$ for the Cooper S.

[ES_Revenge]

I went on the Friday, it was alright. Had a good time at least, for the few laps you get to do (I only drove twice, once in the Convertible S and once in a SOHO). Thanks OP! :)

Pushed the SOHO way harder though, lol, because I drove the S first and was careful my first time out. With the SOHO the tyres were howling the whole time and I even understeered it a tiny bit at the end (I don't think the SOHO has stability control--it has "ASC+T" but that's just traction control, the S has DSC which is true stability control...)

Car wasn't bad. My first time in a Mini at all, and it was definitely quite different.

As for it being pricey, it's true; but, at the same time, you do get a lot of stuff you don't get on other small cars. For example, even on the SOHO the following are all standard: side curtain airbags and side airbags, traction control, cornering brake distribution (in addition to ABS w/EBD), HID lamps, run-flat tyres, rain sensing wipers with heated washer, etc. Now granted some of those are available on other compact cars, but some are not even available, nevermind being standard equipment...

[Gundam]

i was there at 9am too! was the guy in the white hat

yea, surprised that no a lot of ppl drove stick.... i only got out 3 rounds tho. the soho and the rally.

rally was amazing! had a great time...thanks op!!

i got 3 rounds even at 12 on Sunday. drove the rallye stick, soho stick and soho auto. 2 ppl got kicked out since they tailgate the car in front of them and used the handbrake on turn.

[TenzoR]

I was there on Sunday 10AM. Only took 1 lap on the SOHO automatic, it was very peppy. It's a nice car for the weekend, but not very practical

[D-3vil]

Pushed the SOHO way harder though, lol, because I drove the S first and was careful my first time out. With the SOHO the tyres were howling the whole time and I even understeered it a tiny bit at the end (I don't think the SOHO has stability control--it has "ASC+T" but that's just traction control, the S has DSC which is true stability control...)
I know what you mean about the SOHO's handling being inferior to the S's. I actually ended up off the track in the SOHO (no damage done). At high(er) speeds, the car had noticeable understeer.

[warpdrive]

I know what you mean about the SOHO's handling being inferior to the S's. I actually ended up off the track in the SOHO (no damage done). At high(er) speeds, the car had noticeable understeer.

The VSC has a lot to do with the Cooper S's better perceived handling. The VSC actually modulates the throttle and brakes to keep the understeer in check. The Soho did pretty good for the type of track, and the fact that it is FWD. Most other FWD ars would not be able to stay on the track either.

Having said that.....the Cooper S was quite a bit tighter in its handling, the stiffer suspension was noticeable in transitions.

[D-3vil]

The VSC has a lot to do with the Cooper S's better perceived handling. The VSC actually modulates the throttle and brakes to keep the understeer in check. The Soho did pretty good for the type of track, and the fact that it is FWD. Most other FWD ars would not be able to stay on the track either.

Having said that.....the Cooper S was quite a bit tighter in its handling, the stiffer suspension was noticeable in transitions.
Now picture a Cooper S with RWD :drool:

having to sit the last lap out, I ended up talking to one of the Mini representatives there. He actually said that the FWD made the Mini handle better, completely wrong.

I was also disappointed by the presenter's choice of words when he talked about the straight-line acceleration part of the test-drive: "It will enable you to see how fast the car brakes due to the ABS system" (or something similar). That is also wrong (technically, in the very least), and a BMW driving instructor should know it.

[careener]

Wow..glad to read that so many RFDers went out to this event..mini should send me some $$ for promoting it :D

If I find out about another event again early I'll definitely post it back in this forum first.

[TenzoR]

Now picture a Cooper S with RWD :drool:

having to sit the last lap out, I ended up talking to one of the Mini representatives there. He actually said that the FWD made the Mini handle better, completely wrong.

I was also disappointed by the presenter's choice of words when he talked about the straight-line acceleration part of the test-drive: "It will enable you to see how fast the car brakes due to the ABS system" (or something similar). That is also wrong (technically, in the very least), and a BMW driving instructor should know it.

The presenter was a BMW driving instructor (atleast during the day I went), unless I misheard

[D-3vil]

The presenter was a BMW driving instructor (atleast during the day I went), unless I misheard
that was my point

[v33k]

Handling is pretty good.
Engine is from Chrysler Neon.

[tharsan]

Went on Sunday at 9 am with some buddies. The coordinators told us to stay in second gear, because of too many people griding gears and burning clutches earlier.

I thought the Cooper S drove pretty well, though. An overall good time, although a little too early in the morning for me ;-)