LocostUSA.com

Hard to believe I just found this forum. My build is/was huge, so there's a whole website dedicated to it. www.kimini.com

It details design and construction of a carbon-fiber shell, tube-frame, Honda-powered mid-engine Mini.

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Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Ah yes the kimini, not a bad car, although I thought it was twice as big as it is until I saw the photos of you at the autocross....

Kurt, welcome.

Welcome! We'll try to use the words "spanner", "bonnet", and "bits" to make you feel like you're on the Brit Locost site. I saw your build there an am impressed with how much work you've done on it. Did you ever get the rear end shrouding fixed so you wouldn't end up with a gravel collection each time you drive?

Frankly I enjoy driving it so much it's really hard to mess with that. It's true what someone told me, that it's very important to truly finish a car project before driving it. It's a good thing I didn't start driving it earlier.

Anyway, to answer your question, nope, it still make a fine rock collector. The latest plan is to make fiberglass inner wells.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

KB58
WOW...I really got a kick at the videos and pouring over your website....

I have spent hours there.

Any progress on the book? I would like something to read and your build intrigues me. Not the Carbon fiber part as much as the Middy part.

Great site...hours of reading...I often get lost there. (looking forward to the book...)

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I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

I keep everyone updated via the diaries. The last one has recent comments:
http://www.kimini.com/Diaries/2006July-/

I expect it to be ready ("buyable") before the end of the year. There's an important chapter missing - taking to the car on a real road-racing track. That won't happen until this Fall, after this heat lets up! That's a problem since the tracks around here are all located in desert, or desert-like, areas.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Where are you planning to run it? Fontana's infield road course, Buttonwillow, Willow Springs? HPDE with TCC or NASA?

Next Time you roll it out I would love to see it in action......whether is is autocross or a real track event.
(If my time permits)

_________________
I'll keep an eye out for you!

To err is human...
I am more human than most.

I'll let everyone know. It comes down to the weather (which is finally cooling off) and when the trailer is done. The track event will be either Streets of Willow or Buttonwillow, either a open practice day or one of the HPDE events. I might also try out an autocross practice at California Speedway, though they've stressed we don't get to drive on the big course

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

What size rubber do you run for autocross. I'm also curious to know where they class you? EMod?

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He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.

what weight distrobution did you end up with? 50/50 45/50

185-60/13 at the front and 215-50/13 at the rear.Tires are BFG R1s... not made any longer.

As far as what class, I don't know, since I've only run practice events. An all-day autocross gives a total of about 150sec of on track time. This isn't enough to be learning the car, which is why I stick to the practice events.

Weight distribution is 40F/60R, perfect in my opinion.

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Um, I can't believe I'm the first to do so here, but, big congrats on the article in GRM!

Does nobody else read that thing?

Thanks! It's been noticed here and there. Since this is the build thread, I should add that I took the car to the track for the first time last Friday. It went very, very, well. Here's a video of the day: http://www.kimini.com/Video/streets%20of%20willow1.wmv

It ran a little warm, and the brakes got pretty hot, but a really great day. I couldn't have asked for better handling. As one passenger said, "what you need is another 60hp or so." I'm thinking about it!

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/

Kimini is officially for sale! Check out: http://www.kimini.com/Selling/index.html

_________________
Midlana book: Build this mid-engine Locost!, http://midlana.com/stuff/book/
Kimini book: Designing mid-engine cars using FWD drivetrains
Both available from https://www.lulu.com/