My buddy has a Mini Cooper S 6sp and he said that he has beaten RX-8's on the highway. I said I might race him at the dragstrip but I am scared. eek! What are my chances? We are both stock and I have a base 6 speed.

 

If you are a good driver you should do fine. Stock for stock on a dragstrip you should pull slightly. Both cars are crazy in corners though.

 

if he wins at the strip it will only be because of you, not the car

 

Clutch drop from 9000 rpm. That'll keep 'im off your tail.

 

You should be fine, I drove a mini s before, it's quick but not faster on the straight compared to the rx8. Unless it's twin charged, now thats a little different.

 

That was bad advice

 

Ok, so I should be able to take him on the strip. What about if we go to a road course? There is a course right next to the drag strip where we might race too. From what I have heard the Cooper S handles like a go-kart. How does it compare to the RX-8? I would say we both have the same driving ability.

 

the RX-8 is the faster car, but it may come down to who is the better driver

 

Feather the clutch to 8000 RPM when you launch (might have to drop that to 6500 - 7000 if the track isn't that slick), and as long as you shift properly from you will vanquish his challenge. The Cooper S can't break into the upper 14s on the quarter. Stock they range from 15.2 - 15.4. There is actually a kit out for the Cooper S that brings their car down to 14.5 seconds (just like our car can under the right conditions) but you said his is stock so you have nothing to worry about.

Keep in mind that if you do not effectively launch your RX-8 and more importantly shift it properly, then it will be a very close race.