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Minis in the Park 2008

Got up early and hit the road north to Santa Pod Raceway to attend the Minis in the Park event but not before Blue Bear tried to drive out with the the McLaren.  The road up to the raceway was quite scenic with lots of twists and turns and wish I had GP or Red with me.  Good thing I had ‘Lola’ with me else I might have had to stop and asked Seabiscuit for directions.

Once we arrived at Santa Pod we parked and started to check out all the Minis and MINIs that were already parked.

In attendance was the IMM key that is handed from sponsoring club to the next and where next years big Mini50 event will be held in the UK.  Mini Magazine had a nice setup of cars including this ERA Turbo

Lots of cool Mini’s and one of my favorites the Red Mini Seven

Several Mini 40’s and this most incredible white one, boy that would look good next to Blue and Red kind of complete the Italian Job theme.

Quite a few Cooper Sports were in attendance as well as lots of MINI’s.

Rather cool custom Mini

They came in all sizes..Clubman to pickup to stubby.

In the club area, various clubs setup their cars with various themes.

there were two pinks, a Cooper Sport 500 with a custom S style intake and the commando Mini.

spent a little time watching the drag races.  I was amazed to see some really modified classics running the 1/4 in low 10sec.  One GP took to the track but the one time I caught it he ran 14’s.

Was delighted to see several GP’s in attendance and GP56MCK has a nice display and couldn’t help but drool over his Recaro’s.

Lost Blue bear for a while and caught up with him hangin out by the White Mini 40 trophies and figure I’d stop by Silverstone on the way back for a lap.

Headed back and dropped off the Ford Focus.  Focus was not that bad.  The 1.6L has about the same specs a Cooper.  Focus fun factory was zero but economy level was a ten.  Averaged shy of 39mpg over 670 miles for the weekend.  Can’t complain about that when petrol is 1.15ltr or roughly $8.20 a gallon!

For all the days pixs

MINI Factory Tour and Oxford

After leaving the Heritage Museum I headed south to Oxford.   Was able to bring the camera in to take pictures of the waiting area but then had to leave it behind during the tour.

 several classics on display

and the S used in the Italian Job movie driven by Charlize Theron with two steering wheels!  Car was actually driven by a stunt driver while she sat and made it look good.   Also the Million MINI.

The factory tour was awesome!  Everything seemed very efficient and there were lots of MINI’s moving along the assembly lines getting built.  Really is great to see how along the same line you have cars destined for various countries (LHD, RDH), different engines and accessories (JCW, Diesels) and models (Cooper a, Clubman but no convertibles.. not yet).   Did not get to see the paint process but since we were a small group we got to see the chassis fabrication where all the shells are put together and there are usually several hundred shells ready at any point.  Wouldn’t mind seeing a limited edition stainless steel MINI like the Delorean built.

Once I left the factory I drove around Oxford and took in Radcliffe Square and Oxford University.

Had some more daylight left so I headed for Windsor Castle and what a Castle it is!  Got there late and could not go in but will make it on my next trip.

 All the days pixs

Heritage Motor Center

I was able to get a tour of the MINI Factory scheduled for 1pm today so I figured I would stop by the Heritage Motor Center before hand since it was about 45 minutes away.  Heritage Motor Center is home to quite a number of unique cars but my primary mission was to find the Last Mini Cooper Sport built as it was rumored to be here on display.

Walking around some intersting cars. some whole some not.

and then we came across the Monte Carlo Rally Display housing the ‘64 #177, ’65 #52 and ‘67 #37 Monte Carlo Rally winners.  It was a great display.

Blue bear was having a lot of fun.

and then we came across Reds twin sister!  The last Mini Cooper Sport to roll off the factory.

While I did some shopping Blue Bear went for a ride

and when I eventually caught up with him he was working his way to becoming the new RR ornament to replace the lil fairy. 

And then we came across the very first Morris Mini-Minor.

All the days pixs

Fiat 500

Got up early and headed to the nearest Fiat dealership to take a closer look at the Fiat 500 that went on sale this year.  Showroom was open but the sales folks wouldn’t arrive for another hour so no test drive this time around.

Was able to get inside and look around and it has a rather nice interior and for under $20k. 

A few more inside and one with the Red 500 calipers and even comes with Microsoft Mobile connection.

Pictures from an italian version used on the Italian Job run that I took at the Minis in the Park event.  I rather like them in white and with the italian stripes down the side and middle. 

I really hope they make it to the states and especially the Abarth as I’ll be first in line to get one.  I hear 2010 is the target for them coming state side..  crossing my fingers.

Classic Minis

Back in the UK to attend the Minis in the Park event on Sunday and figured I’d come out a few days earlier to catch some sites.  got a room at the airport hotel which worked out quite well as it was really easy to get around from the west side of london.  In the hotel lobby was a McLaren as it appears that Hilton is now sponsoring them.  I headed south, enjoying the countryside and stopped at Arundel to take a pix of a lil classic that was parked outside.

I made my way to ‘Classic Minis’ run by Mike Raven who worked for Cooper Garage for 16 years or something and is the only authorized John Cooper Classic parts and accessories dealer. 

Quite a nice selection of Classic for Sale and

lots of the pictures and items from the Cooper Works garage as is Mike Coopers custom classic ‘HI5 FUN’.  Incredible custom interior, Rolls Royce commisioned paint, silk headliner.. truly a wonder. 

Spent a couple of hours there chatting about Classics and about having Red2 (Blue’s Sister) spend time between Mini United and IMM events next year and maybe get fitted with the S works kit and a Webasto roof while she’s there.  R

Since I was by the south shore I figured I’d stop by Brighton as it is host to one of the larger yearly events the ‘London-Brighton’ run.  took the scenic route past some incredible homes and Chandlers MINI. 

The weather was absolutely perfect and seemed everyone flocked to the beach.  Tried to find a parking spot for my Ford Focus rental to get some Fish-n-Chips but no luck.   Will definetely stay here during my next trip back. 

Then I was off to G.C. Motors, another Classic Mini dealer to see what they had in stock and I was just amazed on how many Classics one can fit in one place. Fortunately I was able to complete the day without another acquisition!.

Have to say I was rather please with the economy of the Ford Focus 1.6L according to the trip computer I averaged about 48mpg today.   All the days Pixs

MTTS 2008 - LA Day 3

Internal clock woke me up at 5am again today (still on Dallas time) so after some mulling around the room I packed and got Blue Bear situated in his seat and we were off.  According to ‘Lola’ it was going to be another hot one.  

We took a short drive over to Santa Anita Race Track to see if ‘Georgie Boy’ was around but ’Big Brown’s’ slower and older cousin said he was out of town. 

Then just drove along the back roads to the Rose Bowl and stopped for some photo ops.

Then it was off to the Rose Bowl for the morning Rally.  Moments after I arrived a whole bunch of Classics and MINI’s arrive coming from the South Bay MINI Dealer morning event.

Finally got to meet Scott who owns the Silver Sportspack I was admiring yesterday and spent some time discussing the classics.  Jim was nice enough to pose next to a classic for a photo.

Steve was back today with GP0282. Yesterday he had his blue Cooper S with the GP Kit that was transplanted from his other GP that was totalled.  She still lives on in the Blue S.  Also in attendance was GP0782 and Joel in GP0056.

Then we were off onto the morning Rally up Angeles Crest which had to be the best drive of all the events.   very scenic and lots of twists and turns.

The rally was supposed to take about 2hrs and at the 1 1/2 hr point I checked ‘Lola’ to see what time I would get back to the Rose Bowl as I needed to get the rental back to the airport by 2pm and she indicated about 1:30pm.  Dooh! I pulled out my instructions and yeap we missed the turn around point and we were now 20 miles deeper into the mountain.  I spun around and let the other folks continue on and I back tracked down the mountain and was back at the Rose Bowl bsuprisingly by 12:45.  (could of made it by 12:30 if I had GP)  

Said my goodbye’s to friends and I was off to the airport leaving behind a fanstastic motoring weekend with new and old friends and lots of MINI’s and Mini’s.  Robert many thanks to you and Kittie for the company and helping make the weekend even better! 

You have to love LAX, where else can you run into Ice Cube and Alec Baldwin in the same hour.

Well that raps up MTTS 2008 and was glad I was able to attend three of the four events.  Each had its own fond memories and all were quite enjoyable.  Hands off to MINI USA for a great event and are now looking forward to MINI United 2009 and IMM 2009 both in the UK.    Hopefully MTTS 2010 winds up being a cross country rally again.

For all the Days Pictures

MTTS 2008 - LA Day 2

Got Blue Bear situated in his seat and picked up Robert prior to driving down to UCLA for the ‘Morning Rise-n-shine’ where some 400-500 cars gathered.   It was definetely more cars then they anticipated as they ran out of room in the allocated section and wound up shifting some cars to other areas.  It was really a great to see so many MINI’s. 

Lots of cool looking cars in attendance…

and 5 1/2 GPs. Joel in GP0056 who we met in ‘06 during the GP early delivery in Monterey, Amil in GP0193, GP1333, Mike in GP1405, and GP1297 who had its roof number removed and had different wheels and can you  spot what is different about this blue S?

 The Mini’s came in all sizes. Classic, Fluffy and hairy. 

Then it was off on the morning rally to the Rose Bowl.  After being escorted by LA’s finest out towards the PCH we got behind Joel GP and followed him up to our first stop at Topanga State Park for the Suprise and Delight stop.  It was comical, the Cooper Convertible could barely get out of its own way.  Made my Cooper Sport feel GPish..  It was probably filled with 87 where it could have used some 93 octane.  Had to turn the AC off so it could make it up some of the steep points.

The first half of the leg was scenic and fun but after we left the Topanga State Park we were supposed to make a right turn but were directed left because of some supposed accident later in our scheduled route.  That was unfortunate because we had to back track the long way back to the Rose Bowl through a lot of traffic.  When they say LA traffic is bad… take their word for it… It can be.   

We eventually made it to the Rose Bowl about 2hrs late but still with plenty of time to enjoy all the activities.  Present was the new Crossover prototype and FireBall Tim had a booth with several of his works.

Was a little disappointed that more than the handful of Classic didn’t attend as there is a rather large community in the area but the handful was enough to put a smile on my face.  Just glad I made it through the day without another acquisition.

After getting our log book stamped, having some ice cream and dropping our bags off in the car we headed over to the auto cross and took the new JCWs out for a spin… well several spins.  Was able to get back in queue and wound up driving both the JCW S and the JCW Clubman several times during the afternoon. 

I do have to say that once you get beyond the slight turbo lag and the power kicks in it kicks in with a major thrust!  It seems slugish off the line in a similar way as my ‘02 was when I first got it that was eventually resolved with a programming update so wonder if the off the line lag might be resolved.   

I keep reading how the new JCW with the added torque does not suffer from torque steer but evidently they never drove the car on heavy acceleration in a straight line or in and out of turns as it is present.   

The gear box is smoother to shift but find that you’ve lost the steering feedback and would have prefered it a bit firmer.  

What is the best thing about the new JCW?  The brakes! The four pot Brembos and larger rear brakes are really a great improvement over the older JCW brakes and I would definetely be looking to upgrade to these on the GP.  You can never have too much stopping power.  

The new JCW is an impressive car and the engine is a great forward evolution and exhaust in Sport mode sounds great.  If you plan on getting a new JCW I think it could benefit from the JCW suspension as the rear felt twitchy when pushed through the turns.   

Although the new R56 JCW is more economical then the GP and could probably give it a good run for its money in performance I’ll be sticking with my GP.

It was a hot day and did not stay for the concert but instead went back and changed and I went out with Robert and Kittie for a nice dinner at Houston’s.  Thanks Robert and Kittie!

For all the day’s pictures

MTTS 2008 - LA Day 1

Flew into LAX this afternoon from Dallas and picked up my Cool Blue MINI Convertible rental.  After checking into the hotel I picked up Robert of Twistybitz and we headed to the ‘Owners Meet and Greet’ held at Jillian’s at Universal City Walk.

Robert was enjoying some ale and we ran into Robert Apon and his sister Jennifer who shipped his MINI last year to Holland for MINI United and Mark of GP1996 who I met last year at Minis in the Mountain who now has a Clubman S.

It was another fun event and from speaking to the folks at MINI USA, Chicago was a great event with a large turn out but with some 1300 registrations for LA it might turn out to be biggest event of the four.   We’ll see what tomorrow brings.

GP goes green with $60 fill-up

Well GP’s friend the ‘Grasshopper’ was back and it rested by her fuel cap driving back and forth to work for two days.  Guess he kept GP company whilst I worked.  GP needed gas but I didn’t want to disturb the grasshopper and fortunately the third day he was off and I was able to fill up GP to a whopping $60.  Lil GP must have been on vapors.

More Carbon Fiber for GP1717

GP1717 got some more bling, the JCW Carbon fiber dash to match her sister GP0154.   I was able to get the kit on ebay for $340 delivered from a fellow in the Netherlands.   I was a little reluctant at first as it seemed too good of a deal considering Morristown MINI has it on sale for $875 but looked at his feedback and he has sold plenty of these kits.   They are original MINI parts in the original MINI box and all.