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Hammer & Coop Premier in NYC

This evening we drove into Manhattan to attend the Hammer & Coop Premier hosted by MINI USA and Dennis Publications the publishers of Maxim, Stuff and Blender magazines at the Union Square Regal theatre.  At the entrance we were greeted by MINI Takes The States familiar faces Trudy Harding, MINI Marketing Manager and Gerry Mathews, MINI Business Manager and their staff who rolled out the red carpet.

After we signed in we received our tickets and Swag bag full of the March issue of all three magazines.  Suggest you run out and get these issues!!!  Each features the 8 page Hammer & Coop pullout and don’t worry what the wife will say! You’re getting them to see the MINI advertisement and has nothing to do with the sizzling covers though Stuff’s article on ‘How to Date a Supermodel’ is rather educational as does Maxim’s Christina Aguilera Art of Seduction but I digress.  (Ian, no worries I have a set for you )

Hammer was not able to attend the premier but his stunt double ‘Grand Slam Coyote’was in attendance.  He greeted fans and signed autographs .  The likeness was uncanny though he seems taller on film!

In attendance we met more familiar faces.  Here is Gary, his eldest Austin and Trudy.

And new ones.  Here is Luis and Elsa walking down the red carpet fashionably dressed in MINI attire.

After we picked up our popcorn and soda it was movie time.

where we viewed the first three episodes of Hammer & Coop on the big screen followed by a viewing of Ghostrider.  Yes! we viewed the unreleased third episode ‘Ninjas, Ninjas and more Ninjas’ which is scheduled to be released on the 22nd.  Another great episode and can not wait for the next.  It was really fantastic to view them on the big screen!

Special thanks to Steve Mahoney of Hassel MINI for the tickets and everyone at MINI and Dennis publications for yet another great event.   Keep it up….. MINI Rocks….   Click for more pixs

Herb Chambers MINI R56 Launch… Awesome!

This was a great MINI weekend filled with various R56 launches.  Friday night I attended Hassel MINIs launch party for the USMINIClub members.   Saturday we drove out to Hampton MINI and on Sunday we drove up to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA where Herb Chambers MINI of Boston had what I think is the best dealer launch event I have ever attended period hands down.   Kerry Masone and her team at Herb Chamber MINI did and incredible job and arranged for instructors from the Skip Barber driving school to setup two autocross courses in the Gillette Stadium parking lot. 

The first course was setup for the attendees to be passengers with Skip Barber instructor driving either a Cooper or S who took you around in a thrilling demonstration of the car and their skills.  Almost pee’d my pants when the instructors where passing each other back and forth around turns that seemed too tight for two cars at speed. 

The second course was setup for the attendees to sit behind the wheel under the guidance of the Skip Barber instructors.  If you have not taken a Skip Barber Course you should!  I suggest the two day driving course.  “Look where you want to go and your hands will do the rest”

As if the autocross was not enough Kerry and team setup up a fabulous MINI theme’d dinner inside the stadium with MINI burgers, shakes (sooo yummy), drinks, plates… and we could sit in warmth and catch up with friends in attendance. Here is a picture Ian Cull of GBMINI.net took.  (Ian, great to see you and GPMINI again)

At the end of the evening, I was lucky enough to win a door prize for the longest drive (thanks Kerry!).  A most awesome prize the ‘Hammer & Coop’ Lunch box filled with a wig and tash.  I wasted no time  putting it on and assuming by Agent Code Name - ’Grand Slam Coyote’.   Sort of the hair I had as a young pup.  No?

For more pictures of the various launches and R56 pictures click here

MINI MOKE SUV?

When I was in London in December I came across the November issue of Autocar which had a picture of the MINI MOKE on the cover.    It state ‘Here in 2009′ but no one at MINI USA has confirmed it.  It is all in the rumor mill but I called my dealer Hassel MINI and put myself on the non-existent waiting list for when and if it comes out.   Appears that the rendering is one that Autocar created based on this web article.    I have never been a fan of SUV’s but if this is produced and true to this picture I just have to have one.  Interesting enough the wheels pictured as the same wheels available on the 2007 X5.  Some of the rumors have been that IF this is produced it would be produced in Spartanburg where the X3 and X5 are produced which makes sense. 

Links to the article - Page 1  &   Page 2  & Autocar news Article

John Cooper Motorsports Jacket

On Friday upon my return home my order from John Cooper Motorsports arrived.  My John Coopers Motorsports Jacket arrived amonst several other items I ordered.   Appears they are having a clearance sale of anywhere from 10 - 30% off  and since we are in the States the VAT will be removed from your order.  Yes, the shipping will be a bit pricey but well worth the merchandise as once it is gone… its gone!..  Good Opportunity to get some great stuff.    Note: Appears the clothing run large.  This jacket is a medium.

Call me Grand Slam Coyote

The Hammer & Coop website have added a ’Action Name Generator’.  I entered my name and I shall now be called ‘Grand Slam Coyote’

They also have some ‘Extras’ with ScreenSavers and Wallpapers that can be downloaded.  Be sure to check their site on February 22nd for Episode 3.

Six GP Family?

Well sort of but not really.   I just received my three Remote Control GPs I ordered back in October from Horizon Hobby .  One for each GP.  I am extremely pleased with the detail.  The picture on Horizons website has a white roof and xenon lights but when they arrived it is very much like the real one with a silver roof and halogen lights and it is fast. Maybe when I get a chance I’ll drag race them. 

Coming soon are Roof Numbers from Todds Mods that will match my real GP roof numbers.  Boy I can’t wait to take one of these into my office and drive it around.

Gear Shift Indicator

Today I installed the MINI Gear Shift Indicator in GP0154.    Is it necessary add-on?  Nah, I think it is more bling then anything else unless ofcourse you do a great deal of track events and then it might be useful.

Who ever came up with the installation instructions was smoking crack.   The instructions have you removing the speedometer and drilling a hole in the dash for the wire and screwing the indicator into the dash.  Now that just was not going to happen. 

Based on feedback from another GP owner I installed the indicator right in front and in my line of sight.   I really do not understand what use it would be to place it in the center of the dash and out of line of sight.

I snaked the wire under the windshield and along the A pillar down the side and into the dash.  Connected the three wires and was done.  I can remove it as easily as I installed.

Happy GP Valentines Day

GP0154 celebrating Valentines Day.

JCW Carbon Fiber Dash

Updated: Last week I received the three piece JCW Carbon Fiber Dash and only installed the center piece around the speedometer.  Goal there was to preserve the John Cooper Signature obtained during the Monterery Delivery as well as the GP Serial Number.  Well I was not completely happy with the split look and replaced the left and right pieces.  I was able to rather easily remove and install the GP serial number decal onto the carbon fiber piece.  I heated the rear of the old piece and the decal came off without any effort.  

 Here is a picture of what the split looked like

GP1717 3M Film and CF Scoop

GP1717 was feeling a bit left out and wanted some upgrades of her own so today GP1717 received JCW Carbon Fiber Hood Scoop, JCW CF Rear Handle, GP License Plate Brackets and 3M Film.

The 3M Film was installed by Detailing Dynamics of Mineola, NY who as usual have done an incredible job.  They are one of the few if not only folks who do a one piece bumper.  They where also able to cover the entire hood.  Yes, entire hood with only two slight seams being visible.  Also done where complete sideskirts and mirrors.