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WTB Classic MINI Sportspack

I drove a Mini Classic Sportpack for the first time at MINIs On Top and really enjoyed it.  I was searching MINIMANIA to see what is available and came across this Surf Blue 1998 MINI Sportspack but it was already sold. 

Although I have not seen it in person there is something unique about the Surf Blue combo.  I contacted the previous owner in search of the new owner (who resides in San Antonio, Texas) contact information to see if they would be willing to part with it but he did not have it any more. 

If you come across this car or know the owner I am very interested in discussing purchasing it or if you happen to know of another Sportspack like it please let me know.  Click Here to Contact Me 

MINI UNITED - Videos

I was not able to get YouTube to automatically create the post and insert the videos but was able to cut-n-paste the links into my post.
Here are four videos, The Car Wash Girls, Ian driving on the R56 Cooper on Circuit Park and the two MINI Driver Training Events..Lane Change and Reverse Spin.

MINI Roof Designer

During the MINI UNITED interview of Dr. Kay Seglar I noticed he mentioned that the MINI Italy site  featured a Roof Designer where you could go out and custom create your own roof image and have the decal fabricated and sent to you.   All you would need is someone to install it.   Looks like they have a ton available plus the ability to login and customize your own.  Maybe I need to brush up on my italian.

GP to remain Big Kahuna!

During MINI UNITED, Dr. Kay Segler, MINI brand Vice President was interviewed and mentioned that the JCW GP will be the highest horsepower road legal MINI (not necessarily the fastest) for some time to come!.  

The new 2008 Factory JCW Challenge car will pave the way for the 2009 JCW Factory car which with two years developement should allow it to shadow our GPs in performance but I think the designers will be challenged to put together an overall package that can truly rival the GP.  They have really set a high benchmark!  Perhaps in two years time I may feel different but after almost a year ownership and three GPs I still enjoy every moment I am in them.  Now to put myself on the 2008 Challenge and 2009 JCW waiting list.

MINI UNITED - Lots of MINIs, Minis & GPs

The official MINI Press release reported that there where some 8000 people in attendance ranging from 50 countries and 3000 cars. Thoughout the three day weekend we got to see all kinds of wonderful MINIs and classic Minis.  I was jumping for joy at each and every GP sighting with the highlight being the 20+ GP’s lined up in the backrow on the final day. It was reported that some 41+ GP’s where spotted throughtout the weekend. Goooo GPs!

Here is a collage of some that caught my camera.

MINI UNITED - Day 3 MINI USA Dinner

As if MINI USA did not do enough to make the entire weekend memorable they iced the cake with a wonderful dinner for the USA attendies at Fifteen which was just a short walk from the Movenpick hotel we where staying at.

Special Guest in attendance was the legendary Rauno Aaltonen who won the 1967 Monte Carlo rally in his 1275cc Cooper S pictured here talking with Stephen Seward of MINI USA and Jim McDowell MINI USA VP introducing him

Another wonderful suprise was Rauno autographing “MINI the book”

After the autograph signing we all sat down for a wonderful dinner

Our four course meal…. mouth watering and elegantly presented

The restaurant had a great deal of character here are the bathroom signs

Some more photo opportunities with Rauno and our group picture.

Thanks again to everyone in attendance, RA Events and MINI USA for a wonderful weekend. 

For more Pictures

Website Problems Resolved?

On Tuesday morning, after spending 24 hours traveling back from MINI United and only getting a few hours sleep I made the ultimate dump mistake of trying to upgrade my site Wordpress and Gallery components without having full backups.   I should know better considering my line of business.   

Fortunately I screwed it up early in the morning and Site5 was able to recover to the previous evenings backup that they maintain.  Even after the restore was successfully the WP and Gallery databases were still having issues and I was able to recover to an older version but the problems did not stop there.   Seems Site5 was reporting my disk usage of 1380mb of my 1000mb limit even though they agreed I only utilize about 480mb which prevented some critical file updates.  They attempted to run a fix on it three times with no avail and this morning raised my quota to 2000mb so I could make the necessary updates to get fully operational.    

Site 5 has been helpful though response has been a slow.  They report 24×7x365 but I never received any support/response to my emails after 10pm through early am hours.  Either they are not staffed or busy with operational items not sure which and only reachable via email.  

Granted my site is not business critical and exists just for fun but are very glad the site is back online and many thanks to Ian Cull for his help troubleshooting last night. 

MINI UNITED - Day 3 Coming to an End

On the third and last day of MINI United, Ian and I where not able to register for the MINI Challenge Taxi Ride where we would have been driven around the track in a Challenge car but did manage to register for the MINI Design Workshop where we had an opportunity to meet two of the several designers responsible for the GP.  The two young ladies we met where responsible for the seat and interior design. (Ian thanks for the pic)   I thanked them and praised them for their accomplishments.   

Also present was the 1 Millionth MINI and Nigel wasted no time for a photo op.

While we where inside the Main tent waiting for break in the rain, Nigel and Blue Bear decided to head over and listen to some tunes. 

 At 11am we waited for Mike Cooper to arrive for the last autograph signing and Nigel got his hanky autographed.  Nigel is not only the first in his family to cross the atlantic to Europe but the first to meet and get signed my the legendary Mike Cooper.   Mike, thanks again for all the autographs.

The brief periods of rain that we received did not deter from my enjoyment of the events and Nigel figured it was a good opportunity to take a mini MINI out for a spin and try to catch up this future MINI owner.

Luckily there was a break in the weather and the last MINI Challenge race was able to be run.  It was a bit breezey on top of the viewing area we were at and this little cutie pie of a pup was trembling.  His mum should have planned ahead gotten him a MINI sweater.  

Ian and I also registered for the MINI Ride where we each where able to take a MINI of choice (we both select the R56 MCS) and take it for a spin around the neighboring area guided by someone from MINI in a lead car.  Granted it poured for periods of our drive but I found it rather enjoyable.   I have driven the R56 MCS several other times but found this to be my best experience perhaps because it was during a rain storm on the back roads in Holland.  Overall I pleased with the interior of the R56 and are growing fond of the Nav integration within the speedometer.   It is impossible to truly compare it to the GP as in my eyes the GP is the pinnacle MINI package.  For me everything about the GP works, the color, the wheels, red mirrors and lack of rear seats but for the forward evolution of MINI’s the R56 is heading in the right direction and look forward to future special packages.

Back inside the huge MINI United tent there where many stations setup up where you could get a massage, eat, shop, look at the new MINI’s, purchase accessories and also get your hair MINI Styled.  Near the end of todays activities was a wonderful concert.

And on the coach ride back to the hotel, I took this picture of Ian.  Ian, thanks again for making the trip out.  It was great to enjoy the events with you and hope you had a pleasant time.

For more Day 3 Pictures

Also Check out Ian’s coverage of MINI United

MINI UNITED - Day 2 Night out in AMS

After a wonderful day at we headed back to the hotel to freshen up and then met up with Ian and Dave and headed out for a walk in search of some dinner.

Amsterdam is full of wonderful historic buildings. Some leaning more then they should.

Walking through the countless canals that surround the area

Ian and Dave figured we could take this little Smart car with us.

Now no visit to Amsterdam would be completed without a walk through the Red Light District and the many Coffee shop in the area.

Prostitute information center (PIC)? Wonder what level of information you can get here, Resumes?  This Coffee Shop had a ‘Girl Wanted’ sign in the window.  Maybe they should check with the PIC.

We finished up the night by having some ice cream and watching a bit of the Under 21 EUFA championship match on the big screen.

For more pictures 

Also check out Ian’s coverage

MINI UNITED - Day 2 Events Galore!

During Day 2 Ian and I registered and attended several events including the MINI Driver Training where we got the opportunity to take a pair of R56 MCS through two paces.  First was lane change at various speeds and second was doing a James Bond like reverse spinning the car around, straighting it out and moving forward whilst going through a water covered course.

Here are our instructors, and the reverse wet course.  What a blast.. can’t wait to try these moves on rental cars.

Here are two more USA owners who attended the drivers training.  Judging from their smiles I think they had a great time as well and Ian getting ready for the lane change excersise. 

Nigel lacking a drivers license couldn’t take the R56 he chose out so we got him a MINI more suitable for him to take out on the track. 

On our way back from the MINI Driver Training we stopped off at the Dunlop RunOnFlat Slalom which I think out of all the events was our favorite and gave us the opportunity to experience a MINI on a slalom course with the left front drivers wheel completely flat.  If you ever had your doubts about run flats, driving this event surely puts you at ease knowing you are safe to drive on a deflated run flat and still be able to push through some aggressive manuevers (turns and brake).

At the MINI CareProduct show this MINI was lucky enough to get washed. 

The overall atmosphere was one of relaxed fun.  There where pleanty of spots that people could just kick back and relax and take the whole event in. 

Ian and I teammed up and did several of the challenge events.  Here I am matching the speed record for fasted tire change and then it was off to the MINI Pull where Ian launched that pull of the Cooper in one direction and then I in the other.  I think our combined time was 27 seconds.

Here we got an opportunity to see some history.  My first in person sighting of the MINI ACV30 concept car and the Monte Carlo winning classic.

Nigel was busy making all sorts of friends.

Again want to thank everyone at MINI USA for making this possible.