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MINI United 2009 – Day Before

May 21, 2009 on 3:15 pm | In MINI UNITED 2009, Recent Posts | 3 Comments

Well I made my way up to NorthHampton where I will be staying for the weekend which is just 15 miles northof Silverstone.   First stopped at Mini Spares to pick up a set of proper fitting (LHD) floor mats for Red.  Walked in and found their display of parts and two classics.   Oddly I had asked if they were attending the Mini United event and got a ‘the BMW event?  No”  Guess there still some issues with the die hard Classic folks and the new MINI.   Guess they forget that Rover was the one that did most of the development MINI.  Anyhow guess we’ll see how many Classic’s show up for the event.

Next I figured I would stop by Silverstone and take a sneak peak at their progress and at the entrance ran into ‘GPMICK’ who heads up the UK GP Owners Club who I first met last year at the Santa Pod event.  He was getting his badge out and heading in to check on his tent setup so whilst the security guard was looking the other way I drove right through.  Sounds like we should expect between 25-30 GP’s so I’ll be looking forward to their line-up. 

I then starting driving around the place and found where they are keeping all the MINI’s in the back, couldn’t spot anything special in the lot but figuring those special models are already in place in their tents.

While I was in the area I figured I’d try to find the home of F1 team BrawnGP and I did and yes their GP lettering is very similar to our GP lettering. 

Then I was off for some backroad driving enjoying the wonderful countryside.

Came across a tank and had to stop in.  Place is Tanks A Lot and they have some 130 tanks.  Got a tour of the place and some of their unique items by a former SAS who runs the place.  That’s a 32 litre Rolls-Royce Diesel that powers this Challenger tank that he is in the process of rebuilding.  Rather impressive collection of tanks check the Gallery for all of them.

I made my way to Tesco to grab something to eat and ran into this MINI from Russia.  Yeap Russia!.  Chatted briefly and he said he left Russia on the 15th and made his way here via Finland, Sweden and Normayand over to Scotland which he said was just stunning.  That had to be one awesome trip with lots of ferry rides.  Finally back at the hotel GP0521 was checking in.   12 hours to go!

 For more pictures in the gallery