The Register

The E-Newsletter of The Mini Register

August 2009

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Mini in the Park

Well, what a day!warm, sunshine, Minis everywhere and some good friends to help us celebrate our 40th anniversary.

It is fitting that we should celebrate at the Mini in the Park as it was just following the very first MITP at Cornbury Park that the Mini Register entered its current phase of being Internet based.

This year, MITP returned to Santa Pod but is now under new management in the form of Events Developments and they did an excellent job of organising the show as part of the 50th anniversary of the Mini.

Event Developments asked us to help with the running of the autotest and we were given the use of the main arena which we shared with stunt driver Terry Grant. The Mini Register stand was located conveniently along side and we were joined by Rob and Sharon with their smashing recently restored 1962 Cooper and their 1968 Mk II Auto. Alun Owen brought his MINI Cooper S and Alistair Moffat displayed his stunt Mini (more below) The Freestyle finally saw the light of day, although it has yet to turn a wheel under its own power.

For the autotest, we were joined by six drivers from the BTRDA Autotest Championship, Duncan Wild brought his Freestyle, Mike Sones his new Mini special. These two also let their cars be used for the Mini Push up the drag strip.

In Mini saloons were Rob Ralston and Howard Everingham

Also in a Mini saloon was John Wilson, he was press ganged in at the last minute and Bob Budd kindly lent him his Mini.

Finally and by no means least, Alistair Moffat brought his Mini Special, Alistair has already won the 2009 British Autotest Championship and is currently neck and neck with Duncan's son Stephen for the Demon Tweeks BTRDA Autotest Championship.

The autotesters laid on a great demonstration autotest at the start of each session before we rearranged the cones for the autosolo open to visitors to the show, the only problem was that there were only two people who took part. This is a shame and somewhat of a surprise, we chose to run an autosolo instead of an autotest as they are rather gentler on the car. Anyway Daniel and James both enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to competing again.

New Members

We would like to extend a very warm welcome to The Mini Register to:

Paul Reek, Durham, County Durham, UK

1959 Austin Seven in Blue

Paul's '59 is called Usif and is awaiting restoration. It was last on the road in 1982 and although quite complete and original it does need some work to bring it back to its former glory.

David and Ann Evans, Launceston, Cornwall, UK

1990 Mini Cooper in red with a white roof

Dave uses his Mini for sprints and hillclimbs and it is fitted with a 1380cc motor, straight cut gearbox and drop gears, an ATB diff and a full roll cage. The suspension is adjustable and supports 6 by 10 Minilites on Avon cut slicks over 4 pot alloy calipers. etc etc

"having rallied a Cooper with an ex works motor in the late 60s early 70s I went out of Mini's for 35 years until I bought my 1990 cooper which I've developed to a full race sprint/ hillclimb car competing for the last 2 years in the Cornish speed championship. I have just bought a 1967 Super Deluxe to build my motor etc into for next season, the engine number that is in it at the moment is RKM1119E 57444 which I think is a 1000cc. I have been told that it is a Cooper motor and I was wondering if anyone in the club could shed any light on the matter, I would be very pleased if they could.

Stephanie Falzon, London, UK

We have no car details for Stephanie

Lee Williams, Warrington, Cheshire, UK

1963 Mini in black

Lee is building a Hayabusa engined Z Cars Mini, the shell is de-seamed and we look forward to some pictures when it is ready

Nicola Myers, Consett, Durham, UK

1994 Mini 35 in Metallic blue called Betty

"I was given my Mini as a Christmas present 3 years ago, it is metallic blue with a 1300 engine, it is pretty standard inside, it has skirts fitted and I am looking to modify it."

Jaymz Wild, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK

1989 Mini Thirty in Cherry red

1988 Mini Mayfair in Azure blue undergoing a full rebuild

I've had 5 Minis to-date since my first at 17. Aged 19 I drove a red 1982 standard Mayfair alone! from Sheffield to Lake Konstanz Germany via France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland and Austria, I repeated this in 2004 in the blue Mayfair and plan to do the same next year in my Mini Thirty.

Ian Hillson, Richmond, Surrey, UK

1972 van (ex-police) in black called Morris fitted with a blue light!

"Ex airport police (we think probably Heathrow as it has the London reg NLX ***L) - it was not taken into Met Police stock when they took over policing of the airport in 1974, so further info is welcomed."

Alastair Moffatt, Newent, Gloucester, UK

1967 Mini Special 1380 in red

photo from BTRDA web site

Alistair's Mini Special is a very competitive autotest car and has taken him to the 1999 BTRDA Allrounders and Autotest champion, 2008 BTRDA Autotest champion as well as MSA British Autotest champion in 2008 and 2009. Alistair is currently head to head with Stephen Wild for the 2009 BTRDA Autotest championship.

Alistair also has a Mini which he has adapted for his stunt driving course in which he can teach you to drive on two wheels - more details in a future edition of The Register.

Graeme and David Arnold, Halstead, Essex, UK

1993 Italian Job Limited Edition in Signal Yellow called Sonny

As well as the colour change, Graeme's Mini has blended wheel spats, a custom dash and centre console along with speaker boards. High level brake lights adorn the rear and the front subframe is fitted with Poly bushes.

Graeme's comment is "I LOVE MY MINI!!"

Joshua and Clive Mordecai, Aberdare, Wales, UK

We have no car details for Joshua and Clive

Edward, Julie and Matthew Thomas, Lydney, Gloucestershire, UK

1991 Mini Cooper in British Racing Green called Dar

Edwards Cooper is fitted with Sports pack arches, 7 x 13 Superlights with Yokohamas and White 5" bonnet stripes.

"Third mini I have owned. My first was a 1971 Mini 850,then a 1984 Mini City and now a 1991 Mini Cooper. Took my 1984 around Silverstone on the Mini 40.A member of the Gloucester Mini owners club."

Daniel Benson, Plymouth, Devon, UK

1998 Mini Cooper MPi in grey

Daniel took part in the autosolo at Mini in the Park and is very keen to organise similar events in the Plymouth area

James Parfitt, Harwich, Essex, UK

1979 Austin Mini in orange

James' Mini is fitted with a 1275 engine and he used the car on the Mini in the Park autosolo and set a very credible time in his first ever event.

Members update

Josh has sent us this photo of his Mini

Sharon and Rob Harrison, Leicester, UK

Just thought I would update you on our Mini adventures.

The 1962 Cooper that Rob "Acquired" turned out to be the biggest rust bucket ever.  He went through the phase of one day wanting to scrap it and another can we save him!

Each day I got home from work the Mini was getting smaller and the pile of rusty metal and filler got bigger.

We then started to look for shells but good mark 1 and 2 shells were very expensive and a decent one hard to find. So after pricing up panels it was decided that this was the way to go.  Inner and outer A Panels, A posts, Wings, Sills, Boot Repair, Front Panel,Step repair panel the list goes on and on.  But after much blood, sweat and tears and the odd visit to the local A & E department and the much appreciated help from the Mini Register, Tommy's shell was now solid. (No mean feat)

Rob now started to look forward to completing the nice bits such as painting and adding the shiny stuff.  He now seemed to be coming along nicely, but there was one more shock to come, the electricity bill! This arrived on the door step and shocked us severely, this was the hidden cost of the renovation, all that welding had taken it's toll!

So after a long nine months of late nights and long weekends he is now complete and the work has been worth while as you can see from the photo's. however he is not going to be sold on.

Sorry we have not been more regular with the updates as you can tell we have been very busy.  We now own 7 mini's in various states of disrepair. We have now found our calling in life and that is to reduce the number of the classic little beauties and wrecks being sent to the scrap man.

Rabawi Rahim, Terengganu, Malaysia

Awie's lovely 1275 GT has now been returned to its former glory following its unfortunate accident

John Sanderson, Neston, Cheshire, UK

John, from the Wirral Mini Club, has sold his 40th Anniversary Mini which used to lead the Wirral to Llandudno run every year.  However he is not without a Mini in his life as, having spent 3 months on an engine and gearbox rebuild and minor restoration of his daughter's lovely Mk1 Mini named Ollie, he is able to use it for Mini runs and events.

Cec Kelaher, Brisbane, Australia

"should have given you some more info, the brick is a 1965 model, it will be fitted with a Zeemax body kit set up with 13 by 7 Minilites. I wish to have the front flip, also when closed and locked in place, the bonnet can be opened the normal way, we have internal locking controls using 2 Honda civic bonnet locks for the flip, but need more on the pivot point location in regard to the front kit which will hold a long oil cooler behind the front opening. We are hoping to be ready for the summer nats in 2011, will send photos as we progress"

Grey fleck seat material ?

Andy Davies has approached us for some help.

"I have just bought a MK1 1961 mini. The drivers seat cushion is very badly worn, I am looking for the grey fleck material to repair this. I would prefer second hand as the match would be better. I have been in touch with Newton Commercial and they only supply the new grey fleck which is a poor match. "

If you can help, please let us know and we will pass on the details.

More MINI/PSA links ?

According to Pistonheads, talks are underway between BMW and PSA (owners of the Peugeot and Citroen brands) on the development of a common platform that will be used by the next generation of the MINI and the French manufacturers small cars.

This would not be the first collaboration between the two car makers, the current MINI engine is a joint venture between them.

As such a development is to address the costs involved in developing and manufacturing cars, it raises the question of the future location of MINI production, will it be Oxford or across the channel?.

The other question it raises is that of the brand differentiation, why pay the premium for a MINI when below the skin lies the same car as a Peugeot or Citroen?

Mini Coin

Thanks to Shon Gosling for this one, the Royal Mint are producing a gold coin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mini

If you are one of the first 100,000 to register, you will receive a free Mini medal

The link is http://www.royalmint.com/minipromotion/freeminimedal.aspx

Events

13th September - USA - The Brisbane Marina British car Day - Between San Francisco and the airport at Sierra Point, this year the event will be a one day free event with a back to basics show at the yacht club followed by a Bay to Breakers tour to Cameron's Pub

13th September - UK - Stanford 2009 - National Mini Owners Club meet at Stanford Hall, Leicestershire. - http://www.miniownersclub.co.uk/

20th September - UK - Jurassic Coast Mini Club Mouth2 Mouth run, proceeds will go to the Weymouth Lifeboat. The event starts at the Rugby Club in Exmouth

26th September - UK - Mini World Action Day at Castle Combe circuit - www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

16th-18th October - USA - EURO Festival at BMW Zentrum, BMW Manufacturing Corp. Greer (Spartanburg), SC - (registration and maybe driving events on Friday, Show on Saturday, tours, rallye and driving events on Sunday) - All European cars welcome, but this year Morgan is “Featured Marque”, and Mini is “Honorary Marque” – the more Minis the merrier!! - www.euroautofestival.com

That's it, please let us know what is going on in your part of the world.

Keep in touch

Mike Bennett
theregister@miniregister.co.uk

The opinions expressed in The Register are those of the members and not necessarily those of The Mini Register.

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