The post Please Take The Next Left: Where has JCW ADVENTURES been? appeared first on JCW Adventures.

Nigel a good MINI Mate and one of my first supporters of the blog told me about this show called MINIs On The Mind

I was on a MINI run with him at time in the lake district with MINIs Unleashed when he spoke about the show and sent me a link soon after to show to watch.

I love the premise of the show as a group of friends who share the same passion for MINIs just talk.

Brian & Kyle run this weekly live video broadcast where owners and guest presenters talk all things MINI. You as the viewer are encouraged ask questions to chime into the discussion or even set the topic for the whole show.

This is main thing that misses from other shows, as there is always that disconnect from the presenter to the listener. Yes I know there is always a listener question section but it isn’t the same!! This show is made for the listeners instead of you telling them what you want to say

So when I was asked to be on the show I was more than happy to oblige to talk about what started my MINI obsession and my website

Before that we need to talk about the Brain & Kyle

We will start off with the young Top Gun Kyle who I spoke to be on the show

He owns a Cooper S Countryman All 4 aka Kowalski which has been modded for his taste of speed

When I asked for a list of mods he rattled off a long list for some time with custom this, lowered that and tuned for more power

I think he has set the BENCHMARK on how to mod a Countryman

The MINI Nation salutes you

Wondering what it sounds like???

Next up his Brain’s Motor

Another Countryman Cooper S All 4 aka Brooklyn

But this time its Cosmic blue with black out trims with another mod list as long as your arm

I especially love the JCW R134 Matt black wheels NOM NOM NOM

Just like me he doesn’t care what the weather it is a CAR which is meant to be DRIVEN

I don’t think I have seen a finest pair of Countrymans ever given I have been across the UK and MINI UNITED and haven’t spotted a countryman and said

‘DAMN, That’s Modding DONE RIGHT!’

I plan to be a regular on the show and give my viewpoints as I have that European prospective compared the US viewpoint. But hopefully we will meet soon in real life at MINI UNITED maybe…

International MINI meet????

Here is the link to the website and Facebook page

http://www.minisonthemind.com

https://www.facebook.com/MINIsOnTheMind

Here is the episode I was on

The show is every Wednesday at 9:30pm EST or 2:30am GMT

A recording for the show is available the next day on the website and YouTube channel

Next Blog Post: Castle Combe Circuit – Track Shenanigans 

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The post MINIs On The Mind appeared first on JCW Adventures.

People always ask me why I do talk about my JCW so much??

Its just a CAR get over it?

Why is it called the Misses?

What makes your MINI so special?

Well here is your answer!!!

You are not buying a car for A to B your buying a lifestyle and a community. We don’t care about the colour of your skin, your background, religion or where you from. All we want to know is what mods have you got?

The places you have been with your MINI and the MINI adventures you have been on

What club are you in? Does your MINI have a name? Have you been to MINI UNITED??

We travel hundreds of miles and even across continents to meet!! All just for our love of all things MINI

Each adventure turns into a fond memory that is a story to tell when your old and cant go any faster

Yet that moment will always put a SMILE on face as soon as someone mentions it

We are NOT NORMAL when see another MINI headlight or rear lights as we speed up or slow down to check each other out

When see another we wave, give a thumbs up or give that nod of approval

We are so MINI MINIac that if we see another MINI parked up, we park next to it

You should never bully another MINI as we run in packs

A MINI is more than a means of transportation but a member of the family as some have name yet others are know nick names or number plates

We share our HIGHs and LOWs with our MINIs but when we unlock that door and start it that engine all those woes disappear as we are HOME with a FRIEND

The greatest people I have ever met have owned MINIs and if wasn’t for this automotive master piece I would have never met them…

They were just strangers then friends and now they are FAMILY who have taken me to my greatest heights and supported me all the way through my triumphs and troubles

Even though some MINI MATES are far far away we still hold a connection which is beyond all boundaries and limits as we are connected by our MINI LOVE

Our lives have never been the same since as we are truly MINI

So try to keep up!!!!

Next Blog Post: The BIG MINI Show

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The post MINI NOT NORMAL: My MINI Story appeared first on JCW Adventures.

The centre stage was set already for these top marques to strut their stuff on the certain to get a look from lucky 5% of the world’s population who can afford them whilst the rest if us mere mortals sat there like patting dogs.

2009 was my 1st visit to the show in my JCW after it had been run in but this time I round my JCW has had alot of MINI adventures and is well know and adored by MINI owners across the globe.

I always get told by my work colleagues or people who know me that MINI should make their brand ambassador as fully distilled in lifestyle that is MINI. I am not gonna lie the JCW is always a talking point and some how I always wriggle in my MINI to any topic so I am really a self-confessed MINIac.

99.9% of any of my social media posts are about my MINI so it wasn’t hard for MINI UK to pick up my obsession so much so I was invited to attend the Festival of speed as a VIP guest and bring a few people with me.

I keep in regular contact with Christine all the time as we a good catch up and giggles on the weekend. I told her I managed to blag some more tickets for Goodwood and whether she would like to come with along with my younger sister and little brother.

She accepted and the stage was set for her to go her first festival of speed. We met up at a service station near by Goodwood estate so we drive in together in convoy. As we drove up together we met to what seemed like the sultan of Brunei’s car collection had come out to see who their new friends would be.

There were a lot of Porsches as we drove and parked up into our VIP parking. Here is a fun fact for you all – 80% of all Porsche 911s ever made are still on the road.

As I previously said the number of exotics, super cars and legends of the automotive world was staggering number but wait a second we were still in the park.

As we passed all the tasty exotics we were met with race cars legends ranging from rally cars to Le mans racers with the infamous Martini livery.

Bentley was showing off its return to Le mans bringing its two race cars which ran in the race in June (They weren’t washed).

Too be honest I think they were trying to show off as they brought their recently unveiled GT3 race car.

Porsche wasn’t too far behind all staged up with its race winning cars. Don’t quote me on this one but Porsche has won the most races overall in motor sport.

Then I spotted the uber rare M1 racecar which really got to perform on the track as race series it was built for stopped so BMW was left with a big bill. It was a troubled birth to begin with as Lamborghini was commissioned to build the cars for racing but conflict arose so BMW made the cars themselves. This BMW rarest car as road going cars were made due to homologations to which 209 were built.

Remember I told you all about Bert???

Yes Bertie that small little Mini cooper sport well it might be small but its mighty. Ian his owner decided to put his Mini in competition to win centre stage at the Goodwood festival of speed on the MINI stand.

Your never gonna guess what happened?

That little guy, no not Ian! Little Bertie won the competition and the minions from MINI gave him the call to tell him they would coming soon to pick him up.

Ian was given a loan car for the duration that Bert would be away which was amusing given Ian recently picked up his 5th MINI – Cooper S

You can clearly see he was jealous of my JCW colour and decided to copy me but give his own twist on the interior with toffee lounge leather. He has given his new MINI the name of chewie because it reminds him of chewbecca from star wars (He has a little plush toy to match which sits in his cup holder).

Bert was picked up bundled into a trailer for transportation to be detailed for his BIG day out on the MINI stand for the Goodwood festival of speed. Ian was given VIP hospitably by MINI UK whilst Bertie was under their car with photo shoots and very famous racing driver Paddy Hopkirk coming down to say Hi.

What do you mean this isn’t the 3rd Gen MINI??

I wasn’t gonna let Ian have all the fun!!! As we all know why you buy a MINI is to have fun behind the wheel. So we parked our bums in some of the MINIs line up of model with me looking at the JCW paceman thinking it need more power while my sister was dreaming of drop top posing in the Kite blue coupe. Little Adam was more bothered about jumping on the MINI bumper cars!!!

Yes you heard me right MINI bumper cars. Plenty of go with no need for insurance but the potential of mess hair and shaken brain topped with a BIG Grin on your face.

Well I let the kids so first as I didn’t want to show them up with my epic driving skills as I am gentleman racer which has nothing to the lovely ladies working on the MINI stand *PROMISE*

Little Adam was enjoying himself with the wind in hair and road rage activated. I guess you have to start from somewhere.

We weren’t the only loonies who wanted to join in on the fun as the whole Wacky racers crew came down to settle the score once and for all.

It was across the way to the BMW stand where M was the word with the M5, M6 & M135i taking front stage with the all new 435i M Sport lurking upstairs in the owners lounge.

Next is the upcoming sensation of 2014 the Alfa Romeo 4C with its light weight carbon fibre tub with 240 BHP rear wheel shenanigans which will see the brand win back heart of enthusiasts worldwide.

Remember you not a real car person until you own a Alfa….

There are a few brands which I hold dear to the petrol filled heart – MINI, BMW, Lotus, Porsche, Mercedes, Lamborghini and Pagani. So you guys and girls can now imagine what my ultimate seven-day car garage would look like.

I love the lunacy of the AMG marque as its like going out on a date with axe murderer in pinstriped suit. You know it looks dapper and will show you a good time whilst its drunk but it has all the power in the relationship, however don’t fall asleep before it does as you might not wake up.

Which neatly brings me on to the V8 C63 AMG which will be last hurrah for the V8 as the V6 twin turbo arrives in the next C Class AMG

I wouldn’t mind have a 507 Edition C63 AMG

Black Series, enough said…

You have all heard, watch and read about the Mercedes new offering in the hot hatch market with the CLA & A Class AMG.

I am not sold on the CLA visual appeal as it looks the designer finished his final look and some backed into the clay model. On the other hand the A class is the looker of the bunch and interior is beautifully finish with nice touches here and there but whatever you do not buy it in south sea metallic blue.

Its staggering how AMG’s first attempt at hot hatch market with 2 litre turbocharged engine that produces 360bhp and dispatches 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds making it the quickest hot hatch you can buy.

You have seen it on Top Gear when Jezza took out this electric beast around the track with 4WD, 740bhp & 738lb ft – 0-62 mph in 3.9 secs , 155 mph, 155-mile range, 3 hr fast charge and 2110kg. Weight for the price tag – starts at €416,500.

SLS AMG Electric drive

As we headed out the Mercedes booth the red arrows had begun their display over head in formation and showing why they are the best at what they do.

The Italians didn’t like to be out shined by anyone and the prancing horse was out in force with the V12 F12 Berlinetta with the ludicrous 730bhp going to the rear wheels only. THE BRAVE MAY ONLY APPLY…

Ferrari had brought their ‘Entry’ level super cars with them

The land of the rising sun was there with some OOOOOOHHHH DRRRRIIIIIIIFFFFFTOOOOOOOOO  ACTION with the Toyota GT86

If you ever wondered why I say AHHHHH DRIFFFFTTOOOOO –

Here is what is happening in my head when I say it

Here in Great Britain we have our gentlemen racer and when we do drive ONE must take their time and enjoy the opulence. Once conditions are clear one puts down their right foot like a sir in the RR…

Wraith is the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history. Behind the deep-set Pantheon grille sits a potent 6.6 litre, twin turbo-charged V12 engine. Delivering 624 bhp with 800 Nm of torque, it powers from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Even with this formidable power, Wraith is every inch a refined Rolls-Royce with electronically controlled air suspension that creates the signature ‘magic carpet ride’.

If that much power wasn’t enough the land speed legends were soaking up the rays in the sun

The festival of speed is called this for no reason as there is little squiggle of tarmac called the Goodwood hill climb were the money is object supercars and exotic battle it out for the coveted King of the hill.

The first hyper car I was the Koenigsegg Agera whilst humming away at its idle with an AUDI R8 GT behind it taking in the exhaust fumes of Sweden’s finest.

The line up front was too bad either F12 on pole, Careera 4s and waving the British flag the Noble M600

The Mclaren boys were up next with MP4-12C, MP4-12C GT and the successor to the McLaren F1 the P1 was there to flex its power & F1 tech.

We moved from the new boys to the old but still gold warriors of the tarmac

It wouldn’t be true car show without a Bugatti

The V12 7 litre Jaguar XJR-9 Group C and XJ13

Ferrari 512 and 25O GTO

An early 911 in race spec

For my MERICA the Camaro

I had never heard or seen this BMW before but it hell is it a looker -1958 BMW 507

It was only fitting if there was an Mclaren F1 if its offspring were here

Salmon pink Bugatti Veyron – not sure what to think of it

Uber rare and under appreciated Porsche GT1

Still my all time fav the Ferrari F40

Mercedes 540K spezial roadster

Lamborghini countach  (The word Countach is italian slang word to describe a hot chick)

This was Porsche’s show so this year its was their sculpture dawning right into front of the goodwood house

Take a good look at this line up as this is all the models Lamborghini has ever made

As you all know we don’t truly group as all that happens is that our toys just get more expensive. What happens when I say this …and now here they are!!!! The most daredevil group of daffy drivers to ever whirl their wheels in the WACKY RACES. Competing for the title of worlds wackiest racer. The cars are approaching the starting line. 

Back to BIG BOY toys with the track star that is the 993 GT2

930 turbo flatnose called Flachbau in German, straight from the factory was offered as the ultimate 930 Turbo, the this model had an upgraded body and a 330 bhp engine. Costing nearly double the standard model, the Flachbau was rarely ordered. Before 1986, Porsche had offered the Flachbau body option out of its customer service department known as Sonderwunschen.

Despite the panels being slightly heavier, they were modeled after the 935 race car for top speed. The conversion required extended rocker panels, wider rear flares with scooped vents and flip-up headlights up front with functional louvres allowing a top speed of 171mph.

The Revtastic V10 Lexus LFA in the perfect colour – pearl blue

Nismo felted 370z

Track focued Jaguar XKR-S GT – that rear wing is not very jag like

Running Jaguar concept called Project 7

Aston Martin’s present to itself the CC100 speedster (Only two existence – 1 for Aston and one for deep pocketed customer)

Zeee Germans weren’t too far behind with their black magic SLS AMG Black series

Morgan Aeromax which was supposed to be a one-off but 100 were built given customer reaction (Hamster from Top Gear brought one – think it got written off in a 3 car pile)

Epic Clapton’s one-off Ferrari specially built homage to the 512 BB to which he has owned 3 but that’s not the only 3 to the story as it has been reportedly costed £3 million.

F12 berlinetta & 458 Italia spider

Another Italian stallion the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale

Ruf GT5

The under appreciated Spyker C8 Aileron

Koenigsegg Agera

Close one of the M4-12C GT

Pagani Huayra

Peugeot Onyx concept

McLaren had its own stand with its road & race cars

Long tail Mclaren F1 in Gulf livery

Mclaren F1 LM

Mclaren P1

Formula 1 Mclaren

Porsche had its usual stand and grass area for the off road experience. The stand had all the Porsche through the ages.

That wraps up the day I spent at Goodwood with my veins filled up 99 octane fuel, my lungs filled with exhaust fumes and ears vibrating to the sounds of revving engines.Till next year Goodwood…

Next Blog Post: MITP 2013 – 1/4 Mile Heaven

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This annual event takes place in Horsham Town Centre on three days over the Easter weekend and offers visitors and shoppers to Horsham an exciting taste of Italy in the midst of a very English medieval market town. Packed full of fabulous cars and bikes, tasty Italian foods, lively street entertainment and a huge choice of independent shops, cafes and restaurants – Piazza Italia is fun for all the family!

We would taking centre stage on Saturday in Horsham town centre and we were allocated 100 space for all our MINIs I head down to London on the Friday to stay over at my cousin house and i thought driving my JCW in Birmingham was bad!!! There were the mother of all potholes, speed bumps and undulations within the road and my JCW isn’t even lowered and I was struggling not to make it scrap!

I recent put the sports cat on my JCW so it was quite loud but more so much amongst the concrete jungle that is London. I was getting onlooker fascinated the looks of my JCW and the noise it made through the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. I can see why a friend of mine gets 18mpg out of his JCW given all this start stop traffic.

Lets not be all doom and gloom, it was nice seeing my mum’s side of the family up in London. My younger cousin wanted to come along with me to the MINI event as bit of car nut like and he is always telling his mates about my JCW. I wanted to give him some pictures and videos to brang about at school.

It was a nice change not driving a million miles early in the morning and driving through London city I must woken up a few people as we rolled through London’s tunnels and narrow side streets. The closer we got the dealership the more minis we spotted a few familiar MINIs from our club and they were driving in convoy so I accelerated and nipped in between them.

I caused quite a steer at the meet point as everyone could hear me coming and this DINKY blue thing was in my rear view ; ) I had sure they hear the backfire on the overrun as I lifted off the accerelator

We drove into the dealership carpark and soon filled it up MINIs leaving us to wondering where everyone else would park. We headed inside for our goody bag and door vinyl for our MINIs.

There were some new faces at the meet with Emily with her brand new Cooper S

Billy’s Refreshed Cooper S

Ashley with his Pepper white Cooper S (There is alot more mods now)

Mr & Mrs Swan with their Countryman WRC Edition

Dave in his Olympic Edition MINI

Phil aka Bandit his John Cooper works with lots of carbon trim

There must have been easily 100 MINIs there alongside classic ones which is very unusual sight given we were at BMW/MINI dealership all chatting together.

Even thought it was very cold this time of year in March it was worth seeing both classic and new minis people getting on. I grabbed some breakfast with wifey number 1 Christine whilst my cousin and little brother were blowing their brains out with all the minis present.

Garry decided to arrive at the last few minutes before we handed out which was ironic as he brought along his factory fresh GP2 the fastest MINI buy can buy. I bet he did it to show off to everyone!!!

All done with the poser and his GP2 we all headed out to Horsham town centre with a Police escort. Yes i did say police escort, they were holding up traffic for us and waving us through red lights and whizzing ahead on bikes to block traffic off for us.

I felt like an ambassador with the police riding alongside us and the temptation to wind down the window and wave to my discipline as we passed by

As we arrived into Horsham town centre we were ushered on to the high street with SNM taking centre stage along the busy side of the high street

We managed to get both a GP1 & GP2 together

Me and Christine and few others pulled on to other section of the High street just in front of the classics

It was a really busy day with alot of families out enjoying the event and looking at all our MINIs. But it was a little nervous knowing people would be touch, brush along side it and walking around my JCW whilst I was away from it.

I finally got dragged away by little brother and cousin and showed them around pointing out all the members i know and introducing them and point out all the models and details on each MINI we saw.

There was some unusual classic minis and some mint examples which makes me want have a classic even more

We had a spot of lunch with GP Garry and asked him how he was finding owning a GP2 and the livability of it all. Most of his answers involved the word UNBELIEVABLE with him saying I remember taking this corner in my WC50 at this speed but now in the GP2 I taking it 15 – 20mph quicker!!!

The event was coming to a close so we headed back to our MINIs and waited for all the classics to leave in a parade as they were being let loose first to onlookers gathered along the Horsham streets. It was nice having people waving and little children being all excited by the departure of all us.

Once we were let out I made sure my JCW gave them something to remember me by letting a few Pops & Bangs on the overrun.

I waited for GP Garry to arrive as he wanted to go for a little hoon around the back roads. It was great fun playing between us on the backroads as we keeping braking down to its bare minimum and carrying the speeds in the corners. But GP2 was better sorted and the GP slightly left me at the roundabout : /

It was great fun as always with the SNM crew and I would be staying in London longer as I had a wedding to attend the next day so London had to put up the sound of the Birmingham Beast living it all up. My JCW gave my cousins E92 M3 something to quite down abit after I gave him a rev off ; )

Next Blog Post: London to Brighton Run 2013

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The post MINI Vines: Piazza Italia VII appeared first on JCW Adventures.

For once in the UK it was a beautiful summers day so couldn’t wait to see my JCW after 3 long days of not driving her. The shutters rolled up from Midlands Care and there she was gleaming and flake in the metallic paint was really popping. It was like when I pulled the cover off my JCW in the dealership, I had that stupid smirk like it was love at first sight all over again.

I looked around at every panel with Russ spoke to me about the work that went into the paint correction and how shocked he was with all cheap local hand wash had blemished the paint. He said ‘ I have never seen 50/50 comparison shot of paint correction so glaring obvious’ and I replied ‘ I will never allow my paint to be like that every again and I will be washing it myself every week’.

I fired her up and exhaust burble echoed in the unit causing everyone to look up, I thanked Russ and his team for all the work they had put into my JCW. Russ joined me in my JCW to take some piccies for his library of work and for his Facebook page.

I will let the pictures speak for themselves

I dropped Russ back off and headed the long way home enjoying my JCW and the weather. I couldn’t help myself on the way home not to take some pictures for myself

I mentioned the JCW had a special coating on the top of the paint called C Quartz and I am sure you’re wondering what is and what it does?

CQuartz Finest is an evolution in paint coatings. With Finest, stronger more condensed nano particles with better cross linking were designed utilizing a new proprietary nano material to create a “3D” structure which creates a very tough nano structure.  One group(O+Si+O) links to another by a special cross linking agent which produces the cellulose dense joint nano 3D structure coating, giving an extremely durable layer of protection. CQuartz Finest achieves an amazing increase Mohs hardness up to 2H. Unleash the amazing protection and Anti scratch effect and retain a super high gloss clear coat.

What CQuartz Finest does to your paint:

1. Increases the toughness and glossness of your paint
2. Gives your paintwork insane beading qualities
3. More anti scratch protection on paint surface
4. Offers a deep rich gloss with self-cleaning properties, making future washing of your vehicle, faster and easier
5. This protection comes with a  2 year warranty

Before I headed to Germany I got a sneaky but distinctive upgrade to the front of my JCW. MINI officially launched the day time running lights aka DRLs for the R56. I had to have them so I was straight on the phone to MINI Shrewsbury who supply and fitted nearly all my MINI JCW accessories. No dealership around where I live can beat them on service or price, even thought it 40 miles plus trip to get to them I have always left feeling like I am important and value customer.

The DRLs replace where the existing fog lights where and perfectly match the Xenon lights but still retain the fog light function. Yes it was an expensive option to have at £370 fitted but my JCW is two years old and want refresher like I did with full detail of the paint work. I like keeping my MINI looking lush using genuine MINI parts as I know if anything goes wrong with them its covered under warranty, plus at the time in the UK only 400 units were shipped. My JCW was one of the first to have them fitted as a lot of dealership didn’t have a clue what I was taking about until I gave them the part number (63122338554).

Lets get back on track about The M.I.R Run

This is the 1st MINI run I planned and it would be a thank you to my club Surrey New Mini

I wanted to take them to roads I love in the UK and for them to enjoy their MINIs to the fullest. Plus I wanted everyone to come down to Birmingham again so we could get everyone together to do Go karting.

With everything planned out and meet Garry S before the run so I could see his new purchase…

The Green Monster had gone but what would it be replaced with I wonder

The lunatic went and brought a GP2 after months of annoying me with ingenious texts, Chinese whispers and rumours.

I gather he brought one a few weeks back as he said ‘I have had enough of tuning and your right Ali for leaving yours alone and making subtle tweaks here and there’ Then all the cryptic messages on the forums and how quick his new car was built. There could be no other answer than a GP as one of his texts said ‘It got built fast because it doesn’t have many extras’

I think I was more happy for him then he was after woes with the WC50. It was nice seeing a friend being happy and enjoying what I love so much about my MINI – The way it makes you feel every time you unlock it, driving it and that moment when you turn back to admire it after locking it.

The Fast Five got given faster now and GP Garry would be turning up with a fully run in GP2. I was looking forward to seeing him go at it down some twisty roads. I think I could hear the pack from Surrey as the traffic reports on the radio were going bonkers as I am sure they caused a stir on the motorways on the way down.

They all arrived together at the hotel near my house and I greeted them with my brother little Adam who wanted to see everyone again. We all caught up in the hotel lobby over some dinner and filled them in with all the shenanigans of Germany.

The next morning my road was awaken by the sounds of the SNM crew as they filled up my drive way for a quick morning washing our beasts. The pressure washer and snow foam was out to get 4 MINIs quickly washed and dried so we could head out to do some go karting.

I lead the pack to the Cannon Raceway in Wolverhampton for the karting but we arrived late due spending a little too washing the beasts so we headed straight into the briefing room and given our video and personal safety briefing. We dawned our racing overalls and proceed to track to get our helmets and look at the track.

The track looked perfect for some tight races between us all with sweeping bends, chicanes, hairpin turns, long fast straights, a hump-back flyover, a switch back tunnel, “S” bends awaiting us.

We picked our kart of choice but it didn’t really make a difference as these were race tuned 270cc engine karts with slick racing tyres on aluminium wheels and hydraulic disc brakes. I opted to jump into the middle of the field so I eye up my competition and see what lines they would take then go in for the overtake.

Engine and brakes checked we all rolled out one by one from the watchful eye of the marshal. Phil went first followed by Garry then me and Christine for sight seeing laps to get a feel of the track to get the line right and learn the track. Phil and Garry where are it already will me just hooning around for the first laps to feel where the level of grip and what speeds I could take the corners at without too much slip. Christine was at the back holding everyone up as we lapped her, I guess she was really sight-seeing the track.

With our practice laps over we pulled back into the pits for the first of our 2 x 25 lap sessions so cue the F1 Music (The Chain by Fleetwood Mac).

Murray’s Walker voice came into my head as soon as that flagged was waved – GO GO GO for the Monaco Grand Prix!!!

I slammed the gas pedal getting a little swirm as I pulled away with Phil ahead and Garry in hot pursuit. I went Into the 1st the first bend hot and overbraked to get some heat into the front tyres as full throttled up the hump-back flyover not lifting off as it dives down into a hairpin bend.

I caught some air as I aimed my kart for the apex and eased off the gas pedal as the back wheels grabbed contact again with the track and left foot braked whilst backing off gas to scrub the speed off for the bend. I turned into early causing me to reduce speed but this was useful for next section of the track which is a tight set of S bends which require me to get braking and throttle perfect in order to carry speed on to the back straight away.

I weaved into the S bends tapping the brakes to keep right side for the corner as I found it hard to find the best line to track through the S bends. I entered the last section of the S bend kicked the tail out with fully throttle to go wide out to run along side inches away from the crash barriers so I could gain more momentum for the hump back bridge. It paid off as caught a good half-foot of air on the way down from the bridge.

I proceed to savagely hunt down GP Garry & Phil who had the early lead but I gaining on them every corner I took. On the 5 or 6th lap GP Garry  had spun out helping me gain some ground on him after his speeding antics in the infamous Monaco tunnel it would it mount to battle for biblical magnitude.

Now it was game time with GP Garry & Rally Ali going head to head for glory and bragging rights all weekend. I made it clear to Garry that I was right behind him by braking late so he could see and hear me so I could start mounting psychological pressure on him. After tailing him for a lap and pressuring him to make an error he doesn’t seem to buckle from my advances, so driver skill is where I will take him.

As went through the S bends again and on to last the corner I keep my kart centimetres away from as we accelerated away from the corner and we lock eyes to the bridge. Garry was following his own line as he kept away from the barrier whilst I tailgating whilst remain next to the barrier, as we climbed the hill I moved over to right on the crest. Garry backed off the accelerator whilst I keep my foot planted and moved across him to block the corner ahead, we catch air with me half a length ahead. We both lock the brakes as we both make contact with the track I instinctively move left even more to finish overtake and completely blocking him to take the cutting point on the apex leaving him behind.

With Garry dismissed I focused on keeping on the racing line for the next few laps to keep him at bay whilst stalking my next prey called Phil. I learned how to carry more speed through the S bends through precise throttle inputs and leaving the brake pedal alone but there was some debris on the track called ‘Christine’ which doodling along (I am only joking Christine please don’t kill me).

Christine was beneficial to me as she slowed down Phil for me to pick him off next. My hands were getting cramped as I was holding the wheel too firm as I looked for a line to take Phil. My chance came just after the S bends as Phil had tucked in a little too much, allowing me to glide by on the outside with the extra speed I was carrying. I was on pole but there was no time relaxing as I wanted to come close the track lap record and not allow anyone to overtake me.

Sadly my talent might have run out on S bend as just nipped the barrier causing me to crash a little bit and my kart leak fluids on the track which allowed Phil and Garry to gain some significant ground tag team against me. But it didn’t matter as they actually spun out on the little bit of fluid from my kart, which nearly caught me out on few laps later.

I took the chequered flag and took a parade lap to cool down my kart, sadly there weren’t any sexy pit girls waiting for me just blokes and kids looking at me thinking he can’t half drive as the times for each us came up on the boards. I was fastest but a few seconds with Phil and Garry putting in similar times and you can gather who was slowest.

After a short 2 minute rest we were back into our same karts as we were previously raced in. I decided to aim for pure speed and better lap times this around whilst gaining pole position but I wouldn’t be sacrificing lap times just for an overtake.

It was bad decision for me pick the same kart as felt fatigued on the back straight like I had lost power some how and I was acting like Jeremy Clarkson shouting COMMMMEEE OONNNNN!!!! I NEED MORE POWWWEEERRRR!!!!

The battles between us weren’t as epic as we lap time chasing which resulted in a few spinning out. However I did make a dumb move with trying to overtake Phil as I didn’t think he would be braking so I needed up shunting him into the barrier. Sorry Phil but you were in my way! My driving pedigree shone again with me coming first and putting in the fastest time again. Everyone else improved their times with Garry only being about 1 second behind my time.

All pumped with adrenaline we hoped into our little road legal go karts called MINIs and head to Wales to begin the M.I.R Run. The MINI adventure would start off with us meeting a few MINI Mates from Merseyside MINI – Rob & Liz in their GP2 and Si & family in his new factory fresh JCW.

The weather was perfect but the traffic wasn’t on the way to Wales however once we cut across the border we could open the taps on the smooth winding asphalt with the raised speed limit. Sport mode was activated and the hills were alive with the sounds of MINIs poppin and banging on the over run as we arrived into the little village of Betws-y-Coed.

We met up with fellow MINIacs Rob & Liz and Aldo and family for a quick catch up, laughs and photo ops in the carpark. We hadn’t started the Run yet and we were giggling like 5 years olds as we catched up and took some silly pics but I forgot my belt so my chinos were constantly falling down.

Rob wouldn’t lend me the keys to the GP so I took matters into my own hands

After some forgiveness we sat down for lunch together to fuel up for the MINI Madness ahead!

The EVO Triangle’s name comes from the writers over at the EVO Magazine. This route is what the writers use to test drive the cars for magazine features. The route has become very popular among driving enthusiasts, and seems to be one of the most talked about routes in the UK. The route starts on the A543 (just off the A5) heading North along tight sweeping bends and great scenery. You will then turn right onto the B4501 which takes you on some nice long sweeping bends with views of the Llyn Brenig Lake. This road then leads back to the A5 (going through the village of Cerrigydrudion) and back to where you started.

Rob’s GP2 led the pack to the EVO Triangle so we could line up to begin the run and look down on the ribbon of tarmac.

As I was setting up my Go Pro I realised I made amateur mistake of leaving the memory card at home. With me feeling like an idiot, Si son Olly was messing around the field and stumbled upon a rim which reminds you that this road can catch you out. This is where Olly nickname was created with Si getting annoyed with the constant questions and called ‘Alloy come here!’ which ensued laughed amongst us all.

It was like looking at a familiar adversary like Senna was meeting Prost for the ultimate no hold barred rematch to see who was the better driver. My foe would be more kind to me this time as the asphalt had recently been resurfaced and my JCW had its upgraded JCW discs and fresh set of pads however my tyres were down to 3mm all round.

It was bad enough catching a GP in cold winter months but we had to leave distance between us as the freshly laid road had small stones littered all over it and those Kumhos tyres would be at operating temperatures making it my work harder.

So it begins!!! 1220 BHP of MINIs in convoy head down the ribbon of asphalt called the EVO Triangle. The GPs cleared the path like to two scouts heading forth into battle with the full battalion of JCW heading to finish off the stragglers.

The two GPs were off like a flash and the extra gap between us just made it harder to catch up as my grip wandered in the corners as there were a few moments of squirming where power wasn’t being put down.

That extra gap for the GP was enough for them to leave in me literally in their dust as I was at least a full corner behind them all the time. I couldn’t keep up to my annoyance as I was entering a corner they were a full 5 car lengths ahead and powering away from me. I felt bad for my JCW as I pushing her to the point she was skipping and ABS coming into play due to the lack of traction in the breaking zones.

Me only consolation prize was Si who was trying to keep up with me and I had no idea how far behind Christine and Phil where. I had to wait with the GPs in a lay by for them to be anywhere remotely visible to us.

Don’t you worry GPs my JCW will be matching you in the bends soon after some coilovers go on to my JCW next year…

You can’t say I wasn’t trying to keep up with the GPs as when we pulled over our first lap of the EVO triangle my tyres were LITERALLY melting!!!  The GPs left me in the bends and had a corner advantage over me : /

JCW decided to roll back as the brakes were hot as I left it on the hand brake and Si was left very impressed with the sound of my JCW and thought the overrun pops were immense. I was shocked for him as he was trying to keep up with in a JCW with only 400 miles on the clock!!! I guess everyone has their own run in procedures ; )

We went back around again to shrub some more rubber off tyres and to be greeted with the smell of baked brake pads.

I still cant get over how well sorted the GP2 is. Alot of people say it’s too expensive, it’s not special enough, it looks like an R56 JCW with silly stickers and why doesn’t it have more power???

For the doubters the GP2 was in development for 2 years where it was honed for both the track and road, where the already well sorted chassis was given the fundamental upgrade of coilover suspension system. That difference alone makes it a formidable foe to dance with as I found out again pursing the GPs over the run.

The suspension just absorbs the bumps and gives the tyres the greater contact with the road for those compound specific Kumho tyres. You can physically see it at work as my JCW bouncing around whilst the GP was composed like it flattening the undulations in the road.

Garry loved the road and his GP even more and the SNM crew could see what I banging on about early in the year. The smiles and grins said it all when we pulled over half way on the way back to our cottage in a small car park and caused a little commotion like we normally do when we drive in convoy.

This time we attracted another MINI owner who circled back round to see us and ask a few questions about what we had been up to and that he engine light on his dash. I got my diagnostic tool out of my boot and told him the error code and fault it had with his MINI which was an error code related to him putting a sports cat on.

We said our goodbyes to the MMC crew and head back to our cottage, we didn’t expect to have some awesome roads along the way but we did!!!

We arrived at our cottage and it was amazing with nice furnishings and ambles amount of space for us to kick back chill out and just catch up. We all freshened up a little and head down to the hotel restaurant to taste some of the local food to find a couple of muskets above what was once the fireplace.

After we eat we all head back and caught up with one another after we hadn’t been together as a group in a while, plus a few things had changed in our lives and we wanted the verdict off Garry how living with the GP2 is compared to WC50. We were all laughing and merry as they cracked open the complementary bottles of wine whilst I sipped on my ribena. We all reminisced that this time last year we had all met for the 1st time and we were in France for MINI UNITED 2012.

We woke for day two for the MIR Run resulted me getting up early to try to steal Garry’s GP keys so I could take a cheek spin around the block. Sadly Garry knows me all to well and hid his keys which was really annoying as the lunatic parked outside the front door.

We had the perfect fry up breakfast in the pub restaurant next door then proceed to pack up our bags and check up on our MINIs before we headed out to do some more awesome roads.

The next road up road for taming was in the Pass of Llanberis in Snowdonia and the weather was immense for the UK with temperatures hitting 26 degrees for those ray bans moments to continue.

We all parked up alongside the lake across the pass for some piccies as the water looked mesmerising with the sun glistening the ripples alongside the back drop of the mountains and evergreen forests.

We leisurely cruised through Llanberis pass with clear blue skies with the windows down taking pictures were we could and enjoying the pothole free smooth tarmac.

It always been moments like this where I wonder if I didn’t have a MINI would I be doing this? Would I have met the people who I call friends but are family to me? Is this motoring heaven? Why am I smiling so much?

We just cruised the whole journey taking in the beauty of Snowdonia with the waves and smiles we got from onlookers by.

After all the waving to our subjects we grew hungry and retired to local pub opposite Swallow Falls in Betws-y-Coed which was once again another sweet lunch. The Welsh have got three things nailed on the head; scenery, food and roads which happen to be best things in the world.

After the delightful lunch we crossed the road to Swallow Falls to take in the natural beauty of the falls with the sound cascading water which brought an aura of calm to the bank holiday weekend mini madness.

Like all good things it had to come an end and we gave other hugs and wished each other a safe journey home as we would diverge on the motorway away from one another. But we would meet again next week for the legendary London to Brighton Run.

I want to close on a few words on this posts as the website turned one & my JCW turned two years old.

Its been two years of continued MINI Adventures with the world’s greatest friends with my most pride possession my JCW. I look at my JCW every morning and think ‘Thank you for all the MINI Adventures, smiles and connecting me with people who I wouldn’t have ever met otherwise’.

You may think I mad that genuine love my JCW, as it’s truly an extension of my personality but I often call her ‘the misses’. Sure she cost me a small fortune with £1,000 being spent on her before I went on the MIR run with brakes, disc, tyres, DRLs and a full detail but she is worth!!

The messages, comments and looks I get every time I drive her on a daily basis is still a new every time people tell me. The FACT people some say I am driving their Perfect MINI or their Dream Car humbles me that I am fortunate to own my JCW. This is the reason why I write this blog so you can see WHY I brought my JCW to DRIVE and to take you on the drive of your LIFE…

Next Blog Post: MINI Vines: Piazza Italia VII

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Our beloved MINI has decided to enter this market after offering all those many smiles per hour in hatch form all these years. MINI created the Roadster by chopping the top off the hatch, raking the windscreen, adding a fabric top, chrome roll bars and a pop up spoiler to keep it planted at speed. But has this spoilt or added to the formula??

Lets start at the facts and figures for the Cooper S Roadster. Up front is the 1.6 litre 4 cylinder turbocharged engine developing 184 BHP and 240 NM of torque which sprints the two-seater forward to 62 mph in 7 seconds flat. With the roof taken off, extra support was needed to stiffen the body which has added 35 kg over the hatch

Don’t worry this added weight hasn’t blunted the performance or the feel of the MINI, don’t forget this is still a MINI just with open top for added fun. Everything is familiar inside the cabin with circular themed interior, funky toggle switches and a caricatured speedo. The exterior still has that loveable look of the Hatch with the round headlights, go faster viper stripes and dual exhaust exhausts at the rear.

The Roadster was fitted with the following options: pepper white paint and black viper stripes, sports pack – JCW bodykit, 17′ cross spoke challenge alloys, sports steering wheel with red stitching which followed on to the gaiter and handbrake trim. Interior wise there was gloss black trim, black punch leather heated seats, air con/climate control, chrome interior trim, Bluetooth, MP3 CD player with DAB tuner and rear wind deflector.

If you have been in a MINI before its business usual. The interior is all the same with the toggle switches, circular features and the caricatured central speedo which means you can’t get away with speeding.

On the road the MINI feels the same as the hatch with that cheeky charm of that go karting handling and the grin that comes with driving a MINI whether it be at 5 mph in traffic or 60 mph on the B roads. The run-flat Continental sport contact 3 tyres didn’t ruin the ride or handling which surprised me as own a JCW which has firmer suspension. All the roads I took the Roadster on it rode very well so much so I wouldn’t advise getting rid of them.  My minor grumble is about the chassis came when I hit a pothole as I felt the scuttle shake through the wheel but that’s the only time I felt it though.

I took the Roadster on the back roads, town roads and the motorway to get a feel for the chassis and why people are obsessed with open top driving. I am not a fan of convertibles as I believe its type of car is suited to a hot girl and no guy looks good in one. Chopping off the roof ruins the chassis, dynamics and adds weight to car blunting the performance. Plus I cant see why you would give more money for all that, just to be able to lower the roof to have the wind in your hair.

Yet it all made sense when I dropped the top on the MINI which is done by a handle then by holding down the toggle switch which shuts away the fabric top. The MINI Roadster is a looker with its raked windscreen and pop up spoiler adding to sportingness of it all. I had a cheeky grin on my face, when I admired the roadster for some shots.

Lets move on to where it counts the driving and how it makes you feel. I test drove the Roadster spirited fashion on the roads I love and it just gripped when chucked into S bends and there was no torque steer or anything thing!!! It was like a ninja tip toeing on the asphalt and dash forward to slice its next bend.

I was grinning ear to ear with sport button activated as the pops and bangs on the over run were fantastic and steering weighting is perfect for more road feel and every input from the loud pedal is sharpened. There are no excuses for you not to put your foot down to hear the exhaust rasp and feel how well sorted the chassis dynamics are.

If don’t have a car that doesn’t pops n bangs then your missing out!!!

The ECU has been programmed to dump fuel into the exhaust when you lift the throttle in Sport mode which causes it to explode making the petrol’s head favourite noise!! You can tell its been programmed as there is slight delay before it comes then its 3 pops in quick concession

I finally realised what everyone bangs on about with convertibles as I had my ray bans on, system turned up, sports button on, spoiler up, the top down and the beautiful clear blue sky above me. I don’t know if there was something in the summer air but I couldn’t stop grinning as I drove the roadster like a right poser.

I understood that the open top adds to the fun of driving as the wind through your hair, exhaust being more audible, the wide open windscreen and the stares of jealously as I drove past onlookers like a movie star.

Driving a convertible is all about how it makes you feel as you drive it and how other see you just like when you wear a savile row suit, you buy to look good and everyone else to tell you’re looking dapper.

As the MINI is a front wheel drive car and the iconic roadster MX-5 being rear wheel drive. Is the front wheel drive layout taking away from the experience? Why would buy one over the best-selling roadster of the last two decades? Here is the reason to buy one – you will grin like a five-year old on Christmas day with all their presents.

You might think the dynamics of the MX-5 would trump the MINI but hang on a second the 1.6 Litre MINI is nearly a full 1 second quicker the 2.0 Litre sport model in the Mazda and returns better mpg plus its cheaper to tax. Then we look at the boot space the MINI space dwarfs the MX-5 with 240 litres of space compared 150 litres.

If we were kids in the playground the MINI beats the MX-5 in top trumps on every level but we are adults so the money comes into play. Yes the MX-5 is cheaper and it will feel it compared to the funky interior of the MINI but the MINI is cheaper where it counts on the running costs with it’s clever start stop function, low emission and fuel sipping engine.

Review score: 4/5

Secretly I didn’t want to like the Roadster as it’s a convertible but I feel in love with its extra charm it has over the hatch. With prices starting at £20,940 for the Cooper S it’s not cheap for a 2 seater small car. Its beautiful silhouette and looks by passers-by will win you over.

Next Blog Post: The M.I.R RUN

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Whilst they were out hooning on the rear wheel drive BMWs my half of the group was learning about how continental develops a tyre from the compound to the thread pattern and all the research and development that goes into the process.

I asked the question – What if I or tyre company copied your thread pattern would it perform the same or better?

Reply – Even if you copied the exact thread pattern, the compound of our tyres is very different and that’s where our extensive R&D developments goes into

I have always been a preacher about buying good tyres and brakes as these are the only things that keep you on the road. People forget that contact patch between you and the road is only the size of your palm. It was our time for some rear wheel drive shenanigans in the white BMW 1 series and they were fitted with cheap import tyres. I mounted my Go Pro 3 to the back window to showcase my driffftttoooo ability whilst on the wet handling track. I jumped into the driver’s seat unaccompanied and put the paddle shift gearbox and car into sport mode.

We followed a pace car upfront with radios on board which talked us through the lap and how to push the tyres to the limit to feel the difference. To be honest I was being a right yob with me hanging the back out on every corner for a continuous drift.

It was laughable how easy it was to induce over-steer all the time with the cheap import tyre being very loose in the wet handling track and gave no confidence what’s so ever when you pushed the car. When you reached the limit of grip you were met with snap on over-steer which is fun on track but deadly on public road.

All these characteristics are stupidly fun on a closed track which makes you wonder why doesn’t someone offer a track day like this?? Joking aside these handling threats of the tyre would deadly on the open road. Still grinning from ear to ear fun, I suction mounted the Go Pro to the grey BMW fitted with ContiPremium Contact 5s to see how Continental’s tyres could fare better even with the worsening wet track. Into the first corner the difference was evident with the BMW front end would not wash into under-steer and the rear end refused to swing out as I mashed the loud pedal middle corner.

I was being a right lunatic to get the BMW to over-steer as I had to go specifically out of my way to do it. The difference with the Conti tyre was it told you exactly before it let go whilst being controllable.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/wreXP1uB9WY]

It was a no contest between which tyre you would buy.

Tread carefully was the next station which was designed to show you how much a difference tread difference can make

We would drive 3 VW Golfs with different levels of thread – 8, 3 and 1.6 mm at different speed starting at 60 kph (37 mph) then 70 kph (43 mph) and finally 80 kph (50mph) to see the difference. My Group elected to learn the theory behind changing your tyres at 3 mm opposed towards the legal limit of 1.6 mm. 1.6mm is the legal limit for tread depth on tyres. But tests show that at this tread depth, tyres are only performing at 55% efficiency, meaning stopping distances are greatly increased in wet conditions.

We learnt about how the efficiency of the tyres decrease when the thread reduces and about the structure of the compound, side walls and thread pattern make a difference. With the theory dusted off we head towards the car to which there were two people per vehicle because it made easier to switch seats.

I was joined by the motoring journalist queen aka Geraldine Herbert the founder of wheelsforwomen.ie  who has written for newspapers, magazines and websites including the Sunday Independent. It was an honour having her on-board and we had some good discussions about the event and wider car industry. My driving skills had to be at their A game with her on board so no pressure at all. We entered the first car which had 3 mm thread and went around the oval track building our speed up to 60 kph and keeping it steady at that speed whilst we drove through about a 2 metre long patch of standing water. At 50 kph there was a slight slow down in the vehicle but nothing that really phased the tyre.

Next we built up 60 kph and felt the car slow as you noticed the tyre was trying to move the water but with a slight struggle. Once again we ramped up the speed and noticed the car twitched by it moving it to the right which was nothing uncontrollable. It sort of felt like torque steer with reduction of speed of about 5 kph. The Golf fitted with 8 mm tyres was up next so everything was going be fine due to the thread depth and it was true. The car never struggled with the standing water at the different speed and the only teeny tiny difference that was felt at 80 kph even then we were pointed straight ahead.

Next up where the 1.6mm tyres and me and Geraldine gave each other that look, were we we going slide into the barrier plus she elected me to do it first such a Lady. Sadly at this time we were being rushed as our allocated time at this station was coming to a close.

Therefore we dashed into the other Golf and began our first run at 60kph and as soon as we went through the stand water the car aquaplane. It felt like the car was being pushed sideways I was temporary stunned by how the car acted but my reflexes kicked in with me adding opposite lock to steer the car through the cones. We looked at each after it happened and we were like ‘WOW, are you OK?’ Then the radio crackled again saying we need to speed things up so we were moving up the speed to 80kph.

You should have seen my face, WHAT!! An extra 20kph (17mph) we are going hit the barrier at this speed or I am going spin it front of all these motoring journalists. Great I am gone tonight’s topic of laughter at the bar.

We went back around again and I held the speed steady at 80kph and in the corner of my eye I saw Geraldine clutch the door pull so I told her ‘I got this and you got your seat belt on right?’.

Around the bend we went on to the stand water and everything went into slow motion with the car being violently throw to the right like we had just been T Boned by another car.

My fingers buried into the contours of the steering wheel as reacted to the aquaplaning and I meet it with an equal force to correct the car to stop it under steering into the barrier. I caught the car and the grip returned the dry asphalt so I powered it out the cones in front of me. I looked over and said ‘I genuinely thought we were going hit that barrier as didn’t think the front tyres would regain grip’. We were in slight state of shock with the adrenaline still pumping for a while after that encounter. The message was clear from this test – change your tyres before or on 3mm thread is only left

We have been drilled in by the theory test and motoring laws saying 1.6 mm is legal limit. Therefore we have been miss education to change the tyres when its close to legal limit which is completely wrong thing to do. Next up is all the track time madness I have spoken and promised everyone by telling them to wait for Part 2.

We arrived at the next station called ‘Driving Performance For You’ where there was a line up of some tasty cars – 2 x Audi RS3, A Class AMG, BMW 335i, Porsche Panamera GTS and a Porsche GT3 RS.

I looked at these tasty motors and thought – ‘Oh yes time for some track action and they are not my tyres’. Someone had to come over to shuffle us into the white tent for the briefing about the performance tyres made by Continental. We were shown the Sport Contact 5s, Sports Contact 5P and Conti Force Conacts with the 5s being for a fast car/road tyre and the 5P being more of a lower profile track orientated tyre which can be used on daily driver but wont grip as much in the wet as the 5s given the thread pattern and compound.

The Force Contacts are a track bias tyre will with them being lower profile and the compound being suited to a dry track but they were still street legal if you wish to drive around on them a daily basis. It was ironic as this was the dry handling track but it was wet and still pouring down. So I wasn’t sure how to handle the cars on a wet track with ridiculous amounts horsepower on a track I didn’t know.

First up was the Audi RS3 and strangely Geraldine came with again after the ride in the Golf, I guess my recovery of the aquaplaning impressed her.

I mounted the Go Pro to the back window and enter the larger leather bucket Seats of the RS3 which were very comfortable. I fiddled with the seat and adjusted the autobox to sport and put the car into sport mode and eyed up the line the track and listened to the instructions coming from the walkie-talkie.

This was my 1st time in the RS model and everyone raves on about them but I honestly don’t like Audi’s at all! I actually loathe them with them all looking the same with them just being a longer and shorter of themselves with their boring driving feel and input. I wanted to keep objective so I set aside the my dislike and I hunkered down in the RS seats and gave the throttle a few blips to hear the exhaust note which was nice. Off we went following the lead car a black BMW 335i and mashed the gas pedal as soon as we left the lay-by area with the four-wheel drive hooking up and all 335 ponies from the forced induction 2.5 litre TFSI engine propelling us forward with a jot to push us back in our seats.

I went into the first bend all cautious as I wasn’t sure about the how the car would handle in the wet but I soon realised that you didn’t have to do anything but press the loud pedal as the car did everything and all that was left was for you point the thing in the right direction.

The Audi was quick with it reaching 140kph on the back straight but my god was it boring it drive with no feedback to the wheel at all. I could have driven it one hand and texted my mates to telling them what I was doing and take a few snaps whilst I was there. I left the AUDI unimpressed by its driving feel and here is my summary of the car – If you want a point to point fast car the RS3 is perfect, actually it should be THE getaway car of choice if you want to rob a bank. If your after driving involvement, road feel and laughs then don’t buy it, sure it fast but it’s so uninvolving I would rather go shopping for door mats. Into the much incapacitated A Class AMG which had nice subtle menacing look from the outside and was very tasty inside. SLS AMG air vents and carbon fibre look dashboard with some nice subtle red accents around the cabin. So far good, I looked to the console to turn everything on to get it to sport mode which took a little longer than I like but minor grumble given the performance on tap.

Now I would have another 4 wheel drive vehicle but with 2 litre four banger developing a laugh out loud 355 BHP. Again this would be my first time driving the hot version of normal Mercedes as I had only driven the C Class CDI C220 a while back.

I have always wanted to drive an AMG given how loony the division is with copious amount of power they extract from engines and the noise they make which sound like the heavens have opened up and THOR has arrived. Again I blipped the throttle to her what she sound like but it was slightly muted but I wasn’t sure about the reason given how new the car was but meh.

Off we went around the track again with me being directly behind the lead car so I could push on more as we would setting the pace of the other cars behind us. Straight way I felt the AMG feel more eager to rev and pull harder in the corner but I didn’t like the driving feedback but it was significantly better than the RS3.

I had a lot more fun the AMG with the feedback and it was more playful with it reaching 147kph on the straight way which made me wonder what it would be like in the dry.

I left the AMG impressed as this was their first proper attempt at hot hatch and I would definitely recommended one over the RS3 as its faster and roughly the same price – WIN WIN!! Next up was the blacked out BMW 335i which looked menacing as hell and me being brought up in BMW and owning a 323i for a while I looked forward to testing performance variant of the 3 series. Into the 335i I went with a big grin as I knew some sideways drift action would have happening with the rear wheel drive power.

It’s very dangerous coming out four-wheel drive vehicles as you got used to giving the car full throttle mid corner. This pre mindset was evident in the first corner where I pressed the loud pedal mid corner resulting in the back-end of the BMW going into 60 degree slide then finally me realise and catching the slide with opposite lock and powering out of the corner.

I looked over to Geraldine and said ‘Do not worry I will make sure we will stay on track as I know you have two kids but I will be pushing it hard’. I proceed to get use to the 335i making sure I was getting the most out of the turbocharged 3 litre in-line six developing 300bhp and 300lb ft of torque to tail happy rear wheels. It was quite tricky getting used it due to the conditions of the track and the seat time I would have.

This is what made it way more fun than the Merc or Audi as you the driver had to work learn the cars behaviour and find the levels of grip instead of the electronic nannies and clever four-wheel drive vectoring power behind the senses.

The BMW was the quickest on the back straight with an indicated 160kph but the brake pedal feel was worrying as the consecutive pounding was showing in my time around in the track. Minor grumble as this isn’t a fully fledged skunk works of the M division unlike the RS & AMG as I am sure the forthcoming M3 would have power slided to victory.

Time was now running short and I had to make a tough decision drive the Panamera GTS with Ferocious V8 putting out 430BHP or jump into the Porsche GT3 RS for some hot laps.

By the time I had decided to take the GTS some had nicked it from me so GT3 RS was awaiting me to dawn a racing helmet and to climb through the full roll cage to hunker down into the racing bucket seats. I gave the thumbs ups to the driver who actually worked for Continental on tyre development. Off we went and hell he could drive with his braking and feeding the power in and never letting the power being wasted even in the wet. Not once did miss a clipping point or apex and he drove the GT3 RS like the track was dry. The GT3 RS was fitted with Conti Force Contacts.

I was told later he is very fuss about driving as drove the track first early in the morning and adjusted his tyre pressures then went back out again. When it rained during the day he took it out again to find the better line in the wet and adjusted the pressures again. I got told by the guys that Mercedes C63 AMG would have been out today buy didn’t due to the rain as it would be too lairy, plus the other day one person decided to leave the track in one and go off-road. Typical I have always wanted to drive one as well.

The next experience was up next called ‘Chill Out’ but I didn’t think we would be literary chilling out as we were taken into the where the winter tyres were tested. It was freezing in the testing area and we were told now how a winter tyre were made.

The silica is key to grip in temperatures below 7 degrees due to the properties of it being a soft compound and the tyres have snipes/groves to increase traction on snow or ice. Continental had a novel way of showing you the difference between a normal tyre and winter tyre with slippers.

Yes slippers!!! They had made slippers out of a tyre which looked amazing when you flipped them over – 1 slipper was a normal tyre and the other made of a winter tyre We all rolled out to get our slippers on to the long sheet of ice and you felt straight away when you stepped on the ice with one leg sliding forward to rip your trouser and your other leg staying put like it was glued to the floor.

My left leg had a mind of its own on the ice and it was good thing I wore slightly baggy chinos at the time.

The day was coming to close at 5 and we were all called back to the press room where last parts of the brand experience would happen. We would sit down and listen about Continentals history and developments/partnerships through a presentations.

We learnt how Adidas approached Continental for their expertise to develop a outsole with a strong grip ideal for trail and outdoor sports shoes. The first range of trainers with Continental technology was the Adidas SuperNova Riot 3, featuring Continental’s Traction Compound Technology – which allows confident grip on all surfaces and conditions. Continental has strong brand relations within football industry with sponsoring the UEFA Euro 2012, FIFA World cups and Champions league.

Now most recently with St. George’s Park, the national football centre in Burton-upon-Trent. The new partnership will see Continental Tyres become an ‘Official Supporting Partner’ of St. George’s Park.

With a focus on preparation for driving performance, the Continental presence at the National Football Centre will include a 60-metre indoor ‘high performance’ running track, a goalkeeping ‘stopping zone’ and a bespoke ContiWarmUp area to enable all players to prepare before a game or training session. I have personally visted the grounds and I was genuinely astonished how gigantic they place. You have to drive down a short road network and then it all opens out to Hilton Hotel and the training grounds with 5 areas of parking. Continental has been a partner in excellence with Mercedes-Benz World Brooklands by supplying them with tyres for both on and off-road driving experiences. The Brooklands site offers an interactive world full of the passion, heritage, values and innovation of the Mercedes-Benz brand. These include a wet circle and a 10-acre off-road course, a high-speed handling circuit and acceleration and braking strips.

I missed the chance at going to an event there as I have friend who is driving instructor who works at the Brooklands site. He messages me every now and then with pictures of what he will be driving today!!! I got jealous when he said I have driven the Black series AMG C Class and we have the SLS AMG Black series coming soon to which I will be putting it through it paces! : O

The final presentation of the day was about all the compounds that go into a tyre and how some are natural, synthetics, oils, rubber and how various elements are added to give the tyre compound different properties.

A tyre is a complex high-tech product made up of up to 15 different compounds.  Each compound contains 20 ingredients and up to 30 different components. The tyre is not just made up of rubber compounds; engineers also employ reinforcing materials such as nylon, polyester, rayon and steel to perform varying functions depending on where they are used. For example, nylon and steel cords are used under the tread to restrict tyre distortion and minimise heat build-up in the tyre, whereas rayon or polyester is used in the plies to withstand the inflation pressure of the tyre.

The brand experience was over so we headed back into the coach and head back to the hotel to freshen up for all us to head back out to have dinner together. We went to a local restaurant in Hanover which was couple of kms away which was nice and where I spoke with other motoring journalist about the experience we had during the day and the other events they had been to. It was a pleasant way to end the antics over the 3 days. Thank you Continental for inviting me and I had good laugh on the experience and went away with in-depth knowledge about tyres and stories to tell for years to come. But don’t worry Germany I will be coming back soon….

Next Blog Post: Cooper S Roadster Review 

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I had written to Continental on the off-chance I would be able to see their facilities and they obliged by inviting me down to their Brand Experience and they would be paying for everything with flights, hotel etc.

I received their email back within 24 hours saying I was going which was fantastic given I would turn 24 and then 2 weeks later be heading to Germany : D

One week before leaving I would make a small trip down to Northampton to meet another MINI Looney – Simone aka Work experience girl and her unique R50 Cooper ‘Mimi’

I had only seen her MINI on instagram and it has always been amazing to meet my followers who are now like family to me.

Why is her MINI so unique given its Orciari Bodykit which I had never heard of or seen in my life

It’s now sitting on Coilovers suspension with Porsche D90s rims going on very soon

I have been into the ‘Low N Slow’ or ‘Hella Flush’ look as it’s not performance orientated but after sitting in her ‘Mimi’ I was shocked how good it rode. Thats the day my coilover fund began for GP suspension/B14 Bilstein as I wouldn’t mind my JCW sitting 15mm lower for better handling and ride.

I made a bet with Monie that if she got a certain job I would allow her to drive my JCW. Guess what she got that job : /

I hand her the keys after she beat up me and she loved every second driving my JCW at some speed around an industrial estate.

Had such a laugh up in Northampton with her & Matt who made me feel so welcome and it felt like we are like old mates catching up

It still amazes how my MINI has introduced me to the most amazing people ever!!!

Before I headed out I dropped my JCW off to Midlands Car Care to be detailed whilst away as too many cheap hand car & dealer washes had dulled the shine on the metallic eclipse grey paint.

I had seen Russ’ work first had whilst visiting him before to get quotations and recommendations on the work i should i get down. When I was down the local Phantom Drophead Coupe was there and it seems like every Ford Focus RS ever made gets detailed there

My JCW would be getting a full paint correction, dent/chip removal and C Quartz protection. I looked forwarded to the results when I came back and forecast was good on the day I came back – Sunny 16 degrees which is classified as take your top off in the UK

I got dropped off by one of  Russ’ detailers in an Audi A3 which is sooo low we scrapped a few times on the drive back to my house.

I started on packaging everything and making sure everything was charged for trip as I wanted to capture all the moments and report back everything back to my readers. All done off I went to sleep

The day dawned and I had to catch this long tubey metal thing called a Train to London Heathrow. Wheeling my suitcase I took to MINI UNITED 2012 with my MINI Dog Tag on it I waited for the train to arrive so the journey could begin. It actually arrived on time and I settled into my seat and popped on my headphones to zone out House of Balloons by The Weeknd.

With the train stopping at Paddington station and then I jumped through the underground system to get to Heathrow connect line. I was hungry at this time and fancied some nom nom so off I head to search for a restaurant in London Heathrow – decided on this Italian cafe and ordered a tuna wrap with fries and some pepsi.

With checking time nearing I head back to check myself in and to see who I would be going with on the plane.

I met up with a few traders and motoring journalists in the departure lounge and introduced myself. There was a few from Ireland but this one guy called Sean was hilarious with him cracking jokes all the time and selling stuff as he seemed to know a guy for everything.

We boarded on the Airbus A320 and waved the UK goodbye for motoring testing shenanigans

A few hours later we landed in Germany and went through customs and collected our bags to be greeted by Mark aka Continental Man to usher us on to the coach to depart to our hotel.

Whilst on the coach it was interesting viewing look at Germany architecture with everything clearly being built to last with stone building and open green spaces around homes. Everywhere I look there were German vehicles with VW, Audis, BMW everywhere and odd Europe car. Their dealerships were MASSIVE I guess stock or choice isn’t a problem there.

Our coach pulled up Courtyard Marriott Maschese Hotel which would be home for our short stay in Germany. We collected our bags and we were guided to into the conference room to be briefed about our stay and given our keys to our rooms.

Once briefed it was time for some nom nom and I picked grilled salmon, steamed vegetables and slice of whole grain bread from the buffet and enjoyed the view whilst the sunset on the day in Hanover.

At this time I bumped into another one of my Instragram follower Martyn Collins who is actually a Motoring Journalist and owner of the original GP. We had some interesting conversations over dinner and all the events he had been to and then a whole load of MINI talk.

Later I retired to my room to dump my bags up in my room and put my cameras on charge for tomorrows Hooniganism. I head back to meet up with everyone at the open bar we had to talk and learn about motoring journalism. We had some great debates about the industry, how cars have changed over the ages and various press/launch events. Also for me to talk about my JCW and the shenanigans and events I get up to.

Whilst at our table and enjoying our drinks and laughing away, the lovely Lorna came up to me to ask if she could borrow my Infamous hat for some piccies. I obliged as I laughed but didn’t want to be in any pics given my hat hair. We talked for a while about what we would get up to in the morning on the Contidrom visit and she made it sound epic with the tasty motors we would driving.

It was prompt start in the morning with me heading down at 8:30 am for breakfast and then to collect my Continental lanyard with itinerary on back along with a press pack memory stick.

On to the coach to head Continental’s Test facilities called the Contidrom. We then taking into the briefing room to have some light breakfast snacks and juices. We were given overview of brands history and developments through their 140 years in business. We were spilt up in groups and I was in the Red group.

Immaculate VW Camper Van

Here are some Facts for you

Continental is more than just a tyre manufacturer

1.  Continental is one of the top 3 automotive suppliers in the world
2.  Continental is spilt into 5 divisions – Chassis & Safety, Interior, Power Train, Tyres and Contitech
3. Over 170,000 employees worldwide
4. 291 Locations in 46 Countries

We were bundled into blacked out VW Transporters to our first station which was ‘The Future in Motion’ I thought this would marketing spiel but then after a short ride I saw VW Passat CC, Porsche Panamera and Renault Fluence EV all lined up the grass with Toyota IQ sitting by the white tent.

There was no messing around and we headed into the normal look Passat with a vinyl saying ‘Simplify your drive’ but once inside the dash was a LCD screen with buttons on the right. The tech guy spoke about continental makes various vehicle parts ranging from dashboards to ECU calibrations.

The idea was to showcase how continentals systems could fundamentally changed the cars feel and drive ability. Hit the prancing horse for sport mode the ride instantly firmed up, the throttle and steering became sharp and it blipped down two gears. I was shocked as I drove as car felt completely different as the body roll reduced and I felt the road more plus it made some naughty noises on the up shifts and down shifts.

As you can guess the feather turned the car into wafting car with the suspension absorbing the bumps the DSG box finding the higher gear to make it silent in the cabin with the throttle and steering slacking but still responsive to inputs.

Last but not least was the Flower button which ECO mode which made it near on impossible to stamp on the gas pedal as felt like it pushing your leg back saying if you press down on me again I will set off the airbag in your face.

This time I was chauffeured like A BOSSSSSS in Panamera which was fitted with Continentals air suspension which could drop and raise the height of the car by 20mm at a stand still or on the move.  The difference was apparent from the back seat as we hit the oval track and when going over the varied road surface which included the lovely cobbled surface. Even its sport setting it wasn’t off-putting but you knew that it soaking the bumps well.

Next up was an education of the tyres & air pressures sensors on cars and most people don’t have clue what pressure their tyres should be and rarely check their pressures. Modern air pressures are lacking technology to be fair with them only ever telling you they are low when hit a certain threshold by then you wasted fuel and increased wear on a under-inflated tyre.

Continental developed at sensor which would inside the tyre which would rely information to an app or in-car systems to inform you of your tyre pressure and even send you a message if one tyre was loosing pressure. Another way of integrating it into the Toyota IQ would to have car flash or horn when the correct tyre pressure was reached when you fill your tyres with air. I would personally welcome this tech as I have come back to my MINI to find I had a slow puncture but having this system I could have been pre-warned about checking my tyre and even ask for mobile tyre fitter to come to my work to check or replace my tyre.

Now for a step into the Future with the Renault’s EV

A problem that has plagued all EVs is it range and finding a source to charge up. The idea of conti’s system was to increase the range of the car by shutting down systems within the vehicle on low power and the sat nav to take you charge or even the car to inform you inside or by a message the car is low on juice. The proposal wasn’t world change technology but a common sense approach of how to get driver home or safely to a charge without it dying out on you – As always the greatest ideas are simplest ideas.

Back into the transporters we went for the next stage called ‘Mixed Up’ where I would be in my element with MINIs on a wet handling pad.

I went to the right side of the door of the MINI to find no steering wheel, so I went to the other side of the MINI Cooper D. All 3 of the MINIs looked the same but when you saw the lower graphics down the side everything made sense -The idea was to showcase not mix tyres or makes.

Mixed Tyres – Continentals upfront and cheap imports on the back

The first MINI had Continentals with an Asian import tyre on the back. There was a radio inside the car and guy on the other end guiding you in what to do. It felt weird changing gear with my right hand but I wouldn’t need to change-up or down on the wet handling track. I built up my speed on the oval pad and the back-end slid out around 30 kph as I turned for some sideways Hoonage.

As much as I was giggling and holding the slide this would be dangerous on the public roads as they are not always smooth and there obstacles and traffic so the room to correct or recover from a slide is down to a bit of luck and driving ability.

The second MINI had the cheap imports upfront with contis on the back but this time the handling was the direct opposite with the massive under steer occurring with the only way to correct it was too slow right down to get it turn properly. It’s interesting to see how on these two tests how the continental tyre is doing its up most to keep you on the road while the import tyre is trying to kill anyway it can.

The last two MINI was fitted with either 4mm or 8mm continentals upfront and 8 or 4mm on the back. All I wanted to was it to get it lift off over steer and god how I tried but it refused me to even with a Scandinavian flick but the ESP kicked when I did that. The contis just gripped and gripped the harder I pushed with me literally falling on of the seat before I could reach the limits of grip.

After all this madness we went cold down in the white tent and they informed about the limits of grip and how continental develops it tyres – how the tread pattern and compounds make a difference. The clear advice from this test was not to buy cheap tyres and if you need to change only two tyres on your car make sure you put the new tyres on the back because in the event of you losing control of the vehicle you will be correct it more easily and your less likely to aquaplane.

If you compare 4mm continental tyre to 8mm import tyre on this test it clearly show how it still trying to keep you on the road while the import tyre is not even working when it’s at optimum thread. Therefore for the sake of £20-30 more per corner having better tyre is always best as it only thing that keeps you on the road.

Continentals crown jewel was up next, the award-winning AIBA (Automated Indoor Braking Analyser) which is the world’s first fully automated weather independent tyres testing facility. This was the only place where camera were not allowed given the technology in this room and we were the only people outside of continental who had ever been access to AIBA.

AIBA is housed in a hall which is 300 metres long and up to 30 metres wide. It allows fully automated unmanned testing all year around irrespective of weather with testing being able to done both in wet and dry road surfaces. The facility has the capacity to carry out 100,000 individual braking procedures on wet or dry interchangeable road surfaces at different temperatures hot or cold without human error for optimum precision.

I was astonished by how they could interchange the road surfaces at push of a button to a different road surfaces such as a poorly surfaced road or smooth autobahn service. If thought that was mind-blowing they accelerated the vehicles on high-tech roller coasters which can linearly accelerate anything from VW Golf to 3 tonne Truck from 0-100 Km/h (62mph) in 4 seconds.

I got a real insight into Continental during the first half of the day. This behind the scene look showed me how day in and day out continental tyres are doing everything to keep you on the road.

There is still more to come in the part 2 of my visit to the Contidrom and there is more things to come like High speed testing and shenanigans on track

Next Blog Post: Continental Brand Experience: The Contidrom Part 2

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My JCW faired well in the snow with me driving it everyday in -5 degrees weather on normal tyres. She started first time, defrosted quickly in the morning and passed a few cars doodling at 15mph with a few pops & bangs in the snow : D

Sadly I was messing around abit too much and caught the kerb on the back wheel causing it to bounce off the Kerb leaving a shiny silver kerb mark on my Black R112 rim

I feared the worst I thought I had bent the rear control arm or suspension. Off I went to the MINI Accident repair centre to get my JCW assessed. She is tough one but my suspension was out so a full KDS Alignment was needed.

What is KDS? Kinematic Diagnosis System is where by MINI punch in your Chassis number into the system to pull up the full specification of your MINI including all the options installed. They will set your suspension back to what it was at the factory and alter if options are fitted later down the line that will affect the balance of the vehicle. Therefore all MINIs have a different setup to each other e.g. a MINI with a sunroof will have a different alignment to one without.

It was well worth the £120 as the ride and handling was transformed and it felt even sharper. Hats off to MINI Oldbury Accident Repair centre

Enough doom and gloom!! Back at MINI UNITED 2012 i met this MINI couple – Rob & Liz and members of Merseryside MINI club who were a great laugh and discussed the GP 2 at some length. Rob talked about the route including the Stevalo pass and driving through the Alps and that he would heading the Nurburgbring in his WC50 shortly after MINI UNITED.

Rob told me about his club and wanted me to join in with their fun so I signed up for My 1st Run of 2013 would be the Dragon run which included the infamous EVO triangle. He let me know on a little secret of his that his WC50 would be traded in for GP2 so I was happy to see him & Merseyside crew again.

As always the JCW was made Shiney Shiney the night before and fuelled with Shell V Power and I headed to North Wales for the dragon run. The meet point would be a service station with plenty parking and places to Nom Nom breakie.

I rolled up to a nice selection of MINIs with the 1st & 2nd Gen GPs

A few minutes later Rob & Liz came in his new GP2  with Rob saying ‘Hey Ali, Nice seeing you, I would love to give you a lift but I have no back seats’ LMAO

With everyone together we headed to the Great Ome, Llandudno

There nothing like driving in a convoy of MINIs as every always stares and waves which is one of the many pluses of owning one

The road to Llandudno were great with the coast being on our right and not a pothole in sight

Up we went to the toll road to the top of the Great Orme was twisty with the cliff walls rebounding the sound of my JCW exhaust added with Pops & Bangs

We filled the carpark at the top with 27 MINIs all parked together and enjoyed the view out to sea

I got to speak to a few owners who i had never met but spoke with on the forums

DJ with his 1st Gen GP

I was surprised to realise his dad was the owner of the GP 2 which was brought from the same dealership and same person (Dawn) who I brought my JCW from

Jonta from Minis Unleashed with his sweeet British Racing green Cooper S with nice mods with coilovers and awesome four spots upfront

It was good seeing Kevin again after meeting him at MINI UNITED not as happy as he was to see my infamous hat again

We all headed back down and drove along the coast with the clear blue sky and ocean view aheading to Cerrigydundion

The roads on the way there were epic with the speed limit being higher and the scenery for some epic shots to be taken along the way

It was like skittles on the roads with virtually all the MINI colours and UK flag being drive on the roads. I say the road were amazing because they dipped and corkscrewed up when you come out the bend just like on the nordschleife. This reinforced especially when your chasing the MINI up front pushing them on to brake that bit later and get on the power sooner

I was grinning ear to ear appreciating my recently dialled in suspension with the JCW popping like MAD on each gear change. I managed to get pop on every change up to 5th  and i never heard my JCW  Pop & Bang so much EVERRRR!!!!

We stopped up at Betws-y-coed for some nom nom for lunch bringing this little village to a stop with everyone staring at us

We got all our MINIs all lined up in the car park as well filling up one whole area of parking hehe

I went into a cafe to get my lunch and tried to the vegetarian option which was chef special of vegetable pie with salad and handcut chips with real lemonade. I have to say it was very nice and filled me up nicely

During this time I got to speak with Steve & Ally who are owners of two 1st Gen GPs

They had been on a fair few MINI adventures with the GP and I was shocked to hear that the GP was their wedding car as well as the drove into the sunset for their honeymoon. Proper MINI die-hards with the GP winning a few concours awards and being in a few official MINI UK events as well

But its annoying when you never see a GP on the road and then 3 turn up at once

We all headed out to the infamous EVO triangle only to turn around 2 miles down the road because a local had crashed their car. It’s an reminder that you should always obey rules of the road and be sensible with manoeuvres and your spatial awareness as all it takes to think is 2 seconds and 1 second for it be game over.

We looked at the funny thing paper called a map and searched for a route we could go on to headed in the direction of the EVO triangle.

I am sure if going the other way would have been as good given I was in awe of the mountains, scenery and the epic winding asphalt as I managed to get some motion shots of all us heading into the mountains

When we got the EVO Triangle  we all parked up on the side to see a Frozen Blue M3 Performance Pack & Black 1M Coupe howl by. We all know why they came her for some proper Hoonage on the best roads with the UK

A few of you might be wondering why is it called the EVO Triangle

The EVO Triangle’s name comes from the writers over at the EVO Magazine. This route is what the writers use to test drive the cars for magazine features. The route has become very popular among driving enthusiasts, and seems to be one of the most talked about routes in the UK. The route starts on the A543 (just off the A5) heading North along tight sweeping bends and great scenery. You will then turn right onto the B4501 which takes you on some nice long sweeping bends with views of the Llyn Brenig Lake. This road then leads back to the A5 (going through the village of Cerrigydrudion) and back to where you started.

This perfection of asphalt is 20 miles long and ribbons like a dragon through the heartlands of North Wales with a steep inclines with tight challenging turns to work your suspension with every turn, torture to your tyres to limits of grip, boil your brake fluid and for you thirst after every gear shift to connect every turn with the exact steering and throttle input all of the feeling that I tamed this tarmac beast.

We all eyed up the tarmac that entered the woodlands and with a deep breath enter our machines pressing the sports button lifting off the safety nannies thus engaging the electronic limited diff as we didn’t want any interrupts of power

I had the perfect sparring partner up front as I would be chasing Geoff in his GP 2

So began the drive of my life with me chasing this GP 2 in my JCW and taking it to the limit to get every ounce of performance out her and slip streaming the GP to get right behind on each corner to keep the momentum going and keeping the turbo spooled up in its sweet spot

I have never been so focused and enjoyed a road so much within the UK and it was petrol head nirvana with me lynching for more! Constantly trying to get the racing line and getting the front end to kiss the apex coming in and out the corners.

It was challenge to keep up GP 2 as I could clearly see that he could get on the power much more earlier than me with the Kumho Ecsta V700 gripping the tarmac like claws and the Bilstein Coilover suspension eating up all the undulations like it was nothing with no visible sign of body roll at all. Plus he could get on the brake much later as those colossal 6 pot Brembos scrub the speed away at neck breaking force.

You clearly see the GP 2 has been setup dead on with its damping, rebound rates, braking and doesn’t waste any of the power from the engine which just goes to show power isn’t anything if it can’t be used

Later on the route I had to back off as I was getting brake fade only due to the fact my pads and discs were due in 2,000 miles so there wasn’t much bite left in them

When we finally came to a finish I was astonished by this piece of asphalt as my hands were sweaty, my pulse was racing and my pupils dilated. I felt a sign of accomplishment that I had come here and conquered that dragon of tarmac with my JCW pinging on cool down with the cool fans kicking in with added smell of brake pads.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

I looked down upon the valley that we came from and said i would be seeing you soon with a few performance tweaks to my JCW

It was an awesome day out with Merseyside MINI & MINIS UNLEASHED and I made a few more MINI Mates

Look forward to seeing everyone again on the MINI Events later on in the year

I got to say I really like Liz & Rob as they always made me fell welcome and they are MINI loonies like me with Liz being no slouch with her Super Soov Chilli Red JCW

They recently got engaged so I wish them all the best and many MINI more years of happiness

Cant to see the MMC crew again on another meet where ever it maybe

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