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.

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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The post M.I.R RUN appeared first on JCW Adventures.

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

Videos:

Next Post: GO PRO 3: Black Edition Review

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The post MINI Dragon Run: EVO Triangle appeared first on JCW Adventures.

This an addiction in buying parts and accessories to custom your MINI which is never ending

Having seen the new MINI GP being unveiled at MINI UNITED 2012 in France I loved the HUGE Brakes and rear wing and diffuser.

I wanted that Rear Diffuser for my JCW sometime later now the line when the parts if they did came available

That day came earlier than I expected as the part numbers came available just before official launch of the GP. I ordered the parts and delivery took 3 weeks

The install was relatively simple as it was just a bolt on part with my carbon fibre trim coming off and then fixing on the diffuser part and brackets for under trays.

I haven’t stopped grinning after I have the diffuser on. I cant says it made a difference on the road but MPG has gone up slightly but forget all that it looks AWESOME SAUCE!!!

I wanted to add some more NOISE to the JCW

Don’t get me wrong the JCW sounds good all round with deep burble with Pops on the overrun, but I wanted it a menacing noise and BANGS on the overrun.

I only wanted the best for my JCW so an Evolve Sports Cat would be going on and MINI Specialist LOHEN for the modification along with a few other bits

Lohen has built its reputation well with their customer service being second to none and has been voted UK Best Independent New MINI Specialist numerous times by Modern MINI Magazine readers.

Further to this Lohen run their own R56 Cooper S aka ‘Polar Bear’ in the MINI Challenge series

Off I went to Lohen to get my bits put on and the roads leading to them were quite fun as well

First up was the Powerflex Bushes upper and lower engine mounts which reduces engine vibration and noise. Reducing the movement of the engine/gearbox helps to minimise torque steer and will make aftermarket exhausts less prone to failure due to reduced flexing.

The feel after getting them install there was noticeable difference engine response was much better. I would recommend them to anyone as its a cheap mod to do.

Out went the OEM oil dipstick because it unreadable at times and I don’t why its brown because oil becomes brown after time. In went the Craven dipstick which has easy to read with its notches and easier removed and inserted back in.

Time to hit the Dyno to get a base run of how much power my JCW was putting out

She was strapped now and the dyno fan at full blast, on she rolled with me eagerly waiting on the figures

The results were 209 BHP with 287 NM of Torque – There was a surprise drop at the top of the rev range with there being a dip before the redline

I was told by the techs that torque limiter was kicking near the redline

Out with the old and in with the new

The Evolve sports cat went on

On she went on the Dyno again to see if the sports cat made a difference

She made a few pops on the dyno ; )

There was no real performance gain but on the graph the curve was much smoother and more importantly no dip at the top end

On the road its felt with the turbo spooling way quicker and virtually no lag when you press louder pedal regardless of gear

Oh yeah it sounds hornets nest under full throttle with POPS n BANGS all the time and a meatier burble at idle : D

Lets say my JCW and Tunnels are best friends now

Before I left I picked up a Stubby Craven Aerial & Dodo Juice – Purple Haze wax for my JCW as I have heard nothing but good things

I cant not fault Lohen with the service they offered me with their knowledge and suggestions for later modification I want to do.

Now my JCW proudly wears their badge

I wish nothing them but success to Team Lohen & Polar Bear in their 2013 MINI Challenge season

Maybe my JCW will be catching up with the Polar Bear soon….

Videos:

Dyno Runs

Exhaust Sound Clips

Next Blog Post: Dragon Run: EVO Triangle

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The post LOHEN Vs JCWADVENTURES appeared first on JCW Adventures.

Always it was a long drive to Goodwood and i had been a few times that year with MINI UK themselves inviting me for MINI TO THE MAX event to trash around some MINIs and feel the new GP in action on the circuit.

MINI GP 2

The Goodwood Circuit was being opened just for us

This would be the Fifth Annual Goodwood Run for SNM but my 1st with the club

Little adam was with me this time and this would be his 1st time on the circuit

The roads leading to Goodwood are awesome sauce but make your car quite dirty : /

I arrived to Goodwood to the sight of a few familiar faces with 118 aka Ian, Phil K & Garry S

There were some new faces & whips – Craig with his Mellow Yellow Cooper S, Jane with her Coupe SD, John with his Cooper S, Ashley with a White Cooper S, Liz & John wih their Dooper Hatch, Stuart and his Red JCW Hatch, Jono with his Hyper Blue tuned Cooper S and Jason with his drop top Cooper S

When no one paying attention i managed to sneek my JCW to the front of the starting grid Mwahahhahaahhaha

As more and more MINIs arrived it started to look like skittles out there on the track

Here is all of SNM together

Here is everyone from Chequered line to the back

WC50 Vs Cooper SD

Mellow Yellow Cooper S

Sheldon & Mrs Mini

T K detailing R53 Cooper S

The Infamous Dinky

Sexy Sexy as usual Bambino

Supercharged?

We were 50 MINIs strong once everyone arrived : D

We were allowed to go around of a parade lap

On the 2nd lap i pulled to the side to film flybys of SNM

I was soo much easier going around Goodwood this time and i remembered Phil’s advice on the circuit to tuck in more to the end of the track

It was nice seeing everyone again and i was happy to see Bambino one of our members who won a MINI Oscar for his Infamous MINI BUG

Thank you Ian organising the event and to the other Ian the official at Goodwood for the chat and this possible for SNM.

I will see you all again at the Goodwood: Festival Of Speed & Revival later this year

I end this Blog on a sad note because GP 0219 – Licence plate VO06 DZE was stolen

If you see it tell the police and post up on the MINI Forums – TotalMINI, SNM, MINI Torque, Merseryside MINI Club, Cooper Register and MINI2

Next post: The Birmingham Job: Cars & Chocolate

SNM Goodwood Meet V Videos

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The post Goodwood Meet V appeared first on JCW Adventures.

My JCW & Me had the time of our lives with my JCW appearing on the National Geographic channel, travelling to MINI UNITED 2012 and various MINI Events and visiting a different city every month

This year has been the best year of my life and actually alot of it to my MINI given i wouldn’t have done half things if i didn’t owe one

Through owning my JCW i got to drive a classic mini at TV Shoot for the National Geographic show and made some new MINI Mates

Dave – The owner of the Classic mini & Photographer

Michael  – Another awesome photographer with Degree in Automotive design

Becoming a proud member of Surrey New MINI (SNM)

Travelling across France to reach MINI UNITED 2012 in a convoy of 5 MINIs from the UK

Meeting the Monte Carlo MINI Rally winners –  Rauno Aaltonen & Paddy Hopkirk

Visiting Monaco & Paris – Still cant believe we drove the whole track of the Monaco F1 Circuit

Meeting Automotive Legends Russ Swift & Chris Harris at Brands Hatch

Pushing my JCW to its limits on various tracks across the UK & France – Brands Hatch, Castle Combe, Monaco Circuit, Paul Ricard, Goodwood & Santa Pod

Having Hot laps in the MINI CHALLENGE Race car

Holding the Olympic Torch

Being invited by MINI UK to see the New MINI GP

Modding my JCW and meeting some many new people and MINIacs

Meeting some of my followers & supporters : D

Becoming the Fast Five – Christine, Janet/Phil, Garry and Phil

Starting the blog as just away to share my passion and watching it take off beyond my expectations

I made so many great memories this year with liked mind people who make the most of life has to offer

But behind every smile there is a tear

But we rewind to 2011 which was the worst year of my life and towards end of the year i gave up as i couldn’t take the pain no more

What everyone doesn’t know or didn’t see was my pain both mentally and physically as i had so many problems and my BMW got written off as i travelling on a motorway and slowed down for an accident and the truck driver behind me didn’t pay attention.

I suffered alot from that pain in March 2011 with me having whiplash and unbearable lower back pains with unable to sit down for no more than 10 minutes. On top of that i had insomnia for months and when i did sleep to be suddenly woken like someone had stuck a knife in my back

I had lost alot at this point but this wasn’t the end as i had another two car accidents again people who weren’t paying attention

This was the time where i gave up and couldn’t see the end to my pain and suffering

I still battle with that pain to this day and i don’t think my back will ever be the same

On a last minute thing i went to London for New Year’s Eve to celebrate the beginning of 2012 with my cousin and close friends.

As i watched 2011 come to a close and watched 2012 begin with the fireworks, something clicked and this where i came up with my bucket list of things to do in 2012

I made a PROMISE to myself that i would do them all and i did

I have never been more happier in my life

The advice i have to everyone is stop putting things aside and there are no excuses

If you want to go do something just go and do it

Trust me you don’t want to be sitting there all old with no stories to tell

Always remember everything happens for a reason, you just cant see it at the time

Thank you Christine for 2013 Calendar & bringing me into the club xxx

There are BIG PLANS for 2013 for Me & JCW

Here is a sneaky peek for 2013 plans…

Next post: SNM Goodwood Meet

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The post MINI Memories appeared first on JCW Adventures.

I was told this was a MINI Festival for people who didn’t go to MINI UNITED.

This would be my first time at the Brands Hatch circuit and this track has a legacy behind with F1, WTTC & BTTC racing through out its history.

I looked on Youtube to see the track layout before I went to see where the racing line, braking points and where to push hard or back off. Learning a track is key to driving safe and fast without causing damage to your car or others on the track.

I was interested in seeing the ‘Fast Five aka The MU Gang’ and introducing everyone to my little brother (Adam).

We met up with SNM to go as a convoy before we drove down as club to brands hatch as we had a club stand.

20 MINIs strong we headed to Brands Hatch all in convoy grabbing looks and waves as we drove down to the circuit. Its one of things i love having a MINI and being apart of a club we always stop traffic when we roll up.

We all ushered into the circuit and officials showed us to the club stand. We put up our Club flag together and got to meet the few characters in the club.

Rich & Mandy with their Chequered Cooper S which appeared in Modern MINI Magazine

Paul with his Tuned Cooper S with Evolve Hybrid Turbo

Chris’ Alice Cooper Themed Cooper S

Jelster (Steve) with his Eclipse Grey JCW with a Red Top

Smiles and jokes where had with the SNM crew again and meeting the members who i only spoke to online.

I saw a few tasty MINIs whilst i was there, in case of this Chocolate brown JCW Clubman which must be expensive made to order one. I remember i wanted the White Silver paint on mine at the time of ordering mine and MINI wanted another £4,000 (White Silver is now an option on JCW now for £500).

MINI Craft brought their bonkers R53 Time attack which was pushing 300BHP at the time and set a time of 11.6 Second at 123MPH at Santa Pod.

We decided to go look around the Open Paddock to see all the race cars that would be running today ranging from Classic MINIs to Radical SR3

We saw some tasty exotics parked up in Paddock whilst we looked at the race cars

The New flagship Lamborghini Aventador

Black & Yellow Ferrari 458 Italia

McLaren MP4-12C with a nice numberplate

Classic American Muscle – Camaro SS with the keys attached to the bootlid

We continued looking down the paddock for me to shout like a star struck girl when I spotted Chris Harris (Former EVO magazine writer, Online blogger and DriveTV showhost). I have always loved the way he wrote about cars and they way he Hoons about in them especially AMGs. I have a soft spot of the V8 Burble and the looneyness of the AMGs Ethos of POWWWWERRR!!!

Even though he was busy preparing his Radical for racing today he took the time to talk to me and take a photo with me. It was much appreciate meeting a living Legend and Idol of mine – It made my day : D

With me still all star struck we went to watch the GT3 class race around the circuit on the bank curve where alot of overtaking occurs due to its high speed nature of this corner following the back straight away.

There was good battles going on during the races with the Porsche GT3 RSR being down on power from the rest of the field but this keeping its own with the Ferrari 458 & 430, Mosler and Ginetta race car.

Next up the Classic MINIs came up and there was some few crazy moments with a few going off and one crashing. You could see the MINIs were being pushed as you could see them hop on the banked curve and the odd lock up of the brakes.

With the racing all done, we went down to see the other club stands and spotted a Cooper S from the Netherlands with the Fully JCW Kit fitted with brakes, wheels, JCW tune, Red JCW side stripe, Black Line Kit and Challenge R1 Wing (GP replica).

There were a few classic with this Classic with a rear Trailer made of Half a MINI

Next we lined up to watch Russ Swift do this thing!

Russ Swift is Synonymous with Handbrake turns, stunts and MINIs. He is a bigger promoter of the brand and the car and many of his stunts and records have been done in a MINI.

He put on an amazing show bringing the two cars closer and closer to do handbrake turn in between and at one point there was just 40 cm in total from either of each car.

I was amazed by the last stunt he did by putting a Cooper S on two wheels and driving a FULL lap of the Brands Hatch Circuit!!!!

I managed to speak with Russ Swift at some length and I am still amazed I got to speak to him. He was more than happy to take a picture with me.

Next up was our Parade lap with all the other clubs with a mixture of classic and New MINIs

After seeing all these Classic MINIs I wanted to start a saving pot for a classic where I would buy a unloved and build it back to its original states with a few modern upgrades here and there.

Another Modern MINI Magazine star was there at the show with the R53 Speedster being present with Two seats and bubbled rear with Roll Bars.

My little brother is quite the car enthusiast like me and can name most cars within a flash. He wanted to put some laps of his own after I went around in my JCW on the parade lap. He jumped into the F1 Simulator to try his hand at F1 Superstardom and lets say there is some promise there.

This was my First outing with the SNM which was the 1st of many future events.

Next meet up was MITP at Santa Pod

Next Post – JCW Black Out

Videos

Russ Swift doing a lap on Two Wheels

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD3QfmUPZEQ

Russ Swift Handbrake Parking

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD_SPhb_5i4

Parade Laps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRVAlXrTaYM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WdAuf9UKp4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGtxR8E_Rk0

Classic MINIs Racing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFECmDbhx38

DropBox Link for more Pics – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ez5hf5otc4h03bh/BdIOsynHzr/Brands%20Hatch

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The post MINI Festival Brands Hatch appeared first on JCW Adventures.

This was it for the SNM gang as they headed back to the UK while me and Tom headed to Paris for some sight seeing.

We said our goodbyes and headed into Rush hour French traffic with my EYES WIDE open as I saw a few cars with some dents.

Nous sommes arrives en Paris to which it was raining and the roads where all funny with faded arrows and not knowing which lane to be in for turnings or to go straight on. I solved this problem with my right foot : p

I have to say the JCW did sound really good in Paris because the exhaust note was bouncing off all the tight alley ways and roads hehehe

Tom was looking at the TomTom to see exactly where our hotel would be. Good thing to as I was rusty on my French vocabulary plus I had 3 Toms in the car lol

We had to stop to ask for the road as the 3 Toms couldn’t find the hotel but we knew we where close. After getting some directions we had to find a place to park as i booked the hotel because i knew there was a underground parking near by. Having found the car park we unloaded all our stuff and tucked my JCW in for long deserved rest.

Hotel Mistral in Paris would home for the next 2 nights. I booked it for a old school French vibe and plus it was 10 minutes walk to the train station.

Next on the list was getting some food!!! I get hungry every two hours and it had been a few hours drive so my tank was on empty. We found a local takeaway place where we both order a full platter of lamp chops, chicken fillets, chicken tikka, plain rice, peri-peri rice, salad with chips.

With food devoured like cavemen, we headed to the train station to check out the sites on foot. The train station looked amazing itself with it architecture, statues and clock tower.

Its GO GO GO for the Paris Grand Prix

We looped around the roads near out hotel and me being a car loony i loved the chequered road markings. It just made we wana take the JCW out and join the Paris Midnight Club to race between the lights.

Walked on down La Rue De La Paix to see the momentum

We came across this majestic Cathedral

I came across this cheeky bit of French Graffiti/Street tagging

I noticed in Paris there was an awful lot of restaurants and it always hard to pick a place to go to eat. But me and tom decided that night to get some Chinese food before midnight before everything shut. The restaurant had this awesome Purple lighting you seeing in clubs in the movies.

Morning came and it was time to explore Paris with the Tour bus heading over the river Seine where we given insight into Paris making and history over earphones. There was a library with was shaped as an open book.

We passed some beautiful building and i noticed that French building has a real presence about them with a Victorian Royal stone feel to them.

There is something about the air there and the vibe i was getting from the people and atmosphere as tourists and residence went about their business.

We got off the tour bus to grab some breakfast in a cafe. I thought it was the coolest thing about the cafe was the menu was done in a layout of a new paper.

With my hot chocolate drank we headed back on the next tour bus which headed to the Infamous Arc De Triomphe which was like close quarter battle with cars entering at every exit and darting between each other.

The bus went around the famous French Art gallery Louvre then on to Place de la Concorde is at the foot of the Champs-Élysées, built as the “Place Louis XV”, site of the infamous guillotine.

The Egyptian obelisk is Paris’ “oldest monument”

I am sure you can guess what came next…

The Eiffel Tower which was erected in 1889. Its primary use was for science experiments and in 1910 – Father Theodor Wulf measured radiant energy at the top and bottom of the tower. He found more at the top than expected, incidentally discovering what are today known as cosmic rays.

We got off the bus and headed to the Top of the Eiffel tower to which i wanted to do but i am not a fan of heights you see

What cant tell from this picture of me. I am holding on the side rail like Lord Dark Vader with a Death Grip

The View from the Top was EPIC!!!!!

Then we went shopping like two little girls buying everything we liked

This where I brought my Infamous Black Hat

Some say he wears it to look mischievous

And that given the chance he will chat you up

All we know he drives JCW

The real reason why I brought it because i was in the fashion capital of the world and i wanted take some style with me. There is something about that Hat when i wear it my alter ego/persona is amplified!!!

You have been warned!!!

As the sunset in Paris we knew our time in France would be over the next morning so we snapped up all of Paris with our iPhones and headed back to our Hotel.

Bye Bye France

All packed and ready to leave the next morning we took the JCW out of the underground car park and headed for the Channel Tunnel. Thinking about all the memories we had made at MINI UNITED with people who never met before and laughed all the way back.

Our MINI Adventure was over and Tom would be heading back to China after this trip but the MINI Adventures would continue for me…

Thank you France, MINI & BT11 WRK for making this the best moment in my life. For creating these memories I will cherish forever with people who mean the world to me now.

Thank you for being apart of My MINI Adventure

“Money comes and goes, But Memories are forever” – Ali Mir

DropBox Link for more Pictures – https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/MINI%20In%20Paris

Next Post MINI Festival Brands Hatch 

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The post MINI In Paris appeared first on JCW Adventures.

I was selected for this invite only event : D

So the night before I filled her up with V Power to the brim as i knew it would be a long journey.

Dawn broke so i get ready for this event as it would be a 3 hour drive for me (164 miles).

Sat Nav on and cruise control on i set on the UK Motorways to be greeted by lovely 50mph speed limits at 7am

Got to Love UK Motorways and that was just the beginining of it as hit numerous speed limits zones ranging from 40mph to 60mph : (

I had finally got out of these dreaded zones to be greeted by the New Aston Martin Vanquish joining to the motorway and lets says he wasn’t observing UK speed limits. I managed to keep a chase to shoot some footage of it

It sounded really naughty n fruity and it was shifting, easily going over 100mph

I hit London to be greeted with more speed limits and my first time ever seeing a broken down MINI on the slip road : (

After getting past Terminal 5 into Chichester the roads became wonderful to test the JCW handling capabilities with a MOOOOSIVVEEE Tunnel

Lets say I slowed down in the tunnel and gave them the sound of my JCW with added few Pops & Bangs for good measure

After some country road driving the JCW was flithy like i had driven through a field with mud on the carbon fibre mirror caps

I saw the Goodwood sign and parked the car outside to get some cheeky snaps in before i drove inside

BT11 WRK at Goodwood for MINI TO THE MAX

I went down the Infamous Goodwood tunnel to which i was sooo tempted to full it door but i didnt

I pulled my car into the stables and let it tick off before i switched it off

AM_AUTOS & 118 from Surrey New MINI

I reckon my JCW looks meaner without a Front Plate

I walked into the Goodwood booth and was greeted by MINI UK and given my wrist band for the event and some paperwork to fill out due to safety and insurance policies by BMW/MINI.

This is where i met the lovely Ysabel who had been with MINI since its launch in 2001 under the BMW Brand and she has had 53 MINIs!!!!!!!!

I am actually jealous of her, I think she needs to share with ME!

I knew Ian, Neil & David (Surrey New MINI) would be at the event to which I bumped into them upstairs as they watched the New GP zoom past on the circuit on a damp track.

We given some brunch to enjoy before we given a briefing about the day held for us as well a safety briefing about the track and history of the Goodwood track.

The Goodwood track was actually an airbase/runaway in WWII hence the long straight of the circuit and the reason why it Kinks sharply because if a bomber came down and bombed the runaway full of planes some would be saved because the sharp turn.

Goodwood Track Layout

The Goodwood circuit has claimed some lives in its time and ended Sir Stirlings Moss career 1962 on that very bend I spoke about. The Late Carroll Shelby made his mark on this circuit by winning here in his infamous bib overalls

On a uplifting note the Mini MINI from the Olympics was there on a stand the one that shuttled the Javelins for the Olympics

Its awesome with the body work and off-road tyres – Good thing the Wheel Gap Police weren’t there at the event

But there was an cheeky little note under the mini MINI

I walked downstairs to see this beauty the Pre Production MINI GP as it would when its sold to the public – well 2,000 lucky people across the globe

MINI GP – 1 of 2,000

Strangely it looked better in person than last when i saw it unveiled at MINI UNITED i gather it was fact that GP in France was a shell and the paint on this pre production shined due to a clear cloat of the paint (I am just gonna put it down to it being a running GP with factory quality paint)

MINI GP 2

I jumped into MINI’s Coupe Cooper S and headed out with an instructor who guided me through each bend to see my level of skill and learn the circuit at the same time.

I learnt that I turn in to early and I need to position my car slightly more close to edge of the track before entering. It is always better to go in slow then go fast out and that I should be eyeing the next corner to get my line straight as possible to get a faster lap time.

Pick your MINI?

This was actually the first time i have genuinely been scared on a track given that i been on Silverstone, Paul Ricard Circuit, Monaco circuit and Castle Combe. I was hitting 120mph on the straights and carrying 80mph into the 1st corner with half throttle!!!

Goodwood is flat aerodrome circuit which makes hard to race around as there are no reference points, no run off and its incredible smooth and flat. If you enter or mess up a corner its the barrier as its the track and a little bit of grass then a metal barrier with a tire wall filled with sand.

The next treat was jumping into a MINI Challenge race car again  : )

This time i was female driver – Tiffany Chittenden at the wheel with some serious pedigree behind her (GT3, Karting, Formula Ford and Mercedes World Driving Specialist)

Once again like at MINI UNITED I told Tiffany Dont Hold back and just go for it!!!

I think i have a crush on her now after the way she drove and she was very nice to talk to

On an interesting note the Challenge Racecar couldn’t overtake the new MINI GP on the straights but could late brake the GP and overtake on the corner but the MINI GP wasnt too far behind!

Ian and Neil got behind of the Most expensive MINI ever made the Goodwood Edition at £40,000

Suits you Sir – MINI Goodwood Edition

Fun Fact: The Mats in the Goodwood cost £2,000 (Cashmere & Lambs Wool)

I gave Ysabel my Infamous Hat to wear whilst i went around in the GP for safe keeping. She was rocking the look very well, if I do say so myself

Next was my favourite bit of the day with Steve of MINI taking the MINI GP around flat out and he could DRIVE.

MINI GP awaits you…

As I went around in the passenger seat I analysed how the GP was riding, cornering and picking up its speed and comparing it to my JCW. I didnt like the new recaros for the track compared to my bucket ones as i was actually slipping out of them slowly.

However those Kumho Ecsta V700 R-Spec tires were doing their job around the corners and the suspension was firmer than my JCW but still giving. They helped flat cornering with the car feeling stable any speed on the straights and in or out of corner. The GP definitely felt faster than my JCW with it comfortably reaching over 130mph on the straights.

THE BRAKES just worked effortlessly with Steve breaking very very late and the speed just been scrubbed like in the Challenge car. The Six pot calipers even fad after all the laps the GP went out on quick concession (The GP was driven to every Inch of it Cylinders).

After that I wanted a GP!!!

Previous Gen or the New one, I would be getting one as my 2nd car

The saving pot has started!!!

After some afternoon nibbles and some water

It was time for me to head out in my JCW on the track

Ready to take it to the MAX

Crash helmet on and instructor with me i headed out on a empty track all for me : )

I had Phil again with me and he actually told me i felt better in my own and drove it harder

I said to him ” I know how my car handles and i am happy to it the MAX because its the reason why i brought it, I didnt buy a fast car to drove it slow”

Phil was impressed by how much better i drove my car and he told me i felt like completely different driver. I took on Phil’s advice about improving my track technique and i will apply it again soon because it made sense when told me to let go of the steering wheel at 60mph and he turned it in to show how turn in a bend which i found abit tricky.

After all this MINI Madness, we were all brought in and given some FREE SWAG

Me after in the New GP Hot Laps – Yes I know I have Helmet Hair

It was a great day out & thank you MINI UK for the smiles

Videos

The New Aston Martin Vanquish on UK Motorway –  http://youtu.be/uOWVESCJAfY

Arriving at MINI TO THE MAX at Goodwood – http://youtu.be/cNp9siekNHo

New MINI GP 2 Fly By – http://youtu.be/mkMr_vYa5ec

MINI Challenge Hot Laps at Goodwood Circuit – http://youtu.be/UX8_bRDhp3Y

HOT LAPS IN THE NEW MINI GP 2 – http://youtu.be/ulWV_HL0Cxk

My JCW on the Goodwood Circuit – http://youtu.be/lFpkFZpmTB8

Photos

DropBox Link – https://www.dropbox.com/home/Public/MINI%20To%20The%20Max

Next Post MINI IN PARIS….

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Twitter: Mr_M1R

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The post MINI TO THE MAX at Goodwood Circuit appeared first on JCW Adventures.

With a Few millimetres burnt off my tyres from The Track Day at MINI UNITED and still BUZZIN from lasts nite Concert.

I rolled out of bed and gathered myself for the next day of MINI UNITED!!!!!

After yesterdays MINI MADNESS i want MORE!!!!!

Sadly i got PULLED OVER by the Police

I JOKE it was only the MINI CARE POLICE

They pulled me to the side and gave me a ticket to get my MINI washed

By some lovely ladies in MINI Tops & Shorts

MINI Care Car Wash

But this didnt stop them getting the batons out & handcuffs out LOL

They Finally caught me

I signed myself to test drive the JCW Coupe and to my amusement it was left hand drive

I have never shifted with my Right Hand and instructor who came out with me had to shift for me as i was messin it up quite abit – Sworrrriiii  BY-856-BH

JCW Coupe

He didnt like the way i drove either saying i was driving too fast!!! I told him this is how you drive a JCW lol

I know a few people off the web and on instragram and i actually bumped into one of my followers – Matteo Ziccardi from Italy

He drove down in his Cooper S with Challenge Number & Stripes with Blacked out Chrome trim & Headlights finished off with Red Plastic Dipped JCW wheels

Matt’s Cooper S

Matt’s Cooper S with Red Rims

Bellissimo

Whilst meeting and talking to Matt & his sister (Matilde) there were was this Tasty JCW Coupe which was just EPIC with full carbon trim inside & out, Bigger Wheels, Recaros with Sabelt seabelts, Go Faster JCW Side Stripe, Rear diffuser and awesome Akrapovic Exhaust with Carbon Trim

JCW Coupe Ready for Track Time

JCW Coupe Interior

I cant begin to think how much he spend on his JCW Coupe given it was only out barely 2 months ago

JCW Coupe

I actually bumped into another one of my MINI MATES – Claudia from Germany with her Matt Purple Cooper S, which i think is just a show stopper (I have a thing for the colour PURPLE)

Claudia’s Matt Purple Cooper S

I walked on to the Motor Sport section of MINI UNITED to find the MINI E Race car which was the fastest Electric car around the Nurburgring at the time.

MINI E Racecar

Next was the Dakar Rally Countryman MINIs which has some serious kit on them

I was fascinated by the suspensions and shocks on them with the level of travel and they genuinely looked cool at the same time – Form & Function

Next to them were the Countryman Rally cars which were so clean which is strange given they were bash around the nastiest roads in all kinds of weather.

MINI Rally Car

I was impressed my the figures they were pushing out of the Countyman and my god the noise they make was Ear Bursting loud to which i enjoyed and asked if they had a spare exhaust lying about, sadly i couldn’t blag one this time

MINI Rally Car Engine

They has all the parts the rally cars ran in a booth next to it ranging from a Rear Carbon Wing to spiked tyres.

Out side in the heat was this JCW Coupe Race car for 24 Hour of the Nurburgring with a Matt Black paint job with Mooosive Front Splitter, Rear Diffuser & Rear wing

JCW Coupe Racecar

I was fortunate enough to hear Rauno Aaltonen and Paddy Hopkirk speaking about their LEGENDARY win at the Monte Carlo rally as well as the MINI Rally & Dakar Drivers

MINI Motorsport Drivers

It was amazing finally seeing them and speaking with them in real life as i they are always at shows or promoting the Brand but I never got close to them.

We managed to get their autographs and have a chat with them

Garry got his Monte Carlo speeding ticket signed by them whilst Christine got her driving license signed

On the 2nd Day of MINI UNITED the new GP was unveiled to the world

MINI GP

Sadly wasnt impressed by it given it didnt look as special as the last GP which was made by Bertone in Italy which custom parts, whilst the new GP didnt look that much different from a regular JCW

However i did like the touches such the 6 pot calipers up front, Carbon rear wing and rear diffuser. Alot the development went into the suspension and aero of the car to which is why its so fast around the Nurburgring at 8:23 Minutes. I am actually tempted to get the GP under tray put on the my JCW due to it significantly decreasing rear lift

I later learnt my local dealer will have one in as Dawn asked me for some pics and what i thought of it as she took an order & deposit for one for a customer who had never seen it

I went to get my carbon handbrake and gaitor fitted sadly they the MINI team there didnt know how to do and kind of broke my handbrake.

With this happening i was annoyed given that it happened but it was resolved quickly by Stefan who managed to sweeten me up with some FREE SWAG & hot passenger laps in the MINI Challenge Race car.

With the day closing we headed back to the Villa for a quick dip in the pool and BBQ.

BBQ at the Villa

We talked about the new GP and I wanted everyone to come this time to the concert as it was such a laugh. After hyping everyone up, all the guys jumped into my JCW whilst and the Girlies jumped into Mrs MINI (Janet) Cooper S with the Bandit at the wheel (Phil – Janet’s Husband)

Christine brought her ‘Special Orange juice’ with her which was more like 2% orange juice and 98% vodka or something. She was giggling and merry all night with Janet, Nicole and everyone.

This actually a night to remember as Gossip and The Ting Tings where playing. The Gossip rocked it out and The Tings Tings SMASHED IT!!!

The Ting Tings rocking it out

They had me dancing away all night with Fast Five and we made some more friends that night with some local people and i met the beautiful Mika Romeo a local girl who was training to be a nurse. She was an absolute stunner and spoke every good english and we had a right giggle together.

We bumped into the Belgium group again and made even more M&Ms that night (MINI MATES).

This is why i love the brand, it brings people from all corners of the globe regardless of religion, faith, nationality or cast all together.

We stayed to the end of the concert where 3 DJs spun their decks all together at once for a serious set of dance & dub-step tunes. We headed back down the hills to back to Villa for the Final day of MINI UNITED tomorrow which was Bitter sweet.

This was our final day at the Villa and MINI UNITED : (

We headed out in convoy to Paul Ricard circuit for the last time

Today was my Hot Lap in the Challenge Car which is essentially my JCW just stripped with a roll cage, front splitter and rear wing.

MINI Challenge Car

I popped on my flame proof mask and racing helmet and climbed into the floor sitting Bucket Recaros and I was strapped into the 6 point racing harness.

Rally Ali is Ready!

The driver was Henry Littig from Germany who runs in the MINI Challenge series and the very first thing i said him was “Dont hold back and just go flat out” which there was a polite hod.

I gave Henry the thumbs up I was ready to roll we rolled out the pits and the spilt second the pit light went off the Exhaust blarred out the exhausts fumes with a POP and we hurtled towards the 1st bend at 80mph!!!

I could barely hold on to my camera as the acceleration was so violent as dawned upon the 100m brake zone he didnt brake!!! Then the 50m marker came he didnt brake!!!! then a second later he slammed the brake pedal for a second shaving off some serious speed whilst throwing me forward hard against the harness. If that was enough he turned in for the bend and the grip was IMMENSE from the Dunlop slicks with held the asphalt like magnetic stuck down to the ground.

I have never EVER experience grip like that before and i was actually throw again to the side of the Recaros with my helmet hitting the side

We clipped the Apex and he bang through the gears like that were nothing and i thought he would brake for the next bend and HE DIDNT!!!! The Dunlops just gripped and gripped like we sucked to the floor

This was the best ride i have been in a car FULL STOP. I have driven some serious cars so far ranging from BMW M3s, Bentley Continentals, Porsches and a Lamborghini Gallardo but nothing compares to the way this MINI carried its SPEED, POWER & GRIP through the circuit like it was freight train.

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and thank you Henry for nothing holding back, i loved every second of it!!!

Next on the list was get my handbrake sorted and my JCW Sidestripes fitted

The handbrake was fitted properly this time with the proxy resin glue used to hold it position.

Carbon Fibre Handbrake

I got the JCW Stripes fitted lower than normal because i thought they were a bit too high on the JCW Roadster I saw them on

JCW Side Stripes

The guys fitted them perfectly on my JCW and i was actually speechless when they showed when it was all done

JCW Side Stripe

It was a nice subtle decal which reminds me of the Porsche GT RS side stripe to finish off my JCW. Plus a few months on I am yet to see anyone with them on : )

I parked my JCW up against the Plane Hangar in the shade to find my 1st sad story at MINI UNITED, which was a R53 Cooper S from Russia whose Coil Pack had gone and they couldn’t do anything about it as dealerships were closed : (

R53 Cooper S From Russia With Love

I hope MINI can learn from this as they travelled all the way from Russia for these 3 Days and nothing could be done. I hope they bring a team with them next time with parts as likelihood of a MINI breaking down is possible. Plus performance parts or complicated parts couldnt fitted on MINIs which were brought at MINI UNITED due the team not having the experience which was a shame. But fair play to MINI any parts that were brought that could be fitted were fitted for FREE!!!

I went to check out the MINI Design section of MINI UNITED to see all the concepts MINI have came out with the Countryman, Clubvan and Paceman.

MINI ClubVan

I loved how MINI turned the Clubman into a van which i was telling my dad before I left for MINI UNITED that it would be a perfect 2nd car to lug around stuff in and it would be a MINI.

MINI Paceman

The Love the look of the Paceman with its Coupe like appearance which is vast improvement on the Countryman’s look.

There was this countryman where you could put your name or a message on and it was absolutely covered on the last day, the paint is actually ‘Blue’ on it.

Messaged Countryman

Our Final Hurray was on another track but not with a MINI but in Go Karts. This was the MOTHER OF ALL RACES with Honour, Respect & ENDLESS BRAGGING RIGHTS to THE END OF TIME on the line.

Garry, Me, Tom and Phil race prepared ourselves putting on our sexy hair nets then our helmets. Moby (Garry) was told to remove his saddles and told put some trainers which had seen better days.

We stared each other out and picked our weapons of choice and slid into the bucket seats of the Petrol Go Karts.  We given our racing instructions about the track and quick tips on how to drive them.

I wanted a Le Mans style starting but that wasn’t allowed but the marshalls started up the engines and we blipped our throttle whilst closing our visors.

We were off with Garry taking the lead with Phil not to far behind with me in a close 3rd and Tom somewhere behind us eating our dust (Actually he was doodling taking in the sites). As we learnt the track go around the 1st time, Phil was taking no prisoners hurtling at each corner at break neck speeds and clipping apexes.

Garry in the meantime was having a wardrobe misfunction with his hair net getting his eyes (He virtually has no hair). Typical racing driver excuses- told him not to use my L’Oreal shampoo in the morning.

This left a gap for me too sneak past and chase down Phil who had just started lapping people. I was giving it my all drafting the competition and sneaking in on the apex when they ran wide under my pressure.

I lapped Tom and had a quick chat with him as i passed him on the course. He was like a granny on electric scooter and told him to speed up.

Garry rejoined the race again after his issues with the hair net but to his misfortune Phil had some plans for his own. Lets just say there was some ‘slight rubbing’ which spun Garry out when Phil passed him.

Garry was out again and i was right up Phil behind on the last lap but it wasnt enough as couldnt make up the pace to overtake. I swear Phil must have down something to his Kart as he is a engineer/mechanic by trade.

Phil was victorious and the debate of the slight rubbing goes on to this day

This was the bitter sweet moment we headed back to the Villa and finished packing to leave and head back to the UK.

Our next stop was somewhere special in France where was a bridge which was actually designed by a British Architect

It was the The Millau Viaduct is a cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the river Tarn near Millau in southern France. It is also the tallest bridge in the world with one mast’s summit at 343.0 metres (1,125 ft) above the base of the structure. The viaduct is part of the A75-A71 autoroute axis from Paris to Montpellier. Construction cost was approximately €400 million.

Once we reached the Viaduct we drove across it and it was like we driving through the clouds. We all parked up at the Viaduct Museum and went up the hill to take some snaps & videos of the breathtaking view of the bridge and the valley below.

Garry wanted to line up all our MINIs into a shot where the Viaduct could be seen. So we searched on the maps and on the Navs to find a spot.

Surrey New MINI at the Viaduct

In the end we found two good spots

Surrey Toy New MINI at the Viaduct

Our MINIs look like toy cars in the shots

With that Final visit done, we hit the toll roads and head to Dijon for overnight hotel where we met up with Mark & Ian for a nice dinner together. It was a nice final day together eating and sharing our laughs and stories over a beauty French food.

We actually bumped into a very interesting lorry driver on the way home, he was transporting the McLaren F1 Formula car to UK after it was finished being test in preparation to for the Monaco Grand Prix.

McLaren F1 Racing Truck

He said that the lorry drivers have competitions whilst they drive across the world to see who can use their brakes the less. He had only finished a set of brake pads after 4 years!!!

I had the time of my life with people i have never met in my life and they made me feel welcome into their little family and they became my family.

I genuinely love you guys & girls

Christine – Thank you for bringing me into the club and helping me out even when you can barely hear me. Sorry about speaking so fast on the phone all the time and thanks for all the PDFs & Check lists. I would have been a mess without you xxx

Garry – I love your witty charm and grin when we talk & the WC50 is truely a GREEN MONSTER

Janet & Phil – I appreciate you making me feel welcome and all the laughs we had. I hope some day my relationship with my partner will be like you two

Phil – Thanks for bringing all the stuff to MINI UNITED in your Clubbie and you are truely are  good mate to me. Your Clubbie sounds better than my JCW sometimes

Nicole – You were a great laugh on the trip and you put a smile on my face through out the stay

Ian – Thank you for helping me with my MINI passion and allowing Surrey New MINI to be platform to promote my blog

Mark – Thanks for all the giggles, laughs and support on the forums, Instragram and the blog ps I am slightly jealous you have a Hampton Clubman

Tom – You have become one of my closest friend and you have picked me up when I was down and I thank you

I dont think MINI UNITED would have been as LEGENDARY without you guys & girls

Surrey New MINI

This wasn’t the end for me & Tom as we wouldn’t be heading just home yet…

Videos

Monte Carlo Rally Drivers Interview on their infamous WIN – http://youtu.be/8yfkOxwEqc4

Entering the MINI CHALLENGE RACE CAR – http://youtu.be/CgkHtXkGk2o

HOT LAP IN THE MINI CHALLENGE RACE CAR – http://youtu.be/lRzMxZasmRE

JCW Side Stripes being Fitted – http://youtu.be/uTX6HKZKfDw

SNM Driving back to the UK – http://youtu.be/JC6jQVq4ECY

SNM Driving on The Millau Viaduct Bridge – http://youtu.be/XE2OKDTpggM

The Millau Viaduct Bridge – http://youtu.be/WvpUoXVfO2E

SNM Photoshoot at The Millau Viaduct – http://youtu.be/SdvnaAZ8OWM

Photos

DropBox Link

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ez5hf5otc4h03bh/aVhBprk7fa/MINI%20UNITED%20PART%202

Next Post MINI IN PARIS….

Comment, Like, Subscribe, Follow or Tweet me

Twitter: Mr_M1R

Instagram: d4rkhorse

My Youtube Channel: AMAUTOS7

The post The Road to MINI UNITED PART 3: The Final Lap appeared first on JCW Adventures.