recaro seats Archives - JCW Adventures

Am I Missing Something? – Why MINI should remake Classic & New MINI Parts

Ali Mir — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:38:14 +0000

As time moves on, we always look back at better days gone with fond memories. It’s the reason why BMW brought the MINI brand because of the value it holds amongst everyone across the world. Everyone saw it as an Icon throughout the ’60s or their childhood either by owning, learning how to drive in one or having a happy memory surrounding this four-wheel friend. After bringing back the MINI in 2001, it was a success straight out of the door with people buying them left right and centre. Now that enough time has passed I do wonder why MINI hasn’t got down to building classic Mini/MINI parts to the fun alive across all generations for future MINI Adventures???

It’s strange that we owe it to Germans to revive a British brand given the history between the nations. BMW getting the rights to MINI & Rolls Royce is the best thing they ever did like how they gave the world angel lights and carbon fibre roofs. BMW carried on to build the classic Mini for a while when they took ownership of the brand from Rover, so there were manufacturing the car from 1994 to 2000. A year later we were given the BMW MINI or modern MINI we have been living with since to which is much loved by Mini/MINI owners across the world, so there is vast fan base too after and sell more cars to.

The answer simple and the MINI brand should have brought out the MINI Sport Group instantly giving them access to Classic & New MINI customer base and thriving business. This would allow them to understand the customer base of the classic Mini owners allowing them to gain access to the Mini show events. In turn, this would allow great market research and talk to real owners who own both a classic and new MINI giving a business case for more profits and allow cross-selling of the New MINI.

MINI over the years has lost its way but not understanding it’s customer base and the F-Series is the product of the disconnect and they need to back to the drawing board and understand owners and their desire. They should have not listened to a customer focus group who they want to sell to who are not die-hard MINI owners as the best way is shown in the F-Series with the window switches moving to the conventional place on doors.

This lead to the question of why you can’t buy certain parts for New MINI anymore as models have finished production??

I personally received a lot of messages on IG, Facebook and requests at shows – Can you get or know someone that can get this part as I can’t seem to find it anywhere?

I have seen countless people asking for specific parts for the MINI but finding out they are no longer available to buy ranging from classic Mini to the 2nd Gen MINIs. There isn’t a lack of cars being sold as 10 million Mini/MINIs have been sold since 1959 which is significant amount even if you take 40% out for being wrecked that still leaves 6 million cars on the road worldwide.

Obviously, over time, these cars will be kept and cherished with some MINI parts added to add that extra touch or retrofit items later. Others will be sold on to new owners so they will have the modding bug to make their new MINI personal to them. All the above follows the reason why you buy a MINI in the first instance to customise it to your taste and liking.

A lot of the MINI parts that people are looking for are the carbon fibre variety. Weirdly, MINI doesn’t just reproduce them given BMW now has it’s own carbon fibre manufacturing facilities. It would be just the case reusing mods, and they have all the rights and blueprints of all the parts so matter for pressing a few points.

I understand there has to be a business case, so another thing has missed MINI’s mind is they have a database of MINI owners, so a simple newsletter to get the info following to them that Classic MINI Parts are coming. Along with the fact, the world has changed, and social media would allow fast uptake an interest to see what fan would like to be reproduced with requests or putting up a survey to forecast sales. This, in turn, would help the dealer network, service departments and bring in extra revenue for long term as the dreaded 2030 cut off point for no more petrol/diesel engine being sold within the UK.

You might be thinking I am mad, but I am not as Porsche as do they classic parts for the legacy models so they can be updated to have Apple Carplay or navigation for example which makes life easy instead of ripping out the stock stereo for something non-OEM looking.

The OEM look comes at a price which is near on make no difference of 3 times the price of normal double din unit but making something like it should be is something else.

I have personally toyed with the idea of adding a double din unit to my R56. The fact I have to look down to see the nav is off-putting, but the want for Apple Carplay is massive given the mileage I do, and I am apple fanboy here as well.

Well, that’s one price point, and we can move to JDM life as Nissan has started reproducing R32 & R34 parts. The Skyline GTR was never a volume car, but it adored across the world with its cult following from the Playstation generation. This genuinely made me happy as dream car alongside my Zonda Cinque is the R34 Skyline with the Z Tune bodykit and Nismo parts. Something about the R34 that is magical and sits within my heart as they got everything right with styling and performance and it wasn’t trying to Euro copy but flew the Japan flag with pride.

If inline 6 Godzilla isn’t your poison, then Mazda is making the triangle goodness parts again with the RX-7 with its rotary engine. No JDM part is complete without VTEC gang coming through as Honda is making legacy parts for the Civic as well.

We know the money and desire is there from multiple parts of the market, so MINI has fighting chance to make it commercially viable.

What parts would you want MINI to produce??

Here is a list of what I would love to see come back:

All JCW Carbon fibre parts
JCW Recaro Buckets
JCW Shift Lights
MINI Mission Control
Wireless Apple Carplay
Digital Gauges

I choose those parts as they often on the most wanted list from owners and it would nice to MINI to update the R56 for the future digital world as over 10 years have passed since the first one rolled out from Plant Oxford.

The carbon steering bits, handbrake and gear knob have all been discounted but often go for silly money now online. Wow doesn’t like a bit of Carbon???

The number of looks my JCW does get when they have seen the Recaros is countless and forever on everyone’s wishlist. They are still the best seats for any car as they fit your snuggle, hours of driving and you won’t be fatigued plus they have the heating elements in them all ready for the winter months.

Another on the most wanted list is the JCW shift lights for the race vibes.

MINI Mission Control was an underrated feature which highlighted MINI’s fun, humour and lightheartedness inside your car. For those who don’t know your MINI turned into KITT from Nightrider so it would talk to you depending on what mode you were in e.g. so if you switched from sport mode to normal it would say ‘Oh that’s no fun back to granny mode’. Yes, it had humour but it had useful information telling you the car reached optimum temperature but announcing it. Other features were inbuilt such as if you took your MINI back to the factory you would get points and tick of list of achievements as top speed, 0 to 60 times and fuel economy.

Apple Carplay would bring the car up to date so you can get to where ever your going and have support from Siri wherever you go. Apple has always done things great and innovated with its ecosystem hence why MINI has always supported the brand. You do it your R56 now with installing an aftermarket Apple Carplay module.

I said digital gauges as analogue dials are a dying breed as most new cars have digital dashes now to relay all kinds of information from water temperature, tyre pressure, sat-nav directions and etc. Lotus did something similar to all their existing and previous models buy making digital dash retrofit kit which costs – £1470 and comes with a 2-year warranty.

It’s all good and well-saying let’s get this stuff made by MINI but what would it cost at the dealers?

JCW Carbon Parts Price Examples – £799 – R56 Carbon Wing, £65 – Carbon Gear Knob and Carbon Door Pulls – £80

JCW Recaros Alcantara/Leather – £1500 each or £3500 for a pair fitted & coded

JCW Shift Lights – £250

MINI Mission Control – £200 – Module & Software

Wireless Apple Carplay – £300

Digital Gauges – £350

All the above are possible to do with no so much work and the coding being the only major issues as it would have work with all the current system software correctly to which MINI own all themselves. Carbon manufacturing is now easy for them as BMW has all it’s own carbon manufacture facilities and will own all the moulds and copyright. Re-establishing the brand partnership with Recaro is a simple step as they have collaborated in years gone with both MINI & BMW.

If you want to modify it? – Here is my Ultimate R56 MINI Modding Bible – Click here for my guide

Hopefully, this guide will give you a stepping stone to find the perfect MINI and look forward to the MINI Adventures.

Here are my recommendations for MINI UK & Overseas specialist to visit for repairs, upgrades or parts:

Lohen – lohen.co.uk

1320 Mini – 1320.co.uk

Sussex Road & Race – sussexroadandrace.co.uk

Millys Auto – millsysautos.co.uk

TWG Automotive – twgautomotive.co.uk

MiniWorks – mini-works.co.uk

RSI C6 – rsic6.com

Outmotoring – outmotoring.com

ESC Tuning – ecstuning.com

Detroit Tuned – detroittuned.com

My list is made by own opinions and me speaking to respective companies & other owners across the world, and this is not sponsored post for full transparency.

If you got the modding bug don’t forget to check out JCW Adventures Store or Official eBay Store for some stickers for all generations of MINIs or R56 JCW carbon fibre exhaust tips as seen on my MINI R56 JCW to support the blog & YouTube channel.

All your support over the years and please offer that same support by following my Youtube Channel as well : )

As Always it’s a MINI Adventure try to keep up & Stay Safe!

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The post Am I Missing Something? – Why MINI should remake Classic & New MINI Parts appeared first on JCW Adventures.

Please Take The Next Left: Where has JCW ADVENTURES been?

Ali Mir — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 15:31:06 +0000

Some roads lead you away from your destinations but sometimes it’s the route you need to head down. With that said in mind allow me to reintroduce myself…
I started this MINI Adventure back in 2011 to share my MINI Adventures with my JCW which was built to my spec and she is still with me. Even after all the roads, tracks, counties, magazine shoots, tv appearances, countries and continents she still puts a smile on my face with well over 100,000 miles on the clock I will never sell her. She was made for me and me alone and she has given me so much I don’t think she will ever part from my side regardless of the cost as its memories, smiles, laughs, adventures and friends which have joined me on this MINI Adventure that makes her special to me.
Oh god, she has cost me some money with the high mileage use I do but I couldn’t stay mad when I looked back at her when I parked her or drove her! She just makes me smile every single time after all these years. God, I sound like I am in a relationship with my MINI.

My absence from posting has been for multiple reasons with work, life and other commitments taking me elsewhere so finding the time to sit down and write became difficult.
Fortunately, the adventures did continue past MINI TAKES THE STATES with the now infamous invite only M.I.R Runs, MINI Shows, Press events and European road trips. I have plenty more tell everyone now along with being able to offer advice on how to keep an R56 going past 100,000 miles. It’s even more so given my JCW is LCI model but with the much misunderstood and underappreciated N14 Engine.
Along the way, I have helped join my lifestyle with the MINI community or actually help them purchasing a 1st, 2nd or 3rd Gen BMW MINI. There will definitely be buying guides coming out from to help you look for a used hero or building one to your spec I will give you the low down on everything you need to know.

There will be an official launch of JCW Adventures shop, monthly runs, new and used reviews and partnerships with brands.
Along with this, there will be a relaunch of the Youtube channel as many of you have requested me to get in front of the camera instead of being behind of it.
JCW Adventures will expand further across the automotive landscape as the fleet has increased beyond my R56 JCW. I wanted to touch base with everyone again and just to let you know as with all great legends I will be making a comeback.
Here is a sneak peek to what I have been up to…
Thank you for all your support over the years from all corners of the world!
As Always It’s a MINI Adventure Try to Keep up!
Ali
Founder of JCW Adventures & Owner of BT11WRK

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

The BIG MINI Adventure: MINI TAKES THE STATES Part 2

Ali Mir — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 18:10:58 +0000

I woke to open roads of America waiting for my arrival as donned my JCW ADVENTURES tee shirt with my proud TEAM GB logo on the left side of my chest for queen and country. As I gather my stuff for the road trip ahead, I grabbed my first quick ride to the rise & shine aka breakfast meet point from a family of MINIacs who was glad to see me.
Thanks for the ride Montoya Family in MAX S Cooper!

I grabbed another breakfast burrito as I looked around at the MINIs thinking would be my next ride for the day (Don’t judge me as I loved them as we do not get it in the UK). While I was introducing myself, I decided to bring out the UK flag which I had brought along for everyone that I met to sign to take back as a memento. However, there is something special I have done with it, but I won’t tell you guys until part 5….
I spotted this understated black Cooper S, but my keen eye spotted the rumor JCW Pro exhaust at the time which I had seen online which was a leak of the accessory catalog which I had seen online before the trip. The only thing that was running through my mind is how can I get MINI USA to let me drive this car hmmmmm.

This next person is very important to the whole MTTS trip as she lights up our faces time and time again by waking us up and make us all a family for like. For those who have done, MTTS will know her name Desi is the hostess with mostess. Not only did she make fun of my accent and made me laugh but she was the key to getting this nomad from coast to coast by announcing that I would need a ride every day BOSTON OR BUST!!
Thank you from the top to very bottom of my heart.
She hooked up for my 1st MINI US owner ride with Richard who owns a very unique JCW Clubman which is one of the last few ever to be built. But this was no ordinary JCW by a long stretch as this barely run for this trip with just under 4,000 miles on the clock before the journey started with a lot of option extras. This is arguably the best from the factory spec’d clubmans I have ever seen with JCW & GP2 parts accessories added to make this one subtle, unstated classy modified R55 (Disclaimer – I have a soft spot for the clubman).

Again it was another pinch yourself moment seeing so many MINIs to what would be every morning of a minimum of 500 all meet up at one point for the next stop would be in another state/city. I would be eating, sleeping and driving MINIs for two weeks in a country that I saw in the movies.
Time to snap back to rally as I put my luggage into the back of clubby. This would truly begin my morning ritual of new MINI and new driver every day. I grabbed the route section aka the pace notes which makes you feel like a rally co-driver – Easy Left Over Crest 2 do not cut. So a different car and owner every day hmmmm like I have said before every car has history and every owner has a story. I had to ask Richard about his car history while giving an over why I would travel halfway around the world to this Pilgrimage of your journey with MINI USA owners.
Richard didn’t disappoint with his car history as he was a local around California so he a part of the MINI E project. The MINI E was an in the field electrical car worldwide program which started in January 2012 which formed the base of the development for the BMW i3. It did make me think that a MINI would be the perfect car to be electrified given its low weight and handling which fits the bill. It left me pondering as I am Track Marshall on the weekends at electric go karting track where the karts weigh around 200kg without driver and have a top speed of 35-40mph.
I asked why he brought a clubman and it seemed like he brought one for the same reasons why I would have one. The longer wheelbase, better ride, the barn doors, suicide door and that all important JCW badge. I compliment him on the subtle mods and getting one of the last few JCW clubmans in the world as the dawn of the F generations.

We did stop for short stop for fuel, and we did meet a few characters and MINIs which you will see and read about in due course.
Back to the route as we headed towards a MINI assigned photo opportunity at the Nevada Shoe Tree. The Shoe Trees may be the greatest embodiment of the American Spirit you can find on the highway (free of admission charge, anyway).

A shoe tree starts with one dreamer, tossing his or her footwear-of-old high into the sky, to catch on an out-of-reach branch. It usually ends there, unseen and neglected by others. But on rare occasions, that first pair of shoes triggers a shoe tossing cascade. Soon, teens are gathering up their old Adidas and Sauconys, families are driving out after church with Dad’s Reeboks and grandma’s Keds. Many inscribe messages on the sneakers in permanent marker — greetings, love poems, and life accomplishments.
The shoe tree blooms with polymer beauty. A work of art like this may last for generations, tracing our history by our sneakers . . . As long as the tree doesn’t die or get attacked by shoe tree murderers.
On Highway 50 near Middlegate, Nevada, a lone cottonwood stood, clotted with hundreds of shoes. One tipster told us the first pair was thrown during a wedding night argument by a young couple; later, their children’s shoes were added to it. Whatever its origins, the tree seemed to suck up all the discarded footwear in the county. Sadly, the tree was cut down by vandals on New Year’s Eve, 2010-2011 and another put in its place.

This photo opp allowed me to speak to Briana for a while she signed my UK flag which I brought along for everyone to sign as a memento of this trip of a lifetime as I watched sneakers fly into the air. Briana had brought along a mini MINI for MINI Adventure which was a direct clone of her MINI aka Nirvana.
What Richard did next did surprise me as he had the keys to his clubby and said you can drive…

I was like you sure given you have only just got it, and you only have 4,000 miles on the clock, and we were set to drive on the loneliest highway in the US to Wendover. I was apprehensive about his clubby given how new it was as I didn’t want to wreck his clutch or gearbox so early on with my poor gear shifting technique with my right hand (yes your steering wheel is on the wrong side damn it!!!!).
They were not lying about this being the loneliest highway as all I saw the asphalt on the horizon and nothing on besides the odd truck going the other way which was outshined by a pair of F-18 flying low into the danger zone MURRRICCAAAAA.

This wasn’t the last of the moments we would have as I did get to put my foot down in Richard’s ride as he told me to push on but also I spotted the soon be infamous ‘4 guys and 1 MINI’. These 4 lunatics wanted to ride coast to coast in one MINI but this wasn’t the best thing about them but who they were and smiles they would bring to everyone the trip.
WE SALUTE YOU
I believe this symbolised the community as a whole in the US who are a larger than LIFE set of characters who have been brought together for the love of this little car from the UK.
Along the way, I got see some sights that again have been donned to the movies such as freight trains which ran parallel to the road. I guess it is the opposite given the railways came first as it was these lines that allowed the US to be truly connected on the dawn of the industrial and steam revolution. Sadly there wasn’t any railway crossing for a Dodge Charger and Toyota Supra to race against.

It might be a small thing to US residents but seeing these freight trains in motion will be a memory that will stay with me. We did come across along with one on the move which resulted in us waiting over 2 minutes for this freight train with endless carriages.
We did drive through this small town along the way which to my knowledge was in the middle of nowhere but had a population sign of 100 if that. But when 500 hundred MINIs turned up we more than doubled the population. It bet it was a sight to see for the locals who were in shock. We were welcomed with open arms to this small town so much so the gas station in the town actually lowered the gas price so hundreds of MINIs could fill up. I did personally thank the lady owner for her generosity and gave an insight to MINI TAKES THE STATES.

Not far from this stop we arrived at our next state of Wendover, but this MINI madness will continue into the night for the first party get together. I thanked Richard for the ride and getting me going where I needed to be and putting some miles on one of the last R55 JCW clubmans in the world. But we were but back in the Danger Zone with this parked up Cooper S.

I freshened up and headed out with TEAM GB to the Historic Wendover Airfield which was active during WWII but most notable in these movies such as Con-Air and Independence Day. This gave me another chance to talk to US owners I had spoken to online via various forms.

I finally got to proper speak to Kyle Conner in person following talking to him on FB and appearing multiple times on MINIs on the mind.

But more importantly, I finally got to hear his highly modified Countryman in person. Let’s say it was worth the wait before I retired for the evening….

Carrying on the sense of speed Bonneville salt flats would be our next stop for the next leg of MTTS.
I walked across the road to the rise and shine event which opposite my hotel which gave me some time to buy some merchandise for MTTS. I brought an MTTS grille badge and few other for the keepsake of this transatlantic trip.
Another rise and shine hosted by the hostess with mostest which brought about my next ride with Andrea Jones who slightly reminded me of Emma from Lohen the UK MINI specialist.

Today’s ride would be an R56 MINI Cooper aka FELIX which has his own blog – http://felixgoesalltheway.blogspot.co.uk. The name might mean something to some people as Felix is a cartoon character from the silent film era. The anthropomorphic black cat with his black body, white eyes, and giant grin, coupled with the surrealism of the situations in which his cartoons place him, combine to make Felix one of the most recognised cartoon characters in film history. Felix was the first character from animation to attain a level of popularity sufficient to draw movie audiences.
I was slightly complexed when Andrea said it was a Justa??? I said what do you mean. I was let in on this term used in the US which means that it’s just a Cooper hence the slang term Justa. I was bewildered by this given my first car was MINI One which even more basic with a 1.4-litre engine with a monstrous 89 Bhp. I know a lot of people know I am obsessed with my JCW, but that’s only because I brought it to drive fast on road and track, but I don’t look down on people who drive lower powered MINI as you should only buy what you can afford. To this day, I still miss my MINI One as it taught me how to drive and started all this madness. Started from the bottom now we are here!

They do say everywhere you go take the weather with you…. Sadly stopped play for our salt flats fun as it rained through our trip there : / Undetermined we head on to the salts so we could say we were on the flats and drove on it.

It was a little surreal knowing that so many people on this leg of the trip had never driven in the rain?!?! How??? Bloody rains all the time in the UK anyway my other alter ego of RALLY ALI was on hand to help my driver for the day to adjust to driving in the wet *insert pace notes* – a big jump over crest do not lift. I said it’s exactly the same driving in the wet just lower your speed to adjust for lower grip levels and use your wipers accordingly as you need to see where you going. At this point, I was just easing her into the environment and making general chit chat to mellow the mood in the cabin and finding out what she knew about driving techniques.
We arrived at our wet destination which seemed to look like icing on a cake as the salt flats were saturated with the heavy rainfall. But nothing has ever stopped a BRIT from doing what they wanted to do so we drove on to the salts to say we were there and on it. With that ticketed off the list, we headed back on the blacktop as we pointed Felix to our next destination in search of sun and blue skies.

This gave me a chance to teach Andrea some driving tips such as double clutching. I had to do this all the time on my R56 MINI One, so it was time for me to give this Justa a fighting chance in real world driving in the states.
What is double clutching?

Double clutching is when the clutch pedal is depressed while shifting to neutral to match engine speed to the intended gear and vehicle speed, and again depressed for shifting into gear.
This is something you would if you were cruising in 5th and wanted to drop down to 3rd smoothly and pull away rapidly without upsetting the car with a harsh downshift which puts unnecessary strain on the clutch and gearbox. This skill allows all the engine power to be fully utilised on the downshift, so there is no pause in the power delivery which will give you those brief few seconds head start on anything in your or behind you.
We made a brief stop in Helper for a photo op with Alex Rose in her Cooper S who was going all the way as well.

Further, ahead we didn’t realise Alex’s MINI would hit some trouble as the engine management light came on. Like a good co-pilot, I brought my OBD reader for set occasions like this so I could help any MINI owner the best I could. I thought I a MINI broke down on engine fault maybe I could reset and keep it moving till the next safe point. I did work out what was wrong with Alex’s MINI as the thermostat broke which resulted in the engine management light to come on. This was later confirmed by a MINI technician who was one of the support vehicles for this trip.
On a lighter note, the sticker on Felix to this day still makes me giggle.

But later I was on an acid trip after looking at this Clubman.

After I regained conscience and enjoyed my free drink courtesy of MINI USA from Papa Joe’s stop & go we headed back on the road to get our free car wash as did drive on the salts which will eat way at the car.
This automated car wash was like no other I had seen before compared to the ones in the UK. So you can imagine I felt like a 5-year-old all over again going through a car wash for the first time.

From there I was dropped off at my hotel, and I thank Andrea for the smiles on the trip, and I would catch her later tonight for car lovers wet dream as we drooled over someone’s private car collection.
After I had freshened up at the hotel, I drove the Countryman All4 which gave me a chance to see what an Auto All4 S would be like. As everyone else wanted a drink or was tired and given I have never drunk in my life I would be designated, driver. Sooooo All aboard the SS Countryman with Captain lets get a move on. I got the knack of climbing into the wrong side of the car to take the wheel of this machine on the freeway at night which is secretly something I wanted to do for a long time as my childhood playing need for speed and midnight club fills your imagination with so many things.
As we hit the highway to the event destination of Allen Unique Autos, it started to rain and when I mean RAIN I said it as the wipers could not keep up the downpour that slaughtered us in the convoy we connected to. So much so the Countryman did briefly aquaplane as we came off the highway, but I caught it, but everyone thought I was drifting or messing around lol. On a side note to everyone that I do take my driving more seriously when I have passengers on board given I am responsible for their lives as well. I stick to every rule in the book and make everyone feel at ease as I drive smoothly to arrive at our stop on time, but upon request only I can show you a move or two ; )
We arrived safely at our stop that turned me into a five-year-old in a candy store. The sheer vast assortment of cars. I will let the pictures do the talking.

Each car had it’s own mark whether it was a stock to original spec or customised to the owners liking. Like I have said before every car has a story behind it….

MINI Beach Car – Only 15 ever built with one owned by the Queen
Fiat had a successful beach car named the Jolly, so there was clearly a market for a leisure vehicle. Austin commissioned a run of ‘Beach Cars’ between December 1961 and March 1962. 15 examples were made during this period, all Export models with left-hand drive, though there is at least one right-hand drive version known to exist in the UK. 13 of the left-hand drive examples were sent to the United States, where they severed as dealer and distributor promotional vehicles.
The design of the Mini Beach Car, also known as the ‘Riviera Buggy’, was similar to the Jolly, with no doors, no B-pillars, and interior seats made of wicker. The Beach Car were built by hand in-house at Longbridge’s Experimental Department. Four of the fourteen left-hand-drive Beach Cars were finished in Surf Blue with a Snowberry White roof.

One was sold in 2015 for $184,000 at auction.
All these cars were owned by a single person and more importantly by a woman. I salute you!! It’s a shame I never got to meet this person as they wanted to remain anonymous as I wanted to know the history about they were brought, the restoration and why they were modified in certain ways. Either way, thank you for sharing your car collection as I don’t think I will ever see these cars anywhere else.
This evening entertainment concluded and I drove everyone back to the hotel and pondered who would be a ride for tomorrow and what cars we would see along the way.

It was the same routine that we bundled all the bags in the countryman and I would squish into the back seats with a suitcase bigger than me on my lap. Why would you want to change that when it works so well??? (sarcasm). But honesty it was a laugh minus the weight on my thighs.
It was back to last night’s venue as today’s we would heading towards Albuquerque in New Mexico but first without any foods and morning raffles. Sadly our hostess with the mostest didn’t have any clean jokes, so I gave one of mine.
What happens when Batman sees Catwoman?
The dark knight rises
NANANANAAAHAHAHAHA

I did get the mic taken away from me lol I was auctioned again this morning, and this time my ride would be modified R56 MINI Cooper S owned Ross Kopp who was the plastic dip to look like Starsky and Hutch car.
Sadly there was no sliding across the hood today. But walking over to his ride was one of fascination as I saw the half roll cage with go pro and bucket seats which brought a cheeky grin to my face #BecauseRaceCar.

I loaded my suitcase into the back and noticed the MINI UNITED 2012 sun blind and I was like Huh?? You have been to MINI UNITED in France in this car??? Ross was like yeah I move around a lot of work! SMALL WORLD!!!! I guess I probably walked past your then without realising and he was not shy of the track action has he been around the Nurburgring : D
From then on it was talking car mods and what he hadn’t done to his MINI as I brought about the questions about suspension and mapping as I have been looking this for a while. Ross did say his S was running about off today given the altitude coupled with the poor fuel in the state didn’t help as high ethanol percentage isn’t well suited to the map he was running.
Me personally I have never bought into the notion that some guy with a laptop and dyno can approve over what a modern OEM manufacturer with a vast amount of money, time, driven countless miles and R&D has been done to make stable ECU map work anywhere in the world regardless of the climate or conditions. You can screw more power out the engine but what about the other components like the clutch, gearbox, cooling, brakes, etc. Everyone rarely even things about. Then people wonder why their car keeps on breaking when they take it beyond the tolerances there is a fine line between RACE Car and Road car as POWER isn’t everything and this is another key point why you buy a MINI for the Corners.

This why the conversation continued into what suspension are you running and how did you set it up?
Ross’s S was sitting on KW V3 with camber plates which were perfect as I loaded a shed load of questions as I wanted to ask about. I enquired about the chamber rates, compression and how long it is sitting to getting a better picture of how to setup mine. He had worn down his S to around 30mm with added negative chamber for better turn in. Straight away I could tell the ride was a lot better and how planted it felt as you could say the ride was firmer. The things it’s not intolerable in the sense you would tell it was smoothing out the ride a lot better than stock suspension as it wasn’t crashy or unstable.
I was sold on getting coilovers after I sat in Ross’s MINI but I knew I could only for the best in the marker KW as it didn’t want to compromise on quality but that would come with a price so the saving fund would begin for the KWs.

Back to the road trip at hand and we heading toward Russell Stover Candies for some free chocolate!!! So this would be our first stop but not really be being a sweet tooth chocolate fan but I did get interviewed by the MINI USA film crew, and they handed me a go pro and hand mount to film my adventures. I was more interested in getting back to checking out the winning ‘The New Originals’ competition car.
MINI USA held a contest called “Final Test Test Drives” and asked fans to design their very own MINI Cooper S. The winning design, “DeLux” by Alex Coyle, will head to New York to go on display and support the launch of the new MINI. Her design won the competition by getting the most votes online.

‘Lux’ is the root meaning of ‘light,’ explains Coyle. “After I went through all the options I had available to customise the car I went for all the bells and whistles and created what I call a ‘Deluxe’ model. The result was ‘DeLux’”.

So it was back to the road trip heading down 550 into the twisties and mountain passes to Albuquerque. The roads didn’t disappoint, and the weather was perfect for the occasional stop for pictures and appreciate of mother earth.

Again it was something out of the movies for me as we hit this small town amongst the mountains to what seem liked settlement for workers in years gone by.
While we were enjoying the twisties and smiling, we didn’t realise what was happening in front us as the road was shut down. We found through friends and calling each other that there had been a head-on collision with SUV and RV resulting in a fatality resulting the police closing down the road both ways.
I was a quiet moment of thought for me as the harsh reality set in that someone lost their life and open road has many dangers seen and unseen.

After we had waited a diversion was created off the road through a country club and golf course which pop us out further down the road. It was time to make some time up in the twisties but Ross’s MINI wasn’t playing ball as it began to run rough resulting in us back off and cruising the rest of the way.

Our destination was Sandia MINI and we arrived promptly to enjoy their hospitality as they were paying for dinner tonight and they did put on quite the spread & BBQ. But sadly there wasn’t a veg or fish option I opted to go across the road and dine with Phil to catch up his adventures.
We joked and laughed over dinner sharing each others stories and asking Did you see that or this? But it has left me in the sense of reflection after I opened my fortune cookie.

SET THE RIGHT EXAMPLE. IT WILL INSPIRE OTHERS
To this day I still think those are words are still actually sums up what I try to do on a daily basis. There is something inside me that likes making people smile, happy and teach them what they need to know and hear. I love finding out that I am the reason why someone did something, and it improved them. I guess it’s a sense of accomplishment and pride that money can’t buy. It makes me proud and smile every time I hear good news about my friends and family : )

On that note, we headed back to our hotel across the road and got our forty winks. The adventures will continue in Part 3….
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Building The Ultimate R56: Weekend & Road Warrior

Ali Mir — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:00:15 +0000

I was get asked what mods are on my JCW and WHY haven’t you lowered or remapped it yet etc. But to be honest I have always been happy with the way it drove and handled given I had only been on one track before I brought my JCW. However as we all know and lie to ourselves as MINI is never stock for long. This my take on money no object on building the ultimate R56 for the road and track with OEM parts only but with a select aftermarket parts for it to be liveable on a daily basis along with track shenanigans as well.

I have often pondered about this about in my spare time and looking around the show and race scene how I could make my JCW go faster whilst snapping people’s necks as they looked at me rolling bye. DUECES.
First things first we need a body in white which would be a Cooper S/JCW Chassis as it would be easier given I would slot in a new heart in the engine compartment. With the bare chassis I would mate it with the familiar engine with a french twist from the Peugeot RCZ-R as the 1.6 THP turbocharged petrol engine generates 270 Bhp & 330NM (same mini engine in R56 taken up a notch with less problems but this RCZ-R is basically a poor man’s Audi TT).

This feat was achieved from engineering innovations from using Formula One grade forged aluminium pistons and an uprated clutch. Yet in the RCZ-R It achieves up to 44.8mpg and CO2 emissions of just 145g/km which isn’t so bad given the MINI will be lighter and faster on its toes. To keep this power in check Peugeot Torsen limited Slip differential and 380 mm brake discs will make in significant difference in corner entry and exit spends which is where all the fun happens.

I would keep the diff but add in the GP2 brakes to keep the wheels at 17 inch diameter but add in the BMW 135i performance brake discs which are perforated and grooved for better track cooling plus they look cooler (GP2 brakes are basically 135i brakes). The RCZ gearbox would come along with it to cope with the power but would be changed to have short throw with a simple mod for shaper gear changes but better engine performance on track a Forged intercooler would be installed to eliminate heat soak. The GP2 coilovers would be dropped in to lower the car whilst giving comfort for OEM keeping but part of me would be gripping towards getting KW Clubsports because they come with adjustable top mounts and will perform better on track and road compared to the Bilsteins due to the adjustments.

To keep this looney daily on the ground the GP2 diffuser and front under tray would be fitted along with eye candy GP2 rear spoiler all of which have been tested by MINI engineers in winder tunnels and on the green hell. This is one part that is most often overlooked the interior where you send all your time therefore we are going with the JCW Recaro buckets seats with half Alcantara and leather as they offer perfect bolstering and look the business. When I was specin my JCW there wasn’t this option at the time so leather dashboard would have been selected along with Alcantara rear seating which were made available when the newer GP2 seats arrived.

Like I said in the title this would be a weekend warrior so I would remove the rear seats and installed the GP2 rear seat delete when I went on full day track days or across Europe for longer MINI adventures. Carbon fibre dash pieces, gear knob, hand brake, door pulls and steering wheel insert as ever go fast faster interior needs carbon fibre. I preferred the GP2 steering as it was thicker and leather had a better feel to the touch but to make it have that extra touch it would go off to LG Trimming for an added touch of BMW Java Green stripe. I would request further work for the lower dash pads and door armrests to be re-trimmed in leather to match the steering wheel with the neon green stitching. Lawrence has worked on a lot of awarding cars but the most famous is the LEX’s R53

The neon green is being used to keep in the theme of batman universe as my JCW other nickname within the MINI would be the DARK KNIGHT because of my childhood obsession. This JCW would be called the THE JOKER aka MR J hence I would go custom paint of bringing pack the much-loved Black Eye Purple/BMW Techno Violet for the add MINIdividuality. To insure MR J was noticed I would have HA HA HA green decals on the rear quarters along with a private number plate – MR11 JKR.

As Mr J has distinctive laugh it which can heard a mile away its only fair a challenge back box be fitted to this JCW to bring the NOISE. From what I have heard the challenge box on a stock R56 JCW is significantly louder than normal JCW without being annoying on daily usage but will set off car alarms if you wish ; P The noise wont be just coming from outside but from the inside as I have HK system have installed but a nice modern twist to the central speedo by removing and wiring in a mini iPad for greater customisation. The idea is to relay oil & coolant temps etc for track use and better navigation,video and music play back for daily use and MINI adventures.

As this is a money no object project I would get some custom forged P101 HRE wheels in satin black to show off the java green calipers so there was no JOKE this MINI meant business with all its cards on the table. All the plastic arches/exterior trim would be colour coded to the body paint for the seamless look with the GP2 diffuser painted satin black for added uniqueness. Carbon fibre Bi-Xenon light from Duell AG with halo lights along MINI’s DRL lights so you can see this Villain in your rear view.VIS racing carbon fibre hood would aid cooling and lightened the front end given this animal is running a lot more power than normal. I would have fully open bonnet scoop to allow more air along with the MINI Challenge bonnet scoop cooling vent to force more air over the turbo.

Finally touches would be custom badging with the JCW badge to be removed from the front and rear but the rear would have a custom badge which would resemble GP badge but with the words JK. All the chrome line interior trims would be painted matte purple and just like dashboard in my JCW would be customised to depict joker famous scene from the dark knight trilogy. The roof would be skinned in carbon fibre with gloss finish and my Surrey new mini club GP styles numbers in charcoal grey just for old-time sake.

What would be your take if money was no object? Would go BECAUSE RACE CAR, STANCE NATION, 1 OF 1 or just build the MINI of your dreams from the configurator.
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The BIG MINI Adventure: MINI TAKES THE STATES Part 1

Ali Mir — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 19:58:20 +0000

This is my BIGGEST adventure yet in a country I have never visited and only ever seen on the TV screens. I travelled half the way across the world to take part in the biggest mini event in the world which will see me fly to the US to my drive through 18 states, 15 cities in 14 days and cover 5,142 miles all in a MINI. So take a seat in the passenger seat and let me show how one car can change your life as you know it.
This adventure starts on social media but exactly on Instagram where I spend some of my free time talking and posting to my following base. To be honest most are more like friends who happen to live in every corner of the world drive the same type of car and make me smile.

Introducing Lilcoopr aka Christina my female counter part who is cut from the same cloth but has a very different PINK take on all things MINI (Pantone 219 C to be exact). Christina has been in the MINI scene alot longer than me from the early days of the R53 Cooper S right to up to her recent purchase of her new MINI Countryman. She is MINIac through and through with her global trotting for MINI events and for MINI as she actually worked for BMW/MINI Canada. She has actually been to every MINI UNITED except 2005 in Misano, Italy meaning I have walked past her a few times back in 2009 & 2012!!! Its truly a MINI World.
I began speaking to Christina and it was apparent the MINI Passion ran deep as swapped stories on how it all began and our current MINIs. As we Skyped away and sent each other dumb witty messages on every social media platform possible, it was strange to feel such as a connection with someone I had never meant before.

This lead to the discussion of me having the urge to go on a MINI Adventure and wanting to go to the US given 50% of my followers are from the US. I thought there would be no other better way to meet them than on a road trip in a MINI.
Christina told me all about MINI TAKES THE STATES from the destinations and MINI Mates she has made along the way. I was SOLD and the planning began for the trip in 2014 with registration, flights, hotels etc. So we began planning the trip together but with some sadness as MINI UNITED 2014 wasn’t going to happen but it was exciting as I was finally going to meet people I have spoken to over 2 years online.

This is gonna be another trip of a lifetime being surround by MINIs & MINIacs!!! In all honesty who wants to sit on the beach, relax and get a tan. Right?
Can this top MINI UNITED 2012??? I drove on the greatest roads within Europe with arguable the greatest MINIacs ever??
I wouldn’t be alone as Christine and Phil of the Fast Five will be joining me to fly the flag for the UK on this trip. These are the two of six people I cherish the most in my life as they changed my life when did MINI UNITED 2012 as strangers but now are FAMILY. They have been the rock in my hard times and celebrated my triumphs with me so it was right to get some Tees made for this occasion…

Even thought I planned this trip with Christina our aims changed and she would driving from Canada for a bigger cause. She would driving to support the children’s wish foundation – http://www.drivingfordreams.ca
Even thought our goals changed one thing will never change. I will always hold Christina in a special place in my heart as she was there during a difficult time in my life in late 2014 and going into 2015. I will never forget what she did for me and how she shaped my outlook in life and work for the better. I am in indebted to as she doesn’t know how much it meant for her to be by side even though she was thousands of miles away she always put things aside to be there.

I truly believe we meet certain people in our lives who guide and form who we are as individuals. I am glad Christina is one of those significant people.
However this left a BIG issue of me not having a MINI hmmm
I did look into shipping over my JCW but it beyond my reach at £3,000 plus I wouldn’t have my JCW for over a month along with other costs of insurance and hassle of customs. So it was a no go so I would doing the old fashioned american way by hitchhiking all the way from San Francisco to Boston but it wasn’t all pot luck as I know alot of US MINI owners through my website and facebook. I spoke to a few before I left who were more than happy to have me as a passenger and Christine & Phil both had rides sorted with a mother and son combo in blue MINIs.
Before I left the states I given a some free swag by MINI UK team to make the trip easier and I was entrusted with an infamous mascot to take with me….

This little croc is the official mascot of Merseyside MINI Club who is another MINI club I have done a few MINI runs with countless stories to smile and laugh about. I was told to look after this trouble maker and take a lifetime worth of photos for this little critter causing mischief and enjoying the open roads of the US.
Flights and hotels all booked courtesy of the organising super wiz Christine (one of many reason why she is wifey no.1) and I began packing my bags for the journey ahead whilst sorting out the essentials like money, bills, international license permit etc. My phone was non stop buzz of messaging from my MINIacs that I would be coming to the US to meet them.

Before I left for the US I spoke with another MINIac but this one lived in California. Briana is a friend of Christina’s who I skpyed me whilst driving her drop top MINI Cooper S. She was another bag of laughs and smiles and I don’t think I have met anyone who has such a love for animals and has such a cute doggie woggie. OH MY GOD!!!! her and Alice are a perfect match and have shared the limits sky’s of the California sunshine p.s she has an infectious smile : )

This would be Briana’s first MINI event and MTTS which reminded me alot of my 1st MINI event which was MINI UNITED 2009 so I was keen to make her smile and to make sure she made the most of it. I made sure I brought along some stuff to give to the girls as a present as there is no point coming so far and not giving someone something to cherish.

There was one specific person I wanted to meet who I talk to all the time is Philip Casper aka ‘The Blue Ghost’ but there will be more on him later and why he has that nickname. He is another friend I made on Instagram who is all round awesome dude and I can see a great future ahead for him. When we do talk its been very surreal in the sense we talk like old school friends who grew up together. I wish we did as we would have got up to alot mischief but I guess we are cut from the same cloth with his having a bit more MURCIA sewn in.
The night before I left to go to the US I took my JCW out for one last blast before I put her on trickle charge for the basically a month. It was a bitter sweet moment as I knew I may not be to drive in the US even though I got my international license permit. I would never let anyone drive my JCW because its the equivalent of someone giving me their wife for the night.

The night before I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t believe it was happening that I would be apart of the BIGGEST OFFICIAL MINI ROAD TRIP in the US. This wasn’t helped with the fact I had a early morning flight to the US but meh. My alarm went off and up I got with my bags and hugged my family goodbye my dad drove me to the airport but before I left I kissed my hand touched the bonnet MINI emblem and muttered with my head down ‘This will be the only adventure I cant take you with me’. I arrived at the airport & checked in my bags and wondered around until the second boarding call still thinking about my two friends will boarding their flights soon with us touching down within 1 hour of one another.
The call came and boarded my flight with Aer Lingus. I buckled myself in and flicked through the selection of films and what I saw brought a smerk to my face as the whole Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy and LEGO: The Movie was available!!!! But this was only a short trip to Dublin then on to San Francisco as I would heading through US customs in Dublin and walk straight out in San Fran.

I touched down in Dublin collected by bag and waited in line for immigration & customs which was an hour of my life I wouldn’t get back. I was pointed to the desk of hard nosed american official who told me to stand just behind the line and look directly into the camera and hand over my fingerprints. I didn’t like the fact I had to give my finger prints as it felt like a violation of my civil rights but its their country so their rules but I can understand for security reasons.
I was questioned about who I was, what is my job and what was my business to my visit to which replied whilst popping my iBat on the desk (my iPhone case looks like batman’s face). This resulted in a look up at me with a raised brow with quick question ‘Is that an sharp object?’ Nope is silicone as stabbed my hand batman’s cowl in my palm. As I finished my actions I was handed my passport and told to head forth as soon as I stepped across the line I got ‘Hey Cool case’ with an smerk. I thought from then on its gonna be an awesome trip…
After an hour wait I was back on the plane for lunch which was awesome to be fair as I was served steamed salmon with mashed potato and peas. I think that was the best food I have ever had on a plane even though I have flown first class on Emirates to Dubai a while back. As much as I love food, it was time of me to enjoy the Dark Knight Trilogy for sixteen millionth time! Thank you Mr Nolan for taking Batman movies away from the campiness they were into what the comics did so well at showing Mr Wayne’s alter ego for justice and bring down pain on those who pray on the weak.

After watching Batman Begins it was time for a short nap to catch some Zzzz as I would landing after 6 hours to sunny California. I woke up before we landed to take out my UK sim card to switch to my US sim card so I could use my phone and post things on my social media feeds. Don’t worry I didn’t bring down the plane as my iPhone was in air plane mode so there was the small thing of setting her up once we landed. I touched down in California and the shades came out for the sun and i felt like a boss given I didn’t have to go through customs and headed straight out to arrivals but received a text off Phil saying his flight was delayed for an hour so I gave me time to call the blue ghost to tell him I landed in the US and to round up the boys for the Buffalo leg of the MTTS.
I did the most american thing I could do was order some fries and get some coke to drink while I waited for my iphone to charge as I checked my emails, Facebook etc. It was still a surreal moment that I was in the US to do a MINI event without an actual MINI as I am so used to hoping into my JCW to do events which made it a bitter sweet moment.

Phil arrived so it was time to catch a cab to down town San Francisco to our hotel. I hadn’t seen Phil in a while so it was more of a reunion when met in the back of this crazy taxi Prius as we took in the sights and sounds of San Fran to learn Christine flight had been delayed as well and we wouldn’t see her to late that evening.
Me and Phil checked into the hotel and freshened up and hit the streets for some food and look around the city as we would leaving it the next day to start MTTS. The warm summer weather and cool breeze from the sea was perfect as we walked to the pier as I car spotted various cars along the way but again another surreal moment seeing the trams and the verticality of the hills didnt want me to walk up them on the way back. I was surprised Steve McQueen didn’t snapped the chassis on the Bullitt Mustang or the villian’s Charger didn’t bottom out the shocks as they tear through the streets but whilst this was going on Phil just wanted a ride on the tram to tick of his bucket list. I was in the world of my own thinking about the scene from The Rock ‘Hey man, you just F**KED up your Ferrari.’ ‘It’s not mine.’ ahh great film.
San Francisco at night was one of diversity as we saw street vendors selling food to tickets, roller blading crews etc and knowing the city is know for its liberal views and openness to anything with the rainbow flag originating from this city. Yet this city has seen its harsh moment with scale devastation with earthquakes which I learnt at school but as much as the city has taken it has given back with the bay. It was truly a moment of reflection looking at the bay and where this small car has taken to various places I had dreamed of.

As we walked back the hotel Christine aka Wifey No.1 rang to say she had arrived and would be at the hotel soon which we greeted once we got their then retired to our rooms as we would exploring San Francisco in the morning to do a few tourist things before we depart on our BIG MINI Adventure…
The sun rose over the bay and it was time to taste that Cali life as we all got ready to see all the sites but first thing we wanted to is going see the start point of MTTS which was MINI of San Francisco which would host the opening event and where we sign on to collect our goodies for motoring miles ahead. Luckily our hotel was only 15 minute walk away from the dealership so we walked together on this small milestone as I hadn’t seen Christine in a long while which so it was fitting to walk and talk.

One thing I couldn’t get over was how wide the lanes were and how they were allowed to turn right on red lights!!!! I don’t worry I remembered not to J walk even thought its fine in the UK but I did have a little New Yorker inside of me wanting to shout HEY I AM WALKING HERE! A few blocks and there it was that infamous winged logo with my favourite word written in Coolvetica font representing where many start the MINI adventures. The dealer was closed but I could see them prepping for tonight’s launch party but I could see some cool things and a lift?? Oh there are two floors!!!
Now we had see the dealership it was time to head back to the hotel to meet our MINI ambassadors Amy & Tryon Lippincoott who would taking Phil & Christine on this MINI adventure along with staying with us in hotels. Yet again the MINI community still seizes to amaze me how people who would have never met, meet because of this four wheel wonder and travel together on 5,000 plus mile journey. Amy & Tryon offered their MINIs for co-pilot duties for the trip to take them coast to coast even thought they had never met before.

Amy & Tyron rocked up in the cosmic blue and white Countryman All 4 S Auto outside our hotel where formally introduced ourselves after all the chats on Facebook. We headed down to the bay to go visit the iconic Alcatraz prison which I first learnt about in the film The Rock a great Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery movie. Whilst waiting for the ferry to arrive I got acquainted with Tyron who was clearly a car guy was we rattled off stories of our MINI adventures across France for MINI UNITED and the mods we had done to our cars. The pursuit of speed is a fun one as I learned more about Autocross which doesn’t happen in the UK to what I am aware of which is shame as its easy and cheap way of having fun instead doing a full blown track day.
I did take note on Tyron’s advice on upgrading pads to Hawkeye and running braided lines as he said under hard continued braking the autocross the brakes dont tend to overheat. However we did laugh about my Honda Civic YO days as I drove my mum’s 07 1.6 litre Civic which when I was finished with only panel that wasn’t dented was the roof. for a while before I got my 1st car being my 07 MINI One with the lesser know 1.4 litre with 89 Bhp. God how I miss my MINI One.

Tyron gave insight into life as a medic with the US Military as I always thought you had to be a different breed of person to devote your working life to your country and saving people’s lives. We salute you my friend and keep up the good work.

The ferry arrived and we head on board talking away whilst taking on the sight of the bay and the famous Golden gate bridge which we would be driving over on the next day. We disembarked from the ferry into our self guided tour with ear piece into the world of convicts and 5 by 9 feet cells. The islands has taken many forms with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison (1868), and a federal prison from 1933 until 1963. Beginning in November 1969, the island was occupied for more than 19 months by a group of aboriginal people from San Francisco who were part of a wave of Native activism across the nation with public protests through the 1970s. In 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

The United States Disciplinary Barracks on Alcatraz was acquired by the United States Department of Justice on October 12, 1933, and the island became a Federal Bureau of Prisons federal prison in August 1934. Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons. At 9:40 am in the morning of August 11, 1934, the first batch of 137 prisoners arrived at Alcatraz, arriving by railroad from the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas at Santa Venetia, California, before being escorted to Alcatraz, handcuffed in high security coaches and guarded by some 60 special FBI agents, U.S. Marshals and railway security officials. Most of the prisoners were notorious bank robbers and murderers. The prison initially had a staff of 155, including the first warden James A. Johnston and associate warden J. E. Shuttleworth, both considered to be “iron men”.

During the 29 years it was in use, the jail held some of the most notorious criminals in American history, such as Al Capone, Robert Franklin Stroud (the Birdman of Alcatraz), George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Bumpy Johnson, Rafael Cancel Miranda (a member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party who attacked the United States Capitol building in 1954), Mickey Cohen, Arthur R. “Doc” Barker, James “Whitey” Bulger, and Alvin “Creepy” Karpis (who served more time at Alcatraz than any other inmate). It also provided housing for the Bureau of Prisons staff and their families.
During its 29 years of operation, the penitentiary claimed that no prisoner successfully escaped. A total of 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts, two men trying twice; 23 were caught alive, six were shot and killed during their escape, two drowned, and five are listed as “missing and presumed drowned”. The most violent occurred on May 2, 1946, when a failed escape attempt by six prisoners led to the Battle of Alcatraz. On June 11, 1962, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin carried out one of the most intricate escapes ever devised.

The prison was shut down on March 21, 1963 due to costs as it costed nearly $10 per prisoner per day, as opposed to $3 per prisoner per day at Atlanta.

It was a little surreal walking around the prison since it hasn’t been touch since it shut down as per minor things to make it tourist friendly with signs etc. Just to think there was nothing in the cell but a bed and toilet and you could easy touch both ends if you lied down and stretched out your arms and legs. It was warm but windy summers day and to think that prisons lived in those cells with no air con, tv and barely saw the light of day expect for 1 hour in the yard or just to move to dining hall.
Cell 181 in Alcatraz is where Al Capone was imprisoned
The view from outside the walls was amazing as you looked upon San Fran with a clear view of the golden gate bridge.

We head back to grab some lunch which turned into something impossible as every place on the pier had waiting time of 45 minutes so we head to a dinner near our hotel as I wanted to see that old school I had seen in films.
We got told that the famous Lombard Street had been shut down due to repairs before I left for the states which was a major bummer however we learned that it might be open for a while. Me, Tyron, Christine and Phil jumped back into the Countryman to try our luck…
Behold I our luck!!!

I still cant get over how steep those hills are as you physical pushed back into your seat but back to Lombard street which was over in a minute. It ended up being a minute of slow drive down traffic in first gear given the level of steepness which resulted in me saying it would cool to drive down it in a go kart with some Initial D references. Another thing ticked off the bucket list
Tyron dropped us back off at the hotel so he could go pick up his mum who went to meet a friend. We would be catching them later at the launch party of MTTS at MINI San Francisco. The evening came so a quick freshen up we headed out with our mascots the 3 amigos here to the party to sign up MTTS and meet the people I had spoken online.

I knew MTTS was in full swing as I saw countless MINIs driving by which put a smerk on my face seeing MINI scene in the US. I was truly at home with all these MINIs around me as we entered into the dealership to sign in and collect our MTTS goodie bag which was a welcome treat as there was a LEGO Mini Mini, MTTS ID & Coast to Coast lanyard, some marketing material, these strange things called Peeps and laundry bag.

I went around to spot faces in the crowd whilst I looked around the dealership to how much bigger it was than a UK dealership. I walked upstairs to see the White Roof Radio crew and introduced myself to the wider group who were WFC road team. I was a fan of the show so it was kind of surreal speaking to them as I often listen to the podcast when I am driving to MINI events or to work. I was waiting upon Todd to mention the GP and wondered when project Roxy will ended and the DBs new car would arrive. I also met the couple to be Sami & Brian and gave my blessing for the day of where two become one as have spoke & met through Kyle with his MINIs on the mind show.

Half the time meeting people I didnt know where to turn as people were saying my name and I didn’t know who they were but they knew me. It was a very strange feeling meeting people who knew about what you get up to in even though they are half way across the world. Then I bumped into Christina and then Briana in quick concessions which was a mini shock as hand been bumping into people left, right and centre. It took me a while to orientate myself for a while as I looked to find Christine who was looking around the MINI Lifestyle selection of the dealership.
The announcements what would be happening with the heads of MINI USA marking the journey ahead of what MTTS is all about with the DJ then spinning his set on a MINI Countryman LIKE A BOSS!!!

I was then dragged to the photo op board by TEAM GB.
I got to mingle with everyone enjoying the free food and drink as spoke with everyone introducing TEAM GB and why we came over to do MTTS. Tony Hawks decided to come down and say Hi to the MTTS but he would be back something for something special to cut the ribbon at the starting line in his own half pipe way of life.

The night came to a close and it was an early start tomorrow so TEAM GB assembled and headed back to our hotel to what would be the drive of our lives but not before I made my LEGO mini MINI.

The sun creep over the hills of San Fran with the rumble of MINIs converging to underpass under the golden gate bridge. TEAM GBs US MINI Ambassadors arrived to pick us up to head to the starting line with being some what compressed into the back with all our luggage. Thank god MINI made the Countryman as I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere the stuff we had in both MINIs even thought Tyron had removed his rear seats as well.
It was like sea of MINIs all getting ushered into this some what of a parking lot with cars and faces I recognised. I had the smerk on my face as I knew this would be my home away from home seeing all these MINIs every stop of the way from coast to coast.

It was straight to getting out my suitcase to find today’s first ride and heading directly to the signing on desk to grab todays badges and freebies. Every stop we would do we would receive a new pin badge to add to make each destination which is awesome small touch. I was then surprised to hear that breakfast would be provided everyday of the trip which made life easier given the early starts every morning, Breakfast BURRRRITTOOOOS for everyone!!!!
The coast to coasters were rounded up (these were the people who would be done the whole leg of the trip) as they want to a photo op as well as getting us to sing the MINI Cooper song.
A big crane took up the MINI USA team who held up boards to the lyrics of the song so we got an idea what we would be shouting at the tops of our voices. Riding around in my MINI COOPER WOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmHvaSwJO0A
Remember that guy Tony Hawk well he would kick flipping over MINIs to official launch MTTS 2014 but little did I know my first hitch hiking ride would be the first car across the line. I would be any car but an F56 MINI Cooper S Auto driven by MINI USA’s Product Manager Pat McKenna which isn’t too shabby if I do say so.

The chequered flag was waved by the MTTS crew which was met with police escorts locking down cross junctions with bikes and cars with no lookers wondering where so many MINIs came from. I had always had this image of US highways being populated by 18 wheelers, SUVs, pick ups, muscle cars, and the lower rider, ricers & donks.
It had been a while since I had seen so many M&Ms (this is what I call a lot of MINIs) especially one with the steering wheel on the wrong which made it even weirder as I sat what would be my driving seat. It was an interesting drive as I had never mingled with MINI head office and ask a question I thought I wouldn’t be able to ask to gain an insight into MINI prospect as a brand, business and global reach.

From what I gather from Patrick that he was a family man and understood the customer base of US MINI owners by what they wanted and expected from the brand. Even though MINI is a small percentage of car sold in the US around 1% it makes a significant part of MINI sales worldwide only taking 2nd place to the UK with the brand being introduced in 2002 with the Cooper & Cooper S models initially.
This led on to a talk about how US owners have brought into the brand how some loved the marketing, fondness of the British icon and the MINI community. The MINI USA team is much smaller than the UK team but I can see there is a lot more heart there about the brand as they have to try that bit more harder but you could see the MINI USA is very much entwined with the MINI community. Yes there is a marketing angle to MTTS but they are thankful for US population for buying a MINI and making it part of their families just like a pet.

Patrick gave me a real insight into the US owners as MINI has the highest percentage of owners opting for a manual transmission (I shed a tear of joy when I heard this) along with why the standard equipment and options list differed from the UK.
Federalisation of vehicles, import tax and exchange rates plays the first part in bringing a car over to the US as strangely as imports face tougher safety laws which is why the US F56 MINI is heavier than the EURO version thus the higher pricing. MINI USA has to outweigh what options to offer US owners for customer uptake and profit as they have to buy from MINI directly like any other dealership. Therefore options like heated windscreen and having value saving bundles like media package will be a given as that what a customer wants from their purchase. This brings in what to make standard to give value for money but makes it harder in a business case as MINI is a business and it needs to make profit from all the things you tick on the configurator. This leads to why the options are not offered or remove later down the lines as uptake is poor and bottom line doesn’t reflect it like the infamous R56 JCW Recaros which everyone wants but doesn’t due small fortune they cost.

It was a relatively short journey as it was to a new opened Niello MINI dealership in Sacramento which was a quick pit stop.
Me and Patrick grabbed our lunch which was a deli sandwich, crisps and drink.
That on the move lunch hit the spot which was perfect as it gave me time to freshen up and mingle with others and get a closer at their MINI half. I couldn’t get over how MOOOOHHHSSSIVEEE the MINI dealership was, as it was easily three times the height and twice the width.
I caught with TEAM GB and spoke with a few more owners as I walked around looking at sheer amount of passion gone into these MINIs to make them individual and personifier the owner’s personality on four wheels.

This first stop stopped me in my tracks as this long time reader and JCW owner Steve Takahashi made me grin ear to ear. I couldn’t believe what he said to me – The conversation went a little like this
Steve: Hi Ali I signed up to MTTS just to come and meet you
Me: What do you mean? (I had a dumb look on my face at this point)
Steve: I wasn’t sure about buying a MINI and type into Google MINI JCW and your blog popped up and read a few of your posts. I was sold and I ordered my JCW
Me: (there was a pause followed by a moment of disbelief with a handshake) Wow I don’t know what to say but thank you as I didn’t think I affected people that much. I am honoured and humbled that you have come out to see me. Hey MINI where is my commission??
This was all was followed by more disbelief and smiling with looking around saying I cant belief this. I had to see his JCW and see what options he specd and take a few piccies.
British racing green R56 JCW hatch with black roof and ohhh so much WANT of my mine the black xenons. If memory serves me correct this was an 13 model year JCW so it was face lifted model with N18 engine. It looked goooooddd under the Cali. For. Nia sunlight as it reacts the same way my eclipse grey metallic paint under sunlight and really pops out.
After seeing Steve’s JCW I did say to him I hope you enjoying the power and PLEASSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE Take it to a track! It’s exactly how you describe Ali with the power and sheer amount of fun you can have with the added soundtrack of pops and bangs. It is moments like this that put a smile on face and make the countless hours I have spent on the blog all worth it. Another happy MINI owner and JCW Manic (sorry not sorry for passing the MINI Bug on to you : P).
I spent the rest of my time looking around the MINIs that were on the run there were a few that stood out by a long mile and so did their owners.

I met the larger than life Keli Creighton and Blaze who had seen online quite often
The next MINI I saw made me all patriotic which may well be the best wrap I have ever seen given it looked like paint and it was perfectly aligned was this Cooper S Clubman with the union jack.

Next up was the internet famous gold wrapped JCW Coupe.

There was another photo op with another aerial view for all you see what you were missing lol.

It was time to head back on the road and this time Patrick asked me to drive. I repeatedly asked him are you sure you want me to drive? Its a brand new car and I am still abit weird about all your road rules being wrong as all on they are opposite to what I am used to. I was handed the keys to the F56 S auto which was the perfect way to see how the auto felt as I had driven the F56 S manual in the UK before departing for my biggest MINI Adventure yet.
Here is my review of the F56 S both in the UK & USA
It was abit of surreal amount as steering wheel is on the wrong side and I am not really a fan of auto boxes so this was going to be interesting. I kept saying to myself don’t kill anyone or break the car but Patrick did ease me into driving in the USA.
I started off smoothly away from the dealership with me constantly asking I am in the right lane?, I am allowed to be in this lane and in my mind repeating stay right. My biggest problem was keeping the car in the lane as I would naturally stay to the left in the UK as the fast lane is the far right lane where as in the US its the fast left lane. Yes I know it sounds stupid that I couldn’t keep the MINI in between to white lines but natural reflex was urging me to move across to which the words I am sorry was mentioned a few times as I went over the rumble strips.

After about 15 minutes of driving on the hang of it and started to relax enjoy to what would be a mile marker of the behemoth journey that was upon us. This where having Patrick as a co pilot helped as I had no clue where we were as he point out a lake we driving parallel to was Lake Tahoe which is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of 6,225 ft (1,897 m), it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m), making it the second deepest in the United States after Crater Lake (1,945 ft (593 m)). Additionally, Lake Tahoe is the sixth largest lake by volume in the United States at 122,160,280 acre·ft (150,682,490 dam3), behind the five Great Lakes.
From what I saw from the car there was plenty of SUVs packed with tourists, adrenaline junkies and families waiting to make the most of the area.
I finally got to used to driving on the wrong side and began enjoying myself and relaxing. I was actually thankful I was driving an automatic for once as I didn’t know the roads and Waze app was my route guidance. The MINI is truly tiny compared to cars on the road in the US which made it even more fun when you hit the twisties on the roads to Reno aka “The Biggest Little City in the World”.

We arrived in Reno in good time with a quick switch a roo as Patrick dropped me off at Resort Harrah’s Reno which was actually more of a casino than hotel (before you ask I don’t gamble). I headed up and packed a few things and put everything else on charge in double room and I couldn’t get over how big the bed as it could easily sleep 5 people without a question.
Headed down straight afterwards after refreshing myself for tonight’s entertainment which was courtesy of MINI USA. MINI USA had hired out a local bowling alley which is probably a bit of loose term because it MASSIVE like everything else in the US. This bowling alley was called the National Bowling Stadium was actually Bowling megaplex with a 4-story lobby, 78 tournament-quality lanes & Stadium Club with full bar. It took a while to soak in given the sheer size of this place but this where I would pick up more freebies as such the free pin button, food and drink voucher. I used this night to socialise with everyone and too work out how to get a ride for the next day as it was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time talking to people I have spoke to online and now face to face on their side of the world.

It was a great night of laughs and a lot talking as told everyone I was from the UK with my two friends who were more like family. Obviously I show everyone pictures of my JCW and told them about my website and how I came about travelling across the world just to do a MINI event.

But this BIG MINI Adventure had only just begun….
The BIG MINI Adventure: MINI TAKES THE STATES 2014 Part 2
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The post The BIG MINI Adventure: MINI TAKES THE STATES Part 1 appeared first on JCW Adventures.