“All 1071 Cooper Ss are welcome and they will be given pride of place in a dedicated parking area by the main arena,” says event organiser Tony Salter.

There will also be a display of Cooper S models through the years from the earliest to the very latest MINI Cooper S.

Another annual Beaulieu attraction will be the rare collection of club members’ ex-Works and Special Tuning cars and coachbuilt classics from the likes of Radford and Wood & Pickett.

This another event I heard alot about by other members of Surrey new mini (SNM) and on my recent trip to Germany from motoring journalist Martyn Collins.

Like any other MINI event it was long drive to get there so it was another early start to get to Beaulieu Motor museum and it wouldn’t be a boring one as long the way I spotted another JCW the same colour as mine and I will leave you think exactly what happened with two JCW on empty dual carriageway…

I did say its wasn’t a boring drive up as spotted two classic Mini Cooper S – one red and one blue which were in racing and rally spec. I gave my thumbs as we lined up together than I roared past them both to cut the air in front of them and to clear the path ahead.

I got to the meet point at the service but went on the wrong side so I was service maintenance side with no path to drive to link up with everyone. So I called in and headed directly to Beaulieu and waited for everyone to arrive so I could nip into the convoy like I was always there.

With me making the entrance staff laugh for a while the familiar MINIs and faces turned as skittles that are SNM arrived in convoy. I got my club stand pass off Neil and headed in with the convoy on the gravel path to the pitch on the grass for our MINIs to reside as we went around the grounds.

This is would be the first time I would meet Bert which is Ian’s classic MINI and who is our admin of Surrey New Mini the home of the most UK MINIs who have graced the most magazines, TV screens and international known. Bert is a fine example of a classic Mini with its red paint with white stripes and under bonnet is a 1275 cc MPI engine, which was produced from 1996 to 2000. It was the last few classic Minis to be built before the reintroduction of the new MINI with the R50 in 2001. Ian says ‘After owning a red Mini as my first car, I longed to own another again. I found Bert, and I knew I had to have him – he’s not just a car to me, and everybody that meets him loves him!’ You will meet Bert again shortly in a forthcoming post or might have seen him recently taking centre stage at an established automotive event called Goodwood: Festival Of Speed. Their something about any Mini that puts a smile on your face… All together with my little brother we headed out in pack of SNM members to check out the other clubs. There were a few interesting classic with the owners unique twist on them which made a nice change from all the immaculate tucked away examples which only come out during the show season. I think this one is ready for the winter warfare If your up a gangster look, feast your eyes on this chopped roof Mini with Flat Beat Eric at the wheel The ridiculous Mini Moke which is a silly concept in the UK but you cant help but love it plus there is seating for four Here are some regular tasty examples of classic minis We moved into the tented section where the show and shines were ranging from classic to modern MINIs. As much as I love a perfect example of an immaculate car that still looks like in its original state when it left the factory. There is a point where this automotive examples are not DRIVEN and when I mean they aren’t driven they are lucky to see the light from the garages they reside from the 8 months of hibernation.This is a real shame and travesty to petrol heads as seeing a classic Mini always puts a smile on my face and its the reason why Jay Kay lead singer of Jamiroquai drives his collection of exotics all the time as he gets the enjoyment and so can onlookers to. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deKJRU6Zh0U I personally brought my JCW to enjoy the POWER and to DRIVE IT HARD!!! I tracked mine a few times and gone through 3 sets of tyres, full set of discs and pads. I have chip stones on the front end and side of my JCW but all these marks add character that this machine that is driven and taken to its owner and car limit yet my JCW still draws a crowd at shows and intrigue from people seeing and hearing me coming on the streets. After some chit chat amongst ourselves we headed over to see my favourite automotive creation which I had seen on TV. Your probably wondering what I am on about but it will all make sense when I say the show included a tall loud man obsessed with POWEERRRR, another guy who is slow and has no sense of direction and little guy from Birmingham has white teeth and loves his Porsches. If you haven’t guessed what show I am taking about then you need to re-evaluate your life as you should know I am on about TOP GEAR!!! All of TOP GEAR wacky creations from all the seasons where on show from the reasonable price car to the infamous Toybota which crossed the English channel into France. Here is Top Gear’s personal take on an old person car James May’s Caravan Airship The Jezza’s V12 Jaguar sports train the TGV12 The Mercedes S Cottage The Legendary Indestructible Toyota Hilux The first reasonable priced car Reliant Robin Space Shuttle The snowbine harvester which destroyed a small town in Norway The convoy of British motors to India It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t see the lap time leader board and The STIG The 24 hour Britcar which all 3 presenters piloted from the exploits of the biofuel production The Winter Olympics sking classic Mini The 007 lotus esprit submarine The Top Gear’s amphibious cars The 3 wise man cars who went to meet the baby Jesus Oh no its the Top Gear Rozzers Fancy a lift? The epitome of the future of automotive industry distilled into the Hammerhead Eagle i-Thrust which was fully tested by Autocar

Need not worry petrol heads when you become slow with old age here is Top Gears answer Time for some famous UK mini which have graced our TV screens for generations to adore and smile at and which formed the basis of my childhood laughter and my passion for anything with a steering wheel and a gas pedal. The loveable Brum, Mr Bean’s classic Mini and Del boy’s reliant robin On a short note I pestered my parents sooo much to buy a car like BRUM and I wanted him as my first car (I smiled for a while when I saw that car so many found childhood memories came back). Then we all moved on to the Beaulieu’s motor museum its crown jewels which houses collection of over 250 automobiles and motorcycles telling the story of motoring on the roads of Britain from the dawn of motoring to the present day, the award winning National Motor Museum appeals to all age groups. From World Land Speed Record Breakers including Campbell’s famous Bluebird to film favourites such as the magical flying car, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. There are alot of ground breaking automotive legends housed here so I will allow you to enjoy the pictures. Who are you Sir? Bond, James Bond was there to show off his collection of motors which would see Q happy as they weren’t wrecked Personally my favourite Bond is Pierce Brosnan given his look and the way he carried himself and the best shake and not shirred moment for me was the car chase in Tomorrow Never Dies car with BMW 7 series. Next up was the magical world of automotive history on a four seater kart which showed you how automotive industry developed through the ages. Lets say its good if your about 5 and I wish I had a gas pedal to make it go faster lol Everyton Seena’s F1 Honda with Manual gearbox Woke up in a Bugatti After all the automotive goodness we head to the Beaulieu estate and explored it grounds Yes I know this a MINI website so don’t worry about the lack of Minis but I am petrol head at the heart of it all. We departed and jumped onto the magnetic rail which was the slowest thing I have ever been on but it was at the end of the day so meh. It was another great day out with the SNM Club plus there was Ice cream so I was a happy chappy. Next Blog Post: Cholmondeley – Pageant Of Power

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Here are some fun facts:

2009: the event broke the world record for the longest convoy of Minis with a Guinness verified total of 1450 cars.

2010: The event celebrated its 25th anniversary

The Event is believed to be the largest one make car show in the world attracting over 2,500 Minis both classic and modern

Now back to business, having just finished my own organised MINI Run the MIR Run the following Sunday I would be joining the Largest MINI event on the calendar. I have personally always wanted to do this run and I wouldn’t be in bad company with my 2nd family Surrey New MINI.

Just before the event or any MINI Madness I gave my JCW the weekly check over. Having finished the MIR Run I was shocked to see the level of oil left so I topped the oil level with Castrol’s finest 0-30w oil.

MINI Shrewsbury offered to fit my GP2 front under tray for free but might want to ask why I was getting the front under-tray??

I had been doing personally doing alot of reading and research into the GP2 before its release then following up all the information from owners and when I drove one after my local dealership phoned me to ask if I wanted a test drive. One thing I noted was how planted it felt and I went about seeing how it did it but for argument’s sake least but the coilovers to the side and look at the aero on the GP2. MINI clearly state the GP2 reduced lift at the rear axle by 90 per cent because of the aero package (roof spoiler, rear diffuser and underside panelling).

Alot of people have wondered why MINI didn’t inter cooler even this a track orientated vehicle but the front under tray is a clever bit of kit as it as aerodynamic shield underneath reducing drag by the slits which let out hot air out of the engine bay while the NACA ducts suck in cold air creating a vacuum thus cooling the engine further with the benefit of the front end being sucked to the floor at the same time (ground effect).

Not bad for a £58 part?? Given a bigger inter cooler costs £500

My tyres were on their way out and so I brought some Continental Sport Contact 5s after my exploits in Germany testing them on Continentals test facilities. Once I got them fitted I was astonished by the extra grip in the wet and dry and the fact I could take corners much faster with them allowing me to fully put down the power at any given moment.

JCW all prepared for the journey it was time get down to cleaning her, out came the snowfoam and pressure washer all top off with a layer of Reload.

I set off on my 2 and half hour journey to Croydon, London to my hotel and to meet up with Surrey New MINI (SNM). It was grinning whilst I set off to do the L2B run knowing my JCW is being part of the biggest and longest running MINI event over the world. I sat back in my JCW Recaros with Harmon Kardon system playing out the white roof radio podcast. It was genuinely nice driving down this time as traffic was low and the weather was perfect  #RayBansMoments

I planned on meeting up with Christine at a service station so we could convoy down to the hotel together and also we could have our usual giggles over the walkie talkies. We parked up at the hallmark hotel which was opposite our meet point in the morning. I put my cameras on charger and headed down to meet up the SNM gang over the road in Pizza Hut.

There was some new faces at the table with Harry aka Nortonski. He is another young JCW owner in the club who genuinely thought was some old guy given he talked to me on the forums.

With any SNM gathering there is plenty laughs, giggles and stories to listen for us all but god was the service was beyond a joke in this pizza hut with them giving us the wrong orders on the starters, running of food we ordered, 45 minute wait, drinks, main course and final nail in the coffin the incorrect bill.

All feed we retired to our hotel rooms for some Zzzzz as it would be an early start to go pick up our L2B run items from Crystal Palace. I loved the fact my room overlooked my JCW and before I knew it the day came with an early start at 5 in the morning to get ready.

I am not drunk but I parked like this to avoid getting door dings and then a van comes along and parks next to you *face palm*

The usual suspects were ready and waiting – Neil, Sarah, Dan and Christine with the rest of the team. We decided to take a few MINIs down to collect L2B Goody bag whilst the others got breakfast or enjoyed the extra lie in. I had to keep an eye on Dan and his craftiness as he has been after some official MINI sun blinds.

We headed out in convoy down the streets of Croydon to Crystal Palace for the starting point of the L2B RUN to where I would meet two of my Instagram followers Mike aka Twelve_75 and Charlotte who both own classics.

I picked up my run pack which includes a Run Plaque, Run Sticker, Run T-Shirt and Official Program. I have been waiting sooo long to get that plaque as its something I wanted my JCW to wear with pride and I brought some flags to have for momentum sake.

Mike came down to meet and introduced him to some of SNM and pointed down to our MINIs all parked up all in a line. Mike was a nice guy with a near on perfect example of a classic mini and you could see still he had passion for minis all this time which made me happy knowing it doesn’t fade away.

We swapped some stories for a while and then pointed out where Charlotte and her mini was. I couldn’t wait to see Charlotte’s mini as it was fully decked out in the golf livery and even the interior was in the infamous light blue and orange colour scheme as well, not bad for a first car!!!

I spoke with Charlotte for a while and she was telling me about her mini and the other IG followers she met and how this was her first mini.

We head back out to my clubs meet point for breakfast and catch up with everyone who would be joining our convoy for the run. We were twenty plus MINIs strong and I was greeted by the elegant Carina who had never met before whilst I enjoying my breakfast. The first words she said to me were ‘ I have been told your quite the MINI fanatic?’ I laughed and replied ‘I am more of a MINI Lunatic to be fair’

I showed Carina around the JCW and told her all the stuff that had been done to it and took for a quick spin around the park lot as we waited to see how my JCW sounded and to enjoy the bucket Recaro seats.

She then proceeded to show me her Cooper S with the JCW power kit aka ‘Alfie’ and it was nice meeting some my age who shares the same passion and does all the nick picky things like I do e.g. parking away from any other car, having rules for passenger in your MINI and that your MINI is more than a machine but an extension of you and your personality.

We saw the L2B convoy rolling by so we decided to add our new MINIs to ranks of classics. The roads of Crystal palace and Croydon were skittles which all the minis taking up all roads as far as you could see and your rear view didn’t look shabby either. Once we hit the motorway we left the classics behind and connected back to one another with the radios crackling with chatter of our mini owners on the same channel.

I saw the signs for Brighton and a smug grin came on to my face as it still didn’t dawn upon me that I am doing this event given the amount of times I haven’t thought about it or heard about it. Being a car enthusiasts ever since I could remember and as a child I carried around this booklet of cars and when I spotted them I would tick them off and rattle off specifications and technical details if anyone spoke about any car. I guess we don’t really change much…

We stopped at a service station to get everyone back together again given the traffic that ensued which gave us chance to admire the classics and new MINIs together. I don’t think there has been a time when we arrived to any car park without causing everyone to stop and stare.

There were some tasty classic all lined up at the service station.

We hit the road again and followed the signs to Brighton well I mean signs but it was more like follow in the mini ahead lol

It was the most amazing sight that I could see MINIs as far as the eye could see over the horizon

I love how someone who made the signs for L2B run has a sense of humour

I met a familiar face behind in Cooper S Roadster it was Ashley from the MINI Store that I visited last year during the Olympics.

We were finally there in Brighton and were heading down Madeira drive and it was like Moses has parted the sea with minis and MINIs all lined up the seafront.

We parked up and watched the continuous follow of classic and New MINIs drive by us. It was just pure car porn as we walked all the seafront of Brighton.

There was awesome stand of TV show themed minis

 We later hit the show and shine stand

I have always wondered with show and shine show that the majority of these cars are not driven which defeats the point of our a CAR its meant to be DRIVEN!!! Thank god that L2B says that you have to do the run and you’re not allowed to transport it there and that’s how it should be.

I am going shut up for a while and show you all the pictures from the event

Talking about photos one of SNM member is a keen photographer when I say keen photographer, I am probably under rating her alot as she is truly talented and absolute enjoy to be around. I am talking about the Samieeeeeee who has her own website and Facebook page of all her work.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MiniMadnesss

Website: http://www.minimadnesss.co.uk/

She is a proud owner of an R50 MINI One aka Stripes and classic mini aka Winnie P.

Can anyone guess what this mini is???

The 1962 Ogle SX1000 based on a Mini with the first cars were built by grafting glass fibre body to a customer supplied Mini. The conversion costed £550 plus the customer supplied base car. Later in 1962, complete cars became available with the 997 cc Cooper version costing £1176. Any of the Mini engines could be specified up to the Mini Cooper S unit which topped out at 110 mph (180 km/h). It is thought that 66 were made.

The day came to a close and it was an amazing time being apart of this historic event. I headed back to Birmingham with my JCW wearing the L2B plaque with a sense of pride. My JCW still wears that plaque but it sits on my back window so you can admire my derrière as I pass you ; )

This is dedicated to my best friend’s dad who passed away from Cancer on 02/09/13

RIP Mr Douglas

Next Blog Post: Beaulieu – National MINI Cooper Day

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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.

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….

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

The sun rose hitting our MINI Badges and there was a smell of burning rubber from last night.

The Fast Five left the hotel leaving and headed forth to the airport to pick up Nicole – Christine’s niece from the airport.

Back on the Toll roads which was great fun with the smooth asphalt and the booths to stop at then race off at full throttle, they never got boring.

Having picked up Nicole we headed into the horizon with our little wavy UK flag on our aerials. The destination was the Villa which would be our home for the next 4 days which was located only a 5 minutes away from MINI UNITED at the Paul Ricard Circuit.

Cruising in our convoy we passed numerous MINIs old and new to which we later met at MINI UNITED and spoke with the owners at let. More interestingly we spotted the MINI Trophy Truck on the motorway to which we honked our horns but didn’t get any reply : (

We got off the toll roads and hit the back roads for the nice scenic drive but more importantly for some French cuisine. We stumbled on this small French restaurant which its pebbled and stone car park.

I was sceptical about the food with me being all picky and i didn’t think French food would be that good. God how wrong i was about it all. I had a beautiful three course meal starting with a simple salad & some fresh baguette slices. The main was grilled fish with a white sauce and French gratin potatoes and a chocolate moose for desert.

All fuelled we headed to Villa passing some beautiful scenery along the river the flowed across this little town we passed threw.

The Villa stayed in was fantastic with 6 bedrooms, fine furnishing, swimming pool, BBQ and plenty of space to park all of our MINIs behind a motorised gate.

The next MINI Adventure was to head to Nice airport to pick up my friend Tom from China (close university friend of mine) then reach our the glamorous destination of Monaco.

There is even a MINI on the Nice Airport Parking Ticket : D

Having pick up at Nice Airport we headed to Monaco along the coast with 32 degrees heat with clear blue skies and clear water. We headed up the hills to Monaco and stares insued as we headed into Monaco in a convoy.

Nice’s Coast

We all eyed up the casino with Ferraris, Rolls Royce, Bentleys all lined up outside. We had a better location to head to being the Infamous Monaco tunnel. We all entered the tunnel with Garry’s WC50 aka The Green Monster leading the pack. We all gunned it down the tunnel only for Garry to get pulled over by a waiting officer with his hand out with a speed gun.

Monaco Police – License & Registration Please

We feared the worst as France has very strict laws on speeding with hefty on the spot fine. We heard over radios that the fine 2250 Euros over the radio thinking that everyone would have to chip in for the fine. To our amazement it was only 22.50 Euros plus Garry got a cheeky snap with officer who caught him.

SNM Crew on the Monaco Circuit

We parked our MINIs up along the Monaco grand Prix circuit to nose around and take some piccies. We adventured around Monaco looking for somewhere to eat but we stumbled upon a Ferrari Dealership.

We set next the circuit having our lunch with these little tinnie tiny deserts which were to die for.

We managed to drive all the way around the whole circuit but we tried to do some shots at the starting grind but we couldn’t do the traffic. So I decided to leave my own mark there by leaving some 11s on the starting grid.

The day had dawned and it was the 1st Day of MINI UNITED!!!!

So got up early and washed the car with the arsenal full of cleaning products and pressure washer and snowfoam lance from Phil’s Clubman.

Snowfoaming our MINIs for MINI UNITED

All cleaned and polished we head up the hills to the Paul Ricard Circuit seeing MINIs from all places of the global waving and honking their horns. Forgot what it was liked to receive a MINI Wave off another owner but then again i will always shout MINI!!!! when I see another MINI.

MINI UNITED 2012

We all rolled up on the circuit and parked up on the grass and walked to the Check In Hanger where we received your free MINI UNITED 2012 Lanyards, bottle of water and wrist bands. We then had to walk  the long way around into what was called the Blue Zone.

There was bit of pavement where we go write our names and where we came from in chalk and this were we bumped into a MINI Group from Turkey

MINI Club From Turkey

There was this AWESOME MINI Rickshaw it was a Cooper S with 17 Inch rims and full leather seats. It was actually quite little to roll about in as i took for a flying lap on the pavement and the turning circle is good as well only downside its powered by what you eat in the morning.

MINI Rickshaw

There was this GIANT SLINGSHOT with a MINI on it

MINI Slingshot

There was HUGE Concert stage and 3 White tents which a food court, bar, internet cafe, MINI Accessories & Parts shop, MINI Show room ranging from the Cooper to JCW Roadster.

Mini MINI Showroom & Accessories Store

This is where I met Stefan from MINI Belgium who was the manager of the parts department where i probably left a mark with him with my wit and legendary blagging skills. While i was at the MINI shops i brought the MINI Flap Clock, Some Tees, Carbon Fibre Handbrake, Alcantara gaiter for the handbrake and JCW Side Stripes.

We jumped at the chance to go into MINI that were DRIFTING!!!!!

Drifting a MINI you say. Yupp!!! Its done by having special tires on the rears whereby when you break the back end slips out making the MINI handle like a rear wheel drive car

Easy Drift Tyres

How much are these tyres? £1,000 EACH

DRIFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

We then had a good nose around looking at the MINI Collection ranging from R53 Carbon Fibre Roof Cooper S to Calvin Klein Countryman.

R53 with Carbon Fibre Roof

Calvin Klein MINI aka Drug Dealer ‘Car of the Year’

We booked some track time one with a control lap where there was a lead car who you followed but you were not allowed to overtake

This wasn’t even for me so i booked ‘Race Your MINI’ – what i call no holds barred racing where RallyAli comes out to which Garry wanted to see plus secretly he wanted to sit in my Recaros.

Sport Button Engaged and All electronics safety nannies switched off and as Colin McRae said “If In Doubt, Go Flat Out”

At the end of this madness my new tyres were tourched with serious scrubbing on the side walls and i must have worn off at least 2mm off a new set of tyres which my dad brought me as a going away present.

Sorry Dad : /

I clicked through the settings on my mini to see what mpg we were getting on the track

We got wait for it ……………………………………13MPG!!!!

After all this MINI Madness we headed back to the Villa for a swim in the pool and BBQ  NOM NOM NOM NOM

After all the mischief in the pool and nom nomin some good food. The Lads got ready for the 1st night of the Concert with Gossip, Iggy & The Stooges and Martin Solveig headling the nite.

Everyone jumped in my JCW as i dont drink and you should have seen everyone scrambling for a front seat in my JCW for the Recaros

With Harmon Kardon system blarring, windows down and exhaust note burbling we head up the hills to the Concert in 26 Degrees heat at 9 at night

Everyone got a little merry after a few drinks and we danced away with other MINI Owners and a small group from Belgium

MINI Concert

The concert was amazing with Martin Solveig having some serious skill on the decks at one point he was controlling 3 decks all the same time

Still buzzing after the concert, we all drove down the hills blaring some TUNEEEESSS.

We were stopped by the Police for a standard breathlyser test along with 5 other cars. The French police officer recognised it was UK car and moved to the right hand side of the car and politely asked to me breathe in the machine. I have never been asked to do one and he explained everything to me and asked where I had been. You should have seen his face when the machine came up with nothing. He must have thought it was broken and he spent the next 10 seconds checking it LOL

This was all done within 30 seconds if that with no attitude or anything. I have to add it was actually a nice experience to be fair. Hats off to the French Police they were very good, i wish UK Police were more like them. Even when I was told i could drive off he was still looking at the machine like it was broken.

With the 1st Day of MINI UNITED over I still couldn’t believe that I had drive 1,200 miles across another country I have never been before with people I have never met in my life and i was having the time of my life. I never of thought i could ever go to Monaco let alone drive around the circuit and meet all these MINI Owners from across the Globe and stay in a beautiful Villa.

I stayed up that night for a while looking outside my window thinking if I never had a MINI I would have never done any of this.

Surrey New MINI aka The Fast Five on the Monaco Circuit

Thank you BT11 WRK – Your worth every penny I spent on you

Video of Noisy SNM En route to MINI UNITED – http://youtu.be/NLImG3UYVZA

SNM Arriving at MINI UNITED – http://youtu.be/oL-xcLfTJrI

MINI Drifting Action – http://youtu.be/GbMAPDFTtHw

Parade Lap – http://youtu.be/M31r9JScssU

Racing my JCW – http://youtu.be/M470UnY0qVo

More Pictures of MINI UNITED 2012 – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ez5hf5otc4h03bh/Yhk22N9Tzv/MINI%20UNITED

Next Post The Road to MINI UNITED PART 3 – The Final Lap

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The post The Road to MINI UNITED Part 2 appeared first on JCW Adventures.