Monthly Archives: May 2007

Classic Mini

Mini Breaks The Speed Record

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According to Eureka Magazine, British engineer, The Rocket Men strapped a rocket to a classic Mini and sent it flying down the slopes of Lillehammer!

…
The challenge was part of Top Gear’s Winter Olympic Special.

A team of rocket designers made the propulsion units for the car, then found it needed some Smalley spiral retaining rings to keep the motor unit attached to the rocket housing.

Colin Rowe of the Rocket Men explained: “Speed, mass and deceleration are three pivotal components that have to be controlled in any rocket powered launch. If the motor became disengaged because of a faulty spiral retaining ring, suddenly with one part of the equation missing we would have a potential disaster.î

The spiral retaining rings are upscale versions of those used in model rocketry. The motor retainers need to be light and strong. Using TFC spiral retaining rings allow the operator to insert and remove the motor in the field with only a screwdriver.

[ Original Article By Lou Reade With Photo ]

Downloads, MINI Sites and Blogs, Modern MINI, Toys & Games

Video Game: MINI #37 – Arcade Racer

Now this is something I can not wait for! South African animation company, Luma, has developed a new racing game that is sure to be a hit – “MINI #37 – Arcade Racer”. Cars will be added as new versions of the game are released. Coming this month, this game will eventually let the player select all the types of MINIs you can configure for purchase including classic Minis and JCW’s. Heck maybe even a GP will sneak in there ;). The game will start with tracks in South Africa, and new courses will be added as new versions are released. From what I have seen, the graphics will be stunning. Check out the following description from greatgamesexperiment.com. They also posted some screen shots that are worth checking out too. Enjoy!

MINI#37 is an episodic racing game and every couple of months or so, new sections of the game will be released. The first public release (Episode One) will be available in May of this year. It will include tracks set in Newtown as well as Cape Town (tracks include Camps Bay, the V&A Waterfront, and the dock area). Each city/location will consist of three tracks, and new cars will also be available as downloadable updates or as part of the next release. All of the MINI vehicles will eventually be available, including vintage MINI’s and some hotted up MINI’s like the GP and JCW.

There are two game modes: Arcade Mode will feature single races on any of the unlocked tracks, and Championship Mode will require players to compete through a series of tracks in Grand Prix style racing. Both game modes will be playable as single player or multiplayer experiences.

[ MINI #37 – Arcade Racer Trailer Download ]
[ MINI #37 – Arcade Racer Website ]
[ Screenshots ]
[ Luma ]

Images, Modern MINI, Site Information, Track Talk

More Track Time

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As I told you in my last post, I was out at Moroso Motorsports Park this past weekend cheering on some MINIs from our local group (Sunshine MINIs) during an HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) event. There were not enough slots for me to run with them, but I did manage top get out there for some 90+mph “parade” laps :). I took a bunch of pictures and video, but my favorite has to be this shot:

MINI Getting Porsche Point By

If you click on the photo links below you will also notice I created a new Track Time gallery for track photos to be posted. So if you have any cool photos of your Mini on the track, send them in to site.gallery01 @ motoringfun.com. I will also try to post some video shortly once I get it off the camera.

Next up – Sebring (May 19-20) with PBOC (and then with Phil Wicks in June!). You may have noticed I created a Track Day Countdown in the upper left hand corner. For all those coming to Sebring this month, that one is for you!

[ Track Time Photo Gallery ]
[ Moroso Photos ]

MINI Events, Track Talk

Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy @ Sebring – Register Now!

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I was over at Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, FL this weekend and ran into none other than – Phil Wicks! We chatted about some MINI stuff as always and of course, talked about the upcoming Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy @ Sebring on June 16, 2007 sponsored by Minspeed. Rounds 8 and 9 of the North American MINI Cooper Championship Race Series will also run that weekend. So make sure you register and come out for some fun track time and to watch some real MINI wheel-to-wheel racing! Also, Minspeed is offering $75 discounts to the first 25 people to sign up so you have no excuse not to come!

Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy

Official Event Announcement:

Minspeed presents… The Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy at Sebring International Raceway on June 16, 2007.

This will be a one day event, open to Novice and Experienced Drivers. THERE WILL BE ONLY MINIs ON THE TRACK for the day. No shared track time this year! I have been guaranteed plenty of instructors will be on hand as well so everyone will be served. In addition, we will do the skidpad event like we did at Moroso a couple of years back – that was fun!
Continue reading Phil Wicks MINI Driving Academy @ Sebring – Register Now! →

MINI Products, Modern MINI

MC2: 100% Carbon-Fiber MINI Body Kit & Custom MINI Garage Cabinets

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If youíre following the trends in the MINI world, you may have noticed that with the expiration of the 4-year factory warranty, the hunger for more power is coming of age fast. In addition to the older, trusted names in our brand of Alta, M7, Detroit Tuned and others, have come Dinan and newer companies like EvolutionMini, T.C. Kline (a major name in BMW tuning for many years) and Thumper Performance. (Others weíll soon make public, as weíre still under a non-disclosure agreement with a few companies coming to market)

AirborneMini

There are several bodykit builders in Europe of reasonable quality, but AirborneMini (www.airbornemini.com) is the first company actually operating weíve spoken with on the re-styling of the first-generation MINI. The best part is they are bringing to market a 100% carbon-fiber kit of several pieces in a wide-body styling for about $3,500. This pummels the usual fiberglass kits from Europe or the UK for less cost, plus itís made in California, so shipping is minimal and import fees are negated.

Continue reading MC2: 100% Carbon-Fiber MINI Body Kit & Custom MINI Garage Cabinets →

MINI Performance, MINI Products, Modern MINI, Reviews

Suspension Project – Part 2: ALTA Sway Bar & SPC Control Arms

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I already covered my brake, wheel and tire upgrades in part one of ìThe MotoringFun Suspension Projectî which shaved off a few pounds and enhanced grip and stopping power, so now it is time to take the next step – reducing the understeer characteristics of the car and improving the stability during high speed cornering.

These goals will remain constant through the remainder of the project. Others may be introduced as we go, but for this installment understeer is the main thing I wanted to correct. For this reason, the ALTA 19mm rear adjustable sway bar was selected.

ALTA Rear Sway Bar

Continue reading Suspension Project – Part 2: ALTA Sway Bar & SPC Control Arms →

Cool MINI Ads, Modern MINI

Update: Hammer and Coop T-Shirt Iron-On Transfer

Are you going through Hammer and Coop withdrawal yet? Did the last episode leave you wanting more? Have no fear – we have a special treat for you! Our good friends at MC2 Magazine have sent us a sneak peak into what is coming in the next issue of MC2 Magazine, issue #8 (May/June 2007): The Hammer and Coop Iron-On Transfer!!!

Hammer and Coop T-Shirt Iron-on Transfer

That’s right – now you can make your very own Hammer and Coop t-shirt! The iron-on transfer will be included in every issue of the May/June, 2007 issue of MC2 Magazine which will be mailed out around April 28th to all paid subscribers. If anyone wants extra copies to make some shirts for family and friends, MC2Magazine.com will have them for sale in the back issues section for the usual $9, including shipping, starting in early May.

UPDATE: If you live east of the Mississippi River and want extra copies of this iron-on, head over to your local Books A Million as they should have them in stock. Of course you can still log into MC2Magazine.com under the back issues section and they should get mailed out 1st class mail the week you order it!

[ MC2Magazine.com ]

Images, Modern MINI

Perhaps The Most Expensive MINI

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What happens when you take a MINI Cooper and cover it with one million Swarovski crystals in 50 shades of color? Probably the world’s most expensive MINI! CarScoop posted up pictures of this amazing creation.

The characterization ìbling-blingî is definitely an understatement for this Cooper. Dubbed ìAmerican Iconî, the glittering MINI is the work of CrystalArt and itíll be on display at the upcoming National Stationery Show, May 20-23, at NY Cityís Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It features over one-million Swarovski crystals in 50 different shades of color. Each crystal was scrupulously hand placed and it took four people 6 months to complete. The designs on the car portrays American scenery and symbols including The Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore etc.

[ A MINI Cooper Adorned With a Million Swarovski Crystals! @ CarScoop ]