NORCAL MINIS

Friday, January 27, 2012

NorCal MINIs' Friday Reminders

Annual Membership is only $25.00/family and entitles you to a host of discounts from vendors and Dealers that support NORCAL MINIS, email invitations, a say in where we run and what we do and access to Members Only events and our Members Only Google Group. Just use this Paypal Button to join:

NORCAL MINIS OPENS LANDS' END STORE!

That's right! Now you can order NorCal MINIs' branded merchandise from Lands' End through

NORCAL MINIS' LANDS' END STORE

Just choose the merchandise that suits you and choose the NorCal MINIs' logo you desire. This is real Lands' End quality from Lands' End. What could be better than that?

NORCAL MINIS' TRACK DAY AT MINI THUNDER III

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN MINI THUNDER III

You Asked For It - You Got It!

An overwhelming number of 2011 NORCAL MINIS' members voted to attend a Track Day at a Northern California Racetrack in 2012. That's exactly what NORCAL MINIS will do.

Join NORCAL MINIs at -

Here Are The Particulars

MINI Thunder III is limited to 120 MINI/Minis. This will give enough time and instructors for every driver. There will be groups ranging from first timers to advanced.

The cost is $199 per entrant or $275 for those that want to share a Mini. This includes loads of track time, turn workers, tow-trucks, flaggers, instructors, lunch, & T-shirts. For shared entries the 1st T-Shirt is included for the primary driver and the second to be purchased @ $15 in sizes of S,M,L, XL, 2XL.

T-Shirts will be available in sizes small, medium, large, XL, and 2XL, larger shirts (3XL, 4XL, etc) must be purchased in advanced and will be at $25.00 ea.

This event is for MINI/Mini Coopers only, any model or variation.

For those that just want to come out and see what’s up you are welcome at no charge. For those who come to observe there be “ride-alongs” with instructors and coaches during the sessions for FREE, and parade laps at lunch!

Staying In Willows

Stormin' Norman, Thunderhill Raceway Park and NORCAL MINIS have thought of everything. You may find yourself rather tired as the day at the track starts early (7:00 a.m.). You might want to stay in Willows before or after the event. Therefore, we have located the following lodging deals for your lodging pleasure:

In order to get the MINI Thunder/SCCA rate for Willows, CA hotels, you must

CALL the hotel directly (do not register on-line)

Tell them that you are attending MINI Thunder III and are requesting the Thunderhill/SCCA rates. The following rates apply if you call:

Holiday Inn – Nightly Rate $109

Call 530-934-8900 / 1 800 315 2621

http://www.hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/willows/wlwca/hoteldetail

Baymont – Nightly Rate $79

Call 1-530-934-9700 / (800) 992-2694

http://www.baymontinns.com/hotels/california/willows/baymont-inn-suites-willows/hotel-overview

Travelodge – Nightly Rate $ 59

Call 1-530-934-4603

http://www.travelodge.com/hotels/california/willows/willows-travelodge/hotel-overview

AARP gets the best discount at Baymount ($67.99) plus tax.

For more information about participation in MINI Thunder III contact Stormin' Norm Nelson at 530-246-9943 or pooper@wildblue.net

NORCAL MINIS' Meetups

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO PARTICIPATE IN MINI THUNDER III

FRIDAY RUN
(Participants)

NorCal MINIs has discovered that many of our Members will drive to Willows on Friday in order to participate in the Hooked On Driving event at Thunderhill Raceway on Saturday before they participate on Sunday at MINI Thunder III. If you wish to run to Willows, CA on Friday please contact Richard Stevens at carman3492@comcast.net or Kat Hsueh at minipenny@gmail.com to arrange a Bay Area meet up for participants going on Friday.

SUNDAY RUN
(Observers)

Observers who are driving up Sunday will meet up at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot on the corner of E. Main St. and Winters Rd. in downtown Winters (across the street from the Putah Creek Cafe at 1 Main Street, Winters, CA (If you want breakfast please arrive early and be prepared to leave promptly at 8:30 a.m.)

NORCAL MINIS' RUN FOR ABSENT FRIENDS

Join NORCAL MINIS for the

"RUN FOR ABSENT FRIENDS"

An Annual Memorial Tribute Run

Dedicated To Those With Whom We Have Motored Who Are No Longer With Us.

+++

It is the annual tradition of NORCAL MINIS to pass the hat
for the American Cancer Society during this run.

+++

We will meet up at 10:00 a.m. in the overflow parking lot at the top of Mt. Diablo and will drive backroads to Livermore for lunch at Demitri's Taverna before we motor to the top of Mt. Hamilton.

Here's out route.

View Larger Map
+++THIS RUN IS OPEN TO MEMBER AND NON-MEMBERS NORCAL MINIS Members please respond to your email invitation or email us to tell us you are coming.Non-members please email us at info@norcalminis.com to RSVP.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN NORCAL?

Check NORCAL MINIS' "Calendar of All Motoring Events" and find out! You can always find a link to the "Calendar of All Motoring Events" in the left column.

Look What I Pulled Out Of My Rear!

A Mini Moke!

[Source: via mab01uk @ totalMINI.com]

MotorAuthority Gives The 2012 MINI Cooper An 8 Out Of 10

MotorAuthority reviews the 2012 MINI Cooper hardtop and gives it an 8 out of 10 with this verdict:

We find the entire Cooper range to be light, nimble, balanced, and entertaining to drive. Steering feel is very good for a front-wheel drive car, with minimal torque steer even in the more powerful models. There aren't many cars in the Cooper's class that offer this much fun, and the excitement just grows as you add more power and move up the range.

Lady, There's No Way Around The Traffic Jam

Even driving on the sidewalk won't help. See for yourself:

[Source: via autoevolution]

Double Paralympic Gold Medallist Learns To Drive A MINI

Double Paralympic gold medallist, Ellie Simmonds MBE, is learning to drive a specially adapted MINI One Hatch she received as part of MINI’s commitment to the ParalympicsGB in London 2012 and TeamGB. The MINI’s interior has been redesigned with a false floor in the driver’s foot well and pedal extensions. The car is just one MINI adapt in its role as the Official Automotive Partner of London 2012.

[Source: 3D-Car-Shows]

Lyrical Homage To The Mini Moke

[Source: via mab01uk @ totalMINI.com]

MINI RUSHOUR To Race In Italy

MINI RUSHHOUR 2012 is set to begin in Italy. The event involves "[s]ix races, attractive prizes and a mix of fascinating racing action and MINI lifestyle" according to MINIMotorsport.

With a MINI Cooper S, and a specially developed racing kit, drivers will compete in two 30 minute races. MINI will provide "MINI Hospitality" with essential support for the racing teams. Each race weekend the top three participants will be awarded prizes - US-$ 1,000 for the winner, a set of four race tires compatible with the rules of the league for the second and a special maintenance kit for third place. The winner of the championship will get a MINI John Cooper Works Coupe Special Edition, the runner-up will participate in a round of the MINI Challenge Brazil, while third place overall driver will get a fantastic selection of articles from the MINI Collection.

The first race will take place at the Autodromo Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France, at MINI UNITED on May 13. These are the dates for the following races:
10th June -- Autodromo del Mugello
8th July -- Misano World Circuit
22nd July -- Autodromo dell’Umbria – Magione
2nd September -- Autodromo di Imola
16th September -- Autodromo di Vallelunga

Officer, I'm Not Drunk; I Have A Cold

Researchers in the UK have found that driving with a cold - sneezing, runny eyes, fever and coughing - are just as dangerous as driving drunk.

[Source: Real Age via AutoGuide.com]

MINI Countryman JCW Prototype Driven

Shawn Molnar recently drove for Sympatico.ca the MINI Countryman JCW prototype but reserves final judgment:

If you write cheques with your heart, then you may want to distance yourself from Mini’s new Countryman JCW. Of course, if you write cheques with your brain, this car may still hold power over your pocketbook because it delivers the efficiency, practicality and utility to make it a well-rounded daily driver.

When sitting beside its nearest competitors, this Mini has the performance to thrash at Subaru’s WRX hatchback, the efficiency to best Hyundai’s respected Tucson, and enough style and verve to obliterate the Tiguan. If you can swallow that expected steep price tag of 45,000 Canadian dollars. In fact, this Mini's closest competition may come from within the fold: the $31,150 Countryman S model offers plenty of driving excitement at a bargain value next to the JCW.

We will reserve our final judgement until we've driven the production model . . .

Autosport.com Q & A With MINI Team Principal Wilcock

Yahoo.com recounts the question and answer session between MINI Team principal Dave Wilcock and Autosport.com on MINI's finish at the 2012 Monte Carlo Rally.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

JCW Likely To Become MINI Sub-Brand

According to Car and Driver:

Once the JCW Countryman arrives, Mini will offer John Cooper Works packages for all of its models, but Segler wants to further differentiate JCW products in the future. This means that cars wouldn’t so much be equipped with the John Cooper Works package, but rather positioned as standalone models.

Mini already considers the standard JCW powerplant—a turbocharged 1.6-liter four making at least 208 hp—a “unique” engine, and not a standard Cooper S mill with more boost. But we interpret Segler’s remarks to mean that the John Cooper Works engine will come in for additional work in the future; that could mean it will get some unique internals, or that the displacement will be increased. Segler’s sentiments also suggest that more hard-core, limited-edition models like the upcoming new-gen Mini GP could be produced.