Don't Honk - Patience Is A Virtue

Here's why -




[Source: via Carscoop]

U.S. Debut Of MINI Baker Street, Bayswater And Highgate Editions

According to Car And Driver the MINI Baker Street, Bayswater and Highgate special editions will debut in the U.S. at the New York Auto Show. The special edition spec's can be viewed int eh article. The vehicles are named after London Districts and were chosen since MINI is a sponsor of the upcoming London Summer Olympic Games.

\\  

How To Get A New MINI For The Lowest Price Possible

Just follow the instructions of Bruce Bueno de Mesquita, the well respected author of The Predictioneer’s Game, in this video and use Game Theory.




[Source: via egmCarTech]

Armindo Araujo Flies In His MINI WRC

From the Rally de Portugal, courtesy of  FoxRS @ YouTube:

How To Jump A Bridge In A Car

Don't try this at home! Jalopnik notes the "study" was conducted at the 2011 Rally of the Midlands in the UK.

Getting Splashy In The Arabian Desert

According to arab news.com in Saudi Arabia:

Visitors to Virgin Megastore at Roshana Mall on Jeddah’s Al-Tahlia Street, between March 29 and 30 will be forgiven for rubbing their eyes in astonishment if they see two vehicles parked with parachutes shooting out of the top, go-kart competition and a giant comic book of MINI heroes representing the MINI family surrounding them.

Why such a display?

Anees Jamjoom, MD, Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors (BMW Group), said: “We wanted to give our two newest models an unconventional welcome to Oman and create something completely different for MINI enthusiasts. We took an interactive approach and focused on creativity and fun, two things that are fundamental to the MINI brand.” MINI is an unconventional brand so the marketing activity we use always has an unconventional approach that supports urban projects and events that champion creativity such as music, film and art.”

Printing The Parts For A MINI JCW World Rally Car

A PRWeb Press Release published by Virtual-Strategy Magazine announces that the Society of Manufacturing Engineers will feature Prodrive and the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car Program at RAPID 2012. It is a rather interesting Release, especially if you are an automotive engineer, but also if you are a futurist or imagineer. Here is part of it:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) today announced details about Prodrive's development of the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car (WRC) and a keynote presentation to be given by Paul Doe at the RAPID 2012 Conference and Exposition, May 22-25 in Atlanta. Prodrive’s highly specialized use of 3D printing will reveal the future of manufacturing and appeal to any organization looking to capitalize on additive manufacturing technologies that speed new products to market.

“Additive manufacturing is instrumental for many product development companies, and we’re excited to showcase Prodrive’s 3D printing success story with Paul Doe’s keynote presentation at RAPID 2012,” said SME business development manager Gary Mikola.

Prodrive is one of the world's leading motorsport businesses and is responsible for the design and engineering of the MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car. The company uses additive manufacturing to accelerate the development of the race car and reduce production costs. Prodrive’s 3D printers created functional prototyping, rapid tooling and end-use parts with polycarbonate and ABS materials direct from CAD (computer-aided design) files.

“3D printing is an important part of our design and development process that has massively reduced our reaction time,” said Prodrive chief design engineer Paul Doe. “The technology allows us to produce new parts for the test car within hours of a problem or need being discovered.”

During his presentation, Doe will share how the MINI John Cooper Works WRC team relied heavily on 3D printing throughout the car's two-year development cycle. To design the test car, engineers used additive technologies to create large parts of the engine bay, multiple display housings, gearbox, steering assembly, vehicle interior and even engine components. In addition to prototyping parts for the test track, the team 3D printed end-use parts for the finished car. The ergonomically styled gearshift display and control panel, which is mounted on the steering column, are the WRC’s most visible 3D printing examples.

“3D printing has created opportunities to innovate that were previously considered a dead-end without a significant investment in tooling and has freed our team from the constraints that are applied when manufacturing by more traditional production methods,” says Doe.

Attendees will discover how Prodrive’s WRC program was one-fifth the cost of similar projects that specified traditional manufacturing methods. As a result of these cost savings, the number of parts produced by additive manufacturing technologies for Prodrive’s development programs continues to increase.

“3D printing improved our overall prototyping and manufacturing process by giving our team the ability to make high-performance, end-use components that would have been very expensive to produce by any other method. The simplicity of 3D printing combined with the relatively low cost of materials make it the obvious choice for manufacturing parts and offers significant advantages to our program,” Doe added

Paul Doe has 15 years of experience in race vehicle design, working at the forefront of the World Rally Championship with Mitsubishi, Subaru and MINI. He also worked with Aston Martin Racing in the development of the 2009 Le Mans Series winning DBR1-2 LMP1 car.

Ridelust Reviews The 2012 MCS Coupe

Ridelust concludes, in part:

While the Coupe’s diminutive size requires some concessions for use as a daily driver, when the road gets tight and twisty the MINI S Coupe comes into its element. Like all MINIs, it’s just plain fun to drive and buyers will likely spend free time hunched over Google Maps, looking for any winding ribbons of asphalt in a three-state radius. Since the MINI Coupe begs to be driven hard, you may even find yourself pondering things like track days and autocross events.

Rally Portugal Standings After Stage 1

[Photo Source: Demotix]

After Stage 1 two MINIs are in the Top Ten. Patrick Sandell is 18th and Paolo Nobre did not participate due to a crash during the qualifying stage.  Here are partial standings after Stage 1 from www.Crash.net:

Rally de Portugal: Overall standings after Stage 1 (Top 10):

1. Petter Solberg Ford WRT Fiesta RS WRC 2mins 57.1secs M
2. Sebastien Loeb Citroen Total WRT DS3 WRC +00mins 00.1secs M
3. Jari-Matti Latvala Ford WRT Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 00.7secs M
= Mikko Hirvonen Citroen Total WRT DS3 WRC +00mins 00.7secs M
5. Ott Tanak M-Sport Ford WRT Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 02.8secs M
6. Dani Sordo Prodrive WRC Team MINI John Cooper Works WRC +00mins 03.8secs
7. Armindo Araujo WRC MINI Team Portugal John Cooper Works WRC+00mins 04.3secs
8. Thierry Neuville Citroen Junior WRT DS3 WRC +00mins 04.4secs M
9. Nasser Al-Attiyah Qatar WRT Citroen DS3 WRC +00mins 05.5secs M
10. Dennis Kuipers M-Sport Ford WRT Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 06.4secs 

Others

11. Martin Prokop Czech Ford National Team Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 07.6secs
12. Mads Ostberg Adapta WRT Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 07.7secs M
13. Evgeny Novikov M-Sport Ford WRT Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 08.3secs M
14. Sebastien Ogier VW Motorsport Skoda Fabia S2000 +00mins 08.7secs
= Peter van Merksteijn Jr van Merksteijn Motorsport Citroen DS3 WRC+00mins 08.7secs
= Jari Ketomaa Ford Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 08.7secs
18. Patrik Sandell Prodrive WRC Team MINI John Cooper Works WRC +00mins 09.3secs 
19. Daniel Oliveira Brazil WRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC +00mins 09.4secs M


SWRC standings after Stage 1 – Top 3:

1. Craig Breen Ford Fiesta S2000 3mins 10.2secs S
2. Hayden Paddon Skoda Fabia S2000 +00mins 01.7secs S
3. Yazeed Al-Rajhi Ford Fiesta RCC +00mins 01.9secs S


Notable retirements:

DNS. Paulo Nobre WRC MINI Team Portugal John Cooper Works WRC Did not start – crashed in Qualifying stage
DNS. Kevin Abbring VW Motorsport Skoda Fabia S2000 Did not start – crashed in shakedown

Four MINIs Line Up For Rally Portugal

Four MINI WRC cars line up at the Rally Portugal including Armindo Araujo who will be participating on his home soil. Armindo is joined in Portugal by team-mate Paulo Nobre, as well as Dani Sordo and Patrick Sandell of the Prodrive WRC Team.

You can find updates from Portugal on Twitter.com/MINImotorsport.

Irish Sunday World Says Simply "COUPÉ WINNER"

In the Motormouths column of the Irish Sunday World Robbie Ferrell is ecstatic over the MINI Coupe.  He concludes,

Don't forget to put aside a few bob though if you want the extra toys for the big boys. Overall this is a cracking coupe, and will win the hearts of MINI lovers

Nice Gas Caps

Available from the Japanese BOND MINI Diary Estore!  Fire up your translator.  We don't know whether they ship to the U.S.

MCS Convertible Motion N' Style

[Source: kyriakosMINI @ YouTube]

MINI Introduces The John Cooper Works Coupé Endurance

MINI provides a photo gallery of the new MINI JCW Coupe Endurance, a vehicle to be -

". . . taken to the track to tame one of the most fearsome circuits known to man."

MINI says it will race the Endurance in the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

Demo Of Dynamic Music In A MINI Roadster

Check out this MINI Connected feature!




[Source: MonkeySDLA @ YouTube]

The MINI Roadster Hits Venice, Italy

[Source: SupercarHall @ YouTube]

Check Out Letterman In A Mini Moke

Celebrity Cars Blog caught David Letterman cruising in a Mini Moke around the island of St. Barts.

24TV.BY Tests MCS Countryman

Great video review from Russia.


MINI COOPER S - тест драйв команды портала 24TV.BY from frankkk on Vimeo.

GP2 Spotted Testing At Nurburgring

Car Buzz has posted a gallery of photos of the upcoming second generation GP testing at Nurburgring.

Rauno Aaltonen Races His Son Tino

On Dunlop Inside Racing Rauno races an Austin Mini Cooper S Competition 1964 against his son Tino who drives a MINI Cooper Works Challenge 2011 car.




[Source: Aaltonen Motorsport @ YouTube]

A MINI At Valašská Rally 2012

Watch this MINI Cooper rally driver team of Václav Pech and Petr Uhelmake make this 180 degree turn during the rally!





[Source: TB1983Rally @ YouTube]

How Canada Celebrated MINI's Tenth Anniversary

[Source: minidowntown @ YouTube]

Holding The Wheel At 10 and 2? Then You're Doing It Wrong

The Bottom Line on MSNBC.com says, because of modern airbags,

. . . AAA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and many driving instructors now say you should grip the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock. A few go even further, suggesting 8 and 4 to avoid the airbag mechanism as much as possible, but what formal research has been published on the varieties of hand positions suggests that this may lessen your control of the car.

More Spy Shots Of The New 2013 MINI

Global Market has these spy photos of the newly redesigned 2013 MINI Cooper. The images show a wider front grille and a slightly wider front which may mean more interior room and boot space. The car body is also lower and the A-pillar design is changed.

The 2013 MINI Cooper will have a new three-cylinder engine that will use BMW's "®TwinPower Turbo" technology, which is a twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct fuel injection , solenoid injectors, and variable valve control system.

Expect the vehicle is set to be unveiled in late 2012 and should be available in 2013.

Green Car Reports Reviews The 2012 MINI

Green Car Reports gives the entire 2012 MINI line-up a positive review.  For example,

The MINI Cooper range is fun to drive, too. Steering is sharp and accurate, and the MINI really scoots around corners. Some may find the ride quality of the JCW a little harsh, but the Cooper and Cooper S ride the bumps pretty well.

So, fun and frugal--and safe too. The NHTSA gave the 2012 MINI Cooper a 5-star rollover rating, while the IIHS scores the Cooper with its best rating of "good" in crash testing. Throw in plenty of equipment and the MINI Cooper suggests that you don't have to give up big-car benefits in the pursuit of small-car economy.

Chance To Win A 2012 MINI Cooper S Convertible

This year Hankook will continue its baseball-themed promotions. This year, the "Great Catch" promotion's grand prize will be a 2012 Mini Cooper S Convertible.

Consumers can register for this "no purchase necessary" giveaway online at www.hankooktireusa.com/greatcatch2012 between April 1 and June 30, 2012. Upon registering, consumers automatically will be entered into a random drawing to win the Mini Cooper. Consumers who purchase four qualifying Hankook tires from an authorized Hankook dealer between April 1 and June 30 of this year are eligible for a mail-in rebate of up to $80. Here are the eligible products for the rebate -

Ultra-High Performance Summer: Ventus V12 evo.

Premium Touring All-Season: Optimo H727.

Luxury Performance Touring All-Season: Optimo H426.

Premium Highway All-Season Light Truck/SUV: Dynapro HT.

Faster Than Disaster

Faster Than Disaster is the new MINI China commercial created by Pixomondo and Interone Beijing. Learn how it was made in this article on Dexinger and watch it here!

ArabMotorstv Looks At The Countryman S

Anyone understand Arabic?




[Source; ArabMotorstv @ YouTube]

No MINI Recaro Seats Available In April

MotoringFile says Recaro seats will not be available in April for fitment MINIs ". . . due to a subtle tweak in the design of the stand-alone post/pivot for the seatbelt . . . .

Sandell Climbs In The WRC Fafe Rally Sprint 2012

Patrick Sandell makes his way up hill -




[Source: poliuyttyrr @ YouTube]

Unipart Captures Parts Deal With MINI Oxford

The Oxford Mail reports that Unipart has secured a new parts deal with the Cowley MINI plant.  According to the article:

Under the agreement, exhausts made at Unipart’s manufacturing plant in Coventry will be distributed to the Mini production line through a new facility set up at Unipart’s site off Garsington Road, Cowley.

Be Afraid Of Teenage Girls Driving Cars

A study by the AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety found that teen girls are twice as likely as teen boys to use cell phones and other electronic devices while driving.

[Source: via The Auto Channel]

Nice Autocross Run!

Happened at the 2012 Koss Motorsports Autocross in Green Cove Springs, FL. Watch from the perspective of this 2012 MINI Cooper S driver with street tires.




[Source: adrive7 @ YouTube]

MINI Test Drive Takedown Event

MINI USA is putting on tour its competitors vehicles for a "MINI Test Drive Takedown."  Those who attend get to drive MINIs and their closest competitors all in one place - their local MINI dealer!

Here's is when the tour will hit Northern California dealers - Niello MINI on April 12, 2012; MINI Of Concord on April 13, 2012; East Bay MINI on April 14, 2012; MINI of San Francisco on April 15, 2012; MINI of Stevens Creek on April 17, 2012.

E-broken Into Ditch

If you are going to learn to make emergency brake turns we suggest you not do it on a narrow rural road next to a ditch or this could happen to you.




{Source: mx3sleeper @ YouTube]

Prodrive Seeks Rally Portugal Podium

Beyond The Redline reports that the Prodrive WRC Team will make its debut at Rally Portugal next week running two MINI John Cooper Works WRCs for Dani Sordo #37 and Patrik Sandell #52 and that
team principal, Dave Wilcock, believes the team should have a podium finish

In addition to the two Prodrive WRC Team MINIs, Prodrive will provide engineering support for the MINI WRCs of Armindo Araujo and Paulo Nobre.

The MINI Rauno Aaltonen Special Edition

MINI has announced a Rauno Aaltomnen special edition model in tribute to the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally winner. The package is Available on both Cooper or Cooper S models,and are set off by their Chili Red exteriors, a white hood intake, and racing stripes down the hood and trunk of the car with matching side red stripes with a checkered theme, and unique 17-inch Infinite Stream white spoke wheels. On the inside is a specially-badged leather steering wheel and a speedometer which features a red outer ring with an image of the original Flying Finn’s signature.

As an added bonus purchasers get a day of rally driving instruction on ice at a school owned by Rauno and his son Tino.

[Source: via AutoGuide.com]

All Of The 2012 MINI Models In A Minute And A Half

From the carbikenetwork @ YouTube:

MINI United Webradio!

Tune into the brand new MINI United Webradio station to listen to all the bands playing at MINI United in May! The MINI United Webradio channel curates music straight from the festival stage alongside cool independent tracks.

LISTEN NOW.

Dani Sordo During 3rd Super Stage Of WRC Fafe Rally Sprint 2012

[Source: pedrolimamendes @ YouTube]

World's Fastest Street Legal MINI (Without Nitrous)?

It's a MCS tuned by 1320mini, cooling by Forge Motorsport, and here it pulled a 12.9 in the quarter mile with a passenger.




[Source: RichardODwyer @ YouTube]

Better yet, without a passenger, a 12.4751 to claim the title:





[Source: RichardODwyer @ YouTube]

Go Armindo Go!

Check out this rally footage of Armindo Araujo at the WRC Rally Sprint - the "aperitif luxury" to Rally Portugal -




[Source: theAUTOBITchannel @ YouTube]

DIY: Replace The Drive Belt On A 2002-2006 MCS

[Source: cooperSml @ YouTube]

MINI WRC - 3 Points Of View In 3 Laps

Check out this video of the MINI WRC that consists of 3 laps, each one seen from a different point of view - onboard, from the roof and from outside the car.




[Source: armandozapata @ YouTube]

Human Kite Flies From A MINI JCW Countryman

Awesome!!!! From the MINI YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

New MINI WRC To Compete In Rally Portugal

A new MINI JCW WRC, called the "01B", is now set to get its first outing at the March 29-April 1, 2012 Rally Portugal. MINI and Prodrive modified over 100 technical details to deliver an even more powerful car.

There are new engine parts – such as the exhaust manifold and electrical water pump, a smaller fan belt, and a revised engine management system. Changes were also made to the cooling system, dampers, suspension and aerodynamics, the weight and centre of gravity. MINI worked with chassis partner Öhlins to improve the dampers. Weight reduction was achieved by use of a lithium-ion battery for the first time and modification of the carbon-fibre-reinforced rear spoiler. This has saved ten kilograms.

Noticeable changes include the new air duct on the front of the MINI WRC, a new bumper, and a squatter stance on gravel.

[Source: MINI Motorsport]

MINI London Olympic Athletes 2012 Track Day Challenge

London Olympic athletes get a MINI track day courtesy of MINI UK!

Don't Go Aftermarket With Your Oil Filter

MotoringFile reports on discoveries by White Roof Radio co-host and Detroit Tuned founder Chad Miller of significant problems with aftermarket oil filters for the MINI.  We recommend, along with Chad and MotoringFile, that you stick with OEM MINI oil filters.

Just Wait Your Turn Even If You're In A Hurry

Gilda Ramos wanted to fill up her Jeep Compass at a Miami Beach gas station. She tried to beat another driver to the pump but smashed her Jeep into the pump, which quickly erupted into flames, according to service station employees.

Ramos, however, explains it this way:

Ramos told WSNV news that she did not observe the yellow Hummer waiting for the pump and that when she pulled up in front, the driver of the other vehicle started honking at her.

"He started honking at me and I got nervous," said Ramos. "Instead of hitting the brakes, I hit the accelerator. That is when the accident occurred," she said.

[Source: via Carscoop]

Car Guide To Buying A Used 2006-2012 MINI

Car Magazine has published a guide to buying a used 2006-2012 MINI.  It tells you the weaknesses in the vehicles and what to look for when purchasing one.

A Little MINI/Mini Motorsport History

How's your German?




[Sources Races001 @ YouTube]

Here's To Classic Mini Engine Swap Goodness

Imagine a modified classic Mini with a 6.0L LS2 V8! Then, watch what it does in a drag race against a Mitsubishi Colt:




[Source: RedLineAutoServices @ YouTube]

Mountains Of Fun In A MCS (Or Two)

[Source: yanncontroleur @ YouTube]

Newsday Tests The 2012 MCS Coupe

Detroit Free Press writer Mark Phalen in an article for Newsday finds the  2012 MCS Coupe more style over substance:

The Mini Cooper S coupe is a bit like that backward baseball cap. It's a statement of style with few concrete benefits. That limits its appeal sharply in a market with many attractive, sporty, efficient and affordable small cars.

A Two Minute Look At The 2012 MINI Cooper S JCW

Thanks to carbikenetwork @ YouTube:

Learn How To Sketch A MINI

It will only take you ten minutes to learn so you can sketch one in about five minutes says sketchitquick @ YouTube:

A Rally Stage From Inside The MINI Countryman WRC

. . . at Goodwood!




[Source: kyriakos @ YouTube]

AOL Autos Says Buy A MINI Cooper New, Not Used

AOL Autos says the MINI is one of ten vehicles that, right now, you should buy new rather than used.  It bases ita position on a Kelley Blue Book report that found 10 vehicles that have just barely more expensive -- or even cheaper -- monthly payments for the new 2012 version of the vehicle versus the used 2011. Here are the MINI's numbers:

MSRP: $19,500 - $24,950
Fuel Economy: 29 mpg City, 37 mpg Highway

Monthly Payment + Fuel (New): $484
Monthly Payment + Fuel (Used): $468

The Mini Cooper is an AOL Autos favorite. You can get the fun to drive, gas sipping 2012 model for only $16 more per month than a 2011.

MCS JCW Coupe With Little Red Riding Hood In Hong Kong

{Source: appleactionews @ YouTube]

Motor Trend Updates Long Term Review Of 2011 MCS Countryman All4

Motor Trend provides its second update to its review of its long term 2011 MCS Countryman All4 tester.  For Mike Floyd, who writes the article,  the ride of the vehicle can sometimes be unacceptable.  He says, in part:

Four of us (my wife was seated behind me, also comfortably) went on several trips and not once did we have any spatial issues. I could tell my stepdad was impressed -- he remarked several times about how well he fit in the Countryman, with plenty of leg and headroom to spare.

Alas, all was not well during our excursions in and around L.A. My rear seat passengers took the brunt of several hits over manhole covers and broken pavement, sending significant jolts through both of them thanks to the suspension setup and the run flat tires that would be right at home affixed to Fred Flintstone's ride. It's an issue with all Minis we'd like to see addressed in some manner, possibly for non-S cars at the very least. While I can and do appreciate how Minis are setup, my mom and wife -- not so much.

Show It All Baby, All Of It

[Source: MINIUSA @ YouTube]

Martin Gassner Shows Off His Work For MINI

Gassner worked on MINI projects at Kabel New Media and at Interone Worldwide from 1999 - 2010.




[Source: martingassner @ YouTube]

What Have You Been Up To, Deneen?

WashingtonExec sat down to a Question and Answer session with Deneen Vaughn, National Experiential Events Manager for MINI USA. Vaughn's job entails logistics for roadshows, product launches, partner programs and signature events, and brand focused consumer and dealer experiences and she discusses her job, event planning and her work on MINI Takes The States.

A Quick Look at The Some Of The Menus In MINI Navigation

The Traffic Alert Menu:


[Source: SatNavUpdates @ YouTube]

The Perspective View:



[Source: SatNavUpdates @ YouTube]

The Hidden Settings Menu:



[Source: SatNavUpdates @ YouTube]

Ten Strangest Things Found In Car Owners Manuals

Jalopnik looks at the ten strangest found by it and its readers in car owners manuals.  This is Number 10.

The MINI Store At Westfield, Stratford City, East London, U.K.

[Source: MINIUnitedKingdom @ YouTube]

I Will Get By

[Source: johnjirvin @ YouTube]

What About That Prodrive MINI WRC Rollcage?

An interview with Johnathan Culwick, Calculations Engineer, Prodive/MINI WRC Team, U.K. about the new rollcage for the Prodrive MINI WRC.




[Source: PMWExpo2011 @ YouTube]

'GREAT' Britain Campaign Has British 5K Festival In Dominican Republic

MINI exhibited there with many other British companies.  Here's a short film that shows the festivities -




[Source: UKTIWeb @ YouTube]

Alcan Winter Rally Winner Is A MINI Clubman

MotoringFile reports, via BMW SCCA, driver Gary Webb and co-driver Marc Goldfarb drove a MINI Clubman to take the 2WD class, and to take overall victory away from the venerable Subaru in the 2012 Alcan Winter Rally - the first time a 2WD vehicle has achieved the overall victory in the event.

Tire Rack's Advice On Tire Options For The Countryman S

TireRack.com provides advice to a Countryman S driver who ends up choosing a set of Kumho Ecsta 4X.

MINI - Ten Years In America

March 22, 2012, marks exactly ten years since the MINI was introduced in the United States.  MotoringFile discusses where MINI has been and what it has accomplished during those 10 years.

MotoringFile Dissects The Spy Shots Of The GP2

MotoringFile takes a careful look at the camo'd prototype caught testing on the Autobahn and discusses whether it will make an appearance at MINI United 2012 this May in the south of France. It expects the vehicle to be at dealers around October.

See Where Road Rage Gets You On The Nullarbor

The Nullarbor is Australia's longest road.




[Source: olooloolololo @ YouTube]

Help Roundup Animals Through Rimrock And You May Win A MINI

Rimrock Humane Society, a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization, seeks to build and maintain a humane, safe, compassionate sheltered facility for all abandoned, neglected and abused companion animals in Roundup, Montana. To raise funds they are holding a raffle. The Grand Prize - a New MINI!

Taking The Coupe For A Drive

2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe from Alan Galbraith on Vimeo.

From Inside A MINI Countryman WRC At Goodwood

 . . . . for the Goodwood Hill Climb stage!




[Source: kyriakosMINI @ YouTube]

Who Is Playing At MINI UNITED 2012?

Here's the official line-up!




[Source: MINI YOUTUBE CHANNEL]

MINI Countryman Versus Skoda Yeti

How's your French? . . . and what's with the Sinatra, not to mention the rest of the background music?



[Source: W1711ERIC @ YouTube]

Sit On The Thrill Bench

It happened at the Geneva Motor Show to introduce the MINI Countryman JCW.




[Source: MINI YOUTUBE CHANNEL]

Languages - A New MINI Roadster Commercial

[Source: MINIUSA @ YouTube]

Edmund's Wraps Up Long Term Test Of 2011 MCS Countryman All4

After living with the car for 12 months Edmund's Inside Line provides its long term test wrap up.  Its conclusion after racking up almost 20,000 miles:

We would argue that no competitive CUV is as fun to drive as the Countryman. Still, within that same field, the Mini ranks toward the bottom in terms of utility. Pick your preference. If style is your thing, the Mini will not disappoint. But if fashion is less important than useful cargo space, you may want to look elsewhere.

On the shiny side, the 2011 Mini Cooper S Countryman was fun to drive. It had decent power, good handling and lived up to our expectations. Maintenance was free. And our Mini depreciated a respectable 19 percent of its original MSRP according to the Edmunds TMV® Calculator (based on a private-party sale). To top it off, fuel economy was impressive. Our lifetime average on the required 91 octane was 25 mpg, with a single best tank of nearly 34 mpg. EPA estimations are 25 city and 31 highway mpg. In other words, drive it nicely and it will return the favor. That's the general feeling we got from the Countryman overall as well. If you're good with its size and layout, you'll be good with the way it feels on the road.

Join The MINI Invasion!

Calling All MINI Owners!

Join 

The MINI Invasion 

Of The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival
On Saturday, June 2, 2012

At Sonoma Raceway*

*Formerly known as Infineon and Sears Point

NORCAL MINIS and Redwood Empire MINI Enthusiasts have reserved an unparalleled location for all MINIs and Minis to park and watch the races, be close to the paddock, food and wine tents and see hundreds of insanely expensive historic vehicles race around the track  - the same track that hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!!!   

All MINI and Mini drivers will get to take a parade lap on the track.

 That's right! 

The price of admission and corral parking 
includes a parade lap on the raceway in your MINI or Mini!

Here's What You Should Expect

The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival is a two-day event, June 2 and June 3, 2012, and will feature nearly 400 historic race cars, including legendary marques like Ferrari, Lotus, Porsche, McLaren and Corvette, among others. You’ll witness 10 unique race groups take to the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course throughout the weekend with warm-ups and racing slated for both Saturday and Sunday. This is your only chance to see the ultimate collection of historic race cars take to the Sonoma Valley road course.

The weekend also features the Wine Country Pavilion with FREE samplings of fine foods and wines from the Sonoma and Napa Valleys. It’s a perfect pairing of the wine country and racing that you won’t want to miss!

This is also a great weekend for the whole family as the paddock is open for spectators to get an up-close look at the race cars and enjoy the various car corrals dotted throughout the raceway.

WINE COUNTRY PAVILION

Fine cars and wine country living are the perfect pair this weekend, as race fans are invited to sample some of the Sonoma and Napa Valleys’ finest regional wines and cuisine in the Wine Country Pavilion.

Admission to the Wine Country Pavilion, as well as a number of food and wine samples, are included with your weekend admission ticket.  Last year’s pavilion lineup included: 

Wineries	Restaurants
Tin Barn	Girl & the Fig
Dawn Hughes	Estate Sondra Bernstein
Aspina	Butterfly Restaurant
Clarbec Wines	Eastside West
Rielle Wines	Botanical Bakery
Meadowcroft	Annie the Baker
Bennett Lane	Bardessono
Korbel	Avia
Cline & Jacuzzi	Del Monte Meat & Sea Food
Dembeste	Hana Sushi
Maryvale	Sonoma Cheese & Monterey Gourmet Foods
Flask	Sonoma Fois Gras
Nicholson Ranch	Tuscan Cow Girl
Larson Family Wines
Roche
Viansa

HISTORIC RACE CAR FESTIVAL

Following Saturday’s on-track action, the action shifts to the historic Sonoma Plaza for the Historic Race Car Festival.  This evening is a true celebration of Sonoma, featuring historic cars on display and food and wine tasting.  All proceeds benefit Sonoma County youth organizations through the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities.

Tickets And Attendance

You should attend Saturday (that is NORCAL MINIS official event date) but you also might want to attend Sunday.  Therefore, when you purchase your tickets you will have the option to attend either day and the option for a discount for a pass to attend both days.  In addition, the purchase of MINI Corral parking is available for either day.  

Purchase discount tickets!  

Save $5.00/person per day off the regular entrance price!

Ticket Prices

 $35/person per day or $50/person for a Weekend Pass

Plus 

Corral Parking, $15/vehicle per day or $20/vehicle for the entire Weekend,  

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS AND CORRAL PARKING AND FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS:


Procedure for Purchasing Tickets and Car Corral Passes for Historics

1. Order Qty of Seats and for which day: Saturday, Sunday or Weekend

2. Add To Cart

3. Click on Continue Shopping,

4. Click on Additional Events

5. Click on Find Tickets next to Nor Cal Mini’s

6. Click on Qty and order how many Corral Passes (need 1 per car) you need to order and for what day….Saturday, Sunday or Weekend

7. Go To Checkout

8. Create Account

9. Purchase

Tickets and Corral Passes will be mailed approx 4-6 Weeks before the event June 2nd and/or 3rd 2012

THEN

EMAIL US  
TO TELL US YOU ARE COMING!

West Coast Customs Blings Out A Classic Mini

[Source: Velocity by Discovery]

Welcome Brett And Austin Synthetics

NORCAL MINIS welcomes new member Brett and his company, Austin Synthetics, located at 628 Chestnut Street #B, San Carlos, CA. 94070, Tel. No.: (650) 346-5605, a new NORCAL MINIS' Vendor that specializes in synthetic oils and lubricants.

We are pleased to announce that Austin Synthetics now offers a 15%  discount on its products to NORCAL MINIS Members who are not Austin Synthetics' Preferred Customers or wholesale customers.  Instructions on how Members may claim the discount are posted in NORCAL MINIS Members Only Google Group .

Thank you Brett!

X-Raid Team Finishes Seventh At Baja Italia

The X-Raid MINI Team's only vehicle at Baja Italia, driven by Khalifa Al Mutaiwei and his co-driver Andi Schulz, placed seventh due to a deep ford crossing that, for a time, stopped their forward progress.

[Source: MINI Motorsport]

FIREBALLED!

Check out this from Fireball Tim Lawrence - The MINI Pursuit from Speed Channel's STREET TUNER CHALLENGE!

Check Out Brody's MINI Cooper

Like Mom's and Dad's, only topless!



[Source: hughettfamily @ YouTube]

Don't You Just Love The Chatter Of The Diesel Engine

The MINI Cooper SD Countryman - oh, and check out that interior and entertainment system.


MINI Cooper SD Countryman OUTnIN from T-O-M on Vimeo.

Lifting A French MINI

Apparently Superman has moved to France -




[Source: flyingfin169 @ YouTube]

Hope They Have Cell Phone Service Along This Road

[Source: Jalopnik]

How To Bluetooth Audio Stream With MINI Connected

[Source: kconer5 @ YouTube]

Automotive Addicts Review Test 2012 S Coupe

Automotiveaddicts.com test drives the 2012 MINI Cooper S Coupe and reviews the vehicle. The author of the article. Malcolm Hogan, concludes:

As it currently sits, the Mini brand has a wide variety of vehicles in many different sizes. Perhaps the all-new 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe is an afterthought appeasing those who want a bit more sports-appeal at the sacrifice of versatility and rear seating. Don’t get me wrong – the new Mini Cooper S Coupe is definitely a neat little pocket-rocket, it just does not appeal to a mass nearly as large as the well-known Mini Cooper 4-seater variants. At a loaded-up as-tested price of $33,400, I sure hope the 34mpg highway figure pays off in the long run. Of course you can opt for a stripped-down version of the all-new Mini Cooper Coupe at a starting point of only $21,300.

Buy A MINI In The U.S.? You'll Be Hearing About It Through IMN

Market Watch of The Wall Street Journal has a BusinessWire story that announces that IMN, the digital marketing company that delivers branded eNewsletters and content for vertical markets, is now an approved vendor for MINI USA. IMN’s Loyalty Driver™, the most widely-used eCommunication service for automotive dealerships, will be used across MINI's United States dealer network. Details of the Loyalty Driver service and what it offers MINI USA dealers will be revealed at the 2012 National Aftersales Conference, March 19-21 in Las Vegas at booth #405.

IMN will also create nationally branded eNewsletter content for MINI USA, focused on national sales promotions as well as lifestyle, destination, maintenance and other general interest topics, thast can be customized by MINI's dealers with local offers and events. . Dealers will be able to utilize advanced reporting features to follow eNewsletter-influenced sales as well as scheduled appointments for test drives and service.

150 More Jobs Created At The MINI Oxford Plant

[Photo Credit: Car and Driver]   

According to The Oxford Times the Oxford Cowley MINI plant will create 150 new jobs after workers agreed to a new shift pattern. Workers will now alternate between day and night shifts every two weeks. The new shifts will run from 6am-5pm and 5pm-4am, five days a week. A three-day pattern was preferable to the current four days and does away with the unpopular Saturday shift.