My experience has been in rallying, starting in 1967 when I won the first time-and-distance rally I entered. Over the years I rallied in my BMW 1602 and, occasionally, in a 1st generation MINI. The faster, more challenging events on back dirt roads became the preferred events, making weekend trips to Portland and Seattle to find competition.
We were enthused about how well we did, leading up to competing in WRC competition. As a small team we ran the Trans Canada event and Press On Regardless in Michigan. It became clear that we'd never beat the factory teams (we were lacking the semi machine shop), and we dropped out of that competition. I remembered the fun I had in the MINI, however, and got an '11 R60 Countryman (with skid plate and mods). We love doing it in the dirt.
We've participated in three Mini Takes The States events, including All The Way in 2016 and 2018. More recent events have been more social with NorCal MINIs. Janet and I enjoy the social pleasure of the NorCal events.
George and Janet Hamma
