Mini Sport

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noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:45:00 +0000

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Congratulations to Jim!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:34:00 +0000

A big congratulation to Jim Wirtz for finishing 44th overall in his Mini Sport sponsored 1985 Mini at the Legend Boucles de Spa Rally in Belgium.

Jim sent us these action shots for you all to enjoy

For full information on this superb rally, visit the website www.race-rally.be

2010 Jaks Isle of Man Rally Report

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 09:55:00 +0000

The Mini Sport Rally Team were in rallying action again last weekend with three of the teams Cooper 'S' BMW Minis over on the Isle of Man for the first round of the Manx Rally Championship.

Daniel Harper, this time partnered by co-driver Paula Swinscoe, John Cressey with co-driver Stan Quirk and Martin Page and Martin Cressey.

This year there were 9 night time stages on the Friday night followed by a further 6 daylight stages on the Saturday. The stages are all held on closed public roads and are a rally enthusiasts dream taking in classic stages such as Druidale and parts of the famous TT Mountain Course.

The crews were going to have to be quick from the outset as they were surrounded by a quality entry of local drivers and others campaigning fourwheel drive turbo and World Rally Cars. A tall order in the 1600cc Cooper S's but the crews are used to mixing it with the 'big lads!'.

Conditions remained dry on the night stages but with temperatures below zero, ice had formed on some surfaces making driving a little tricky in places. The two Martins overshot a hairpin at speed on Special Stage 5 giving the marshalls there an opportunity to take to their heels....which they did!

Daniel and Paula were unfortunate early on when having taken time out of one of the World Rally Cars...and just about everyone else, they suffered engine damage which disapointingly put them out of the event.

John and Stan were working well and were 4th overall after stage 3. They continued this storming drive in the dark and with no damage caused, routine maintainance was carried out at second service to both remaining cars by the frozen but extremely dedicated Mini Sport mechanics.

All was prounounced well with just one damaged tyre for the Martins to be wary of on the next stages.

Stage 7 was cancelled due to an off by another competitor and both crews went straight on to Special Stage 8.

The two Martins had a great run through without problems and were really getting into their new pace note system and revelling in some minor changes to the handling of their Mini.

John and Stan however had to stop mid stage when their lamp pod came loose. Stopping to secure it again cost them 30 seconds.

By the end of the last stage, the two Martins had climbed to 16th overall, putting them in a good position for an attack the following day, while John and Stan had gone on a charge of their own and set 3rd fastest time overall.

The crew of the Hyundai World Rally Car who followed them through the stage were quoted as saying "we were then entertained by Mr Cressy who pulled back onto the stage after a lamp pod problem, we followed him for 4 miles at a distance of about 1 metre and from our view he does very well to keep it on the road !!"

A fitting compliment to John and Stan who were really giving it some on the raggedy edge !

At the start of Saturdays stages, the organisers warned all competitors that the first few stages were effected by ice. Low sun was also a problem making it difficult to spot where the ice was lying and a few cars were caught out, crashing out under braking.

The first stage of the day was the very slippery Curraghs stage. A strip of very narrow, broken and very bumpy tarmac leading to an offset crossroads and then a more smoother second half.

John and Stan were well up for it from the word go and set 4th fastest time through here and through Druidale which no doubt left many of the four wheel drive turbo crews scratching their heads.

The Martins had a just one minor scare on the black ice on the first run through the famous Druidale stage with driver Martin admitting to being probably a little too cautious in this stage. So following final service, the intention was to step up the speed on the remaining stages which were mostly free of ice .

Back into Special Stage 12, a repeat of Curraghs and John and Stans' Cooper S split its exhaust manifold which meant the car was almost unbearably noisy but more crucially John could only use half throttle and only 3500 rpm to avoid engine damage. This cost them a good 30 seconds but the car had to be looked after to get repairs made at service after the second run through Druidale.

The Mini Sport mechanics did a great job of the repair at service and sent John and Stan back out penalty free and to hopefully make up some time having now dropped to 6th place overall.

The last stages were dispatched in good form with both cars running well through the narrow twisty lanes with the Martins 19th overall , 1minute 38 seconds ahead of the next car, a chasing Subaru crew. John and Stan came home a superb 6th overall and 2nd in class, also claiming the best 'overseas' crew award.

In a class which comprises all the fourwheel drive turbo cars the Mini Sport Rally Team did an excellent job and the crews would like to thank all the mechanics and supporters for their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment.

Its sometimes said that those in the mechanics overalls have to be at their best when things are at their worst. They are a superb bunch and do a superb job.

a Mini wedding Down Under

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:06:00 +0000

We have just received this superb picture from our good friend Neil Crawford Down Under;

a true Mini wedding convoy

enjoy :-)

Mini on the Monte - Day 4/5

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Here are some really bad photos of the last day and night : the stage from Valence to Monaco (day) and Monaco to Monaco (night).

A long long stage again, everyone was exhausted but really happy to cross the finish line and even more happy when we knew that our Cooper S was the only Mini on the 12 engaged to get throught every stage of this Monte Carlo Rally !!! What a victory for us.

So you got now all the "backstage photos". We will send you very soon "in action" pictures.

Thank you very much to Minisport for support and quality parts. Thank you to all the team for keeping smile and good mind even on bad moments. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed our adventure.

See you soon on French Tour Auto 2010 with 3 (yes three !!!) Cooper S in our team.

Very best regards.

Vince.

WG British Racing

Mini on the Monte - Day 3

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:16:00 +0000

For the 3rd day, the stage were from Valence to Valence.

Because of snow, it has been difficult for us to follow the race with the van. Because of the snow again, many accidents as well : a Mustang rolled, a Porsche 911 hited an MGB.

Anyway, our Mini went through and the driver is really satisfied, except for the bucket seat whitch has been "refurbished" with a Minisport sweatshirt to make it comfy !!!

Tomorrow, we're going back to Monaco from about 9am to about 5am next night. It's gonna be a long day.

Very best regards.

Vince.

WG British Racing

A couple of pictures from the Monte...

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:41:00 +0000

Another 2 superb pictures have just surfaced from the depths of the Monte Carlo Historic Rallye from Alex at almondgreen.net showing the Mk1 Cooper S sponsored by Mini Sport.

We haven't had an update on todays activities, but as soon as we hear anything this blog will be updated

Mini on the Monte - Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Here are few photos of the 2nd stage from Monaco to Valence, still through the Alps.

All the team did enjoy the night cause of the first stage that was really exhausting.

Nice weather today but cold anyway : around 0°C. It was lot of snow and ice on the road so we decided to fit spiked tyres on front. Brillant idea according to today's accidents ...

We also changed front pads because originals were like polished (I don't knonw the exact word for that !).

So finally, a good day for us, specially when you know that 5 Minis already left the race ...

For more information on the full rally, check out the Rallye Monte Carlo Official Website

Mini on the 2010 Monte - Day 1

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:25:00 +0000

We left Reims to reach Monaco trough the Alps. As you can believe, it was very long and all the team is really tired. Today's race was about 20 hours from 9am!!

According to specialists, this year is a very special edition cause of the weather : lots and lots of snow.
A few photos of the '66 mk1 'S', pilots, and others ...

For more information on the full rally, check out the Rallye Monte Carlo Official Website

Mini on the 2010 Monte....

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:14:00 +0000

The Monte Carlo Historic Rally is one of the most famous rallies in the world.

Mini Sport are sponsoring Guillaume and Vincent of the French WG British Racing Team with their 1966 Mk1 Cooper S.

Under the bonnet there is a WG 1380 engine with Omega pistons, Arrow "H" conrod, 81.3 forged crank, 300° camshaft, stage 5 head. The gearbox is a KAD five speed dog box.
Inside there is 2 Cobra Monaco Pro seats, TRS safety harnesses, "Works dash board"...

First Show of the Year - Bingley Hall Mini Fair 31st Jan

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 09:51:00 +0000

Mini Sport are one of the official sponsors of this super show. Lets keep the Mini Birthday party going at British Mini Fair 2010 at the Staffordshire County Showground on January 31st 2010. What a fantastic way to start the new year with a visit to the British Mini Clubs number 1 indoor Mini Show.

With so many indoor events around at the moment Mini Fair is a without a doubt the best indoor event in the calendar. Remember British Mini Club events are organised by mini enthusiasts helping to keep the classic mini alive.

Over 100 Trade Stands including the UK's top Mini / MINI traders, Massive Mini Jumbler, Pride of Ownership, Mini Clubs....

Mini Fair is the only indoor show that attracts all the major mini specialists, so it's well worth the wait to get all your mini spares under one roof.

Massive SALE Now On

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:32:00 +0000

The Mini Sport Huge New Year Sale is now on!

With discounts of upto 25% on all products you cannot afford to miss these bargains.

Browse the Mini Sport website to see the full range of special offers

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everybody at Mini Sport !

Mini Sport Alloy Handbrake Quadrants now available

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:36:00 +0000

Beautifully CNCmachined from lightweight alloy and then finished in bright anodisedred and finished with the Mini Sport logo laser etched on the lowercorner.

Designed and developed in house by Mini Sport.

Pair, fits all minis with dry type rubber suspension

Introductory price only £25.56 +VAT

Buy yours now from the Mini Sport website

Team Mini Sport at 2009 Tour of Mull Rally

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:17:00 +0000

Team Minisport.com were again on the Isle of Mull this October for the annual closed public road tarmac rally. This year was the 40th running of the event and featured two special stages along the harbour front and through the town of Tobermory. The remaining 15 stages were held over Friday night, Saturday daytime and into the wee small hours of Sunday before all the crews would get some well earned rest.

Team Minisport.com entered their four BMW Mini Cooper 'S' cars, which featured the Framor Garage supported car of Finzean based Martin Page and Dundee based co-driver Martin Cressey.

The first seven wet and slippery stages saw the teams lead car of Daniel Harper and Chris Campbell storm into 4th place ahead of a number of four wheel drive and World Rally Cars, while the number two car of John Cressey and Stan Quirk were unfortunate to lose their gearbox on stage two. Meanwhile, Page and Cressey stuck their Cooper 'S' right on its nose over one of Mulls many humpback bridges but made it to main service with a very ill handling car. The Mini Sport mechanics repaired the loose supension and the crew continued free of time penalties.

With only a few hours sleep, Team Minisport.com took to the stages again, this time during daylight on the second leg of the rally. Harper and Campbell maintained their 4th spot over the next 5 stages and set 3rd fastest times on stages 8 and 10.

An overnight change of gearbox saw Cressey and Quirk return to the Trophy Rally, running alongside the main event and they quickly stormed into an early lead, over 3 minutes ahead of the next car.

Page and Cressey were meantime involved in a tight duel with team mates Ian and Gary Dawes, moving ahead of them by 15 seconds at the end of the daylight stages.

The final leg began again in the dark late on Staurday night and took the crews through the remaining five special stages starting with the 22 mile long Tuath/Calgary Stage. Page and Cressey went into the stage on a charge and were intent on making up more places in the dark.

A '4 left over crest' had Page and Cressey in an unplanned sideways slide down the stage for a brief moment but they got away with it. Harper and Campbell, meanwhile continued to show ferociously determined driving, with a 2nd fastest time on Stage 15. The Mini Sport detemination featured throughout the teams crews with Page and Cressey coming out of stage 14 just 10 seconds slower that that of the Dawes' and having to swerve to miss some loose cattle on another stage.

Final service at Craignure saw all four cars through with only routine checks and re-fueling carried out by the mechanics. With the Dawes' having now swapped the lead over Page and Cressey by 26 seconds, a focused and determined drive over the final Hill Road Stage was called for if Page and Cressay were to retake their lead in only one stage.

At the top of the Hill Road itself the weather turned nasty and a downpour of biblical proportions ensued. With visibility down to a matter of feet Page and Cressey plunged down the hairpins and along Glen Aros to the finish line, stopping the clocks 1 minute and 53 seconds faster than the Dawes' and securing the 2nd placed Mini Sport car home.

Harper and Campbell went on to finish 3rd overall with an incredible display of speed and car control and John Cressey and Stan Quirk won the Trophy Rally with Page and Dawes completing the four car finish with 16th and 17th in class respectively.

A fantastic result for Team Minisport.com with the whole team crowding onto the finish ramp to assist Harper and Campbell with the Champagne!

Mini Sport on Mull 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Congratulations to the Mini Sport Rally Team on the World Famous Tour of Mull 2009!

3rd - Car 8 - Daniel Harper/Chris Campbell

46th - Car 104 - Martin Page/Martin Cressey

48th - Car 88 - Ian Dawes/Gary Dawes

Trophy Rally - Car 19 - John Cressey/Stan Quirk

Mini Sport at Tour of Mull 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:40:00 +0000

The 40th Anniversary of the Tour of Mull - Mini Sport has had a long association with the Tour of Mull, in fact throughout most of those 40 years, we have either competed or sponsored it, and often both.

This year is no exception with 4 cars competing again in 250bhp Mini Cooper S's

Look out for:

Daniel Harper (Mini Sport Engineering Director) & Chris Campbell in Car No 8
John Cressey & Stan Quirk - Car 19
Ian & Gary Dawes - Car 88
Martin Page & Martin Cressey - Car 104

Additional late news - due to a shortage of funds, last years winner Paul Mackinnon, was facing the prospect of not being able to defend his crown, however Mini Sport have stepped and found the additional support needed for him to lead the 40th Tour of Mull rally away in Car No1.

Chris Harper (Mini Sport Sales Director) said
"With the long association that Mini Sport has had with the Tour of Mull, we didn't feel it was right that the 40th Tour of Mull should take place without last years winner and car No1. This is after all the No1 event in the rally calendar, is it not!"

"Additionally, we are pleased to help Paul as he is an outstanding talent and one of Mull's own, and as Mull has always given Mini Sport & the Harper family a very warm welcome with open arms, it is nice to be able to give something back"

Good luck to all the Mini Sport team.

Follow the event live this weekend (9-10 October 2009) at www.2300club.org/results/index.html

Mini 50th Hoodies Now Available!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:17:00 +0000

The latest Mini Sport designed Mini 50th Hooded Tops are now available from the Mini Sport website. Available in Black, Stone or Pink and a range of sizes from Small to XXL.

Mini 50th Black Jack Black Hooded Top only £17.46 inc VAT

Mini 50th Black Jack Stone Hooded Top only £17.46 inc VAT

Mini 50th Black Jack Pink Hooded Top only £17.46 inc VAT

BMW MINI 5mm Wheel Spacer Kit now available!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:46:00 +0000

Hot off the production line at Mini Sport is this superb new Hub Centric alloy wheel spacer kit complete with black extended wheel bolts.

A superb new product designed and developed by the Mini Sport Rally Team which specifically allows the fitment of 18" JCW and aftermarket wheels over the JCW Brembo big brake and other large caliper conversions.

Kit includes;

* 2 x 5mm black annodised aluminium hub centric wheels spacers - laser etched with Mini Sport logo and these are Made in the UK at our base in Padiham, UK.

* 8 x 33mm black M14 wheel bolts with 1.25 thread pitch (std length is 27mm) 17mm Hex bolt head and 60 degree taper.

This kit has been developed as a matched kit which extends the track by 5mm but also gives the safety of 5mm extended wheels bolts.

Each wheel bolt is manufactured and strength tested in Germany to TUV standards and made from 10.9 rolled steel.

This kit will fit all R55/R56/R57 MINIs from 2007 on.

Each kit will fit one pair of axles, eg front.

5mm wheel spacer and M14 33mm bolt kit available from Mini Sport

Diddy Dave Leaving Vancouver & on to Russia!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:07:00 +0000

VANCOUVER FRI 18th SEP.

Hi All,
Homer Alaska is behind me, its 4pm and have got away heading for Anchorage 3hours plus drive……on my journey I can decide were I want to stop and how far I go in any one day…….I am set up for that with the vehicle, today is Saturday so a beer in town would be good and I could bump into some friends there. The drive is easy and I make the city for 7.30ish and camp again in the R/V park in the centre….set up my tent to clip on the back of the van and make up my bed……I don’t have a watch I don’t need one and I don’t miss one…I have the time, its on my cell phone should it be wanted. There again I have gone through so many time zones up to 9hrs in Alaska to the UK you sometimes get fooled anyway, its later than I think as darkness is on me, I’d almost forgotten about that stuff and walk the short distance to the pub and just stay for the one before heading back. I find I don’t stay to long in places of population, I have I think been like that most of my life and living on the ISLE OF MULL is good for me, whenever I go back there it is the best place to be……..I do try to plan when to go to a populated place just to top up (my need to get out of there gene) it works for me.

Sunday and I am up early into the laundry room to get my smalls done and to make usage of the wi-fi to catch up on friends……there’s one there from Rick Higgs of the Vancouver Mini Club…..Rick’s been great and was the first to make contact with me when I put some e-mails out to CANADA MINI CLUBS before leaving the UK……and if I recall his e-mail basically said if I get down to him, the club would like to meet up, they have things planned they would like me to join in with………so if I get to him for the 12th then we would as they say in Canada (be good to go)……and with that in the back of my mind I set of for the the Canadian border which I will get to tomorrow.

The drive now is a lot easier and a real joy as the countryside is going through its transition to autumn……this is the part of the world, you should be in at this time of the year…….the same should be said when I started on the Atlantic side of this trip……out of spring into summer, but this is the Pacific side and there is much change to the countryside, the colours are out of this world……..take…..green, yellow, brown and red, hen take all the shades of each colour…….you then add the blue sky the white clouds, the odd black mountain that shades the sun also throw in the odd glacier……..I could go on…….like the many rivers, it was so good to be alive and all day I had to put up with this. That night I stopped just outside TOK and for some reason was feeling a bit under the weather…….bed came early that night. Today unbeknown to me was a Labour Day holiday in both Canada and U S A, great I had the road to myself and I felt a lot better after cooking breakfast on my MATTY stove (it’s a Coleman petrol one) so named after a friend I get to see usually when he takes time out to come and service our TOUR OF MULL car rally, he does a lot of work for M-SPORT the FORD backed WORLD rally TEAM…..he is a whizz for them on his laptop……as the drivers don’t drive them anymore the laptop man does,…..anyway dishes washed and tent packed up I head out for the border that’s 90miles down the road. I pass the U S Border post and travel a further 20 miles to the Canadian Border post thinking who owns this bit in the middle and should I put an offer in for it……..trust me it’s quiet and as I pull up to the box I can see that there is no barrier down…should I make a run for it….do they leave it down on purpose to test you…… I hope I have all the paperwork and all the answers to the questions that I get asked……you have to enter your brain into a different node when you get to a border……good afternoon sir……now they like sinple answers back, but if you take a chance and slip two in then you could gain some high ground……Vancouver…..and onto Russia……this way if I am a terrorsist then I am leaving the country…….any guns…….only a flare gun (that you would use if you had a hole in your boat at sea) it was given to me by Bill de Crefft back in Homer….it’s a handy thing to have and is legal…….any beer……tobacco….no mam……what’s in the alluminium box…my tools………ok have a good day and off I go noticing that I had left my camcorder on…must play it back and see what it sounds like.

I must have covered a few miles today, sorry kilometres in Canada as I filled up twice today….I have had 700KMs on a good day out of the gas tank on the main highway,…. but I can not give spot on figures guys, as the Odometer has not worked since stopping at13,000KMs……talking of…that reminds me.

Back in Homer at the airfield hanger do you remember me telling you about my check over of the vehicle and sorting out the inboard drive pods, cleaning and adusting the brakes etc., also refitting the front shockers after taking them off 25,000miles ago……… having taken all that time to figure out why they kept breaking the top bolt off….well I don’t wish to name, names and I won’t but let me say that I had a couple of young apprentices helping out on some of the build (bless them, they were just trying to help). One of them, the younger of the two, offered to fit the front upper shock mounting brackets that are held on with four short bolts, this he did….the items are competition ones so these were welded in place (we do this on our rally cars) what the stupid tall, spotty faced young brainless, thumb in his mouth clown forgot to check was that they are handed…….thus fitting them on the wrong sides upside down…….but not to worry I have removed the two items and rebolted them back on and refitted the shocks………..I of course will be talking to the main culprit and he will be supplying my BEER needs for the rest of my life, no matter where in the world that I maybe.

So back to the plot…..as I say I am heading south and I am in the Yukon the road is clear of traffic for most of this holiday……..but you are never alone, trust me somewhere in hiding is a large animal in one shape or another…….car killing animals big or small things that come out from nowhere and in a in a flash you are history, concentration is a must…….well here goes, first you focus on the road what type of road is it? Lets say its paved, if it is then you tend to push on and up goes your speed thus giving a greater impact if the beast walks, runs or falls onto the road…….when it appears do I hit it and avoid weaving and rolling down an endless embankment or just pray the beast goes into reverse but by then you have made your move…..so now you get the picture. So with two of your many eyes you look at the road,….your right eye looks ahead your left eye looks over the bonnet….yet both feeding back to the control centre the road conditions. Don’t forget this is a paved road, all sorts get thrown at you……some times its pot holes that will wipe out your suspension (as I now), then there is the launch pad, the one that puts you into orbit. This one you train your right eye to watch for…..the tell tale trick is to look at the verge and see if the edge is flat or it has dropped away……..so how about the dirt road, well the same applies but build into that the size of the stones,….is it dry or wet, then add the dust the stones from a vehicle that you may be following or the oncoming traffic…..let me tell you, if you are doing say, as I was at the time, 100km an hour down hill, with drops both sides when a big truck came round the corner doing the same speed on a dirt road and you’re both travelling in the centre of the road (its safer if you do, more time to make a decision) with a half mile dust trail behind you it’s frightening for a while, but having said that most days I ask myself were is the rest of the people, you can have days that you only see a couple of vehicles.

I am now out of the Yukon and into British Columba all the time the landscape is changing and the weather was getting hotter. On this part of the drive it was to me to have the greatest amount of changes to the landscape….simply one minute, it was as I had said before colour, mountains and trees….now it was dry like cowboy country but with pastures then desert and dry barren mountains, followed by narrow gorges with deep rivers and lots of Canadian Pacific Rail long, long trains, the landslides that come with the area,……the traffic was getting more and could feel that city feeling (the fast lane) city’s are not top of my list to get to……….but I am getting excited to be getting near to the finish of my first leg…30,000 miles is quite a lot in 5months….I would be meeting Rick Higgs and the guys from the Vancouver Mini Club, who I will be staying with for a while. Also they are having a run up to Whistler with a stop over and I am to join them with my vehicle. I have been to Whistler in a former life before and look forward to going back. l have to say the thought of getting back to see my grandchildren and to hook up with my daughter Louise is good ….. She, I think, is more excited than me…..why…..well the two of us get together for the 2009 TOUR OF MULL CAR RALLY. It’s forty years this October since the first one, so it’s a bit special since I was there for the first, I packed it in a couple of years ago and left Louise to keep up the family name…….then just as I was about to leave on my journey JIM from R.A.C.E Motorsport……(not a bad apprentice) his business is building all forms of Mini. He’s been there and done it all……… said to me…..well Diddy if I were to put together this 1275GT Clubman and make it a Historic build, would you drive it on the 40th?…….Jim no matter were I am in the world, I would love to come back and drive it…so the seed was sown and this car is ready. It’s 40 years old to the month of October, but the best bit is Louise is to navigate for me. She is a good navigator and can handle her own rally Mini when she drives it and is navigated by another girl and has done that for a few years…..they have the best of time together amongst the guys on the rally that lasts for 3days and 2nights.

So I am on my last day of driving and its not long before I get on the final highway into Vancouver or Pitt Meadows which is 25 miles due East of Vancouver.
So as most of you know if I have a plan, which I don’t, the next big move is to Russia. I might just put that on hold…and I am awaiting some input back to me that I have put out and will make the decision on what route I will take over the winter back in the U K.
Well these blogs have got longer……maybe I have got a hidden talent and I do have lots to share with you all……l have kept a log for each day so maybe I can put together some more stuff.

Any way I am about to sign of for this part of the trip and of course met SO, SO many people on this trip to date and do want to thank you all…….on this journey across CANADA and ALASKA. As I have said to a few of you on the way…you guys could teach the world a thing or two…….not the government but you guys as people….there is something that is special with you,….don’t let the world change you…….so I will, if you don’t mind mention a few manes……starting back in Halifax with Chris Reid at the Border/Customs Agency……Peter & Anne Freeman that looked after me and drove me round to sort things out in Halifax………..Mike & Sharon & all my friends on P.E.I….be back…….to Gerard, Dave and there Mum Theresa up by Meat Cove, Cape Breton……..to so many people on the ROCK ….Newfoundland, there were so many including all the LIONS guys, the cellphone pioneers at the Lion Max Simms camp and to Paul Malone and his mini in St Johns……….to that very nice Trooper that told me about the BEAR that was busey in Churchill Falls were I was camping…..to the 10 girls that fed me food and beer on their ‘hen night‘……..to Jack, Karen and Lisa in Lab City……….then there was Kieth, Deb and Cathrine of the Mainly Minis Montreal (an Oasis in the desert)…………to so many more I met as I drove across that I will e-mail back home ………to Robert Rogers who I met in Inuvik and he did a drawing on the rear of the van of a polar bear….fantastic…also to the Ice Road Truckers getting ready for the next filming……then there was Alaska…so many great people…….again to the Lions Club and the whole of the Village of Anderson/Clear…for that great WEEK and the Blue Grass Festival we all worked at, and to Mary Jane great, great time………and to Homer it’s the end of the road west…Russia would come next if there was a road,…….there is so many names to thank here…..but have to limit it…..Bill and Barbara De Crefft, Bill is 77 and should be 40...a fab guy…we have unfinished work to do……..and I just can not and will not leave out Mike McCann….he has Irish in him should I say more,..he is lots of things, float plane pilot, writer of just the best short stores, so funny and most of them true……..and finally to Vancouver and Rick & Elaine Higgs, Larry Sutton for storing the mini over the winter and to all the Vancouver Mini Club people……to you ALL and with a TEAR in my eye I say THANK YOU.
Dave Thomas…..Diddy Dave……Diddy……or the Polar Bear…how ever you remember me.

Mini Sport at Stanford Hall National Mini Show this weekend!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Mini Sport are the Official Show Sponsors at this weekends National Mini Show at Stanford Hall.

If you have never been to our show before, we think you will find it a lovely place to spend a late summers day, the whole atmosphere is one of welcome and friendliness.

As well as the attractive hall, the lawns and show area, although wide reaching, make you feel quite at home in the surroundings. Stanford Hall itself is open to visitors on the day.

Concours - big prize on offer this year to celebrate Mini 50! £1000 for Overall Car of the Day.

For full show information see miniownersclub.co.uk

Diddy Dave to the end of the road

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:44:00 +0000

where is that.......Homer, Alaska guys.....what a place......

anyway up date for you from leaving the blue grass festival and heading for anchorage....the drive is easy now but i still take a few days to get to anchorage stopping of at Mt Mckinley, I stayed in Anchorage over the weekend to see what a large town is like and also to meet up with some people i'd met at blue grass and to have a few drinks and eat a real site down meal with a table cloth.

The drive down to Homer can be done in about 4hrs but I would take about 4 days to get there by turning of the main highway and calling into places like Girdwood and then the Keni Peninsula......and places like Hope, Soldotna and Anchor Point before Homer. Those are four places to date that I will I hope one day go back to......

Homer has gone to the top of the list.... just by a short lead..... I know I will be back as I have unfinished work to do........

so what happened here, not long after I arrived the local paper tracked me down..... can we do an article on your trip..... "I don't do that type of stuff" I said, I have been asked a few times on my journey but have said no.......but this time it felt ok so i said yes and as it turned out it was a nice short article........trouble was it made me headline news in Homer,so as I drove round people would wave.......the lady at the gas station would come out and serve me and I got invites all over.....

Not only that while i was getting interviewed at the book shop a guy stopped when he saw the mini.....his name was Bill de Creeft and he has a collection of cars, Jags and others plus a 1962 997cc Austin Cooper... and the deal turned out to me stripping the mini and he will get the shell sorted and I will be back to put it together in the future, Bill is 77 and is a Bush Pilot, he has a float plane and took me up over the glaciers here....but that's only the start of so many good things to happen here in Homer......

I went on to meet Mike Mccann also a flyer and a writer of two fantastic books that I am bringing back with me.... I had so many laughter tears in my eyes, when I took to reading them, we have become great friends..... Mike is half Irish and he gets to Ireland once or twice a year and he is hoping to fly over to my home on mull and land on are grass airstrip some time........

Talking of flying I have been so lucky and have been up and over so many mountains, lakes and glaciers......and have had chance to fly one of the planes myself its so hard to leave here......but i know I can and will be back, one last thing for the guys back home, the time bandit is in port before she sets of for the bearing sea again......and bill is friends with the captain so i got a tie shirt that i get to keep for myself, signed.

well folks i head for Vancouver and will be there for the 12th Sep as Rick Higgs and the Vancouver Mini Club are expecting me for a bit of a get together....so I will only have a small report next time from Vancouver and will be back in the uk for the 2nd Oct...........and back on Mull Scotland for the 40th year of the 3 day and 2 night tour of mull car rally......

Jim from r.a.c.e has put together his 40year old Mini Clubman for me to drive and my daughter to navigate on this very special year of the rally.......i cant wait for that first stage and that 5 4 3 2 1 go........fantastic....should be dead easy after this tour of duty......time to sign of folks...have lots of thoughts about you all.......diddy dave

Russ Swift pays a flying visit!

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:23:00 +0000

What a fantastic British Mini Day last Sunday at Uttoxeter and big thanks to the by British Mini Club for making it happen!

The weather held up and all in all was a great show with great people!

Russ Swift also made a flying visit to the Mini Sport stand for a couple of parts just before his stunt action driving display.

We are already preparing for the next big show this weekend at Stanford Hall, see you all there :-)

This Weeks Special Offers

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:11:00 +0000

We have a great selection of mini parts on special offer at the moment.

Feel free to browse our Special Offer Section on the website for details of all the products on offer and the huge savings to be had!

Here is a brief list of some of the products you can find on offer;

Genuine Mini Carpet mats - now £42.55 save £14.85
Genuine Mini Mudflaps - now £26.11 save £13.47
Inner Pot Joint - now £18.40 save £7.47
Suspension Top Arms - now £37.95 save £19.55
Alloy Door Handle Set - now £27.37 save £11.73

Plus many more.....

Visit the Mini Sport Special Offer Section for full product listings and savings

Where is Diddy Dave?

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 08:23:00 +0000

Where is Dave?

Well we don't exactly know either, we haven't heard from him for a while but we stumbled upon some pictures from a Montreal minis website, enjoy....

Original link www.mainlyminismontreal.com

Mini Sport at British Mini Day 6 Sep 09

noreply@blogger.com (Mini Sport) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:47:00 +0000

Mini Sport are proud to be the Official Show Sponsors of the British Mini Day at Uttoxeter Racecourse on 6th September 2009.

Brought to you by the British Mini Club, an all new Experience of Mini Show.. British Mini Show at Uttoxeter Racecourse 6th September 2009. Just £7 per person on the day and under 12's get in for free.. Plus one free raffle ticket for the driver of every single Mini/MINI

The British Mini Clubs fanatastic new Mini Show at Uttoxeter Racecourse on September 6th is getting ever closer. With the finals of the Premier Class concours. An amazing raffle Mini, Trade stands, and Now Russ Swift!!! This is one show not to miss.

For full details see www.britishminiclub.co.uk