Motors and Me

For the past couple of weeks, a pile of receipts has been sat next to my computer, representing pretty much all I have left after 5 years of Mini ownership. I’ve even still got the original specification sheet and receipt. Hard to comprehend just how much of my life these things cover. Five years. Christ, I was a different person five years ago. I was still in my twenties for a start... But that’s enough of the melancholic introspection. This post is meant to celebrate my not-so-Mini adventure, replete with blog-based flashbacks. While I’ll probably never look back on it as fondly as I do the Puma — first loves and all that — the Mini was a very capable, very special car. For starters, it was the first (and so far only) car I’ve taken out on track. Flashback: before my first trip to Croft Flashback: report written after the event Actually, it turns out that many of my fondest memories of the Mini are associated with trackdays. Perhaps not that su...

Yesterday, James and I spent the day blatting our cars round Cadwell Park and, despite a spin each, survived unscathed. All things considered, I reckon that’s a pretty good result. Here’s how it went... First impressions The first thing that struck me when we turned up was just how narrow the track was. The videos we’d watched on YouTube simply didn’t do it justice. It looked more like a kart track than a proper race track. The next surprise was finding out that we were using the full circuit, including the Woodland section under the trees. I knew this was a tight, twisty, undulating section of track, so the prospect of doing it in the wet with autumn leaves around was a daunting one. Once the regulation safety briefing was out of the way, we got out on track for a few sighting laps behind a pace car. It was immediately apparent that learning the best lines was going to take a while. The Mini felt horribly twitchy and the blind crests and curved braking z...

Earlier this year, I’d planned to move house to somewhere with a private garage so that I could take the next step on the sportscar ladder. I even had various bits of work done to the Mini to prepare it for sale, including the refitting of standard-issue run-flats. Given my subsequent failure to move, I’ve still got the Mini and the trackday hiatus has become too much to bear. In light of this, Friday 24th sees me heading off to Lincolnshire to take on the challenges of Cadwell Park . The trackday will probably use the Club circuit, as the Woodland section will be treacherous at this time of year. (Track map nicked from www.msport-uk.com .) I use the word “challenges” advisedly. Cadwell is often referred to as Britain’s mini-Nürburgring and for good reason. It’s a very narrow circuit, with lots of crests, swerves and alarmingly track-hugging Armco and tyre walls. Parts of the circuit are also underneath or close to trees, which should make i...

Another trackday, another great sense of relief that I’ve not bankrupted myself by crashing into a Porsche. More than that, though, Donington was a great learning experience. The trackday used the National circuit, missing out the Melbourne loop. (Track map nicked from www.msportuk.com .) All other tracks I’ve driven have been fairly flat, former-airfield affairs. Well, with the exception of Rockingham, but even that was pancake-like. Donington, on the other hand, is full of swoops and sweeps just waiting to catch you out. And catch me out is exactly what they did. None moreso than Craner Curves. I’d been warned by a friend (and former racer) not to lift off at Craner Curves, as I’d soon be facing the wrong way. Well, I didn’t lift off, but I did overestimate the Mini’s ability to take corners whilst simultaneously underestimating the effect of the track’s gradient changes. Consequently, the car oversteered and lurched sideways onto the...

It’s winter trackday time again and this time I’m off to Donington Park on Sunday 29th. While the prospect of Craner Curves on a wet circuit may well be one to put your heart in your mouth, I really need a wet track if I’m not to be thrashed by all-comers. Yes, I know it’s not a race, but it is bragging rights. If I can bag one Porsche and one TVR, I’ll be a happy bunny. Humbling a Noble, however, would be a new experience. I just hope the weather lends me the helping hand I’ll need.

Yesterday saw the Mini back on track (Croft) for the first time in almost a year. With replenished reserves of brake pads and rubber, it should’ve been a stroll. As it was, the searing heat made things wilt like I’ve never known before. It was scary. Perhaps, in hindsight, putting fresh tyres on the car just a week or so beforehand wasn’t a good idea. Hard on the brakes into Clervaux for the first time and the car squirmed around alarmingly. Not quite enough to make me think I’d lose it, but enough to scare me. Back in the pits after a few more exploratory laps, it was clear that the depth of tread on the tyre combined with the soaring track temperature had just melted the rubber. What I first thought was marbles caked onto the tyre was in fact my own rubber, brushed from one side of each tread block to the other. Little wonder the car felt a little unpredictable beneath me. Then came my salvation: thunder showers. As we sat queued in the pit lane, ready to ...

Wow, what a day. What a day! The trackday at Rockingham this last weekend was really something special. I think I’m hooked. So, where to start? I guess the thing that made the biggest difference from last year’s disappointment at Croft was my brakes. Last time, the car had only standard BMW equipment and the brakes went squashy after just a few laps. This time out, I’d upgraded to Mintex pads at the front, braided lines on all 4 corners, higher spec brake fluid and some prototype cooling ducts from Robertshaw Racing. Needless to say, it did the trick. There was only one point in the final session when I felt them fade a bit. That was quickly fixed by slowing down for a few corners and then I was free to hammer it again. Impressive stuff for a total outlay of around £150. Another thing that never fails to please is when you get good feedback from those you’re with. Three things stick out in my mind: Grant’s cry of “SHIIIIT!!!” as w...

After nearly a year with my Mini, I finally got a drive in a Cooper S with 16" wheels last Friday. I’m now pretty sure that my 17" S Spokes were the wrong choice. Bummer, huh? Before going for the spin (thanks to Gary of Robertshaw Racing , btw), I was only expecting to be blown away by the car’s 200bhp John Cooper Works conversion. I’d completely forgotten about it having smaller rims than my own car. Admittedly, the extra power was pretty bloody impressive too, but it was the feel through the steering wheel that left the bigger impression. The car felt massively more nimble — exactly as you’d expect a Mini to feel, given its many glowing reviews. By comparison, you have to fight against the steering on 17" rims, but there was no such resistance on 16s. In fact, the response was such a revelation that memories of driving the Puma came flooding back and I had to fight off a silly grin. So then, what now? It rather looks like it’s ti...

Today started so well. Nice breakfast, nice early start, and nice weather — amazing considering the rain and gales last night. A brief trip back to the Kylerhea ferry and I was ready to start the route from Glenelg to Gruinard Bay. At last, the time had come. :) Coming over the pass to Loch Duich, the view was even more stunning than yesterday. I knew I had little time to stop and stare (had to be back home by Friday and I was still heading North), so I pressed on to Eilean Donan Castle and beyond, to Plockton. Realising that photo opportunities inside the village were few and far between (it’s more picturesque when seen from a distance), I made a hasty exit. Rather too hasty, as it turned out... *CRUNCH* With a sickening deceleration and the sound of shattering plastic, my reversing — and my holiday — came to an abrupt halt. I simply can’t put into words the anguish I felt upon confirmation of my fender bender. In fact, I don’t even want to t...

Following a decent breakfast, the drive north was more frustrating than flowing. Slow traffic, wet roads and a consistent drizzle all conspired to hinder progress. Rannoch Moor was fairly impressive, although once again, the view was spoiled somewhat by the weather. In fact, it wasn’t till past Invergarry that the traffic evaporated and the roads dried up. From there on to Loch Duich, the drive was an absolute delight. The open roads, good surface, and gentle curves allowed a steady pace of 70mph+ to be maintained absolutely safely, if not exactly legally. I even hooked up with a similarly driven Audi (complete with Nordschleife sticker on the rear bumper) for the stretch through Glen Shiel. The company was much appreciated and it almost felt rude not to say goodbye when I turned off toward Glenelg. Nevertheless, a snack stop atop the Mam Ratagan pass soon provided the day’s next smile. An elderly gent parked alongside the MINI asked to look at the car’s interior,...

Today’s been a bit of a mixed bag, but it’s definitely ending on a high. First, there was the morning, where the warmth of my bed did its best to convince me I didn’t need a holiday, just a good lie-in instead. Next, once the devilish duvet had been defeated, there was the dreary, headache-inducing drive up to and beyond Glasgow. Upon reaching Loch Lomond, I was beginning to wonder whether the bed had been the better option. Finally, with the weather closing in — this is Scotland after all — came the scenery. Sadly, most of the stunning views were obscured by cloud, but this just made the approach to Inveraray , my first night’s stop, that much more special. Coming down to sea level, the town’s whitewashed facade stood out like a beacon through the gloom of rain and dead flies. Not quite your traditional picture postcard, but a welcoming sight nonetheless. Nosh: King scallops, salad, chocolate torte & a cappucino at Loch Fyne Oyster Bar...

Whew, what a day! Croft was quite something. Not as fast as I was expecting (approx. 105mph top speed), and lacking the edge that you get in a race situation, but it was still pretty amazing. A few things to take home: It takes very little abuse to make standard-issue MINI brakes feel like sponge It is possible to achieve fuel consumption figures in single digits (egads!) The Jim Clark Esses can be taken flat out, but you need to be smooth If you're not smooth, the result might be that you're travelling sideways at 80mph (gah!) Pick the grass out of that! (Just as I did when I got back to the pits.)

Less than 36 hours now before I’m at Croft Circuit, putting the Mini through its paces. To say I’m starting to crap myself would be... well, it would be an exaggeration, but you get the idea. It’s like a child’s anticipation of Christmas, but multiplied 3 or 4 times. I’ll bet you any money I feel physically ill on the morning of the trackday and can’t even face breakfast. I’m sure that once I’m out on the track, all the nerves will just disappear, replaced by nothing more than a stupid, wide grin. Oh man, I can not wait! :) :)