DimON

Starting off with something very cool coming up later this year to help celebrate our 400th episode/6th year. We think it will be very cool and think you will too. Moving on to news from Motoringfile.com like we like to do. As an added bonus, we get a short call from Gabe with an update about what he is doing this week. Toss in an interview with our favorite Pikes Peaks racer, Savannah Rickli and that’s how we do that! Big thanks to everyone that has been leaving nice comments on iTunes for us, especially those of you that have a hard time even getting the show. We read everyone one of those, sometimes twice and appreciate every one! Download | 24.2MB | 50:13 |WRR @ iTunes </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The early rumors indicating the coupe would be lighter were wrong. Due to MINI increasing rigidity with extra bracing (where the rear seat would be), additional pedestrian impact safety, the rear movable spoiler and several options that are now standard on the R58, the Coupe is actually around 45 lbs heavier than the hatch. This is based on our in-depth conversation about the car with MINI execs. One important note, the extra weight of the pedestrian impact safety measures will eventually find it’s way to the rest of the MINI line-up sometime in 2012. That all aside the Coupe is still faster than the R56 according to MINI. While the official 0-60 time is pegged at 6.1 we heard from MINI tonight that the R58 is not only faster than the R56 hatch in a straight line but also around any track thanks to better weight distribution and better aerodynamics. But enough of the subjective. We’ll be putting this theory to the test tomorrow on the track. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Первоначальная регистрация экипажей производится на форуме клуба MINI-People." 1.FreDD&Nata - #08 2.Semia+1 (За мной номер)-#01. 3.Anneke+Kaetana - #13 4.ASBUS - #7 5. Бирюкова Ксения - #77 6. Andre Bore - #25 7. ElComandante - #24 8. Maretti+1 - #11 9. MiniKisa+1 - #22[/b] 10. Jokerace 11.Gale+1 -№18 12. DimON+marika

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MINI-QUEST – ЭТО НЕ ГОНКА! MINI-QUEST – ЭТО ИГРА! Клуб «MINI-PEOPLE» совместно с телеканалом «Global Star TV», продолжая замечательную традицию клуба, запускает серию игр «MINI-Quest» сезона 2011 года. Первая игра «MINI-Quest» сезона 2011 года пройдет 18 июня. Телеканал «Global Star TV» будет снимать телепрограммы, посвященные мини-квесту, и все это можно будет увидеть в телепрограммах «P.R.O. AUTO», где вы сможете увидеть себя, своих друзей и, конечно же, свои любимые машинки в самые веселые моменты квеста! Игра проводится в городских условиях с соблюдением всех правил дорожного движения. Мы призываем все экипажи к аккуратному и безопасному вождению. Мероприятие проводится 18 июня с 18:00 и до бесконечности! Количество участников – 100 экипажей. Взнос с каждого экипажа - 1000 руб. Специальные призы от телеканала «GLOBAL STAR TV» - первая 10 победителей квеста получает бесплатное проживание в «Империал Парк Отель & SPA». Первоначальная регистрация экипажей производится на форуме клуба MINI-People. Финал квеста пройдет в загородном отеле «Империал Парк Отель & SPA». Партнер квеста - компания «Ароматный Мир» с удовольствием угощает нас эксклюзивными видами вина, бренди, виски, поэтому, если Вы планируете принять участие в дегустации, и особенно если дегустация будет активной, мы рекомендуем Вам остаться на ночь и на весь следующий день в «Империал Парк Отель & SPA». «Империал Парк Отель & SPA» - единственный загородный ***** отель в России, расположенный в самом живописном уголке Подмосковья. Мы выбрали для финала нашего квеста «Империал Парк Отель & SPA», чтобы подарить Вам замечательный уик-энд: чистый воздух, великолепную природу, сервис класса «люкс», веселый MINI-пикник и целый день удовольствий - SPA, бассейн, боулинг, рыбалка, фитнесс и многое другое! Обращаем ваше внимание, что клубу удалось забронировать для участников только 26 номеров со скидкой 20%. Поэтому участники квеста, желающие остаться в отеле и провести там все воскресенье 19 июня, Вам необходимо заранее забронировать себе номера, чтобы гарантировать себе потрясающий отдых. Для этого Вы должны подъехать в ближайшее время в офис «Global Star TV» и оплатить свою бронь наличными (карточки не принимаем). Также Вы можете самостоятельно обратиться в «Империал Парк Отель & SPA», но в этом случае Вам придется оплатить полную стоимость номера. Дорогие мини-пиплы! Если Вы реально хотите провести крутой уик-энд, рекомендуем Вам как можно быстрее решить для себя этот вопрос, потому что номера в отеле в сезон улетают как горячие пирожки. Также обращаем Ваше внимание, что с учетом огромного количества желающих участвовать в квесте для гарантированного Вашего участия необходимо заранее оплатить свое участие и получить номер экипажа. Кстати, кому это интересно, Вы также можете выбрать себе номер экипажа, если до этого момента он еще будет свободен. План квеста: • Сбор участников и регистрация с 18:00 до 19:30. - Blackberry Cafe - Проспект Академика Сахарова • С 19:30 до 20:00 - инструктаж и объявление правил квеста. • С 20:00 до 24:00 - квест с финишем в отеле «Империал Парк Отель & SPA» • На каждом чек-поинте экипаж должен выполнить несложные, веселые задания. • 24:00 до 1:00 объявление победителей и вручение призов, легкий фуршет от спонсоров и компании «Ароматный Мир». Цены на проживание в «Империал Парк Отель & SPA» на 19 июня с учетом скидки 20% для участников мини-квеста: Стандартный номер двухместный: 8748 руб. Стандарт В двухместный: 8019 руб. Студия двухместный: 10449 руб. Студия А двухместный: 9315 руб. Студия В двухместный: 9477 руб.

Bulgarian car customizers Vilner are taking a page out of the book of Rolls Royce, creating a bespoke MINI Cooper S of their own. Dubbed “The Italian Job”, the car features plush brown Nappa leather and matching Alcantara throughout the interior tied together in a diamond quilt pattern. The exterior of the car features a matte gray wrap and contrasting matte black roof and bonnet stripes. Custom 18″ wheels keep everything moving. It’s arguably as lavish as the MINI by Goodwood, but this one-off won’t find its way into a MINI dealer near you any time soon. Full gallery after the break. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

At at cost of only £49 per person, MINI is offering exclusive track evenings for MINI owners at four of the UK’s leading race circuits. Participants must have at least three previous track experiences under their belt, and there are a limited number of spots available. Club MSV’s support team of instructors and track marshals will be on site to help train drivers at each event. You can sign up for the events here. Locations and schedule after the break. Brands Hatch Indy Circuit – Thursday, June 21 Bedford Autodrome SW Circuit – Wednesday, July 20 Caldwell Park Full Circuit – Thursday, August 11 Snetterton 300 – Thursday, September 8 </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI Motorsport has released a promo involving Monte Carlo winners Paddy Hopkirk and Rauno Aaltonen and MINI’s motorsport heritage in the 60′s. It’s a fun romp through the past that hopefully mirrors future success. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

MINI USA reported sales of 5,801 cars in May – an increase of 37%. For the year things look even better with sales up an incredible 46.3%. Their staggering numbers and exactly what the brand needed with it’s traditional core product (the hatch) about to enter its 5th year of production However With the introduction of the new crossover it’s quickly becoming clear that there are two core products are for the brand in the US; the R56 hatch and the R60 Countryman. In fact the R60 is selling at well over double the rate of the Clubman and, for May, was only 1000 units behind the standard hatch. Full sales figures after the break. Whether you approve of the R60 or not, it’s hard to argue against it’s success in adding to MINI’s bottom line and subsequently the brand’s future growth. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

2013 brings us huge changes to the MINI family and these are the first images of that change via Worldcarfans. Yes that is the mythical F56 on the road testing for the first time. While the car is dramatically camouflaged this is unmistakably the next generation hatch. WCF may have the photos but they’ve off in several aspects of the story. First off the Clubman side-door? Yes that’s fake. And the BMW-esque interior? That’s an easy one. Because this will be the first MINI based on the UKL BMW Group platform, the testers simply shoe-horned a BMW dash onto the MINI for camo purposes. So no, the center speedo isn’t going away. However it is changing and we’ll have more on that soon. And those odd looking lights? 100% camouflage. Expect something closer to what we saw on the MINI Rocketman concept. Some things we can note right away. First off the size of the car (as sources have told us for well over two years) will be almost identical to the current hatch. In fact we expect the car to become lighter in most configurations thanks to the switch to BMW’s new three cylinder powerplant family. Codenamed the F56 and replacing the R56, the three door hatch will sport completely new interior design (with improved interface design) and an evolution of the MINI exterior design language. Look for other variants to push the envelope a bit, but not the bread and butter that is the hatch. But make no mistake, the hatchback will set the tone for MINI’s new design language on all products. But perhaps most importantly, there will be the new technology and powerplants. BMW will debut it’s new range three cylinder engines in the F56 that will ultimately go on to power much of the (approximately) 12 forthcoming UKL based models. Look for the 2013 MINI Hatch to debut next summer and be at dealerships by the fall. And of course look no further for all the news you need on the new car as products nears. You can see the entire set of images in high-res over at World Car Fans. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Aftermarket MINI accessory makers Cravenspeed have taken on a rather ambitions MINI mod: a fully electric R53. Now they fully admit that MINI and others did actually beat them to this feat, but they’re taking it a step further. Cravenspeed plan to have their fully electric R53 wheels down in just about a month. Even more ambitions than their prototype timeline are their plans to offer the setup as a kit. Featuring a 245ft/lb electric motor, the Cravenspeed MINI EV should go like crazy. Estimated range is 60-100 miles, and their approach should make a fully electric MINI a rather fun and accessible option for the ambitious R53 owner. Follow along with their progress over at their project blog. Thanks for sending this in, fellas, and best of luck! </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Сочувствуем.

[Official Release] KISS, the most iconic band in the history of rock, isn’t just taking the show on the road this summer. They’re also taking it to eBay (www.eBay.com) for a ten-day Father’s Day Charity Auction, starting May 29 at 4 pm PST. Auction participants can bid on any of the four MINI Countryman vehicles, each autographed by the entire band and custom-painted with the iconic makeup for each band member. All of the proceeds will benefit UNICEF to help children in Japan and other emergency relief efforts worldwide. “Helping others is a gift we can give ourselves, but here’s a four wheel bonus!” said KISS co-founder Paul Stanley. “The KISS MINI’s are the ultimate way to show your KISS Army colors while helping our friends in Japan who have been devastated by the recent earthquake and floods. We’re asking everyone to open their wallets to help UNICEF raise money for children who are still coping with the effects of these disasters.” The custom-painted vehicles are the all-new 2011 MINI Countryman, and feature the iconic makeup and costume association of one KISS member including co-founder and rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley (Starchild), co-founder and bassist Gene Simmons (The Demon), lead guitarist Tommy Thayer (Spaceman) and drummer Eric Singer (Catman). All of the MINIs will also be autographed by all four members of KISS (www.KISSonline.com). “The KISS MINIs are the perfect Father’s Day gift for the man who has everything,” said KISS co-founder Gene Simmons, “But this ain’t your father’s car. It’s bigger, better and the very best for the man who has the rest. It’s KISS, baby. The custom-painted MINI Countryman would be the ultimate collector’s item for a KISS fan or curator of rock band memorabilia, and would be the perfect addition to a car collector’s garage; plus the new owner will have the satisfaction of knowing they’ve supported a great cause.” “MINI has a long history of philanthropic activities as part of our MINI Motoring Hearts program, which is all about giving back to the community,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “These efforts support that and we are happy to help UNICEF make a difference in these kids’ lives.” The original artwork for all four vehicles was painted by a team of three BMW Group employees, mostly after normal business hours and on weekends. The designs were influenced by each band member’s iconic makeup, as well as some attributes of their costumes. Each car was taken apart and components were painted individually to ensure proper coverage and a quality finish that will last. “It’s been a lot of hard work, but the team is thrilled to help contribute to this much-needed cause,” said Dan Doot, BMW Group Paint and Body Team Leader. “We have a real passion for this type of work.” For more photos, click here. For more information, visit www.eBay.com, www.KISSonline.com or www.miniusanews.com. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Дорогие ребята, спасибо ВАМ ВСЕМ, за то, что вы примите участие в завтрашней акции. Только что число экипажей достигло заветной отметки в 200 машин! Что и как завтра? Сбор: Когда - с 09:00 Где - тут Что взять с собой: - Детское кресло если есть у вас или можете взять у друзей/родственников. - Правильную одежду, см. прогноз погоды - Попить, перекусить - день будет длинным. - Хорошее настроение! - Фотик. - Рацию в клубном диапазоне (канал 16), если есть. Что не брать с собой: - хлам на заднем сидении и, желательно, в багажнике. Постарайтесь максимально освободить пространство. - Много народу - имейте в виду, что с вами поедет как минимум один ребёнок, а то и два, и сопровождающий родитель, поэтому все кто с вами приедут, останутся в Парке ждать. Что делать по приезду на место: - Чётко следовать инструкциям людей с рациями, которые будут вас расставлять на площадке перед парком. - Пока вы не поймёте, что ваша машина расставлена и в ближайшее время не потребуется её переставлять, не отходите далеко от машины. Как поедем: - Мы поедем или одной длинной колонной или несколькими поменьше, в любом случае, у вас будет ведущий группы. - Находясь в колонне, не делайте никаких резких движений, будьте ПРЕДЕЛЬНО внимательны и делайте только то, что делает машина перед вами. - НЕ ВКЛЮЧАЙТЕ аварийки. Те машины которые будут передвигаться на аварийках, считаются организаторскими и ориентироваться на их действия нельзя. Т.е. если одна из машин включит аварийку и пойдёт в отрыв от колонны, это значит, что она выполняет определённое задание и следовать за ней НЕ НУЖНО, альтернативно, аварийка включается в экстренном случае, когда машине нужно остановить для устранения поломки, соответственно делать тоже самое остальным не нужно. Всем удачи и до завтра!!!

Дорогие Пиплы, давайте сложим руки в громких аплодисментах в честь всех и нас и Оксаны (Oksi) из Клуба Fiat 500, которая стала 200-м экипажем, записавшимся на нашу Акцию. Вы все огромные молодцы, теперь, очень важно, что бы все приехали! До завтра!

The Nissan Juke one of the more obvious cross-shop vehicles for the MINI Countryman. It’s small. It’s sportish. It’s funky. It’s got a turbocharged engine. It’s got all-wheel-drive. So it’s inevitable that the two cars would go head-to-head in the automotive press. John Leblanc of the Toronto Star gives the edge to the Juke, but upon reading his review, I almost can’t tell why. In basically every category, he gives the Countryman the higher marks. More headroom More rear cargo room Better ride quality More refined interior surfaces and materials So what’s the rub? Price. The Countryman is — as usual for MINI — the driver’s car, and you’re going to pay a premium for that experience. Admittedly, the extra $10k it costs does give the MINI a slight advantage if you like to drive. The Countryman ALL4 leans less in corners and feels more composed when you drive it like a sports compact than the Juke SL AWD. Plus there’s the availability of a manual gearbox in the Mini, an option Nissan doesn’t offer with AWD in the Juke. If I like to drive? Uh, yeah. I like to drive. While he’s not quite calling the Juke an appliance, he hits the nail on the head. The Countryman All4 is the only car on the market right now that gets the kind of mpg it gets, has AWD, and has an available manual transmission — let alone the kind of suspension that makes it capable in the bends. So in the end, it comes down to price with Mr. Leblanc — the tired old trope that price is the only part of the value equation that matters. Needless to say, we don’t agree. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

CNET has a very interesting piece this morning highlighting the different technologies used by auto manufactures to put power down through all four wheels. Featuring everything from MINI’s All4 system, to Mazda’s Active Torque system, to Hybrid on-demand systems found on Lexus vehicles. Somehow though, they’ve managed to flub the All4 system’s specifications, saying that 100% of the Countryman’s power can be sent to the rear wheels. MINI’s own documentation has the power split at only 50/50. Errors notwithstanding, it’s still a very interesting look at the cross section of technologies out there to keep the rubber on the road. Check out the full article over at CNET. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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Записались уже 165 машин! Молодцы, так держать!

MINI’s been busy on the ‘Ring lately. This time they’re back with the upcoming Coupe – in JCW flavor no less – doing final suspension testing. It’s also killing birds. Yes that’s a dead bird flying through the ‘Ring wedged in the Coupe’s grille. Look for the JCW Coupe to debut shortly after the standard Cooper and Cooper S this fall (dead bird optional). Source: Worldcarfans </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

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As MINI gears up for the Coupe launch late this summer the engineers in Munich are turning their attention to the Roadster. The MINI Roadster (like the coupe based on the R57 Convertible platform) is in the suspension testing stage and will soon move to final engineering. Thanks to sources we also know that initial Roadster prototype production has begun at the Oxford plant. Early prototypes are built by hand in Munich before ‘alpha’ production moves to the plant closer to launch. Check back tomorrow for another little nugget we’ve picked up from inside sources. Look for the Roadster to make it’s public debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show and be at dealers later in the spring. Source: Car Magazine </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

The MINI community is the one fantastic accessory you won’t find on the Configurator. It’s free-of-charge, but it requires participation. That community has its online elements like MotoringFile or MotoringAlliance, but if you really want to experience the community, you’ve got to attend an event like MINIs on the Dragon. I experienced this first hand this year, as MOTD 2011 was not only my first time at The Dragon, it was my first real MINI event. Attending MOTD meant two solid days of driving — motoring from the Twin Cities, overnighting in Chicago, and finally arriving at Fontana Resort in North Carolina. I headed out Wednesday morning from south St. Paul and met up with Gabe just outside Chicago some seven hours later. With some pizza and brew consumed, Gabe and I talked cars and the road to come. It was easy conversation, since we have such similar tastes in cars. He’s excited to be taking delivery of his M1, and with good reason. He also sent his greetings to everyone at The Dragon. With our powers of MotoringFile united, I set off the next morning for Fontana. As far as I’m concerned, the brilliance of the MINI is its blend of premium performance and economy. With premium gas running me as much at $4.85/gallon, I wanted to emphasize my R53′s thrifty capabilities on my nearly 2,200 mile round trip. While there are plenty of extreme hyper-miling techniques available, I decided to go simple and trade speed for economy. I knew there were plenty of driving thrills in store for me on Hwy 129, so I stuck with the speed limit for my 1000 mile leg to The Dragon. My economy was fantastic — nearly 35 mpg when I exclude the stop-and-go nonsense I encountered in Chicago. More than that, I really enjoyed embracing the journey, rather than just pining for the destination. When you’ve got two days to do, you’d better relax. Keeping to the speed limit actually helps, believe it or not. But be warned, driving the speed limit will not help you make friends on the roadways. Because I’d come through Chattanooga to visit some extended family, I actually drove The Dragon for the first time just to get to Fontana Resort. Better yet, I got to drive it at night. For those who’ve never driven US-129, it’s an amazing piece of road. It’s more than 300 turns in fewer than 12 miles, and these aren’t just little bends. We’re talking massive 180º switchbacks, winding chicanes and constant changes in elevation. But where many roads in America today are flat, crumbling pothole minefields, US-129 is not only smooth, but those switchbacks are banked at angles to make a speedway proud. At nearly midnight local time, my R53 and I wound our way through the darkness taking it easy in the bends. The last thing I wanted to do was wrap myself around a tree on the side of a smokey mountain in the middle of the night. But despite my caution, simply arriving at MOTD was an absolute blast. If you’re going to get the full MOTD experience, I say you simply have to stay at Fontana Resort. This sprawling campus of cabins and lodges is the kick off point for everything. More than that, there’s something about sharing one huge campsite with several hundred other MINI owners that really brings the week to life. Being onsite also makes it easy to party hard and know that at worst, you’ll only have to stumble up the hill to find your bed. Waking up Friday morning (and yes, it was still morning), I made my way down to the main vendor area. The whole area was buzzing with MINIs, vendors and people sampling the buffet of MINI-focused merch. Everything from accessories, to graphics, to performance parts was within 30 yards walk. What’s more, there were numerous installations going on all the time. Everything from sway bars and supercharger pulleys in the Detroit Tuned tent, to roof graphics and bonnet stripes in the DMP Productions tent. It felt much less like a trade show than one big MINI club garage day. That low-key attitude is pervasive throughout the entire event. Nothing about MOTD is wound up. Everything is laid back and casual. There’s little or no cell phone signal at Fontana, the scheduled events are very come-and-go, and despite the frequent growl of MINI exhaust, nobody ever seems in a hurry. It’s an event that forces you to let go of your over-scheduled daily routine, if you’ve got one. It forces you to unplug and chill out. No wonder so many people take MOTD as their one big vacation trip each year. Wandering through the vendor paddock, I heard a familiar voice. Detroit Tuned founder and fellow WhiteRoofRadio host Chad Miller was rallying his crew for the day’s installations. To date, Chad, Todd, Gabe, DB and I have spent hours on conference calls recording the podcast, but until Gabe the day previous, Todd was the only one of the group I’d actually met in person. It was great to finally meet Chad, who quickly showed me around his makeshift traveling auto garage. High storm winds the day before had trashed his tent, which was now cleverly MacGyvered back together and secured on one end to the team van full of tools and MINI parts. No sooner had Chad shown me ’round, when another familiar voice rolled up in his MINI Cooper S JCW GP. Our man Todd Pearson had his DMP Productions tent set up right next to Detroit Tuned. I was glad to see Todd because not only was I looking forward to hanging out with three-fifths of the WRR crew, but my R53 needed its silver stripes put back on. As I continued to wander the paddock, I met tons of people familiar to the show or who I knew of in other contexts such as MotoringAlliance or OutMotoring. What’s great about The Dragon (and I’d wager any MINI event) is that you won’t be a stranger for long. Misanthropes had best stay home. Friday carried on for me with a mid-afternoon trip down The Dragon. I needed to head back down to civilization to make a phone call, but more than that, I was excited to run the road in the daytime where I could actually see deeper into the corners than just what my xenons would illuminate in the night. The experience was surreal. Even when driven leisurely, The Dragon is a challenge in any car. In my R53 though, it was hammer and nail. It was as though the MINI was made for this road and vice versa. With each whipping turn and each heal-toe shift, my MINI growled and zipped its way through the mountains. It’s like driving a go-kart down a roller coaster. Friday night at The Dragon is one of its quintessential events: The Brew Swap. A huge group of beer enthusiasts gathered in the main lodge hall where tables were set up and an incredible variety of beer and soda could be had for the simple exchange of a bottle. The place was bustling when I arrived. People take this event very, very seriously. One guy had dozens of beers only found in Germany. Others had rare, obscure brews from their local areas. Samples abounded and everybody soon had new flavors on their tongues and new brew in their boxes. That and a handsome new Dragon Brewswap tumbler from the fine folks at Detroit Tuned. Brew soon turned to song as the karaoke cranked up and an increasingly lubricated crowd sang their way into the night. Friday night ended for me the way most nights at The Dragon did: at the fire pit. Just down the slope from my cabin was a Stonehenge-looking fire pit with stone benches all the way around it and ominous looking stone pillars. While campfire company is great in most any setting, hanging around the fire pit at The Dragon was especially enjoyable because there was something we could all talk about: MINIs. It wasn’t the only topic of conversation, obviously, but having so much in common with everyone ’round the fire was as fun as it was comfortable. Saturday morning came comfortable and foggy. I made my way down to the main vendor area. Todd was slinging vinyl. Chad was turning wrenches in the Detroit Tuned tent. Aaron from OutMotoring was selling MINI accessories left and right. The whole row was bustling with activity — MINIs coming and going. One particular MINI of interest pulled up outside the DT tent. It was a Countryman All4 Chad had customized in the weeks leading up to The Dragon. The night before, at the fire pit, Jill (the owner) had offered to let me take her R60 down The Dragon. With several good runs under my belt in my R53, this was the perfect opportunity to contrast the newest (and largest) addition to the MINI family against the car that helped make the modern MINI famous. I’ll be writing a more in-depth review of the Countryman All4 on The Dragon in the coming days, but I can say this. The R60 is 100% MINI. Sure, it feels taller and it’s got more mass, but chucking the All4 through the switchbacks and sweeping turns of The Dragon convinced this MINI owner once and for all that the Countryman absolutely deserves to wear the MINI badge. Unfortunately, my evaluation had to be cut short, as the twists and turns of The Dragon (and a lack of a real breakfast) actually gave me motion sickness behind the wheel. I was in good company though, Chad did the same thing earlier that morning. Thankfully neither of us spewed any vital fluids inside Jill’s Countryman. Once I got some food in me, I went down the hill to do a load of laundry. By the time I finished, there were MINIs lining up all over Fontana. It was time for the group panorama photo. Why not? Once the line got moving, I pulled my MINI in a few cars behind a couple fellow Minnesotans whose MINI was done up in blue and yellow like a flag of Sweden. The line-up coordinators got everybody set up and parked in radii around the photographer, a rather unpleasant fellow barking orders over a megaphone from a bucket crane. I was glad to be a part of the photo, but after thirty seconds of this guy talking to us all like middle school students, I had my mind made up that he wasn’t getting any of my money. Here’s hoping those who bought the photo enjoy their print though. For most, Saturday night is the final night at The Dragon. The plan was to attend the farewell dinner, but our man Todd pulled me into the lodge bar and kept buying me drinks. How do you turn that down? Dinner in Fontana’s lodge restaurant followed and the party inevitably led back to the fire pit. We told each other stories, talked about our cars, and regaled each other with tales of our impending trips home. I had two days of driving in front of me, but it didn’t matter. The week had been so much fun, spending a couple more days with my car sounded great. Although I saw a handful of people on my way out the next morning, I said the majority of my goodbyes at the fire pit that night. I was sad to leave Fontana, honestly. It was so much fun to have so much fun with so many fun people. I’ll definitely be back next year if I can help it. My two days of driving home did little to diminish my renewed love for all things MINI. I wouldn’t have made the trip in any other car. If you can swing it, add The Dragon to next year’s plans. You and your MINI won’t regret it. </img></img> </img> </img> </img> </img> Читать дальше

Ксюха, поздравляем тебя всем семейством! Желаем счастья, удачи, веселья, фонтан идей и быстрых сборов ;-)