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MINI Motoring

It's a MINI blog adventure.

MINI Cooper S into a class of its own

Sunday, May 29, 2005
motoring.iafrica.com | sa racing press MINI Cooper S into a class of its own: SAHARA PRODUCTION CAR CHAMPIONSHIP
MINI Cooper S into a class of its own

Fri, 27 May 2005

Shaun Van Der Linde and the Castrol MINI lead the new Class T championship going into round seven and eight of the Sahara Production car championship taking place on Saturday 28 May for the Port Elizabeth leg of the Vodacom Power Tour.

MINI Coopers have dominated the Class B championship of late. Van Der Linde secured the championship in 2004, while this year has seen a gigantic tussle between Van Der Linde and Martin Steyn in another MINI Cooper S.

In order to tighten up the racing between the different manufacturers competing in the class, weight and air flow restrictions were applied to the MINI Cooper S in recent meetings, however the MINI Cooper S has remained quick and spearheaded the Class.

Organisers and the teams have taken a bold step by creating a new class, Class T, catering for turbo and super charged cars. The MINI Cooper S trio of Van Der Linde, Steyn and Craig Nicholson will debut the class, with the hopes of enticing the other manufacturers into the promising class. Class B will remain, catering for normally aspirated two litre production cars.

Moving to the new class enables the MINI Cooper S brigade to shed the air restriction and added weight, with a long-term prospect of converting to John Cooper Works guise on the cards. The new package will showcase the true characteristics of the cars, perhaps snapping at the heels of the more powerful Class A competitors?

Van Der Linde and Steyn have duelled all season long, and with points being carried over from Class B to the new Class T, Van Der Linde holds a small four-point lead over Steyn. Craig Nicholson lies third.

With such a close championship fight pressure on the teams is steadily increasing, only one bad result could dash the hopes of winning the championship honours.

Class T Championship

1.Shaun Van Der Linde (MINI Cooper S) 63
2.Martin Steyn (MINI Cooper S) 59
3.Craig Nicholson (MINI Cooper S) 47

Class B Championship

1.Dave Compton (Toyota RunX) 31
2.Mike O'Sullivan (Fiat Stilo) 17
3.Garth Waberski (Mercedes) 14
4.Dawie Brough (Fiat Stilo) 12
5.Brian Martin (Toyota RunX) 8
6.Phillip Kekana (Toyota RunX) 5

Ask MINI!

Friday, May 27, 2005
I called 1-866-ASK-MINI today to see what information I could get out of their automated service. Unfortunately, I don't have my production number yet so I couldn't do much. I sent an email to my dealer rep and asked her to send it my way. I'm sure she'll get that ASAP, because she must know that the alternative is for me to bug her 24x7.

Is it here yet? Is it here yet? When will it be here? Is it here now?

2005 Mazda3 5-door vs. 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vs. 2005 Mini Cooper S vs. 2005 Scion tC vs. 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST - Road Test - Motor Trend

2005 Mazda3 5-door vs. 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart vs. 2005 Mini Cooper S vs. 2005 Scion tC vs. 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST - Road Test - Motor Trend: A life less ordinary: Five ways to commute without putting your adrenal glands to sleep

By Chris Walton
Photography by Brian Vance
Motor Trend, February 2005

Congratulations. You've landed your first job with a steady paycheck. Your waiter's apron and valet jacket are now costume party props, and those paint-spattered overalls have been replaced with khakis and shirt with a collar. More important, you can unload that trusty 100,000-mile Honda CRX with cheeseburger wrappers for taillamps. Thing is, you don't want just transport. You want fun. Excitement. A life--on the road--less ordinary. And all for maybe 350 to 400 bucks a month. The good news is that there's some choice out there.

Ordered my MINI!

Tuesday, May 24, 2005


I ordered my MINI Cooper S today. I'm sure the people at the dealership are relieved, because I practically lived there for the past month.

It will take about two months before it's built and delivered. I don't know that I can wait that long. Mine will look somewhat like the one shown above, but there will be more chrome on mine.

Here's what I am having built:

Exterior:
Dark Silver Metallic
Black Roof and Mirror Caps
Black Bonnet Stripes
Chrome Line Exterior
17" S-Spoke Alloy Wheels - Style 85 w/run-flat Performance Tires

Interior:
Panther Black/Panther Black w/Gravity Leather
Chrome Line Interior
Anthracite Roofliner
Anthracite Trim

Stuff:
Limited Slip Differential
Automatic Climate Control

Premium Package
  • Glass Sunroof, Heated Seats, Multi-Function Steering Wheel w/Cruise Control
Sport Package
  • Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Front & Rear Foglights, 17" S-Spoke Alloy Wheels - Style 85 w/Performance Tires, Performance Run-Flat Tires: 205/45R17
Cockpit Chrono Package
  • Cockpit Chrono Pkg., On-Board Computer
All Weather Visibility Package
  • Electric Front Window Defroster, Auto Dimming Interior Mirror, Rain Sensor w/Automatic Headlights. Replaces green stripe windshield
Harman/Kardon Hi Fi System
Six-Disc CD Changer
iPod and interface (http://www.ipodyourbmw.com/) ... Got this free for attending the Test Fly a MINI event!



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