Todd recently found this short bit of audio left from last year’s MINI United.
Recorded during dinner at ‘15′, it’s Rauno talking about his experience during the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally, which he won, in a Mini Cooper S. If you are missed our original interview with Rauno during MINI United, you will find it here.
If you are going to be participating in MINI Takes the States, there is a chance you could ask him questions about this yourself as he will be attending the Miami and Boston Events, plus making a 5 day rally between the two events!
Keep an eye out here and at Motoringfile for more information about MTTS as it becomes available! We’ll have more information later this week.
1967 Monte Carlo Rally:
Download | 4.8MB | 10:23 | WRR @ iTunes
Immediately after touring Plant Oxford last June, Todd and I where wisked into a very large room where we got to interview the Quality and Engineering Director for MINI. We got to ask some great questions, and he answered all of them! Everyone at Plant Oxford was very generous with their time while we were there and if you ever get the chance to get over there for a tour it is highly recommended.
A short week this week as I mentioned during #188. Don’t worry, we are going to make it up to you in the form of a live show this Thursday! Full details to follow soon.
Woofcast #189:
Download | 9 MB | 19:37 | Zipped | WRR @ iTunes
Sure we already did our wrap-up show, but this was our wrap-up from MINI United, in our R56 being driven by our new friend Oliver.
This is the last bit of MINI United Audio we have! In case you missed any of it, you can find all of the WRR MINI United 2007 posts here, all of the Motoringfile coverage here, all of the pictures here and the MINI United Blog here.
Finally, HUGE thanks to everyone that talked to us; Mike Cooper, Gert Hildebrand, Rauno Aaltonen and Dr. Kay Segler! Of course, thanks out to MINI, MINI USA, the gang at Plant Oxford and everyone else that helped us out along the way! Thanks for having us, we look forward to doing this again!
Check back Sunday and Monday for brand new Woofcasts too! We’re back!
MU Wrap-up from Amsterdam
Download | 22:09 | 10.2MB | Subscribe | Subscribe in iTunes
One of the main attractions of the event was the chance to take a “taxi” ride in a MINI Challenge race car around the Circuit Zandvoort. The only problem is that you needed to sign up very early in the morning to get on the daily list. And with my responsibilities at MINI United it was something I never got a chance to to. Luckily I had an in. MF reader, MINI2.info co-founder and my ‘Ring co-driver Axel knew one of the taxi drivers and we formulated a plan to get me into the queue. Actually as it was happening it seemed less of a plan and more of two guys speaking German with the odd “MotoringFile” thrown into the conversation. Whatever was said, it worked. The next thing I knew I was suited up and sitting next to Chris (my Challenge taxi driver) in a real MINI Challenge car. Suffice to say, it was an experience I won’t seen forget. You can check it out for yourself below:
MINI Challenge Car on Zandvoort Circuit at MU:
Download | 8:03 | 3.7MB
Just 3 Americans, cruising in an R56 from Amsterdam to Zandvoort, Netherlands.
We had just finished cruising the canals of Amsterdam with MINIUSA and were heading back to MINI United. Talking about cars, MINIs and, of course, MINI United. We never did get a chance for the karting, but all of us got some seat time on the track, so we were good.
The picture you see if from our friend Tim’s flickr pool, in case you missed them. Be sure to check out the MINI United Flickr stream if you haven’t already for a whole bunch of great shots!
Check back tomorrow for Todd and I going through the factory.
Oh yea, forgot to mention this earlier, but none of us could get together this week to get a show done. Don’t worry, we’ll back in full force, all caught up after vacation, next week for 2 full shows!
3 Guys in a MINI:
Download | 11:08 | 5.2MB
Our recap of MINI United. Not a bad outing since Todd was only sorta here.
We noticed some interesting things about driving in Europe like the number of bicycles. They were everywhere!
Todd and I toured the MINI factory, Gabe drove on the ‘Ring plus we got to talk all those great people you already heard interviews of! It was a great event to be sure and if I were you, I’d start saving up for MINI United 2009 now! It will be worth it.
We still have a little bit of audio from MINI United coming as soon as Todd gets done selling/buying houses, plus full audio from our plant tour. If you missed any of our MINI United coverage, you can catch up by following the links below.
Like I said, there is a bit more audio to follow, as well as our tour of the plant. So keep an eye out for them!
Woofcast 166:
Download | 35.7MB | 38:57
For those of you that didn’t hear, Southern California resident Robert Apon really wanted to attended MINI United 2007, but in his MINI. Countless hours and a lot of money later, Robert had the only MINI at Zandvoort with California plates!
Robert is currently working his way across Europe, visiting family and friends. Naturally, he is blogging his adventure.
I’ll have much more to post about MINI United, but I thought I’d post a picture of a very special moment. If you’ve scrolled down through my blog you’ve noticed that I not only have a full JCW conversion, I also have the 225 HP Cooper Motorsport High Performance Derivative engine upgrade that was formerly available from John Cooper Motorsport. In the picture above I’m at my car with Michael Cooper, the son of John Cooper and principal of Cooper Motorsport (now a part of the BMW family).
He has pictures and even some video!
We also had the chance to talk to him for WRR. Great guy with an amazing story!
WRR Interview: Robert Apon
[ Robert's Blog ] robert-apon.blogspot.com
Download | 17:58 | 1.8MB
In this latest MINI United interview we get an exclusive sit down with Dr. Kay Segler, MINI brand vice president. We talk MINI United. Motorsport, and the new MINI Challenge race car among other things. The latter will be the big take-away for many of you. Listen closely as Dr. Segler talks about the “new heart” of the MINI that will debut with the MINI Challenge car and that will eventually make it’s way to a new JCW product. All fascinating stuff for those of us who follow the brand.
Dr. Kay Interview:
Download | 9.4MB | 20:22
Another great person that we got to speak with was Gert Hildebrand. He is the man in charge of making the MINI look as cool as it does!
There is still more audio coming gang! Todd will be working furiously during his travels home so we can get those posted right away! Be sure to check out the photos if you haven’t already over at the MINI United Flickr Group.
Gert interview:
Download | 16.8MB | 20:21
An actual interview with Mike Cooper. What a great guy! So much experience and some very interesting information. We think you’ll really enjoy this.
Mike Cooper Interview:
Download | 12:41 | 11.7mb
A quick interview with the current German MINI Challenge point leader.
MINI Challenge points leader:
Download | 11:36 | 3.5MB
We get the chance to speak with the man, the myth, the legend, Rauno Aaltonen from MINI United. He was great to speak with, full of information and he loved to talk!
More coming. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the MU Flickr Group, the MU blog, Motoringfile and, of course, WRR.
We’ve got lots more coming gang! Be sure to stay tuned!
Rauno Aaltonen Interview
Download | 30:00 | 27.6MB
In just a few hours Todd and I begin our journey to MINI United. Starting in London on Tuesday where Todd, his lovely wife and myself will cruise out to Oxford in a MINI Cooper D for a tour of the plant and some lunch. Then, it’s back to London for what I’m sure will be some much needed rest before spending the day Wednesday sightseeing.
Thursday we’re off to Amsterdam! We’ll be meeting up with Gabe here and making sure everything is good to go. Friday starts the event and we’ll be covering it as best we can. Keep an eye on Whiteroofradio for audio updates, the Flickrs (mine, Gabe’s and of course the MINI United Group) for pictures and the MU Blog and Motoringfile for the words and video if we do that.
With all the hub-bub, there will not a be a regularly scheduled Woofcast this week either. As I mentioned at the end of our last interview with Shawn Ticehurst, we’re just a bit on the busy side to get together. Don’t worry, we’re going to be posting so much next week your head will spin! Well, ok, maybe not spin, but we’ll be posting quite a bit. If you would like to wish us well, punch up the WRR Voicemail line at (206) 33-WHITE. We’d like to do a voicemail show while in Amsterdam, so ring us up with your questions, comments or whatever and we’ll get it played!
Until London…
Todd and I spend some time with Shawn Ticehurst one last time before the big event. Who’s excited?
As you listen to this, Gabe is furiously packing in preparation for Germany while Todd and I are busy getting everything in order before we head out Monday for our tour of the MINI Plant before meeting up with Gabe in Amsterdam on Thursday. Did I mention Gabe will be driving the ‘ring?
Before then, we expect to have a few things posted for you to listen too, watch, read and look at. Keep an eye on the Flickr Group, the MINI United blog and of course Whiteroofradio and Motoringfile.
Until next week gang!
MINI United Interview #3:
Download | 12:39 | 15.3MB
I got together with Michael and Patricia from the Mail Buoy Podcast.
Besides talking about the events of the weekend, they also throw down some very handy travel tips for those of you coming to Amsterdam from other parts of the world.
Check back later today for our final interview with Shawn Ticehurts from MINI United 2007 with some final event updates.
We will be taking this week off from doing a regular show as well. Don’t worry, we are going to be posting a lot of shows next week!
MINI United 2007 Event Cast
Download | 20MB | 43:31
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