A short run through the top stories from MotoringFile.com with Mr. Gabe Bridger in attendance before getting into what we will be doing at MINI United. Not before I realize that Todd and I totally need spy gear.
Do you suffer from the dreaded Death Rattle? Check that post at MF and definitely bring it up with your dealer! And, if you are looking for some great MINI E links, check out this post at Jasonsmini.com.
Finally, we talk a bit about what’s going on during MINI United and how we are planning our attack. First of all, we also can’t believe that they invited us along for a Pub Crawl. We also know that a Pub Crawl usually requires more than 2 pubs. Something, I can only imagine, we’ll be making at attempt to fix.
Don’t forget, if you want to follow along with our upcoming MINI United coverage, you can. All the details can be found here. Of course, if you are going to be at MINI United (or are already there), keep an eye out for Todd and myself and be sure to stop by and say hi!
Woofcast 296:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Download | 12.6MB | 27:24 | WRR @ iTunes
MINI United is coming up in less than 60 days, which is a perfect time for us to get together with Gina Kutros, Shows and Events Manager from MINIUSA. She answers questions about extra costs involved and gives us the low down on what MINIUSA has planned for those going to MINI United from the US.
If you are in the US and planning on going, be sure to register through MINIUSA here. You can get all of the information from the invitation and be sure to keep an eye on miniunited.com for updates. You can set up a free account there as well so you can connect with others that are going.
Not able to make it? Not to worry! White Roof Radio will be, bringing you interviews, photos and video as it happens from Silverstone!
MINI United Update:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Download | 4.6MB | 9:54 | WRR @ iTunes
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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
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
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
[ 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:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Download | 9.4MB | 20:22
Older Articles »
