clubMINI Motorsport - Winton 10 Hour Relay Oct 17 - 18

The clubMINI Motorsport team participated in the Winton 10-hour Relay Race on the weekend (17-18 October).

The Drivers and vehicles were Geoff Vernon in his R53 Electric Blue Hatch, Peter Kaiser in his R56 Chilli Red JCW, and Craig Lindsell in his R53 BRG Ex-targa.

Peter Kaiser with his CWorks R53

The Support crew where Andrew (Macca), Craig W, Sally P, Tony P, Jeff S, Evans K and Gaylene C.

Day One
Practice went well with the guys working out what lap time to nominate for themselves. Unfortunately (and fortunately) Geoff’s MINI experienced problems during practice when the gear linkage on the shifter came apart!! The guys all joined together to work on fixing the problem. With less than 30 minutes of practice time to go Geoff went back on the track to test the repairs, but less than one lap showed that more tinkering was required.

MINIs getting some shut-eye before the big day ahead

Nominated lap times were: Craig 1:44, Peter 1:45, Geoff 1:50 – Geoff’s lap time was a strategic decision, not knowing how repairs would turn out!?

Craig Ls R53 Ex-Targa

During the lunch break the guys worked further on Geoff’s MINI and with sufficient hammering, and supply of cable ties and lubricants, everything was put back together … okay, there may have been one or two spare bolts and parts left over!

Around 14:00 Craig lined up in 6th position on the ‘grid’ ready for the start of the relay. Craig did really well, earning LOTs of bonus points. Peter went out next and did well too. And then it was Geoff’s turn … fingers and legs were crossed by the team and support crew! … and … Yippee!! Success!! Then repeat … Craig, then Peter, then Geoff.

Geoff's R53 getting some TLC by the support crew member Ev

So at the end of Day One there was great relief, and we enjoyed dinner together at a local Benalla hotel. The guys toyed with the idea of meeting early Sunday morning to check on the repairs to Geoff’s MINI but decided to leave well enough alone.

 

 Day Two

The race started early at 09:30am with Geoff on the track first … it must have been hard for him to ‘slow down’ to aim for his nominated 1:50 lap time. Macca rushed out to ‘the wall’ a few times to ‘impress upon Geoff the importance of going slower’ !?!

Geoff waiting to get out there

Peter went out next and towards the end of his stint there was a three vehicle incident that Red Flagged the event for a while. Fortunately the drivers of the vehicles involved were not seriously injured, but one Alfa Romeo and one Peugeot looked to be write-offs.

PK out on the track

Craig was out next. The day was warming up quickly and so was the track. Then it was a case of repeat … Geoff, Peter, Craig, Geoff, Peter, Craig. The rest of the relay went well for the clubMINI team, with the relay finishing at 15:30.

Craig doing his thing!

The drivers did a fantastic job, and the support crew were awesome too … A big thankyou to everyone for a great team effort!

By Gaylene (with some help from my friends)

And a few random car pics from the day...

Bugeyes galore!

A mean (and cute) Mini machine

The iconic 911 SC

COMING SOON - clubMINI MOTORKHANA

Coming soon to clubMINI Victoria - MOTORKHANA 2015

Date to be announced soon!

What's a Motorkhana about?

Sandown June - MINI MOTORSPORT

Part two of the Frankston Loop involved a trip to Sandown to watch two of our own members compete at Sandown. Geoff Vernon in his R53 Electric Blue Hatch and Peter Kaiser in his R56 S in Chilli Red.

Here's Geoff


And here's Peter






Some of the other marques out on the track


Whilst Sandown has some nice long fast straights, the turns catch some drivers out..







To see more photos from this event, click here

Frankston Loop - Arthurs Seat - Frankston

Eighteen MINIs and their co pilots met at the Frankston McDonalds at 8:15 for a 8:30am start.

We quickly took over the carpark, and ended up with MINIs all around the Maccas restaurant.


We are gonna need a bigger Maccas next time!


These guys need a bigger MINI.


clubMINI first timers - forging new friendships


After a quick drivers brief, we all jumped in our machines and hit the road.


Although today for the first time I can recall, the MINIs got separated and half of us ended up going in the wrong direction! wooops
 

Here we are 'lost' well not really lost, just not where we were meant to be.



Another 10 mins later, our error was corrected and we were back with the main group and enroute to Arthurs Seat carpark.
















Here we are taking over the Arthurs Seat car park



This MINI came all the way from QLD.. and is now relocating to fabulous Victoria!



MINI behinds


From Arthurs Seat we headed off along Arthurs Seat Road, and towards the stunning Marine Drive.. turning heads as our MINIs continued along through Dromana, Safety Beach, Mount Martha, Mornington.. and onto Frankston where we all parked and had breakfast at the Celsius Cafe.

Part two - onto Sandown coming up next!

To see more photos from this event, click here

And finally some advice...

BMWCCV Driver Training Day at DECA in Altona

On June 13th BMWCCV (BMW Car Club of Victoria) held a driver training day at the Altona DECA facility, kindly inviting clubMINI along to attend.

Three clubMINI Members and their MINIs (and one 220i whilst the owners respective MINI is in the panel shop) hit the skidpan to put their cars and skills to the test.

 Drivers were able to experience several different courses throughout the day, each focusing on a particular skill, with a trainer offering some advice on completion of each run.

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from the Events Secretary,  BMWCCV will be holding another event like this later this year. 

And don't forget clubMINI are also planning our own Motorkhana too. More info coming on that one soon.

More photos can be viewed in the clubMINI Flickr page click here

Motor on!

2 Minutes of Fame - Club President Craig Webb

Name and clubMINI committee title -  Craig Webb  clubMINI President

How long have you been in clubMINI for?  Since August 2007

What MINI(s) do you have, what color is it and how long have you owned it?  Just one, MINI 2007 Cooper S - Lightning Blue with white roof/stripes, chequered mirror caps (also has the GOK4RT plates - editor)

Have you modified your MINI, if so what have you done to it? Not really a mod, changed from white Bridge spoke wheels to Sidewalk's

What is your favorite song to listen to when driving your MINI?  Too many to name

So if MINI didn't exist, what would be your next choice?  Money no object, Porsche 356 (pre-A), F series 911 RS ducktail, 930 or any 911 really...  (editor approves! )

So you find a genie in a bottle and she grants you one brand new MINI, which one do you choose? Just one, I thought I got 3 wishes, 2014 JCW GP, JCW Hatch, JCW Coupe   (our genie is stingy - editor)

What other cars do you have?  I also drive a 2010 Nissan X-Trail

First car?  1970 VW Beetle, white, worked 1640cc, lowered, chrome 356 replica wheels  (ahh can see the air-cooled love started here - editor)

 This is Craig, be sure to say Hi when you see him at the next event!