Hello out there! My name is Rich, and I have an '05 R53. Since retiring last September, I have done a few mods to my Electric Blue Cooper S. It has white boot and bonnet stripes, JCW air box and brakes, Hochkis sway bar, Alta control arms and drop links, Alta stainless single exhaust, Blower and crank pulleys, 380cc injectors, Koni Sport Suspension, and Breyton GTSR-M wheels. The list gets longer and longer. It is scary fast, and my mechanic says it's like driving a chainsaw. My wife Corinne and I like to track the car whenever possible. She is a smooth but agressive driver, and turned better times in autocross than I did. We also enjoy driving Highway 49 and wine tasting in the area. We enjoy living in Grass Valley, and we are only minutes away from MiniMania in Nevada City. Corinne grew up here, and I came up from San Diego in '93. The serenity, trees, twisties, and good people make up for the long commute. We are becoming more active in REME, as time allows, taking in runs, car shows, and other events.

 

Hi welcome to NAM Speaking of Hwy 49, our club, MidCal MINIS, just did a run from Oakhurst to Jamestown. Yea it's a little south of you but still close, kinda We had 23 cars do it. If my iPhone wouldn't have dumped all my pics I would have attached one See ya on the forums!

 

Welcome to the forum, sounds like a very well equipped MINI, have fun.