Where have I been you may ask, alright I know you really don't give a rats *** but I'll tell you anyway. It has been at least 4 years since I have been on the forum. Like a lot of people I migrated to FB to talk MINI, but alas my FB account is no more, couldn't take the BS. They say you always return home at some point and since this is where my motoring madness began it only seems logical to return. I won't go into great detail but I will tell a little about my series switch.
I have had a R50, then a R53 2005, I thought that was going to be my forever MINI but It was beginning to tell me there was much work that needed to be done so early December 2019 I began to look for a replacement. While looking something amazing happened, my Kansas City Chiefs went and won the Super Bowl, and on a side note they are going to do it again this year. After two months of looking I found my next MINI, it was at a Subaru dealer in Dallas, so the morning after the big win to celebrate I bought a one way ticket to Dallas went to the Subi dealership and bought my new to me 2017 MCS and got the feel of it on my nonstop drive back home to central Missouri. Now this being February I had big plans for the new ride, MOTD followed by MTTS. Then it happened, they turned the world off.
It is with great expectation that we are now just a few weeks away from MOTD and I can't wait. I am anxious to see how the new ride handles the Dragon, so that said I will see you on the twisties.
MOTOR ON..

 

Welcome back, The dragon is so much fun, been there twice.

 

Welcome back and I love the story. I can relate as was also away from NAM for more than a few years... went from a beloved R53 JCW to the land of BMW for a few years (e82, e90, e82) and of course will always have at least one miata... now glad to be back to both NAM and in seat of a MINI (R55 S). Your new F56 S should handle the Dragon/US129 like a champ!

 

I am seriously thinking of putting the JCW exhaust and tune on it before going Dragon slaying, I love the way the JCW sounds. Decisions, decisions.

 

Yes it does sound good. pops and bangs at the dragon.

 

Oh no.. so not fair to talk of The Dragon in early February... Those of us "up north" (Canada) are in midst of cabin fever proper - not to mention who knows when the Canada-USA border will be open again so that we can visit those great roads!

 

Hopefully they will unlock the border crossings but my reservation are made. Either way formal event or not I will be there.

 

I can tell you this r55s will be either way and I know of an r56s that’s the same way.

 

Welcome back. I left for several years similar to you and others. Went on to a Camaro SS and BMW 135 but missed Minis too much. Back with a F54 JCW. Did a similar trip. Flew from NC to OH and drove home in the same day. Great memories. Congrats and good luck.

 

I haven't been on the forum in a long time either. I traded my Mini a long time ago. I've owned a lot of cars in my life, but the two Mini's I've owned are the only ones I ever think about. I'm currently on the hunt for another one.