Gotta Love the E-Brake eh?

Hey Rye, thanks for keeping all the other updated on my status as well. I've been, well, you know where I've been!

 

The mighty April Club lives on. Congratulations to all the new members - this really is the best of the best. Ryan's a vendor now? wow - I guess I've been away for awhile. I just got my car back from the shop - hit a deer on the highway 'bout a month ago, caused $2500 in damage . Rented a PTCruiser convertible for a change - won't be doing that again. I will hit 50k miles near the end of this month - not quite 2 years after driving off the lot. I can't seem to stop adding things to her though - put on a Remus exhaust last month, and I have a helix 17% pulley sitting on my desk now, waiting for installation later this month. Later (probably this summer), it will be a GIAC chip and ?injectors?. Oh - and I am now playing trombone in a real British-style Brass Band, and am also officially a symphony trombonist too. Just amateur stuff of course - I make way too much money selling drugs (legally) to make music full-time.

Its good to see some of the old school - Asodestrom, Cheffie, Rachel, and of course Ryan - teaching the newbies the fine art of waiting and how to get by when your car is at the dreaded VDC or trying to catch a ride. Good luck to all. When your car finally does arrive, all the waiting will be worth it. I am 45 years old, I have had this car for almost 2 years, and I still smile inside when I get ready to drive her.

Phil

 

PS - Rachel - love that last picture

Phil

 

I'm not so new around here am I? I hads my 04 MC CVT aka the Yellow Bomber for more than a Year. Although I still cannot stand the wait. I thought it would be easier for me this time around but I guess the Power-whoreness is coming out of me a little too early. I still love the buying proccess. Now I need to get a few last memories in the Yellow Bomber before I hand it down to my younger brother. Maybe leave a lovestain or two? Oh he would be pissed and jealous in the same sentence! Ahhh... Brotherly love is great ain't it? Ok now I am off to bed.

 

Yeah, the whole facility is set up as a combination autocross/skidpad exercise. Generally there's even more snow and ice for even more fun. The Mini just irritated everyone on the autocross, just skittering through with no problems. :D The road course, where you can see my car sideways, was sheer ice uphill and down with an offset ice slalom in between. Lots of practice using the handbrake to adjust car angle and LOTS of practice finessing the throttle to make it up the hill. Although, with my set-up, appropriate throttle and steering input get the back end wagging just fine, thanks <grin>

Nothing fancy on the suspension - just the H-sports and the oh-so-sexay 15" winters.

I had to go back and look through my track pics from last year. I miss it (still scared to death to get out there again, though!)... next I'll start reviewing videos of the tracks to start remembering the lines... soon!

I shouldn't share with people who don't understand that I arranged my wedding date around the track season.... and won't be going on a honeymoon right away since there's a national event in Canada, see...

 

Very cool pics Rachel!

Is that your business Ryan? Wish you the best of luck!

But the club needs a low mileage pure stock for a reference point, right? I have that covered!

regards,
Red

 

So who's gonna be the first April 05 clubber to pass Red in mileage

 

Awaiting end of april delivery!!!

DS MCS w/LSD

 

think happy thoughts for my widdle car, please. I had to take it in to the mechanic for a sad noise it's been making. I'm hoping it's not the clutch, but right now have no ideas what it could be. Please let it be under warranty!

 

Rachel - what kind of noise is it making?

---->British Kompressor - welcome! Tell us more about your specification - options, roof color, etc.!

--->Red, Yes Detroit Tuned is the MINI-specialty business that Agokart and I started. It's really been taking off too in the past few months!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

Car's on the boat, should be at the dealer around the 18th.

 

My Stealth MCS and Rye's Mom's MCSc is booked on the Elektra! hmm... Making me think of how sexy she is in that movie! HOT HOT HOT!

 

Elektra - a hot boat for two hot MCS's
This is happening too quick, it seems like we just ordered them

 

Well to me it is taking TOO LONG. they must be enjoying the "bumpy ride" together.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome...

DS/B MCS

Bonnet stripes
Xenon
LSD
Roof
heated seats
Automatic climate control
front and rear fog lites
black leatherette (does anyone have a picture? , i have never seen it)
6 spd.

should be here (Montreal) end of April.

 

Had a great time at the track on the 27th.




In the hot pits.

The Evo ended up upside down. Went off the track on
a long fast 180 sweeper, tried to correct and steer back on and flipped.
A good reminder. If you go off, stay off until you have bled enough speed to safely return

 

Ok I am getting too antsy, I want my MINI NOW! anyone happen to have a internet transfer of muscle relaxant?

 

I find vodka works well, readily available and cheap. Just give it up when your MINI arrives!

regards,
Red

 

sorry I am under 21, but could sneak over to canada. what do you say? shall we have a meet there?

 

Well "Ask MINI" said today that I am indeed on the CARIBBEAN HIGHWAY that left Southampton on the 7th march due into Charleston on the 18th March..... Voyage # CBNHOO27SC

Scott
__________________

 

Samantha is on her way here on the Jupiter Diamond... She left 4 March and is scheduled to arrive on 29 March. I am STOKED!

I dont believe that NYK line ships participate in the VOS tracking, so is there anyway to know when she passes through the Panama Canal? (I ask because I have heard of people getting pics of their boat crossing through it and such...)

 

Here is a link to some live webcams at the Miraflores and Gatun locks on the canal. If you have an idea when the Jupiter Diamond reaches the canal you might get lucky and see her

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

 

That's what older friends are for!
Where is your MINI coming in? NJ? If it is, I will wave to it when I head over the bridge.

Best of luck!

regards,
Red

 

Actually my MINI aka Vader comes in through Charleston. shucks and it doesn't make any sense. Mentor Ohio is closer from NJ than Charleston S.C. It really makes no sense. Hm....

 

We are all very lucky MINI owners, or about to be owners.

Participated in a "vehicle evaluation" by "Research Design Specialists" (see todays' thread on it) in NYC. Got to sit in it, and spend a lot of time comparing it to a corrent MC right next to it.
I know when a car is updated it takes time to get used to it, and many times the new one starts looking better than the old after a while.
Not in this case! The next MINI edition is a cartoon in and out IMHO. Most exterior pieces have been enlarged, the huge hood stops short of the windshield exposing a large expanse of black plastic under the wipers. The dash is not very MINI (or Mini) at all.

We bought in at the right time IMHO. And I was originally going to trade mine before the warranty ran out, now, no way! (Besides, I probably won't have 30,000 miles on it!). Unless they make some more changes before they release the new model.

regards,
Red