Mk1 Performance

[Pete]

Seeing as we all think this forum and Mark's website is the best thing sliced bread , I was thinking why don't we have a get together now and again ? We did this at Bulee in 2009 which worked very well, why don't we do this more often ? This forum seems to attract like minded people interested in early Minis of all kinds (not just certain cars with certain badges on ) and I wondered if we as a group could take Mk1 Performance a step further ?
Pistonheads seem to manage this very successfully (without a committee ) with car displays, meet ups, the odd track day etc.

Any ideas anyone ?

[rolesyboy]

Hi Pete, I think it would be a great idea. Midlands would be ideal as in the middle. Track day- something I have never done but love the idea and have been toying with it for a bit. This might give me a kick up the backside to do it. Probably bets to try to tag on to the side of a big meeting in my opinion. Any thoughts? Cheers. Mark

[mk1]

Thanks for your suggestion Pete,

I think that this would be a great way forward!

I used to really enjoy arranging the odd show stand & if a few or for that matter a lot of members were interested in doing the same next year for a couple of well chosen events I for one would be up for it, even better if we could get a MK1 track day sorted.

It would however have to be on a strictly NON Club basis, no membership fees, no committee & no rules, just a group of like minded friends meeting up for a show or a track day because they fancy it. If nothing else, doing this can gain the participants free access to some brilliant events.

I have always considered one of the greatest strengths of the forum & the MK1 Perf Cons "concept" (shit, I sound like I'm on Dragons Den) as a whole has been its inclusive nature, I don't care if a Car is an original Cooper or S or a spammed up 850 like they all were back in the day, I just like meeting nice interesting people with nice interesting cars, who can preferably hold their beer

Are there many other members who fancy this as something to aim for next year? I hope so. If so, please post any thoughts or suggestions here.

All thoughts much appreciated.

Mark F

[Pete]

In terms of a Mk1 Performance track day I'd think Blyton would be ideal http://www.blytonpark.co.uk/. Up north (ish) but affordable, great layout and not too corporate (yet !).
In terms of shows there's no reason why there couldn't be a Mk1 Performance display at a major classic car show like the NEC or any classic show really, depending who wants to put one on ? The refreshing part for me would be an emphasis on early Minis of any flavour, variants and even deviants ..er I mean derivatives (sorry Rich). There's no club (not that this is a club) or motoring group in existance that caters purely for fans of early Minis/variants/deviants and without all the innevitable committes, politics, red tape cobblers you get with many of them that also seem to have to include brand new retro cars just to be PC.

[mk1]

http://www.blytonpark.co.uk/

That looks like a cracking little venue!

I can't understand why I have never heard of it before.

M

[tintoptom]

This is an excellent suggestion! Am I right that it's been mooted before a few times?

A Mk1 performance track day as a once a year get together, with cars/projects/interesting stuff also brought along for display at the track would be fantastic! If you don't want to put your car on the track - bring it along for show.

Then the Mk1 performance 'stand' touring a few events a year around the country would be a good opportunity for those who couldn't make the annual meet (due to distance or other commitments) to participate.

Tom

[Pete]

Yes it's a hidden gem is Blyton. I'm happy to look into the track day as a feasabilty study at this point, I could also convince a couple of well known drivers to instruct on the day if required. If the idea is too expensive I'll look into a sponsor and failing that the very worst thing that could happen is that we could jump on the back of someone else's event/ share the track with a(nother) car club as happens at Combe with the MCR.

Either way ,I'm sure if there's a will there's a way to do it.

I have a couple of large shows in mind up here in Cheshire/Lancs next year that I'd be prepared to host a Mk1 Performance display.

[jay weinstein]

i'm very happy to see things on mark's site going in a renewed positive direction or whatever you want to call it. mk1 performance is the only site of any kind i participate in. thanks for the enjoyment. jw

[mk1]

Your involvement & continued support is much appreciated Jay!

M

[almondgreen]

That sounds very good.
I wolud try to come.....

[Pandora]

& no rules,
Mark (Johnny Rotten) F

[coopertim]

It sounds like a cracking idea!!

I used to love the Curborough events in the late 90's. If Blyton was the venue that would be great as i work with the landlady of the pub there and could get a deal on meals etc!!

looking forward to it becoming reality chaps!

Tim

[steady eddie]

Seeing as we all think this forum and Mark's website is the best thing sliced bread , I was thinking why don't we have a get together now and again ? We did this at Bulee in 2009 which worked very well, why don't we do this more often ? This forum seems to attract like minded people interested in early Minis of all kinds (not just certain cars with certain badges on ) and I wondered if we as a group could take Mk1 Performance a step further ?
Pistonheads seem to manage this very successfully (without a committee ) with car displays, meet ups, the odd track day etc.

Any ideas anyone ?

Count us in Pete seems to me to be in the spirit of our annual Huddersfield Motorsport Re-Union kicking tyres and talking a load of rubbish event on the third Thursday of July each year, no club, no organisation, most of all no dam MSA fees to pay, let's just have in the Wensleydale style of Nick Park a "grand day out".

Eddie

Eddie

[jay weinstein]

somebody give richard longman a drive in a competitive car......he's the man !!!!!!!

[robert]

bloody good idea

[johnsimister]

Sounds brilliant to me. I'd be there.

John

[chichestermini]

I'm in the midlands, i'd love to get involved!

Just reiterating Jay's point, this is also the only forum I am part of and it's just a magnificent wealth of information. Forever learn more each day...

[Pete]

Curborough would be an option, certainly cheaper but with just one car on track at any one time and such a short track I reckon Blyton offers much better value . I'll get back with some more info next week. Any other large events we could meet at ?

[Chris64]

This sounds like a great idea!

Another option for a driving 'activity' could be an Autotest/Autosolo? Might be cheaper and easier to arrange - e.g. all we would need are some cones and a tarmac/concrete play area! We've got plenty of members who could arrange something like that I'd have thought?

Could even do something in two locations - one more northely and one more southerly? I'd agree that a stand at some shows would be great if people couldn't make a specific date/location for the main meet.

Cheers,

Chris

[uncle 997]

Pete.

What a great idea!!!

Count me in with the racer.