MK1 Action Day

[pad4]

Sunday drivin in the 8 port

http://youtu.be/LVgTdN_z3S8

Pad

[rich@minispares.com]

has that got a prescription windscreen in it or something?

[6604KF]

Outstanding event! well done to everyone who made that happen. We thought it was the most enjoyable motoring event we have ever been to.

So many friendly people and great cars and not only did Barrie Williams sit in my passenger seat and tell me what to do, He drove the car and showed me what I should be doing! Had 10 times more fun after that!

Pete-Sorry for spinning in front of you! I've just seen the picture earlier in this thread and it looks quite close!
"you messed that up lad" said Barrie!

Great to meet everyone and I'll be thinking back on yesterday for a long time! Roll on the next one!
Luke

[Ant Hines]

Just want to add to the chorus - legendary day - the Woodstock of Mini events, with equally good vibes... but without the rain or traffic jams (apart from behind me when I was on the track). Crash hats off to Mark and Pete and all who helped out.

[Mini4Ever]

I can only add to the positive remarks. What a brilliant day. Well done Mark and Pete

[IAIN]

Ditto all the previous comments , thanks to Pete, Mark, and all the helpers. Great day and show.

Now I am back home, I need a rerun to see all the cars i missed ! and I still dont know who did see !

Enjoyed the after dinner talks especially Barry Hawkins. Even my wife found them interesting.

tomkidd....sorry I didn't see you or your car.

[1071kev]

Can't add anything to the previous comments. Was lucky enough to spend Sunday evening with Barry Hawkins and heard some tales which can't be repeated in public! Absolutely superb event. Great to meet up with some fantastic people. Had a great time with the Maguire even though it spat the dummy during the day.

[steady eddie]

Well well well what a grand day out, why does time disappear so quickly when you'r enjoying yourself, would have really liked to have been able to get around and meet more people. Thanks to Mark and Pete for an inspired event hope it can be repeated, keep it simple and straight forward just like yesterday.

Eddie

[Pete]

Yes keep those photos coming cos I didn't take a camera!

I've just had a read through all these fantastic comments and I'm sure Mark will agree we're very flattered and all I'd say is...it was a pleasure ! It was a blast, quite difficult to put it all down in words but my highlights were meeting so many of you lot (albeit too briefly) , lots of great cars (needed another day to see them all!), the driver's forum on Saturday night especially Barry Hawkins' fascinating insight into his life at Downton, Jeff Williamson's hilarious verbal jousting with Whizzo, the unbelievable noise and speed of Nicolas Pinon's 8 port (a great effort from him and his party to come over to this event! ) , a great line up Minisprints (5!) ,a great variety of track cars that pretty much to a man were piloted with aplomb and good manners, a really great crowd altogether.

I totally agree with all of you, if (when!) we do it again I doubt we'd change it much at all, nor I suspect the venue.
No it wasn't the biggest Mini based event you could go to but like most of you found , there was barely time to talk with everyone properly nor see all the great cars that turned up either on or off track. Javelin did a great job I thought without being over officious, Blyton themselves,despite the puzzlement that Richard felt at the original idea , were very impressed and there's certainly space and scope to do more. I could see this being a regular event on the calendar but as many of you point out we don't want it to expand to much of a degree at all.

Just to explain to those that have spotted it, the reason my tyres were comin off the rims in the nice shot of my Hornet by Stuart (your photos just keep getting better and better Stuart! ) is because for the first run of the day I just went straight out with scant regard to checking the tyre pressures (well I just wanted to get the measure of the track layout) and when we did check 'em when we got back into the paddock there was barely any bloody air in them! After putting some air in, changing my biscuit thin pads and stiffening the front up it went a lot, lot better! Until , that is ,the brakes went altogether at the end of the day on the last run with Al in the passenger seat which was a bit of a seat nipper ! (master cylinder gave up).

Very difficult to thank everyone that came along and added to the unique flavour of this event but a good start would be a Big thanks to those that helped marshal including and especially Jan and John, big respect to all those that travelled from all corners of the country, Europe and in Mr Hines case the U.S with their cars, to the owners of those works rally cars that made the effort to show us cars that have rarely been seen, Jeroen for collecting together so many nice derivatives , Trevor for bringing the Vita Mini , the other Trevor and the '59 Register, Niall and the MCR, Simon , Patricia et al from The Miniworks , Dave, Nick , Bernie etc for a choice autojumble , Neil from Mini Division, Mr Fish for assistance with my car (he has asbestos for skin) and his poaching Anglia which doubled as a fast food delivery barge and dining table , Russel for the brake pads (in the post mate), and bravo my partner in crime Mr Mark Forster.

I'm yet to total the donations made to Mission Motorsport on the day but will report back tomorrow!

See you all at Blyton next year.

[Pandora]

Just made it home after a cracking weekend. After a day in the sun at Donnington Both Robb and I looked like we'd been poahed! All a bot too near the equater for us pasty Scots it would appear.

Nothing but praise for Pete and Mark, as many have said already, but worth repeating again. Cheers Guys!

See you next year! (And I saw something at Donnington today that might be a nice wee 'sideshow'.........)

Al

[Smiffy]

Just to echo all of the above, just one thought.
Someone mentioned above, having two events a year. I personally think this is a bad idea as I can't afford to fix it that often.
Not forgetting a special thanks to Pete & Paul for helping me get the mini home.

[surfblue63]

Just to explain to those that have spotted it, the reason my tyres were comin off the rims in the nice shot of my Hornet by Stuart (your photos just keep getting better and better Stuart! )

Cheers Pete, but if it wasn't for you arranging for me to shadow the Javelin photographer I would not have been able to get any decent angles.

I have barely scratched the surface today of what I took but here just a few to start with. Unfortunately the rest will not be posed up until the end of the week as I will be off line Until Sunday night.

By the way Andys' Inno is stunning









Spot the leaky tank cap

[Pete]

I can't afford to fix it that often.
.

By the way , if anyone found a stray green jerry can knocking about (empty I might add) it may well be mine!

..and Graham, sorry about the cloud of dust and gravel, ran out of brakes, good job you had the tea strainers on!

[pad4]

My car of the day was Andys Innocenti - found myself just looking at it deeply - Beautiful indeed, obviously i liked the Bronze yellow mk3 S as well (being a MK3 Chap)

But they were all eye candy for sure

pad

[1071kev]

Pete,
Jerry can was left in front of my trailer. Thought it was Ants. It's safe in my garage. Will get it back to you. Brilliant event, thanks again.
Kev

[graham.codling]

Thats ok Pete . I had taken both sets off open intakes for last 3 laps no harm done.didnt make the car any faster I think it needs a faster driver .

[tomkidd]

Is there any photos online that you can purchase? I didn't get chance to speak to the guy taking shots

[trevorhp]

Huge thanks to Mark, Pete and all of the other organisers of this outstanding event.

After being involved in Minis, motorsport and all manner of 'organised' events, for almost 50 years, I can honestly say this was the very best one I have ever attended.

I believe this was largely due to the unique nature of the people involved, no hidden agendas just pure fun and enthusiasm.

I was amazed to find so many people interested in our shabby little mini, it has given me the impetus to get it renovated with the target being the 2018 Goodwood Festival and the 50th anniversary of Vita's amazing overall win in the '68 ETCC.

I would like to say what a complete honour it was to spend time with such a wonderful crowd of people, special thanks to Tim Harber, Simon Naylor, Jeroen Booij, Graham Codling, Will Dick and of course the irrepressible Barrie Williams.

[Pete]

Is there any photos online that you can purchase? I didn't get chance to speak to the guy taking shots

I had the same issue Tom, you can email Nicholas at 'Xtreme Photography' here : xtremephotography@live.co.uk , give him your track number, car description and name and ask if he'll send you a disc. I've done the same but as yet no reply, I would imagine he's been very busy over the weekend with three events at Blyton so we may have to be patient.

[Pete]

I'd loved to have eves dropped on some of those conversations with Will Dick about your car Trevor, ditto GRX 309D whose history was also uncovered just a little more this weekend. I even found out a little more about my Unipower GT from Barry Hawkins.