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Last Sunday we have a wonderful gathering with one of the most important man in Mini Rally history! Rauno Aaltonen was invited by BMW MINI HK to come to performan his driving skills on MINIs. Being 76, his wonderful drving scared everyone out of shit!
We stole him from BMW on Sunday to have tea and chat. He is so nice to us! He told rally stories from 60's, how to modify Mini suspensions, and of course about his drving school in Finland.
Can't believe we can meet such a great person in Mini history. Think he was feeling at home too with us Real Mini guys!

Maneuvering chopsticks for dim sum, he said its a bit difficult than left foot braking! Alfred(970s) with him.


Signed everything we have , photos, books, toys everything got "177"! We are mad!


Signed my Leston wheel! That will be on Ebay for my penson when I retire!


Posting with Alfred(970s) Cooper Car Co race car and my MK3 S! When we ask which one he would like ride in, he said "not in town" and climbed into the MINI beside!

Now thats what I call a well spend sunday

looks like you had a good day ted, he is a nice fella isnt he?

rich

Yes Rich! Absolutely superb! When you consider he is so top person in Mini history!
So, you must met him before? He said he'll race in coming Goodwood.

looks like a great meeting nice pics

[ He is so nice to us! He told rally stories from 60's, how to modify Mini suspensions

Ok - lets us know what he said about modifying Mini suspension - that would be interesting!

Robert

Tedwong wrote:Yes Rich! Absolutely superb! When you consider he is so top person in Mini history!
So, you must met him before? He said he'll race in coming Goodwood.

Yes he's my favourite driver of the period and can still show a clean pair of heels to many a young driver as he's proved at Goodwood before !

top bloke, met him at nec, he was most interested in the old mans bmw Z1, rauno had done a lot of the test driving for bm on that model, i think he enjoyed chatting about something different than minis with a bloke his age , i couldnt get a word in , really nice fella, that steering wheel is a nice thing to have ted ,

youngres wrote:[ He is so nice to us! He told rally stories from 60's, how to modify Mini suspensions

Ok - lets us know what he said about modifying Mini suspension - that would be interesting!

Robert

Hi Robert, we are over the top talking to him , but of those remembered, say, the setting of toe-in in front? Use of hydro bump stops on dry cars? Use of "Scandinavian bump stops" at the rear? Also, drilling holes on rubber suspension cones???
But I think as the Ex-Works Register, you must know these more than any of us!

slowboy wrote:top bloke, met him at nec, he was most interested in the old mans bmw Z1, rauno had done a lot of the test driving for bm on that model, i think he enjoyed chatting about something different than minis with a bloke his age , i couldnt get a word in , really nice fella, that steering wheel is a nice thing to have ted ,

Jon, interestingly, Rauno is very interested in BMW E30 as well! He taught how to modify the rear suspension of my 325. Because he uses these in his ice driving school!
The steering wheel is now on top display in my cabinet! I think the same one on your MK1???