Mini Magazine June/July 2020

We find ourselves living in extraordinary times. It feels as though no sooner had we sent the last issue off to the printers that the world shifted on its axis, and the following morning we woke up to a very different scenario and things that we take for granted had simply stopped. Events we were looking forward to, Minis we had long being planning to shoot for features in upcoming issues of the magazine, even jobs we were half way through on the project cars came to an abrupt and sudden halt. We know it's not forever, and as long as we adhere to the guidelines being issued by the government and health professionals, normality will soon return. But writing this in the midst of lockdown, it's hard to imagine…

Having owned nine since he was seventeen-years-old, it’s fair to say that Kenny Hedges is something of a classic Mini enthusiast. However, as the adage : good things come to an end. The arrival of his son Callum signalled the need for a larger, more practical family car. And as the Millennium approached, Kenny bid goodbye to his then Mini and bought a Vauxhall Astra. “I’m a cabinet maker by trade,” he reveals. “So I really did need something larger, not just for the family, but for work too. Also, it’s worth remembering that this was the time when classic Mini production was coming to an end. There was a lot of scaremongering. People were saying that parts would become hard to get hold of etc. This was partly why…

BODY 1982 Mini 1000 HLE. Zeemax GRP bodykit. ENGINE 1400cc Mini Sport, Stage 2 head, CA4 camshaft, Titan rockers, double valve springs, Duplex, Kent vernier, twin 1.5 inch SUs, Mini Sport/Maniflow three-into-one stainless manifold, stainless exhaust with DTM backbox, ITG filter, silicone hoses. Fletcher aluminium radiator. SUSPENSION Spax dampers, Hi-Los, adjustable tie-rods and bottom arms. TRANSMISSION Standard four-speed gearbox with competition clutch. BRAKES Mini Sport four-pot billet alloy callipers, 8.4 inch solid discs, Minifin rear drums, braided hoses. WHEELS AND TYRES 7 x 13 inch chromed Superlights with Yokohama A539 175/50/13. INTERIOR Corbeau Forza seats, Sabelt trackday harnesses, Mountney steering wheel, fire extinguisher, aluminium dash, Smiths gauges, carbon fibre cover plate, Mini Sport aluminium handles, twin Alpine amplifiers, subwoofer, twin 6 x 9 speakers.…

The Covid-19 crisis has had a vast impact on everyone’s lives and caused a great disturbance to our daily routines. For us car enthusiasts this means no more garage days, track days, shows and meets. However, it’s not all bad news. Mini scene stalwart and the drive behind MiniRunUK, Jake Dennis, is just one of many Mini enthusiasts who are putting their time and vehicles to good use. The MiniRunUK team and several of their close Mini-owning friends have all signed up as volunteers to help the NHS with deliveries. “We will be using both classic and GP2 to deliver medication and food for vulnerable people in the surrounding villages.” Jake explains. “We hope to put smiles on people’s faces during these hard times... we might even break out the…

• Although we are having to limit our time outside the house, plenty of us still have to take the cars out for work purposes and grocery shopping. Although keeping your car running regularly will do it the world of good, refuelling could actually put you at risk. Earlier in the month there were rumours flying around that petrol pumps were a main cause for the rapid spread of Corona. The UK Petroleum Industry Association defending this notion by saying “We are not aware of any evidence that fuel nozzle handles or other forecourt features, such as pay-at-pump keypads, are any more or less prone to the spread of COVID-19 than other hard surfaces. The public should be reassured that retailers are advising site operators to implement enhanced hygiene controls…

• The West Yorkshire based firm renowned for classic car restoration, servicing, repairs and enhancements has long been revered as a Mecca for all things Mini. As a priority business, the Historic Motorsport experts are staying open as long as they can despite the Covid-19 outbreak. Andy ‘Ace’ Harrison says “We can collect and return your car from home or work - practicing social distancing. We have also introduced cashless payments and will prioritise key workers. Give us a call to make arrangements 01274 585803.” As well as continuing their work they also have a brand new website that is worth a browse, and is a great way to keep track of all their projects and restorations. They also stock specialist racing parts and vintage and second hand parts for…