Mini Magazine April 2021

Do not adjust your screen, or your eyes for that matter. Yes, that is yours truly, pictured sometime late in 1996, peering out from one of my very first editorial columns for Mini Magazine. If I remember correctly, the picture was taken (on 35 mm film, of course) at Curborough Sprint Track where we'd been invited along to sample the BMH supported Grp A and N rally cars. It was quite a day - not that you could tell from that face... So those good with maths will have noted it's 25 years since that image was taken. Yes, Mini Magazine hits a quarter of a century in just a couple of months - our June cover date to be exact - and my motive for sharing one of my…

Ray Austin still owns the wonderful, South African-built Minivan that featured in Mini Magazine last year. It’s a real beauty, drives superbly and is a huge credit to him. Yet it’s sublime condition, rarity and ever-escalating value means that it’s become more of a high days and holidays car. But Ray, who relishes driving quick cars especially Minis, was itching to get stuck into another project and build a Mini that could be driven on a regular basis... and also tackle track days with aplomb. DUAL PURPOSE “I rebuilt a ’91 Mini six years ago,” he explains. “It was a great car: I even drove it to the Le Mans Classic, but I have more of a passion for the older Minis and ended up selling it.” “For some time…

BODY 1973 Mini 1000. Steel, with carbon fibre bonnet and bootlid, GRP arches, clear front indicators, racing mirrors, glass sunroof. ENGINE 1340cc A-plus. Stage 3 head, Kent MD267 camshaft, 3.1 roller rockers, Weber 32/36 DGV, modified inlet manifold, Maniflow LCB manifold, twin box stainless system. Fletcher aluminium twin-core radiator, Fletcher silicon hoses. Auxiliary fan, Evans Waterless Coolant, high-flow water pump. SUSPENSION GAZ dampers, Hi-Lo’s, adjustable lower arms, rear camber kit, polybushed. TRANSMISSION Standard gearbox with competition clutch and straight-cut drop gears. BRAKES Mini Sport 8.4 inch discs and four-pot callipers, standard rear drums, 1 inch spacer, servo, braided hoses. WHEELS AND TYRES 7 x 13 inch Superlite alloys with Nankang AS-1 175/50R13 tyres. INTERIOR Corbeau front seats, four-point harnesses, deep-dished steering wheel, extra gauges, rollcage, no rear seat.…

After having to cancel last year’s event due to Covid-19, the British Mini Club is already making arrangements for this year’s Stanford Hall which is scheduled to happen on Sunday 19th September. A big favourite with Mini owners from around the country, you can expect all usual attractions at the longest running Mini show of the year, featuring the largest gathering of classic and modern Minis. The grounds will be open from 10am, with proceedings wrapping up by 4pm. Entrance is £10 per person, with BMC members benefitting from a reduced £9 entrance fee. Under 12s are allowed into the showfor free and dogs are welcome. The Hall will be open to the public, where you can enjoy guided tours around the house. The Stableyard Café will also open for…

• Brooklands Museum have released their new schedule, to accommodate events that had to be postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. This full calendar of events has dates in place from June through to November. As their infamous New Year Day Gathering wasn’t possible this year it has been replaced with a Summer Classic Gathering on Sunday 22nd August. Mini Day has been scheduled for Sunday 10th October. All events will be subject to any Covid restrictions in place at the time. Tickets will need to be prebooked online and will only go on sale near to each event. Keep an eye on their website and social media channels for updates. It is worth signing up to their newsletter on their website to stay informed of when tickets go sale and…

• Prescott Mini Festival will be held on 22nd May and celebrate all things Mini. All Mini owners are welcome to join and celebrate the 60th birthday of the Mini Cooper with an action-packed day of Mini motorsport on the challenging hill climb course, plus demonstration runs, special displays, car clubs and special guests from the world of Mini motorsport across the decades. Expect to see some very special cars on the day from hill climb specials to historic racers, rally cars, and every manner of sporting Mini in between plus trade stands, entertainment and more. The event will be free to attend as spectators for all Bugatti Owners' Club Members -as is standard practice for all BOC organised events. The event will be carried out in line with the…