The record was smashed at the British Mini Showdown. Stuart Meades reclaimed his crown. J class is looking very competitive and the new MINI is starting to post some very good times.. at the British Mini Showdown 2009 at the Shakespeare County Raceway
The incredible Stuart Mead reclaimed his crown from last years winner Nathan Dobson, with an amazing sub 10 seconds run of 9.78 seconds. Can anyone beat this man?
Sunday saw over 100 Minis regsitered for the quarter mile and with over 500 runs recorded the classes were getting very tight with the J class getting very close now for the 2nd and 3rd spot
Classic Mini owners still have access to parts for their cars via XPart’s nationwide wholesaler and AutoService centre network
As Mini celebrates its fiftieth birthday, XPart is reassuring the UK’s 35,000 Classic Mini owners that parts are still available for their treasured cars. With many original Minis now cherished and well maintained collectors’ items, finding a reliable source of supply for vital service and wear parts is highly important to owners looking to keep their cars on the road. XPart supplies a full range of popular service parts via its nationwide wholesaler and AutoService centre network, together with a comprehensive range of body and trim parts.
“With 5,230 Classic Mini parts in our electronic parts catalogue, we are able to provide solid parts support to owners, helping them to keep their cars running for longer,” explains Neil Hipkiss, materials director, XPart. “The Mini has been an iconic figure in the motoring world for decades, inspiring a great many races, rallies and even films. We are determined to play our part in keeping Classic Mini alive and well by making sure owners have access to the parts they need.”
Since its launch in 1959, Classic Mini has always held a great appeal among a wide audience of motorists. Having started life as a first car for many students and young drivers, the characterful and sharp handling car has gradually become a sought-after collector’s item, keeping its value high. As the car continues to age, regular servicing and replacement of key parts becomes essential to its survival.
“XPart will be represented by South Lakeland Mini Centre at Mini 50, the largest Mini celebration of the year,” continues Hipkiss. “As a Classic Mini specialist, South Lakeland will be on hand to offer technical advice to owners and deal with any parts enquiries.” The British Mini Club events also attract a very high attendance especially in the year of Mini 50
The XPart wholesaler network includes 110 members, spread evenly throughout the country. Its AutoService centre network encompasses over 250 garages, including former MG Rover dealers, new MG Motor dealers and a growing number of high quality independent garages. While MG Rover specialisation remains a core element of the AutoService centre network, each garage has access to XPart’s full catalogue of Classic Mini parts and all are Classic Mini service and repair specialists.
For further information on XPart’s AutoService centre network, or to locate your nearest parts wholesaler, please visit www.xpart.com.
Our good friends at Dare The Dyno have a fantastic offer for all clubs attending British Mini Clubs Britsh Mini Showdown at the Shakespeare County Raceway this weekend. July 11th and 12th sees the ulitmate performance Mini weekend
Clubs can save upto £120 by booking as a group on Dare The Dyno to see who has the best Mid Range Shootout on the day
Oxford: Just weeks after celebrating MINI’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off Plant Oxford’s production line, since the launch of the new MINI in 2001.
Business Minister Ian Lucas MP, responsible for the automotive sector at the government department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) and BMW Group board member Ian Robertson joined a group of Plant Oxford apprentices as the Chili red MINI Clubman cleared the end of the production line. The car is destined for a British customer.
Since production started at Oxford in 2001, MINI has become a global phenomenon, winning plaudits and awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent launch in Brazil.
Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing, said: “This is a great day for the plant and a wonderful milestone to reach in the 50th birthday year of MINI. The very first classic Mini rolled off the production line here at this plant on 8 May 1959.
“It was wonderful to see the passion that owners feel for MINI at the car’s recent birthday celebrations at Silverstone, when 25,000 people from around the world joined the party. It is a privilege to be part of the heritage and future of this car.”
Robertson added, “This is a tough time for the car industry and no business is immune from its challenges, but MINI is an extremely resilient brand with huge customer appeal and we have seen a strengthening order bank in recent months. We will launch a number of new models in the coming years and we are optimistic for the future.”
BMW Group has invested more than £380m in Plant Oxford since 2001 and a further £100 million in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants, which make up the MINI Production Triangle in the UK. The Group employs more than 7,000 people in the UK, and its activities account for 1 percent of the country’s GDP. The company has invested more than £1 billion in the UK since 2000.
Business Minister Ian Lucas said: "The Mini has been a symbol of British design and engineering for 50 years, and I am delighted to hear that it continues to succeed today. Part of the longevity of the Mini has come from the company’s ability to innovate – the redesign that was launched in 2001, the focus on reducing CO2, and the electric Minis that over the next year we will be seeing on the streets as part of the Government’s Low Carbon Vehicles Demonstrator. The Government will do all it can to support the British automotive industry as it makes the necessary transition to the low carbon future."
Recently, it was announced that BMW Group will trial an all-electric MINI in the UK – the MINI E - having won Government backing through the Technology Strategy Board and regional development agency SEEDA. BMW will lead a consortium, including Scottish and Southern Energy and academic partner Oxford Brookes University to evaluate the social, economic and practical issues of living with an electric vehicle. MINI E is already being trialled in the USA and Germany.
In the 41 years between 1959 and 2000, 5.3 million classic Minis were built, so the total when combined with new MINI volume is 6.8 million cars.
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