Most liked posts in thread: What did you do with your MINI today?

Finished building it.

 

I had my husband's family over for Christmas Eve dinner tonight. It turns out they all chipped in and surprised me with new shoes for Monty! Feeling incredibly lucky right now...

 

Yesterday I got Best MINI in show at the MITM car show! [emoji41]

However I didnt stick around for the award ceremony so I dont even know what the trophy looks like yet! I had to leave early because I had a headache that wouldn't quit, probably because there wasnt a single can of Java Monster in a 30 mile radius around Snowmass, and when you have an addiction well... I also didnt feel much like spending another night in the Rat, its not a comfortable place to sleep, or being stuck in I-70 traffic which normally turns the 4 hour drive into 6-7 hours because of all the campers wanting to idle home.

So later on when everyone else gets back, I will go pick up the Rat's first win! [emoji2]

Hopefully I can at least get a spot on the podium at the show on the 23rd... Wining best in show out of a small field of MINIs is one thing, getting a trophy placement out of a field of hundreds of mixed cars is going to be a challenge. [emoji12]

 

Modified / painted these .....



Getting ready for this with a full custom Alcantera wrap. (JCW wheel)

 

This weekend I finished assembling and fitted my new JCW Aero bumper and polished the hood and the rest of my car. Now it looks good again.

 

Today I took the Porker up in the snow for some scenic photos... There's quite a few good ones I've done edits of, but I'm only going to post a few here... (Unless everyone wants to see them all) [emoji12]





Yes this road is as steep and twisty as it looks... I've used it as a test area for suspension setups in the past, but now there is normally too much traffic or bicycles to even think about it in the summer. [emoji20] It was fun drifting the Porker around the switchbacks today though! [emoji2]



Said switchbacks...

 

On Saturday, finally worked up the nerve to peel off my front bumper (cover) and install my Hella driving lights. I wanted mid-mounted ones (directly in front of the bumper) and their mounts attach to the steel bumper reinforcement / the real bumper. Very solid/sturdy, but a PITA to get to.

Lots of fiddly fasteners, peeling away the fender liners, loosening about 1/2 of the fender arches. But we got it done!

Pleased with the results...now just need a dark road to try them out!

In a drastic state of disassembly. Yes: those are, in fact, the OutMotoring instructions laying on the engine!


And, all done:

 

Used the Mini this morning starting around 0500 to fetch supplies to keel this thing fed.



With these....



To make a bunch of this...



To feed these folks...



My buddy and I donate the food every year for the American Heroes/Wounded Warriors event that Ward Burton puts on. I like to do everything I can to show these young Vets that they are appreciated and their sacrifices will not go unnoticed. I still remember how the men and women of my generation were treated when we returned home and will do everything I can to see that that does not happen again.
If any of y'all are in the area I'll be glad to save you some que and fixin's. :biggrin5:

 

Thanks to Mike Marzo at Helix Motorsports, as of today I once again have air conditioning in my r53!!!

 

Drove it for the first time since April 30th.

Woohoo!

 

Cleaned all the crud from the Brewery Tour yesterday from the Helmet and he's back being stealthy again.

 

To paraphrase my little one, my MINI got a new "toot-hole" today.

 

Thats some BS, but I have actually come to expect it from Schomp.
At one point when I was buying the R60 last month, The finance guy said I cant even change my own oil or it would void the warranty... So I grabbed my Jeep keys off his desk, stood up and told him that I will do my own maintenance and explained that doing so could not void any warranty, and aftermarket parts couldn't void it either unless it is directly related to the failed part. Then I said if they weren't ok with that, I was headed to MINI of Loveland, and they would be getting my money.
He changed his mind real quick!

 

Finally had righteous temps that allowed me to install my custom, hydro-dipped, dash panels.

 

Bought this!!

 

Drove the family to Muir Woods and Stinson Beach today. The weather was beautiful so we had the sun roof open and the windows down. Lovely scenery going through the mountains. Got a little frustrated with some stubborn (and very slow) drivers not using the turnouts...but it was a great day otherwise.

 

Installed new seats, just have to find time to hook up the heaters.

 

Finally took a few minutes to upload some of the Park Lane pictures, updated my M/A garage.

Named the 2016, introduction PennyLane, custom plate to be ordered soon, it will not be "PennyLane" abbreviated.



Don

 

Had a little success at Willow Springs this weekend.
"2015 VARA C-Sedan Champions"
Congratulations Steve!

 

Tis the Season