Issue #25

Our Cover: Thunder Hill Raceway, in Willows, California, was the scene of the year's first big MINI track day. Sponsored by REME (Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts), the St. Valentines Day weekend track event attracted over 100 owners of new and classic Minis from throughout California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington and Nevada for a weekend of partying and instructor-guided on track driving. Publisher Barrry Brazier, along with photographers Dito Milian and Jim Williams captured all the excitement of the event and we've published the coverage of Minis at Thunder Hill starting on page 24.  
  
MC2 Magazine's Project Clubman has been undergoing some rapid changes of late, including the changeover of its third set of tires and wheels in a little over a year. We've been playing with various wheel/tire combinations and in this issue, we think, we've found the answer to a comfortable ride combined with solid street performance, plus a quieter driving experience. Yes, the run flats are gone and standard issue Bridgestone 17-inch  RE050A Pole Position tubeless tires have been mounted on MINI R90 silver cross-spoke wheels. While we were at it, we also fitted out the Clubman with a set of EBC Green brake pads and stainless steel braided brake lines. Details start on page 28.
  
If you haven't heard about MINI's latest safety option, then Peter D. DuPre's story on page 30 about the new Luminous Safety Tires that promise to revolutionize auto safety. These new tires are incredible and exceed new Euro NCAP Standards.
  

In the States, Memorial Day (30 May) marks the start of the summer picnicing season. While American picnics may not be quite the fine art that the British picnic has attained, they can still be fun. Of course, if you wish to have a Motoring Picnic in the time-honored British Tradition, then you'll need to stow the oversize cooler and barbecue and break out the wicker picnic basket. Editor Peter D. DuPre, provides a little background on the classic picnic, as well as tips on basket choice and even offers some wine/cheese pairings for your enjoyment starting on page 31.
  
According to writer/photograher Isaac Mion, when a Mini owner puts all his time and effort into building a custom car, it can be considered a serious hobby, even a devotion. However, in Double Trouble (page 34), Isaac postulates that when an Mini owner builds two customs at the same time, it is more of an obsession.  In Double Trouble, Isaac travels out to Ventura, California to speak with Lyle Engleson, who own two wild Minis -- one a radical, rear engined classic and the other a street wailing new MINI. 
  

After a winter of hard weather driving or a winter of sitting in a garage, the enthusiast's Mini will need a thorough going over before it is ready to hit the highway for a summer motoring pleasure. Peter D. DuPre has assembled the MC2 Spring Car Care Guide to help get your vehicle sorted before you hit the track or the street. Starting on page 39, the article details everything you need to do to make sure your Mini is in tip-top driving condition.
  
In Minimal Slippage, on page 42, Technical Editor Matt Richter explains the workings of limited slip differentials, the types available, how they operate and what they do. Plus, as per usual, Matt offers some suggestions on who makes what and takes a peek into the future of this incredibly important mechanical device.
  
In our Heritage Section this issue, we take a look at a Lil' Red P'up owned by Don Ipok. This very cool resto mod, finished in MINI Chili Red with a white roof, looks stock at a quick glance, but as the story on page 46 points out, looks can be deceiving. It's got Mazda buckets inside finished in period upholstery and under the bonnet lurks a Honda D-16Y8VTEC powerplant that make this little truck into a fun-to-drive screamer.

Then,on page 48, Contributing Editor Neil Chirico shows us a classic Rover Mini cabriolet that is absolutely Bloody Marvelous. Owned by Kim Perkins, this blood red Mini looks perfectly wonderful and is a head turner where ever it turns up. It's also a prize winner, having garnered the honors at Mini Meet West in 2008.
  
Our own Graham Robson then writes about the development of the Magnificent A-Series Engine, on page 50. Graham, in his usual style, discusses how this wonderful engine came into development and how Issigonis ended up using it in the Mini. As per usual, Graham discusses the people behind the design, tells anecdotes and details.
  

And on page 53, Rob Marshall takes another trip out to Somerford Mini so see what progess has been made to our 1962 classic Mini project. Over the past issues, Rob's detailed coverage on Saving A Classic, has provided us all with a clear idea on what it takes to properly rebuild and refurbish an aging classic car so that it is both legal and road worthy.
  
As they say on television, "But wait, there's more!" And in our case, the "more" consists of the Mini Calendar, Club & Event news, technical columns by Matt Richter and Chuck Heleker, Mini Cindy's musings, book review, words of wisdom from both the editor and the publisher, plus a new feature: a Mini Crossword that solving can result in a discount on parts! I hope you enjoy Issue #25. Happy Motoring! ~ Peter D. DuPre, Editor-In-Chief.