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This being our spring 2011 issue, we thought it wise to feature a couple of truly cool cabriolets. After all, the warm spring weather signals the beginning of top down motoring to rag top owners and we can think of no better convertibles for top-down motoring than these two cars. In One Of A Kind, on page 22, editor Peter D. DuPre writes about Davies, Florida resident, Frank Infantino's unique 2008 S model Sidewalk Cabrio. Frank initially purchased the car as a weekend toy after his two daughters told him that he should buy one. So he did, but he soon realized that as much as he loved the little cabrio, it just wasn't special enough. It didn't take long for Frank to add custom body panels, 19-inch HRE wheels and a kick ass stereo system to make his top down motoring in th Moving from the sunny coasts of Florida and California to the rainy Pacific Northwest, MC2 Editor, Peter D. DuPre spent A Day At Dirtfish (www.dirtfish.com) with MINI racers Savannah Rickli and Ian Stewart and watched these two blossoming drivers learn the ins and outs of rally driving. Although both drivers have verified skill behind the wheel of the plucky little MINI, neither one has all that much experience driving on loose surfaces, a skill that both need to perfect. Savannah is In Issue 30 MC2 highlighted MINI drivers to keep an eye on for the 2011 driving season, and in this issue we continue the profiles (starting on page 29), concentrating mostly on classic Mini racers, with highlights on MINI of Charleston's special-built 2005 SSB MINI Cooper S and the classic Mini racing family of Don, Dennis and Julie Racine. Don Racine, is well known in the Mini/MINI world and owns MiniMania (www.minimania.com), but his two grown children, Dennis and Julie are less known to Mini fans, but that doesn't mean that they are any less enthusiastic than their father. All three own and race classic Minis our of MiniMania's Nevada City, California headquarters. Over in Columbia, South Carolina, the famed Mini racer and stunt driver, Phil Wicks, has returned to his racing roots, and for the past few months has been racing a 1967 Cooper S for Zapata Racing. As you'd expect, this well-known racing instructor (www.minidriving.com) has also been winning. He's also having the time of his life, which makes sense. After all, he's racing Mini Coopers again. On page 32, Contributing Editor, Neil Chirico show us how to eliminate the speedo and tachometer glare from new MINIs with the installation of the FES InvisiLens With the factory continually changing the recommended oil change intervals and warranty problems developing due to sludge build-up in the engine, many MINI owners are wondering if followning the recommended oil change intervals and subsequent free oil/filter changes from the dealer are enough to keep their car running smoothly and reliably. Technical Editor, Matt Richter, has been wondering about this, also, and has penned his thoughts and recommendations on the subject in Oil Change Intervals, starting on page 34. In our Mini Heritage Section this issue, MC2's Senior European Correspondent and historian, Graham Robson, writes about the history of Mini-Coopers & Engines (page 36). According to Graham, the first Minis weren't Coopers, had underpowered engines and other issues. In his usual interesting way, Graham tells the story behind the development of the Cooper S engines, talks about the players, and even manages an opinion or two on the development of this now famous power plant. If you've ever been to any race where classic Minis are running, odds are that you've seen the brillant yellow and purple Fortech Mini chewing up the track and In our Clubs & Events section (starting on page 44), we ride along to The Pub Mini Meet in Cleveland, Ohio, take a spin in the Rockies with MINI5280 and get a preview of Southern California Mini Maniac's Devils Backbone Run scheduled for this September. But as they say in TV Land, "Wait, there's more! We've also got the Calendar of up coming events, columns by the Editor, Mini Cindy, and Matt Richter, the latest Mini News and even a few peeks at the Minis you are driving. To get this Mini-packed issue, all you have to do is click here. Happy Motoring! ~ Peter D. DuPre, Editor-In-Chief. |
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e Florida sun have more than just a little style. On the other coast, and in Southern California, Denise Mueller has similar aspiriations for her 2008 Chili Red JCW model. Like Frank Infantino, Denise wanted a rag top that was unique and fun to drive. To that end she added an Orciari body kit, 18-inch Jaagruti wheels and Falken tires and a few interesting cosmetic touches to make her car truly a devilish little MINI. Barry Brazier, writes about it on page 24 in the article, "Devil Woman."
making her second attempt at Pike's Peak this year and Ian is planning a run in the Targa Newfoundland, so the skills taught by the capable staff at Dirtfish will be vital to both. You can read all about their day, and get their opinions on the school starting on page 26.
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leaving other, "more capable" cars in its proverbial dust. Owned by Seven Mini Parts (