Zandvoort, Netherlands (4:00 PM, Sunday, 24th June) – Yes, Brits love to talk about the weather and we are keen to support the stereotype because it is today’s main worry. Although the conditions continued to be anything but ideal for auto racing, the MINI Challenge went ahead as planned, although slightly later than scheduled. 
This is the main event here at MINI United and the crowds have proven their loyalty by sticking it out despite the downpours. Thankfully, the storms broke long enough for a a full 30-minutes of exciting and action-packed racing. Although a few cars were damaged in the spirit of the event, the commentators praised the drivers for their gentlemanly conduct on the track.
Watch the pack thunder past the grandstand on You Tube:
Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen proved his consistency as a competitor. After winning yesterday’s practise and first race, he handily managed to do it again today. For reward he won the trophy an more importantly, as he powered his red MINI to victory, was greeted by colossal cheers by the excited crowd.
MINI CHALLENGE -- TOP 20 FINISHERS
|
|
NAME (COUNTRY) |
LAPS |
TotalTIme |
Best time |
TOP speed (mph) |
| 1 | Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands) | 15 | 30:52.839 | 2:01.713 | 127.391 |
| 2 | Alexander Burgstaller (GDR) | 15 | 30:53.245 | 2:02.379 | 126.698 |
| 3 | Maximilian Werndl (GDR) | 15 | 30:56.447 | 2:02.356 | 126.722 |
| 4 | Johannes Stuck (GDR) | 15 | 30:58.206 | 2:02.126 | 126.961 |
| 5 | Hari Proczyk (Austria) | 15 | 31:01.511 | 2:02.420 | 126.656 |
| 6 | Ben Spouse (UK) | 15 | 31:02.262 | 2:02.527 | 126.545 |
| 7 | Carlo Bermes (GDR) | 15 | 31:05.487 | 2:02.786 | 126.278 |
| 8 | Stefan Neuberger (GDR) | 15 | 31:11.478 | 2:03.237 | 125.816 |
| 9 | Michael Seifert (GDR) | 15 | 31:17.304 | 2:02.997 | 126.062 |
| 10 | Remo Friberg (Switzerland) | 15 | 31:18.217 | 2:03.080 | 125.977 |
| 11 | Roland Hertner (GDR) | 15 | 31:25.389 | 2:03.590 | 125.457 |
| 12 | Oliver Götz (GDR) | 15 | 31:25.972 | 2:03.809 | 125.235 |
| 13 | Katharina König (GDR) | 15 | 31:26.090 | 2:02.861 | 126.201 |
| 14 | Joakim Mangs (Sweden) | 15 | 31:26.189 | 2:02.586 | 126.484 |
| 15 | Thomas Neumann (GDR) | 15 | 31:26.581 | 2:03.770 | 125.274 |
| 16 | Jürgen Schmarl (Austria) | 15 | 31:27.133 | 2:03.108 | 125.948 |
| 17 | Alexander Janssen (GDR) | 15 | 31:41.265 | 2:04.939 | 124.102 |
| 18 | Stephan Jilka | 15 | 31:48.534 | 2:04.613 | 124.427 |
| 19 | Thomas Fürst | 15 | 31:51.080 | 2:05.139 | 123.904 |
| 20 | Peter Nikolaus Enders | 15 | 31:51.102 | 2:05.262 | 123.782 |
So, it is now 4:00 (PM) and time for the MC2 team to pack up the pavilion. Neil, MINI and I have a long journey back to the UK.
With the storm clouds brewing and the MINI Challenge over, some people decided to venture back to their own MINIs and start the journey home. However, many fans hung around for the official awards ceremony, held in the main tent, so the competitors received warm rounds of cheers and applause. With the ceremonies finished, Circuit Park here at Zandvoort is now emptying quickly. 
This didn’t mean that the MC2’s pavilion has been deserted. Not only did we meet many new faces, but we had many repeated visits, especially from our American friends, but it was our red-shirted Russian friends, who returned to be photographed with MC2, that reminded us that the love for MINI really is global.
We also were honoured with a visit from a very special Mini, a classic model “Grand Prix” special edition that is one of only thirty-five built. In addition, we photographed many exiting cars, so look out for these in the next edition (issue #10) of MC2 magazine.
But we aren’t heading back tonight. We have had such an exciting time at MINI United but we are staying over in Amsterdam for one more night – just long enough to recover for our journey home to England's West Midlands.
But, fear not faithful readers! This is not your last update. As we drive through Holland, Belgium and into the UK on Monday (25 June), we will reflect on our experiences of MINI United and the great friends we have made.
Ciao!
Submitted by:
Rob Marshall and Neil Jefferies
Your MC2 team at Zandvoort
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MC2 had a pavilion at the event, made lots of new friends and received a lot of street cred. Rob and Neil worked their proverbial asses off, holding down the fort at the MC2 pavilion and reporting on the events going on all around them. The life of a motoring journalist may be fun, but it is a tough job sometimes.... |
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Unlike most the other aficionados at MINI United, Neil and I have finally benefited from a good night’s sleep. Now that we are both fully refreshed from the fun, had our first decent breakfast in days and are ready for the 12-hour trip back home to England's West Midlands. Yes, a long drive back to MC2’s UK base awaits but, as we drive, we will have ample time to reflect upon the event. For the first leg, Neil takes the wheel of our MINI Cooper Diesel and as we head out home, the authorities in Amsterdam, Belgium and France are preparing themselves for severe violations of their road-traffic laws… |
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With DJ Stephen Quarré providing the acoustic entertainment, visitors to MINI United were keen to get-behind-the wheel and book themselves into as many driving activities as they could. Naturally, it would be a pity to miss driving around this famous racing circuit and the length of the booking queues, whether driving one’s own MINI, test-driving a new car and even taking a MINI Driver’s training course, confirmed the public’s determination... |
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This afternoon, MC2 reader and MINI Nut, Rob Apon, was been given a big surprise by MINI. He was born in Holland, though he now lives in the States, and today is his birthday. Rob is also a hard core car nut and MINI fan, so to celebrate his birthday MINI-style, he arranged to have his own MINI transported from his home in Los Angeles to MINI United. Although the process was not entirely trouble-free, Rob did manage to get himself and his MINI to Zandvoort Circuit in time for the year's biggest MINI bash |
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This is the main event here at MINI United and the crowds have proven their loyalty by sticking it out despite the downpours. Thankfully, the storms broke long enough for a a full 30-minutes of exciting and action-packed racing. Although a few cars were damaged in the spirit of the event, the commentators praised the drivers for their gentlemanly conduct on the track... |
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After having had a thoroughly good time enjoying last night's entertainment, it is not surprising that Neil and I are suffering this morning; not due to any excess, mind you, but a shortage – of course, I refer to sleep. But who wants to rest while MINI United is on? Well, quite a few actually... |
