won by a mazda?
take noting away from obviously a great drive but seriously it's the MINI nationals.
if i take my mazda to the mazda nationals they would tell me where to go.
shame shame shame.

you guys got beat by a mazda. shame shame

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PrOuDlY aSkInG qUeStIoNs FoR uR aMuEsMeNt

From day 1 of this event, the motorkhana has been open to all vehicles. It is a tradition. Both Mini SA and MCCNSW who were the initial clubs involved have always encouraged motorsport in a variety of cars other than just Minis.

I take it that Corrine won in the 121 that they have been using for ten years or more and Corrine has won national championships in? No shame in losing to her in that car.

My advice is build a bridge and get over the last 41 years.

cheers
michael

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the world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page
66 Mini Minor sponsored by http://www.lifeonthehedge.com.au/ The Dog Harness Specialists
It was a pleasure ausmini. I'll miss all you misfits and reprobates

Dont you mean "mini"?



Still the same if not a lesser capacity than most mini's, mokes, etc there . . . i think some people should put their money where their mouth is!

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMkVq1jRGU

if people care about their motorsport that much maybe try something good? all jokes aside a mazda wouldnt be the biggest thing to keep me from there

run what ya brung, but it shouldnt count if its not a mini

Yes, it's the mini nationals, and yes, Corinne East-Johnston drove spectacularly and won in a Mazda 121. Phil and Corrine (father and daughter) have been campaining that car for many years, and are fantastic steerers. Corinne is a lovely lady, and is over the moon. I think they will actually be running a bini next year

It is a very contentious issue, and beliefs aside, allowing non-minis to participate and take away trophies is the way MCCSA choose to run the event, and have done since it's inception. No amount of arguing will change this.

I think allowing non-minis adds to the event, minis are the best cars ever made - if someone thinks they can beat a mini in a different car, come to Hay and bring it. Corinne did that yesterday, but it's the driver that won, not the car

I have to dis-agree here Simon, you as just wrong on that.

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yep my bad.

Well by your theory I believe the Mazda 121 is the best car ever made...........

All politics aside - Corrine won by a mere 0.04 secs (152.38 secs, to 152.42) after six tests and two runs at each.

"Fly" Heslewood was second place, in a Moke.

Not only was this the first time a non-Mini or Mini variant won the event outright, it was also the first time the outright winner is female, so full credit to Corinne.

Corinne told me that she has previously finished second outright by a similar margin, so she knows exactly how "Fly" feels.

Consider that there was a gap of less than 5 seconds for the top ten, and less than 17 seconds for the top 50, and it is not surprising that one competitor told me that the Hay motorkhana is the most difficult motorkhana to win in Australia.

Of the 100 entrants this year, two were not eligible for points (demonstration only) and only 5 were not Mini or Mini variants. There are still plenty of Minis, MINIS and Mokes being used for motorkhanas, including Hay, and many remain very competitive.

So, it is not all doom and gloom that a non-Mini/Moke won the event outright this year. Although my personal preference would be to see the Hay Mini Nationals open only to Minis and Mini variants (including Specials under strict rules), Corinne won the event fare and square under the current rules and she should be congratulated by everyone for her success.

If wallygog is glad he/she missed Hay on this basis, then I have to wonder if he/she really has any idea what Hay is about. If he/she has been to Hay before then I guess he/she missed the point. If he/she has not been to Hay, then perhaps his/her opinion is mute.

The event was great. The weather was absolutely perfect. The grounds for the motorkhana were brilliant (thanks Luggo) and the competition was fierce and extremely close (and lots of fun). The organization of the event was second to none. The Sunday night party was a barrel of fun, and the friendliness and hospitality of everyone at the event was outstanding.

The only down side was that I improved my times from last year by an average of 5 seconds per test (thanks to Pottsy for letting me drive the R&D'Luxe and to the Holloways for accommodating TJ due to our Moke not making it up there this year) but despite this huge improvement only managed to improve my outright placing from 79th last year to 77th. Damn!!!

Cheers,
Watto.

my mate Rod and I compete in our local club and with surrounding clubs, and we blitz the competition. They can't get over the fact that he and I finish "only" in the low 20's at Hay (24th & 23rd respectively this year)

Well........when all said and done.....the 121 is sort of a four door spirit descendant of the Mini.

(Quick, run and hide....run and hide!)

Well, let's face it, most small cars are ('small' is relative here - you can't buy a new car that's small these days).

well, you want to know something really interesting? - especially for you

When the bubble 121 was released, there was a road test comparison done between it and .... wait for it..... an MG 1100

I don't have it, and being 12 or something at the time, I don't know where it was, but it compared the cars on all aspects like performance, leg room, value for money etc. etc.

I think the MG came out on top, but it may have been a biased article