Thought I'd share a little something that happened at a Supersprint meeting yesterday.

I'd set up my tender vehicle, trailer and Group N Cooper S in the pits next to a bloke with a Westfield Clubman. He had some mates and his elderly father along for support. His father, using a walking stick for support, hobbled over during the morning with a big smile on his face, saying how seeing a Cooper S on the track had really made his day. Apparently he used to own one in their heyday and he was disappointed that his son was never really that interested in them. We chatted for a while about the car and his association with them until there was break in proceedings to feed the flaggies and other officials.
I thought it might be worth a try, so I rushed over the Event Director and asked if it would be OK to take the father out for a couple of laps around the track during lunch. He had no issues with that and neither did the Clerk of Course, so with everybody giving a helping hand we found a spare helmet that fitted and squeezed the elderly gentleman through the roll cage opening and into the passenger seat. Luckily, I occasionally use this car on the road, so it had a passenger side harness fitted. So with the harness adjusted up tight and walking stick cast aside, the Brick fired up and made its way through the pits and onto the circuit.
What followed next was a couple of laps at a comfortable 90% through the bends, but full-tilt and 8000rpm down the straights. Conversation is impossible at full noise, especially with helmets on; but it was obvious that we were both enjoying the experience.
The two laps were over too quickly. I'd have loved to have done more, but having asked for only two laps, it's perhaps prudent not push your luck in these circumstances.
Back in the pits the crew gathered around as we pulled up next to the Westfield. Nothing much was said as they assisted dad with the seat belts, and removed his helmet to reveal an enormous smile.
"That was AWESOME ....... just AWESOME", was all he could say.

Looking back on it a day later, I'm not sure who got the most out of it. I feel that I've rekindled my affinity for the marque by sharing an experience that I probably now, after 40 years of ownership, take too much for granted.

The moral of the story? ....... If you get the chance to take somebody for a run in your Mini, just do it. There'll be two smiling faces stepping out at jouney's end.

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Curly
'64 Cooper 'S' (Group Nb spec)
'67 Mini Marcos GT www.mm7056.wordpress.com

you made him feel like he was a 10 year old again

I know how that old bloke would have felt - last week I had about 8 laps around Winton in the DJR AU Falcon that came second at Bathurst in 2000, with John Bowe driving me

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Great story Curly .... im sure you made his day , probably year lol and nice one asking for the laps ...good on you +1

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Project Pickles is ALIVE!!!!! Click Here!
Success is so much sweeter after the struggle

Nice one, Curly!

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you`re a good man curly

good on ya mate!!!!!!!!!!!!

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Good story that ,good on you .

What about me! Just kidding.
Goes to prove the old adage .... 'There is more happiness in giving then receiving'

Great story. What a great experience! That would have made his week!

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1963 850 - laid up
1970 Morris mini K van - eating up the kms!

That story bought a tear to my eye, good on you, what a top bloke you are. You have probably done more than you realise for that old boy.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

As Your Dad said, Awesome,
it is Awesome You are spending time with Your Dad
Enjoy these times af often as You Can
As Flute said It would have meant more to him than You may think
Good On You,
whoops I read that Wrong, You are One very good Guy that was a great thing to do
And I am sorry for reading this wrong

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

Good work Curly

Such a kind and generous thing to do mate and as the others have said
you've put a sparkle in the old fella's eye that i'm sure will last a while.

Top job

Cheers Hallsey

ok so who wants to go for a passenger ride in my buggy then???

it`s just that you have to hang onto the back of the roll cage & swing around off the back of the buggy

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

today I ran a motorkhana for the Aust. Ferrari club - one of the attendees let ME do a spiro slalom in it - f*ck me it works well

He sat beside me and explained how the flappy paddles work, how to launch it, I did a couple of ups and downs then had a run at the test... the owner was quite impressed

looks identical to this, but with me grinning from the drivers seat. Not sure who has the actual photos



he obviously gets a kick out of letting people drive his car, a couple of others had a go too

he said it was $735,000 new, but he only paid $400,000

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Well done that man!

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.