I know I'm about a week late in posting a reply to this topic, but I also drove up to Sydney in our Bini, we caught up with Jan in Mutant on our way to Albury. I must say if I had spent that much money on a car I wouldn't be driving it along the Hume HWY beside BIG trucks in the rain. But they are built for driving and that is what Jan does, I also wouldn't let people sit in it, but again it's a car and it's Jan's passion.
As for trophy hunting, a small trophy isn't everything, although I'd just like to say our Bini won best Cooper S

It's all about what you like in a car and if you want to spend mega bucks fixing up a car go right ahead, everyone looks at Jan and Ron's Mini's it and I'm sure they are a crowd puller.
I am up against Jan's car in Modified Import, I have spent about $2.50 fixing up my car and just to run a not very close second to Jan is a privalige. If only I was a millionare like Jan I'd love to fix up my car.
Ron and Jan you have done a great job on your Mini's and you deserve all the awards you win. You are in a class of your own. Shame people wanted the little trophy so badly they needed to slag you off on here.
You should be happy with your Mini and a trophy isn't everything, my other Mini won best Oil leak one year at a show, the only thing it will ever win, but I love my heap of junk as much as Jan and Ron do.