News Flash! JCW MCS Takes a 1st Place Prize at Huntington Beach, California Concours d'Elegance on 1 June 2008!

On the lawn

Waiting for the judges

Nervous time... Judges at work!

Keith (Concours Class Winner) on the left and I (Street Class Winner and Mr. Jet Lag) congratulated by famed MINI Hot Rod and Hollywood Vehicle Builder Fireball Tim

Parade of winners. Good company! Notice Keith's 2005 MINI Cooper S JCW/Alta right behind me.

Getting ready to take the spotlight and receive my trophy!

The 2008 Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance 1st Place Glass Trophy

Ok, I knew it was going to be tough to get to the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance Car Show this year. I've missed it in the past because of the need to travel for business but the event has become a fairly regular show to attend and/or show a vehicle for me. I sent in my registration and fee just in-case I still wanted to attend even though it was just a day after my return from Europe. I knew that I'd be in no shape whatsoever to self-detail my MINI as I usually do for these types of events, so I contacted my friend Bill Debever at Transhine in Whittier, California (http://www.transhine.com/) while in Europe to see if he could take my car in on Saturday and detail it for Sunday's show. The car was already in need of a good detail (I detailed it last November upon the car's return from Europe) and Bill was going to have a stand at the show as well. The crew did an excellent job and suffice it to say the detail helped me garner a 1st place trophy and a bucket of detailing supplies for Best Modern MINI Cooper S in the "Street" (vehicle regulary driven) class. I showed JCW MCS at the HB show in 2005 in the "Concours" class and managed a third place trophy. Many miles and kilometers later it is satisfying to achieve a 1st place trophy. Bleary-eyed and jet-lagged I drove JCW MCS up to the stand to take the prize. It was worth the extra effort this year. Definitely!

Charley Boorman's bike from his and Ewan McGregor's latest motorcycle adventure. Love those guys!

Mid-1970's vintage bevel drive, square case, Conti exhaust, Ducati 750 Supersport. Bellissima!

For more info on the Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance go to: http://www.hbconcours.org/. It usually takes a few weeks before the full winners list is posted.

JCW MCS Gets a High Performance Camshaft

I've been having issues with one of my O2 sensors as my "check engine light" has been on for a couple of weeks. I went up to Steve's Auto Clinic in North Hills, Calfornia (in the blazingly hot San Fernando Valley) to have the issue sorted and to take the opportunity to change oil and check all fluids prior to the summer driving season. I also have a Schrick camshaft sitting on my table that is just begging to be installed. Well, today is the day I decided to get all of it done.

The oil change and O2 sensor replacement was completed very quickly. The location of the sensors on the John Cooper Motorsport full exhaust system made access very easy.

The camshaft install was more intense but it was a fascinating experience to watch the engine head being removed and the valvetrain internals laid bare for the cam installation. The Schrick camshaft is tuned to remain smooth at idle and give a good punch from about 2500 rpm and on up to redline. A heavily modified car like mine should easily see between 5-10+ horsepower gain from the new cam install. I'll definitely have to get JCW MCS on a dyno to see just how far I've come from bone stock 168 horsepower to the original JCW 200 kit install back in 2004 to the JCW 210 upgrade to John Cooper Motorsport 225 HPD conversion to Cooper Motorsport sourced limited slip differential and light flywheel upgrades to the Schrick cam. Quite a bit of fettling under the bonnet I'd say!

I've posted some pictures to give you a flavor of the install process:

Faulty oxygen sensor replaced

On the lift surrounded by MINIs new and old and a very yellow '69 Camaro

Inspecting the valvetrain

New and old camshaft and various valvetrain parts

Schrick high-performance camshaft in-place

Steve and Junior completing camshaft installation

I've only had one drive with the new cam installed but I DEFINITELY feel a difference as I'm easily able to power-on chirp the front tires. I think I'm really gonnna like this engine modification...

JCW Clubman and Cooper S On Track

Fun Video of the new generation JCWs on the racetrack. What?!? No supercharger whine??? I still need to get used to the turbocharger era...

2008 MINI Cooper S JCW vs. Renault Clio Cup

Does the turbocharged "base" MINI Cooper S JCW have the speed and handling to take on the not-available-in-the-USA Renault Clio Cup? Tiff Needell and Jason Plato of Fifth Gear along with guest and awesome stunt driver Russ Swift (who performed amazing feats in the MINI at Mini United 2007) put the two cars to the test in the as-usual entertaining manner.



Video content is the property of Fifth Gear.

A MINI Vacation in Vegas (AMVIV) 2008

JCW MCS at rest in Shoshone, California. It's a loooong way from Paris, France!

MINIs at rest in Death Valley, California at about 250 feet below sea level!

I spent several days last week in Las Vegas, primarily for the annual AMVIV MINI owner's event. Last year my car had problems before it even made it to Las Vegas so I spent a day checking out the vendor displays on the top deck of the Palace Station Hotel parking structure while awaiting the repair of my vehicle. More on that adventure can be read in the archives for March 2007 which can be accessed from the right frame of the main blog webpage or just click this link: March 2007.

This year I got a little more involved: I took the day-long excursion with countless other MINIs out from Las Vegas to Death Valley, California, and back via the small town of Pahrump, Nevada to make a stop at Mountain Motorsports Park, host of the first round of the North American MINI Challenge. A great day on the road.

Video of some of the weekend's events

The run from Las Vegas was a lot of fun. I've never driven with so many MINIs in one caravan and that includes my trip to MINI United 2007! After a rest stop in Shoshone, CA where a photojournalist enthusiastically photographed my car for possible magazine submission, the group made its way into the National Park. Visiting Death Valley for the first time (with a huge gaggle of MINIs!) was a very interesting experience. I have the factory navigation system in my car and to watch the altitude go from 3000+ ft MSL to -260 ft MSL in the span of fifteen minutes was amazing! As the altitude decreased I also watched the NAV screen show a corresponding increase in temperature. Interesting trivia indeed from the nav system!

It's gettin' hot and the altitude is in the negative!

MINIs on the road at Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California

Near Furnace Creek

After Death Valley it was off for the MINIUSA sponsored lunch and action on-track at Mountain Motorsports Park. I took JCW MCS on the track for a few laps and was able to notch up another racetrack that the car has turned a wheel on. Not necessarily as exotic as the Nurburgring in Germany but fun nonetheless!

Parked at the start/finish line of Mountain Motorsports Park in Pahrump, Nevada

I spent part of Saturday on the top floor of the car park at the Palace Station Hotel and spoke briefly with the folks at MC2 Magazine, Todd of White Roof Radio, and with RB at Twistybitz. RB has been on this site quite frequently and it was nice to meet him in-person and hear that his weekend was going well. Check out his website at http://www.twistybitz.com/.

The vendor display area on the top deck of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino

My MINI AMVIV visit was over but before I left Las Vegas I went over to the Wynn Hotel and Casino to drop by the Penske Ferrari/Maserati dealership. I was courteously received and was able to tour the showroom and get behind the velvet ropes to have a closer look at the Maserati Granturismo. The staff was very helpful and I got a heap of information about the car and some nuggets I hadn't known before. I'm serious about putting a deposit on the new S version due at the end of the year but I'm a couple of months away from being able to spec a car.

So, I got to play around for the weekend with cars, I didn't lose my shirt in the casinos, and had a great time. Good trip!

Nurburgring Revisited

Most of you know that I have a passion for aviation, automobiles, and motorcycles. After going through my archive of files from last summer's European trip I came across more video (including in-car footage!) of the day at arguably the world's most difficult racetrack: the Nurburgring in Germany. I quickly put together a video montage that shows the L.A. MINI on a sighting lap of the 'Ring.



The 'Ring is notoriously tricky. Witness this 7 second lap (Warning: there is a bit of rough language) taken from the second entrance to the track:



If you want to see the 'Ring driven at its absolute best, then watch this clip. It's awesome stuff!



More about the 'Ring and the "One Lap of Europe" trip in the archives. Check out the June and July 2007 posts.

16 October: MINI Due in Port of Los Angeles

The APL Turquoise with JCW MCS on board in New York City in September.
Photo copyright of Tom Turner


The APL Turquoise off the coast of Baja California yesterday.

JCW MCS should make landfall today after being away since last May. What a journey! I'm still about a week away from getting behind the wheel since U.S. Customs and Dept. of Homeland Security have to do their thing first. The car will then be shipped to a warehouse in Paramount, CA where I will pick the car up. Can't wait!

On the Way to the Panama Canal

As of 8 October JCW MCS is in the Carribean Sea and on the way to Panama. I'm sure the car is either in or through the canal as I type this update.

More MINI Tracking Info

I've been quite busy with moving into my new place so I need to keep things short. JCW MCS is down off the coast of Florida and the Bahamas. I'm sure the ship will enter the Gulf of Mexico soon and makes it way towards the Panama Canal.

Tracking the MINI

As of 1 October JCW MCS is somewhere off the coast of Massachusetts and headed down the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Where's the MINI?

JCW MCS is indeed making the voyage home to California. The MINI left the port of Rotterdam on 21 September and is due back in L.A. on 16 October. The latest position of the car? It's located somewhere to the south of Ireland and making its way out into the Atlantic.



So why did it take so long for the MINI to get on a ship to go home? If you've followed the story of our adventure to Europe you realize that the cost of getting the car to Amsterdam was exponentially more than planned. Our shipping partner in Rotterdam informed me about the possibility of sharing container space with another car headed to L.A. but I would have to wait until late September for the car to leave Rotterdam. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to save a bit of money (anything helps with the horrid US Dollar/Euro exchange rate!) at the expense of getting the car home earlier.

Indeed, I do miss the MINI but now I'm only a few weeks away from driving the car again.

JCW MCS Finally Has a Return Date

Sorry for the lack of updates, but I've been busy settling in at my new home and that endeavor has been taking up a lot of free time. I do have news about my MINI: it should be back in L.A. on October 16. Why such a long time since the end of my journey in Europe? I'll tell more and post the latest photos of the car still in-port in Rotterdam when I get a chance.

I'm just happy that I'll see the car less than a month from now!

Official MINI United 2007 Recap Video

For anyone with a love for the MINI here is an official video review of the events at Zandvoort. MINI United was definitely the place to be last June. My MINI even makes a brief appearance. Well, the license plate anyway...

Enjoy!



MINI United 2009... Are you ready?

Video courtesy of the MINI United Team

Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

A view we won't be seeing soon: old and new windmills alongside the freeway

Looks like this will be my last post from Europe. We're checked into our hotel next to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and relaxing before tomorrow's flight home.

Earlier in the day we left the Hague to check into our hotel, drop off the luggage, and then head down to Rotterdam to drop off the car at the shipping company.

As I was packing the car I noticed a work van parking nearby in the parking lot of the complex where we were staying. I noticed that the driver had gotten out of the car and was looking in my direction with a shocked expression on his face. I looked back and it just so happens that my cousin Ken had arrived to work in a nearby townhouse. He didn't know that we were staying close by and he just happened to show up as I was loading the car! Now, Holland is a small country... but it definitely isn't THAT small! This was not planned at all so the odds of this happening were tiny. Well, we had a chance to chat and say our goodbyes again. Definitely a huge surprise for all of us!

Cousin Ken's Surprising Visit

After getting the car loaded we drove to Schiphol to drop off our luggage and check into the hotel. We first stopped by Hertz at the airport to say "hi" to our good friend Brian. He's originally from Pasadena, California but has spent many years living in the Netherlands. We thought we'd bring the L.A. car by before dropping it off. It's not a sight he sees everyday and he does see plenty of cars!

Dropping by Hertz at Schiphol Airport to bring a bit of California to our friend Brian who originally came from Pasadena, California but now works and lives in the Netherlands

After visiting with Brian it was off to the hotel. We dropped off our luggage before heading down to the port of Rotterdam.

A picture for "rb": a fully loaded MINI for a six week jaunt through Europe.
Actually, we didn't have quite as much on our road trip and I always had a good view out the back. If you remove the duffel bag on top and the rear shelf then that would more closely resemble how the car looked when fully loaded

We finally made it to the port and dropped off the car.

Checking the car in at the shipper's office and making sure there are no dents, dings or scratches!

After the car was dropped off we took the train back from Rotterdam to the Hague. We visited with our good family friends Maude, Ferry, and Bob. After the visit it was time for dinner and then it was back to the airport area and our hotel.

Jennifer with Maude, Bob, and Ferry

Next stop: Los Angeles

What an adventure! I'm glad I've had the chance to share this trip with all of our friends, both new and old, and with our family. A special thanks needs to go out to our parents Ben and Nel for supporting us in making this adventurous idea a reality. Without their support we could never have made this trip.

The sun sets on our European adventure

We'll see you back in California!

The Hague and Eindhoven

At ANAC Car Wash in Eindhoven, the Netherlands in preparation for shipment back to the United States

We spent the day taking care of more end-of-trip errands. Jennifer stayed in the Hague to get some rest and did some shopping during the day and I made one last trip to Eindhoven in southern Holland to visit family.

It turned into a very pleasant day here in Holland with good weather and time spent with family. I am looking forward to being back in my normal routine at home but it is a little sad that this wonderful adventure needs to end.

In preparation for delivering the car to the shipper in Rotterdam I decided to have the car washed one last time at ANAC Car Wash in Eindhoven. The evening drive back to the Hague was pleasant with a beautiful sunset and light traffic. A nice way to spend my final extended drive in Holland!

Our last full day will be spent taking care of final trip preparations. By tomorrow afternoon I will have to say goodbye to JCW MCS for about six weeks... I know I'll miss the car when I'm back in L.A.!

The Hague, The Netherlands

Spotted!!!

Spotted by a Mini2.info reader while on the autobahn heading towards the Netherlands!

Well, we're back in Holland and begin our final week of L.A. MINI's "one lap" of Western Europe. It's been a great trip and now I've got to wrap things up and get ready to ship JCW MCS home and get Jennifer and myself on a plane back to Los Angeles. We'll probably try to rest a bit and JCW MCS will likely be used to visit family and friends before being dropped off at the port of Rotterdam.

I just noticed that we were spotted on the autobahn the other day.

Click on this link:

MINI2.info (site is in German!) to see the full text.

Also, http://www.bridgetogantry.com/ has published a small article about JCW MCS' visit to the Nuerburgring Nordschleife. Click on: http://bridgetogantry.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1&limit=4&limitstart=4 to see the article!

Cologne, Germany

We wrap up our visit to Cologne today and will make our way back to the Netherlands. Although we did not spend much time in Cologne, we did take the opportunity to visit the massive Cologne Cathedral. It still is the church that most impresses me due to its sheer size. We also spent some time in the central shopping district next to the cathedral.

The Cologne Cathedral (Koelner Dom)

Nuerburgring Nordschleife!

Photos courtesy of http://www.bridgetogantry.com/

One item marked on my "to do" list has always been to drive the fabled Nuerburgring in the Eifel Mountains of western Germany. Of course in my daydreams I drove my own car or motorcycle. Well, today that dream became a reality when JCW MCS turned four laps at the historic, famous, and notoriously long and dangerous racecourse. I thoroughly enjoyed my time on-track even though I didn't push the car that hard. Still, I've never seen that much brake dust on my wheels after such a relatively short drive! My concentration level was pretty high since I had to deal with learning the track (pretty much impossible in a few laps) and dealing with all the fast motorcycles and race-prepped supercars. I've done laps at the Nordschleife on the computer so I had a familiarity with the general layout but all the subtle camber changes and the real "sight picture" all needed to be processed. Also, the utmost desire to bring JCW MCS home to the USA in one piece kept my throttle foot in-check. Nevertheless, I won't soon forget my day at the 'Ring.

Entering the staging area
Parking Lot

Impressions of the Nuerburgring from the Staging Area

Berlin to Cologne

At the Reichstag, seat of the German Government

At the Brandenburg Gate, symbol of Berlin

Today was spent primarily on the road. We started the day with a rainy morning drive around Berlin. The object was to get a picture of the car at the Brandenburg Gate and to find the longest remaining section of the Berlin Wall. Because of the weather photo conditions were less than ideal, but we did manage to get a few pics.

The Berlin Wall near the Ostbahnhof in eastern Berlin

After checking out of the Berlin Hilton we drove past Tempelhof Airport. Formerly the main airport of Berlin, Tempelhof is now facing closure. The airport itself is interesting from an architectural perspective as it is an example of mid-1930's German design. It is also an historic location since it was the airport that sustained West Berlin during the Berlin Airlift.

Next, we drove west towards our pitstop for the evening: Cologne. Along the route of travel on the A2 Autobahn we stopped at the former primary auto entry point into East Germany. First we saw the "German Unity" Sculpture in a rest area on the West German side of the border.

German Unity Sculpture

We then ventured to the former GDR Checkpoint that is maintained as a memorial. You can get a better impression by watching the video:

Tonight and tomorrow night will be spent here in Cologne. During the day tomorrow: the Nuerburgring