NMM02 Mallory Park 19-20 Oct 2002

What a weekend! This year's New MINI Meet (NMM02) was held at Mallory Park Race Circuit, to coincide with the last event of this year's John Cooper Challenge (JCC). The event was organised by MINI2er R50.

The meet was an action-packed 2-day event. On Saturday, a warm-up run around the countryside near Mallory Park was organised by MINI2er M.2, to be followed by a BBQ in the evening organised by DK. Sunday was dominated by MINIs and the JCC race. Sadly, DK and Apple did not make it to the warm-up run. A few participants reported lift-offs as their cars went over unexpected bumps at high speed!

The BBQ in the evening was great fun. It was a lovely, cold, dry October night with a near full moon. Thanks to MINI2ers Cooper_Matt, Shaun and M.2 who provided the much needed lighting so that DK and felix (Mrs. R50) et al could see if the food was properly cooked! macmini and Mini-fan from Germany arrived just as the rest decided to seek warmth and comfort in the nearby pub. Many thanks to everyone who contributed to the BBQ!

Later on, the drinking continued in the bar of the Hanover International Hotel where a group of MINI2ers stayed overnight. At about 01:00h, the hotel's fire alarm was allegedly set off by one of the MINI2ers who could not distinguish the fire alarm switch from a light switch in the dark!

On Sunday, it was MINIs everywhere at Mallory Park. At it's peak, there were about 50 MINIs to be counted, not including the JCC cars in the paddock. The list of people who attended this event can be found in the main thread on the MINI2 website. The usual suspects were there as well as many new faces. Special thanks to quicksilver, hein, macmini and Mini-Fan (plus another Dutch MINI) who came all the way across from the Netherlands and Germany!

The JCC race and the championship was won by ALIEN7. Racer did well after a relatively poor qualifying time -- he did not have the chance he sought to achieve a better time due to an accident towards the end of the qualifying session -- JCC car No. 15 flipped over (JCCer Phil Hollingdale was fine, the same could not be said about his car)! Sadly AndyW did not finish the race as his car sped off the wet track early in the race. LIZZIEB had an excellent result, finishing the race in third place. More accurate information about the race can no doubt be found on the JCW website.

The highlight of the event for many MINI2ers was the parade lap on the track on Sunday! Pictures speak louder than words, so here are a few of them!!!

A MINI is not just a car - it is a way of life!