[faster,Tobias!]

As some of you may know MINI is back at this years Targa defending last years championship, but this time there are two cars - one representing MINI USA and the second sees Jim Kenzie, the journalist, back behind the wheel of the Canadian car with last years navigator, Brian Bourbonierre, again reading the maps. From his journal entry for yesterday, the start of leg one, it can be gathered that, sadly, the MINI USA car didn't last too long - about five minutes, actually. Here is the link;

MINI.ca

Can't say I'm sorry to read that the Subaru broke - they would have been a real threat to a MINI repeat. Go, Jim!

And for those of you awaiting, or debating, the delivery of your JCW Competition Editions, here is what Jim says;
“It has been fun for veterans like my navigator Brian Bourbonniere and myself to watch newbies Kiino and Holstein adjust to the car, the event, and each other.” He reports. As for the competition Kenzie says, “most of our competitors also cannot believe our cars are not seriously modified. We try to tell them that effectively, you check one box on your MINI Cooper S order form (for "JCW") and you get our car.”

[xtremepsionic]

Looks like there is a WRX and a Ford Mustang infront of the Canadian MINI JCW at the end of day 2! We're about 30 seconds behind the WRX.

Go MINI!

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by xtremepsionic (original)

Looks like there is a WRX and a Ford Mustang infront of the Canadian MINI JCW at the end of day 2! We're about 30 seconds behind the WRX.

Go MINI!

A Mustang! What is the world coming too? Subaru I could understand, but Mustang?

ps - where did you find this info? MINI.ca hasn't been updated with todays results yet.

[xtremepsionic]

Targa Newfoundland 2006 - Be There

Well unless I read it wrong, looks like ulimited Class, 02 WRX is in first, and a Mustang GT 99 in 2nd. The MINI JCW seems to be 24s off the pace of the Mustang

[faster,Tobias!]

The MINI is still in 3rd spot, but now 54s behind the Mustang, and 30s behind the Subaru. They have opened up the lead on the Datsun 510 to 53s. That car sounds like it is essentially a 510 shell sitting on a 300ZX chasis with a Silvia 2.0L engine - it must move. Nothing on the site about the Mustang though, but there is lots of time left to reel for Kenzie to reel it in. Fingers crossed

[beken]

I think last year, it wasn't until the second from final stage when the cars still in front of Kenzie's MINI broke, handing the lead to the MINI.

So at stage 2, the MINI is again proving competitive.

Did the MINI USA car manage to get running again? It would be nice to see it at least finish.

[faster,Tobias!]

Number two spot now, in the unlimited class. The 'Stang is still in front and as increased the lead a little. MINI USA couldn't get their car back together, so they are now driving the car that had been the pace car, one of the 64 Competition Edition JCW's (#3) but in the 'Grand Touring' class. Mmmm, I wonder when they will put that one up for bids to the dealers....I hope they leave the stickers on..

[xtremepsionic]

Looks like the MINI boys have done it again, another win in the Unlimited class!

[MRC2K6]

Yahoo ... Does anyone know if it is going to air on TV and if so ... when?

[JCWCOMP62]

The one-hour Targa Newfoundland video usually appears in late January. The #3 Comp belongs to the Director of Mini Canada who, while attending the last two days of the event, kept a close watch on the crew while it competed in Grand Touring. I spoke with JF Drolet (drove it as Car #0 (course opening vehicle) until Mini USA went out) and Jason Cahill (navigated in the car while it was in grand Touring). Neither had ever been in a Mini2 before then. Both wer completely blown away by the car. I put a deposit on #62 today without ever having driven one (though I navigate in TSD rallies in one) based solely on the experiences relayed to me by JF, Jason, Jim Kenzie, and Brian.

The Mini USA car is a write-off...

[faster,Tobias!]

Quote: Originally Posted by JCWCOMP62 (original)

The one-hour Targa Newfoundland video usually appears in late January. The #3 Comp belongs to the Director of Mini Canada who, while attending the last two days of the event, kept a close watch on the crew while it competed in Grand Touring. I spoke with JF Drolet (drove it as Car #0 (course opening vehicle) until Mini USA went out) and Jason Cahill (navigated in the car while it was in grand Touring). Neither had ever been in a Mini2 before then. Both wer completely blown away by the car. I put a deposit on #62 today without ever having driven one (though I navigate in TSD rallies in one) based solely on the experiences relayed to me by JF, Jason, Jim Kenzie, and Brian.

The Mini USA car is a write-off...

Excellent choice; the car won't disappoint. Do you think you will be taking the car to Targa next year? And what did you think of your experience this time round?
#3 is listed in our system as being in MINI Canada stock - oh, well, it would have been cool to have a car with some history. There are a number still available at various dealers, though they all have the premium package and that is what I already have.

[JCWCOMP62]

We'll continue development work through the winter on our '74 2002tii and enter it in Targa Newfoundland again next year.

In 2003 and 2004 we ran a '73 tii in Touring but I felt we needed to got to the next step which is full-prep Targa classes.. In 2005 we used the previously road-raced '74 tii. We learned a lot last year... for '06, we added a rear disk package and tweaked/aligned the suspension quite a bit. The Webers 45s were also well sorted this year. Car handled like it was on rails... except when the hurricane blew through!!

The JCW Comp will be used mainly for "canyon carving" (such canyons as we have in Nova Scotia!... but the Cabot Trail is certainly our first driving target in early October...)

[RS3TURN]

Good article on the MINI targa win here:

Sympatico / MSN Autos: Sport Compacts - Targa Newfoundland 2006 – Winners!