Silverstone '94

Mini 35th

When the 30th celebrations took place at Silverstone in 1989, the weekend was a typically British affair and, if anything, the lack of organisation added to the event's charm. Everybody camped out in the middle of the circuit, and Mini clubs mixed it with traders and enthusiasts alike. It was slapdash, it was fun, and 120,000 Mini maniacs turned up to enjoy the chaos.
The 35th, by contrast, was a much more organised affair. The International Mini Meet, run by the clubs, was organised out of the proceedings entirely, to appear half a mile away on a completely separate day. Now I always thought that owners clubs were recognised throughout the motor industry as essential breeding grounds for new car owners of tomorrow, as well as walking endorsements of the product.
But I'm sure Rover know what they're doing.
It is interesting to reflect though, that even with the piles of press coverage, and avalanches of advertising that was put into it, the 35th only managed a 100,000 attendance. Only 100,000? OK, so Mini Spares' stand 8 was 10 deep all day, and 14 of us spent 8 solid hours relieving grateful customers of lots of cash, so I suppose we shouldn't really complain. But that's another British trait, isn't it? We are always happiest when we are having a good moan.
Highlights of the show for us were the visitations we received from important Japanese gentlemen, as well as leading British and European Industry and racing figures.
And Phil Oram.
One John Cooper and son Mike spent some time with us, and we all caught up with the various scandal and gossip of the day. A classic moment occurred at the other end of the showground when a certain well-informed gentleman visited a certain company to query some power figures being quoted by that certain company for their fuel injection system. After hearing that neither John Cooper, nor Rover themselves had a clue what they were talking about, the intrepid man left the stand a
momento of his visit - his business card, which read something Iike:- Chief Development Engineer - Rover. Ahem.                                                                                                                                                                                                                 On the Mini spares stand, we had in attendance such notable figures as James Hoseason, Tom Seal (the barbeque king), lan Goldie, Myk Cable ('It's a handling problem'), Davie Hirons (It's a production problem), Keith Dodd and Keith Calver. The Abingdon special tuning Mini was on display at the end of our tent, in its own little pen.
Dozens of Mini Tech News readers turned up to grab the latest issue, and it is definitely a boost to the ego to see such enthusiasm for our little product. No real criticism either. Gosh.
My favourite quote of the show came, predictably, from James Hoseason - he of Pigs might fly Projectile fame. , had already sidestepped an invitation for a qUick run into town (Bill Sollis had warned me about sitting in with Hoseason. Could you imagine a quick trip down to the shops through Silverstone traffic, in a road legal rally Mini, driven by a maniac with 185 Bhp under his right boot?) No, neither could I.
Anyway, James had been pounding up and down like a caged lion all day, because he was desperately keen to get out onto the circuit for a drive.
He finally disappeared at about 6.30, when the crowd had thinned out a bit, and returned  about twenty minutes later. His expression was puzzled, but his enthusiasm got the better of him, and he blurted out: "bet there aren't many people who can say they've driven around Silverstone circuit the wrong way!'
They're not all locked up, are they?
Graham Austin.

 

 

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