/dev/blog

Here are some of the better pictures from AMVIV III this year. Just click here.

There’s also some pictures, actually, a lot of them, by other people at AMVIV. Here is some.

Enjoy!

[3-24-06 5:00pm]
I had a great time driving into Vegas today, thanks to Dave and company.

I’ve gotten my car pre-teched for driving school tomorrow already

I also have some pictures of us in Barstow. And some on the freeway, I think. Those will come later. I also just broke 5000 miles on my car on the way here today. I also have a picture of that.

[3-24-06 9:30pm]
The Strip Cruise was a blast! Everyone was honking and yelling. The people with aftermarket exhausts were revving like mad and some even burning some rubber.

Can’t wait until I go to driving school tomorrow!

Sorry, pictures will have to wait, as I didn’t bring my USB cable for the camera. They’ll be up by sunday or monday.

[3-25-06 11:00pm]
Ahh, driving school at Phil Wicks Driving Academy. It was a fun-packed and tiring day. I got about 2 hours of seat time on the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and it was a blast. I finally did spin out on my last 20-min session because of picked up winds blowing sand into the car and into my eyes, causing an early and fast entry into a turn, then a lift of the throttle, and, bam, wham, I was off. Also, I got one of the instructors to drive my car, and, wow, that stock MINI can do things that I’ve never thought it could before. And also burn rubber like mad in turns. I’ve only had about 5000 miles on the car, and my fronts were getting close to the TWI (Tread Wear Indicators). So I got my tired rotated, with the assistance of a nice lady from Way Motor Works, and tools borrowed from my instructor of the day, Waylen, also from Way Motor Works. I’ve learned tons from today, including somewhat how to look ahead, to not lift off the throttle if you are on the verge of running off, to brake before you turn, and gas it out of the turn, how to be somewhat smooth, and most of all, how to be fast by going slow. I had viel spaß out there today, especially with that black Cooper (non-S) just eating up all the other Cooper S’s on the track (I bet the Cooper has some kind of suspension mod or something. At least Waylen thought so.)

There was also the North American MINI Cooper Championship series today on the track. Even with only 9 cars on the track (a yellow Cooper S couldn’t start when it needed to), and 5 MINIs, it was still a fun thing to watch. A Webb Motorsport MINI was dominating, taking the lead early, and held on to it for the rest of the race. There were three Miatas, and they were also doing alright. The scary thing is that they seemed to not care about their cars. They’d nearly touch the guy in front of them, and the other MINI drivers would simply let him by because they simply love the car. Also, watching most of them heel-toe for the turn after the long straight was very fascinating for me. I wish I could do that. The noise they made was something to die for, and I think I’ll try to get that down for my next driving event. I’ve also got some pictures, well, my cousin that came long got some. I think the three most interesting ones on the track for me is one of the MINIs and also mine braking hard (noticeable nose dive), and the third pictures is I think me in a turn, and one can see a little body roll. Too bad I couldn’t get video footage.

Gah, so much to say. But, I’m tired, and will go to sleep now, as I still have a long drive home tomorrow.

[3-26-06 2:45pm]
Well, I’m back from Vegas, and, man, what a blast. I didn’t win anything at the banquet, but I won three things at the c3 breakfast. Two decks of MINI playing cards made by a guy in the MINI community (Eric something, sorry, forgot your name) and also the $50 off gift certificate from Aesthetic Creations. The $50 is the perfect one for me, as I was just planning to put on a Union Jack on my roof and some stripes on the bonnet. I’ve heard of good things about Aesthetic Creations’ work, and since he’ll be having an install party in San Diego in two months time or so, I think this is just the perfect time to get this prize.

The whole trip back only took 3 hours and 30 min, and that is including eating at Carl’s Jr. It was fun meeting other MINIs on the road. Also, right when I was leaving Carl’s Jr at Barstow, I saw the three MINIs that I came to Las Vegas with just pulling into Carl’s. What a coincidence.

Well, I’ve had a lot of fun at AMVIV III, and will be looking forward to going again next year. The only different thing I’ll do is not to attend Phil Wicks, but instead participate in some of the drives and definitely the Poker run.

Oh, for all those that were there, I was one of the Solid Black Cooper S’s with a White roof.

I attended the LA Auto Show on Saturday the 14th of January, and I loved it. After seeing the Royal Grey MINI Cooper with the silver roof and stripes, I’ve noticed that is the color I’ve been looking for. See for yourself. It is simply beautiful, IMO.

I also saw the Bugatti Veyron that was there. It really didn’t work for me. It just didn’t feel like it is THE 1001-hp car. It just didn’t look crazy enough. I mean, the Pagani Zonda has double the visual horsepower. For 1.2mil, it didn’t seem like you were getting a complete supercar. Sure, it’s got the performance, but I would’ve prefered if it just had a more radical look to it.

The big surprise for me at the auto show was the new XK from Jaguar. It was simply beautiful. If I had the money, I’d get one of those.

That about sums up the highlights for me at the LA Auto Show.

I found this one on Google videos.

Here’s another awesome one.

A cool idea would be if some students at our school can put together a video featuring cars at our school, and put it up on the video production stuff. Doesn’t have to be performance, just something fun and cool, like the MINI + Audi one.

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.”
–Albert Einstein

Wow, this is so true. I mean, if you look at Windows v. *nix, SUV v. MINI, and Ghandi (can’t believe I just said/typed this, for I know near nothing about him) v. current-day-U-S-of-A, it seems that everyone is aiming to be bigger and badder, yet they overlook the benefits of being gentle, small, agile, etc.

Well, here’s a good read for the weekend: Click Here
A quote from the above link:

Jettas are safe because they make their drivers feel unsafe. S.U.V.s are unsafe because they make their drivers feel safe. That feeling of safety isn’t the solution; it’s the problem.

Here’s a sign that America is awakening. Hopefully more will see the light.

Interesting A rant, but a very interesting and true one. We should really take a look at what America is becoming.

Even Mr. Paul Thurrott, long time MS-Win advocate, is seeing the light gradually.

And, to all those rushing to send in their college apps, like me, good luck, and remember to send them in early, to avoid any possible problems like the UC server crashes

I just recieved my UAOM(Unauthorized Owner’s Manual) from MINIUSA. It is pretty awesome, with some unconventional uses for a MINI, and ways to be different.

You can download your own printable copy here (1.3MB, PDF).

Oh, and the printed copy comes with these stickers that you can stick above the toggle switches, which unlocks the mysterious powers of a MINI, like invisibility and reverse thrusters. There is even oil slick, tacks, and even smoke, making the new BMW MINI the ultimate Bond car. You can order yours from MINIUSA by emailing them using the contact form at MINIUSA.com. (WARNING: Flash site)

I’ve been keeping track of my MINI’s MPG by using the gallons filled and miles driven for two tanks now, and the numbers are not looking too good. Both tanks were around 19 mpg. I guess it’s either I’m a big lead foot, or I’m doing something wrong.

I sometimes run with the windows down and AC off, and sometimes windows up and AC on. I do that about half and half, with windows down at low speeds. Maybe I’ll try and keep the windows up for this whole tank and see what happens.

Also, with a quick measure of tire pressures, it seems they are at 32 psi cold. I’ll bring it up to maybe 36-37 psi range today and see if that’ll help. Yes, the ride will be rougher, but hey I did pick the MINI.

Oh, another improvement would be easying off the gas a bit and run at lower speeds. I’ll try that, but all you MINI owners out there know how hard it is to do that.

Will report back later on this. Over and Out.

Yesterday, I was motoring with windows down on Pierre Road towards Valley, when I suddenly heard a girl scream at the top of her lungs, “It’s a MINI!”

Someone at school commented on the “chick car” status of the MINI. Well, sure, it looks nice and all, but it can also perform. Something you can’t say about the more “common chick cars.” What does “chick car” mean anyways? Does it mean wussy car, or a car that females are attracted to? If it is the former, everyone that has driven one knows the truth. And if it is the latter, why wouldn’t a straight male want to drive a “chick car?”

A week or two ago, when I was waiting for a spot in the MtSAC parking lot, I followed a guy to his car to wait for him to leave, when I noticed that he kept on looking back over his sholder with the “what the heck is that” look on his face. I guess it was either the cool looking Xenon headlights or the car itself that are getting the looks.

Oh, and the best ones are the looks I get when I carve out corners and turns at “impossible” speeds.

Anyhow, I think I need to wash my car some time this weekend. Oh, and would anyone mind giving me some ideas on a name and possibly a vanity plate number for the Jet Black/White MINI? I still don’t know the gender of the car, since nothing has really screamed out at my yet, other than the times when it lures me very close to crossing over the 4500 line.

Disclaimer: I obey all traffic laws, and don’t exceed the posted limits, but there are no signs saying I can’t attack corners at high speeds.

Well, I’ve some what ignored this blog for a bit, but I do have a very good excuse!

I was Out Motoring.

I got a MINI Cooper S on Sunday the 21st.

It was an unplanned purchase, so I kind of got lucky, I guess. My dad asked me what I wanted to do for the day, and since I’ve already visited many Apple Stores around the area, I thought that we might just go take a look at the MINI Coopers and see if I can also get my dad hooked.

Well, after the sales person demonstrated the MINI in an emergency manuver, where he goes up to 45 mph, and then quickly changes to right lane, then recovers to the left very quickly, and, as I was sitting in the back seat, all I could say at the time was, WOW, and ouch. My elbow banged on the side of the car during the manuver, but it was FUN! Anyways, another feature demonstrated was the ABS brakes. So, the sales person brought the car up to 80 mph, then braked REALLY hard, and, woah, it stopped way fast.

Those two little demonstrations sealed the deal for my dad, and we just bought that one off the lot at Assael MINI with a $1000 markup.

Here are the specs:

Jet Black w/ white roof and mirror caps
DSC(Dynamic Stability Control)
17″ S-Lites w/ run flat tires
Xenon headlights
Front fog lights
White bonnet stripes (still to be installed)

All else was mostly standard.

It’s been exactly a week, and I’ve already put some 500 mediocre miles on it (break in rules: no revs more than 4500 and no speeds more than 95 mph until 1200 miles). Man, the car is already very fun to drive, especially in the twisties and corners. Can’t wait till I break in the car and really release the supercharged monster under the bonnet.

And, yes, pictures will come soon, after I regain control of our digital camera and wash the car.

I just found this cool podcast on all things MINI.

It has a bunch of information on all things MINI Cooper. It is quite enjoyable, and I highly recommend it to people with similar interests.

Oh, and I caught a glimps of a lime green Lotus Elise down either the 55 or 5 freeway just yesterday. Man, is that a nice car. Just not as sturdy as a MINI.

Pics of a MINI Cooper S in a 45 mph crash

Lotus Elise in a 10 mph crash