The Second Southern MINI GP2 Meet-up and Run-out
Discussion
I think all of us who went on the inaugural GP2 meet and run so ably organised by Tom (MDifficult) would agree that it was a fun morning spent hooning around the Cotswolds with like minded folk, and that the group of identical cars made for a great sight (and sound).
So, as I promised on the day, I'm up for arranging a second one down my way (West Sussex/Hampshire) if people want. Lots of great roads back and forth across the Downs, a few hills, and plenty of twisties. I've organised a few runs for my club around the area, and these roads always prove popular. Goodwood Motor Circuit will be on the route, so I'll be intending to have a photo stop there, depending on what else is happening on the day.
Same as for the first one, MINI GP2s only please. Would be good to get a few more this time, though ideally no more than ten cars to keep the group manageable. Co-pilots are of course welcome. If he's available on the day, I'm hoping to get my photographer friend to come along for the ride to get some shots for us.
The date; I'm thinking end of September or early October, once everyone's summer holidays are out of the way, and before the autumn mornings get too dark for early starts.
My first choice of date would be Sunday 30th September. One week earlier will be the Velo Sussex cycling event, with lots of road closures, and a week later will be the Japanese Sunday breakfast club at Goodwood, which would rule out access to the circuit. So let me know if this suits.
I'll be aiming for an early start again, and to get the bulk of the driving done before the roads get too busy. How early will depend on the time of sunrise at the time of year. As with the first run, I'll distribute the final route details nearer the date by email or Signal messenger.
Any questions, please shout! And the same if you have any suggestions.
So here goes for my first PH event ... please indicate your interest by cutting/pasting the list of names and adding yourself to the bottom.
NeilAndHisMini (Neil) West Sussex
So, as I promised on the day, I'm up for arranging a second one down my way (West Sussex/Hampshire) if people want. Lots of great roads back and forth across the Downs, a few hills, and plenty of twisties. I've organised a few runs for my club around the area, and these roads always prove popular. Goodwood Motor Circuit will be on the route, so I'll be intending to have a photo stop there, depending on what else is happening on the day.
Same as for the first one, MINI GP2s only please. Would be good to get a few more this time, though ideally no more than ten cars to keep the group manageable. Co-pilots are of course welcome. If he's available on the day, I'm hoping to get my photographer friend to come along for the ride to get some shots for us.
The date; I'm thinking end of September or early October, once everyone's summer holidays are out of the way, and before the autumn mornings get too dark for early starts.
My first choice of date would be Sunday 30th September. One week earlier will be the Velo Sussex cycling event, with lots of road closures, and a week later will be the Japanese Sunday breakfast club at Goodwood, which would rule out access to the circuit. So let me know if this suits.
I'll be aiming for an early start again, and to get the bulk of the driving done before the roads get too busy. How early will depend on the time of sunrise at the time of year. As with the first run, I'll distribute the final route details nearer the date by email or Signal messenger.
Any questions, please shout! And the same if you have any suggestions.
So here goes for my first PH event ... please indicate your interest by cutting/pasting the list of names and adding yourself to the bottom.
NeilAndHisMini (Neil) West Sussex
I've been looking at the possibility of buying a GP. They are so few and far between that getting a test run in one has proved difficult. How would you as owners describe the ride overall. I can appreciate that with the suspension set-up it's never going to be smooth but is it over firm if I can use that term to describe it. I'm assuming that on a motorway it's probably quite good but how about B and C roads.
BIRMA said:
I've been looking at the possibility of buying a GP. They are so few and far between that getting a test run in one has proved difficult. How would you as owners describe the ride overall. I can appreciate that with the suspension set-up it's never going to be smooth but is it over firm if I can use that term to describe it. I'm assuming that on a motorway it's probably quite good but how about B and C roads.
TBH, I think you’re definitely worrying about the wrong thing. The suspension is no doubt firm, but never crashy. On the motorway it’s fine, on B&C roads it’s bloody fantastic! To give you an idea, my M5 has three settings, sport, normal and comfort. I rarely ever use sport on the road because it’s too damn jiggly. The GP is less.
All that said, the issue as a daily is other stuff... no back seats make the interior a little boomy for long motorway runs, and the stereo is only in the front and is the most basic of basic.
However, if you’re over 30 and ever went in an old cheap Renault as a kid (say a Renault 5) then the Mini GP2 is as upmarket and cosseting as a Rolls Royce! It all depends what you’re comparing it with
MDifficult said:
BIRMA said:
I've been looking at the possibility of buying a GP. They are so few and far between that getting a test run in one has proved difficult. How would you as owners describe the ride overall. I can appreciate that with the suspension set-up it's never going to be smooth but is it over firm if I can use that term to describe it. I'm assuming that on a motorway it's probably quite good but how about B and C roads.
TBH, I think you’re definitely worrying about the wrong thing. The suspension is no doubt firm, but never crashy. On the motorway it’s fine, on B&C roads it’s bloody fantastic! To give you an idea, my M5 has three settings, sport, normal and comfort. I rarely ever use sport on the road because it’s too damn jiggly. The GP is less.
All that said, the issue as a daily is other stuff... no back seats make the interior a little boomy for long motorway runs, and the stereo is only in the front and is the most basic of basic.
However, if you’re over 30 and ever went in an old cheap Renault as a kid (say a Renault 5) then the Mini GP2 is as upmarket and cosseting as a Rolls Royce! It all depends what you’re comparing it with
MDifficult said:
Is there really? I wonder who was behind that?
Was it the July edition? I might buy it and check it out, or could you post a picture?
It was me ... used to write a bit for Modern MINI so thought I'd do something for the new mag.Was it the July edition? I might buy it and check it out, or could you post a picture?
Still trying to pin down a date for the second outing. I have a few more interested, but 30th September is now a non starter. Can't go any earlier as a couple of us will be on a Euro road trip in mid September, so might have to put it back to mid October, if the mornings aren't too dark for an early start by then.
NeilAndHisMini said:
It was me ... used to write a bit for Modern MINI so thought I'd do something for the new mag.
Still trying to pin down a date for the second outing. I have a few more interested, but 30th September is now a non starter. Can't go any earlier as a couple of us will be on a Euro road trip in mid September, so might have to put it back to mid October, if the mornings aren't too dark for an early start by then.
Early October should be fine I think. Still trying to pin down a date for the second outing. I have a few more interested, but 30th September is now a non starter. Can't go any earlier as a couple of us will be on a Euro road trip in mid September, so might have to put it back to mid October, if the mornings aren't too dark for an early start by then.
Could you share a link or a screen grab of the story?
Apologies for the lack of progress with this, I've been struggling to come up with a suitable date in late September or early October as originally suggested.
However a possibility has presented itself for early November if people are interested.
Goodwood have announced that the theme for the last breakfast club of the year on Sunday 4th November will be Hot Hatch Sunday. Doesn't usually get much love on PH, but it's one of my favourites. Last time they did this theme I was lucky enough to be allocated a place on the grid for the GP2, and hoping to do so again.
So I had the idea that we could maybe get a few GP2s together again at this event, with a meet up first and a bit of a drive through the Downs to get there, and maybe some more afterwards late morning, with possibly a spot of lunch somewhere.
For those who haven't been to a breakfast club at Goodwood before or recently, you now need to register your car and apply for a place in advance. They will then allocate places and issue tickets nearer the event.
https://www.goodwood.com/sports/motorsport/breakfa...
So, anyone else interested?
However a possibility has presented itself for early November if people are interested.
Goodwood have announced that the theme for the last breakfast club of the year on Sunday 4th November will be Hot Hatch Sunday. Doesn't usually get much love on PH, but it's one of my favourites. Last time they did this theme I was lucky enough to be allocated a place on the grid for the GP2, and hoping to do so again.
So I had the idea that we could maybe get a few GP2s together again at this event, with a meet up first and a bit of a drive through the Downs to get there, and maybe some more afterwards late morning, with possibly a spot of lunch somewhere.
For those who haven't been to a breakfast club at Goodwood before or recently, you now need to register your car and apply for a place in advance. They will then allocate places and issue tickets nearer the event.
https://www.goodwood.com/sports/motorsport/breakfa...
So, anyone else interested?
Sorry I've been a bit quiet on this again, have spent the last few weeks planning, booking, and finally going on an epic Euro road trip with a couple of friends. Two GP2s and a JCW, twelve days, seven countries, over two and a half thousand miles, and a whole lot of bucket list items ticked off. Will do a full write up and pics in my own thread when I get time.
Anyway, back to the meet up. I've applied for a place at the breakfast club but haven't heard anything back yet. I imagine they'll wait until the early October meet is sorted out before processing applications for the hot hatch one.
Anyway, back to the meet up. I've applied for a place at the breakfast club but haven't heard anything back yet. I imagine they'll wait until the early October meet is sorted out before processing applications for the hot hatch one.
Right, just had my entry confirmed for the breakfast club on November 4th, so I'm happy to arrange a little run down to Goodwood if people still want to get a group of GP2s together at the event.
Detailed plan to follow, but I'd be looking to meet near Petersfield to leave around 7:00.
Detailed plan to follow, but I'd be looking to meet near Petersfield to leave around 7:00.
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