The bone stock Mini-S in the Open Track Challenge beat me on two tracks, one
of which was Willow Springs. Most sobering, as my ZX is far far far from
stock these days. It's simply amazing what 12 years of engineering and $20K
can do...
-Carl
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kelly, Katie [mailto:kkelly@spss.com]
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 1:57 PM
> To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: OF MINIS AND MEN
>
>
> While walking downtown for a loaf of bread, life's nagging
> question again appeared in flashing neon form against the
> cloudy gray backdrop of my brain: Can you fit a bike in the
> new Mini Cooper?
>
> And then, just as I blocked the sign from my head, what would
> appear but a brand new Mini Cooper, fresh from the dealership
> in Pleasanton, which had parallel parked directly next to
> where I was walking. A small crowd of three had gathered,
> whilst the car's proud new owner opened up various doors for
> our inspection, and bragged of the car's misleading speed.
> Now was my chance. I simply need to know: can you fit a bike
> in a Mini? I received a complete tour of the car, inside and
> out. I must say, with creative seat placement, I think it's possible.
>
> Meanwhile, a much older gawking gentleman gafawed at my questions.
>
> And then I asked, "Now, is this Cooper, or the Cooper S?"
>
> The older gawker interjected, "Cooper S?! What's that, the
> car for GIRLS? He elbowed his buddy."
>
> "You bet. It's got more horsepower."
>
> He snorted and belched, and said, "Now, what're YOU gonna do
> with THAT?"
>
> "Well, race it probably." An exaggeration, but I like messing
> with people's minds.
>
> "So YOU are going to go take this where, what's it called, up
> to Santa Rosa? What's the track called? Penney's Point?"
>
> "You mean Sears Point?"
>
> Okay, I made up the very last sentence, but the rest really
> happened. The fellow who actually owns the car immediately
> recognized me as someone who might actually almost know what
> she's talking about, and answered more of my questions with
> great enthusiasm, and, better yet, completely ignored the
> gawker. One small step for woman kind, one near kick in the
> groin for the gawker.
>
> Too bad I'm so poor, though. Lucy needs a playmate. But no,
> Mother, don't worry. Two bikes and a Miata are MORE than enough!
>
> Two laps of breaststroke today, and I climbed out of the pool
> with one arm, a big jump, and NO ladder.
>
> Katie K.
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