New tires for GBMINI#3

Posted on by Ian C.

I finally decided this week to order new tires – swimming against the tide, I chose 205/55WR-16 Avon Tech M550 A/S tires.
I was swayed by the excellent ratings on TireRack across the board – traction in wet, dry and snow conditions all rate well, as does comfort; the tire is not available in 205/50 so I chose the 205/55 in the belief that there won’t be an issue – I can’t imagine a tire diameter about 0.3″ bigger than stock being a significant difference, and opinions on the NAM tire forum confirmed this.

The tires arrived today, so I headed down to MINI of Peabody to get them installed (an extra benefit of having MoP do the work – as well as my confidence in them – is that GBMINI#3 is once again clean!)

Minolta DSC
Minolta DSC

 

I took some old and new tire comparison shots, to see if the wheels were significantly bigger – and I really don’t see any cause for concern! Remember also I was going from an undersized tire (205/50 is smaller diameter than the stock 195/55); the change going from a stock runflat 195/55 to the 205/55 would be even less significant:

Front wheel comparison
Rear wheel comparison
Rear wheel comparison close-up

If you want to compare different wheel/tire sizes, a great website is the Wheel & Tyre Bible which has masses of information including a calculator that shows the 205/55R16 being 5mm radius more than the 195/55R16 (the Indycar team partly owned by David Letterman! Good luck Bryan – though I’m sure you won’t need it 🙂

MINIsOnTop 2006 sponsors #5

Posted on by Ian C.

Time once again to thank the generous sponsors of MINIsOnTop 2006!

Firstly, thanks to Concord Motorsport for the donation of a DINAN Strut Tower Brace.
Another local company, Bavarian Autosport, has donated two $50 gift certificates – thanks.

Thanks also to OutMotoring; they have sent a whole package of stuff to MINIsOnTop, including Tshirts, a MINI storage unit, and a pile of window decals.

Finally, a huge THANKS to SSG Precision Optronics; this company does not make MINI-related products, but employs MINI owners – they have sent a $250 check which will be included in the charity donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts later this year.

Remember also that MINIsOnTop is raffling a JCW upgrade, donated by MINI of Peabody – the sale of $25 tickets has raised almost $1000 already.

Next week we will be formally announcing a SECOND major raffle prize from Herb Chambers MINI of Boston similar to their huge donation last year – watch this space for more news, and contact me if you are interested in raffle tickets for either major MINIsOnTop prize.

Previous MINIsOnTop sponsor shout-outs:
Prestige MINI, GBMINI circuits, North American Motoring, and John, Gayle and TiNY
The major raffle prize from MINI of Peabody
National Motorists Association, SooperCoopers, Chip and Derek
OceanStateMINI club, WebbMotorSports, Bentley Publishers
Oxford Motorsports, Miniature Trailers, Pete, Becca

Many thanks to all MINIsOnTop sponsors!

Motoring Hearts at MINI of Peabody

Posted on by Ian C.

There is a new MINI campaign, partly advertising and partly goodwill promotion, called Motoring Hearts (the link will throw a pop-up window):
Lets Make A Difference
Motoring is about more than just driving. It’s about chugging life down in great big gulps. And helping others out along the way.

Somewhat reminiscent of Coopers For Caregivers a few years ago.

Part of the new campaign includes a Motoring Hearts booklet, badge and a Motoring Hearts lapel:

Minolta DSC

The Motoring Hearts badge (double-sided tape on the back to stick to your car or not!), and the Motoring Hearts lapel pin:

MINI Motoring Hearts
Minolta DSC

MINI of Peabody has decided to tie their upcoming Spring Rally with the Motoring Hearts campaign, and with the Jimmy Fund – here is the announcement from Paul Taylor, General Sales Manager:
At our April 23rd Spring Rally we will collect donations for the Jimmy Fund-Dana-Farber cancer Institute.
The event is free to all that attend, and you are under no obligation to donate. However- Any person who donates $20.00 or more will receive a high quality “MINI Motoring Hearts” Car Badge.

A description of the MINI Motoring Hearts Program is available on line at WWW.MINIMOTORINGHEARTS.COM. On this site, you will also find other ways to donate time or services. This is a very worthwhile and personally rewarding national program that MINI is funding and promoting, and we encourage all to get involved in some way.

In addition;
MINI of Peabody has donated a John Cooper Works Kit to MinisOnTop, all proceeds to go to the Make a Wish Foundation of Massachusetts. Any person purchasing a ticket at our Spring Rally will also receive a Car Badge.