Fantastic day with MINI at Bedford Autodrome which included some 'soft' off-roading, pursuit trials, track work and 2 flying laps in a German spec MINI challenge car.

The day was superb from start to finish laid on with MINI's usual creative flair and I will be providing a full write up tomorrow on my thoughts having now driven the Countryman in Cooper Auto, Cooper Diesel and Cooper S All4 guises off road and on track and the results might surprise you.

However, here's a few random taster pics:

Nicely specified Countryman S All4 with aerokit





Sneak peak at new Roadster Concept, video walk around on its way.



Hot R56 MINI Challenge Laps, even in the wet they corner like you wouldn't believe...



Few sneaky shots of the new Coupe Concept, not being launched in the UK until September 2011 sadly.




Nice silver R56 JCW Calipers



Facelift John Cooper Works, MINI have listened to our love of GP style dials






And yes, this is how dirty the rest of the group got their Countryman after two laps of the off-road course, they were all clean before...



And this is how dirty Team MT got it once we told our Palmersport guide that Adam Foster (our resident race driver) was an MT member and he taught us everything we knew, to which he replied "Traction control off and lets see you drift it with the handbrake and as much gas as she'll take...." two laps later and it ended up like this...



Full review of the entire day including a write up of the Cooper Auto, Cooper Diesel and Cooper S All4 coming shortly. Keep an eye on this thread for more info: MINI Countryman Preview Day - Bedford Autodrome - 26th August 2010 - MiniTorque.com

Bit of thrown together video, we need a dedicated MT film crew!

YouTube - Team MT @ MINI Countryman VIP Track Day - Bedford Autodrome - 26th August 2010

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www.t-torque.com -Awesome car tees

loving what you did to your countryman on the offroad coarse!

Great pics,

Looks good fun!

Sorry guys, but I have to say I hate the Countryman. It's a bloated, gargantuan looking thing, the side profile is too busy, and looking at it from the rear makes it resemble a moose.

Bleuurgh.

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Mini Cooper S R56 'Metallic Beige'
Mods? Not a thing, ta! :P

There may be something on the cards with ELMS Stansted on the 18th/19th September - i'm working with them now so hopefully will have some details to talk about next week.

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Have Got ~ PlayMINI Exhaust, Dave.F Hybrid Air Filter, Custom BBR I/C Intake, Paul Martin & AndyH Detail, JCW AeroKit Front Bumper and Side Skirts, JCW GP Rear Bumper Trims, Aero Grill.
To Get ~ , 11% or 15% Reduction Pulley & Janspeed Manifold

I like Moose, not sure that I could eat a whole one though

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