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THE
SUN SMILED ON THE MINI MANY AT MOLE VALLEY ON SUNDAY 3RD JUNE
2001...
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Who would have expected
to find over 40 Mini's in a UK Shopping Centre Car Park before
8am on a Sunday? - Surreal indeed, but it was here that the
fun began for me, and the many participants and organisers of
the 2nd Mole Valley Mini Tour
As a co-judge and
corporate sponsor of the tour, I found myself quite out of place
pulling into the car park in my company car, a very typical
'Euro-Box' and quite unlike any of the 'Character-Cars' that
I was here to observe and photograph.
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 As
I wandered around the car park, introducing myself and Phoenix
to the participants, it was very easy to see that every Mini
was completely unique. All Mini's, yet different, even though
many of the colour combinations might have been similar. Evident
to, was that many of the Mini-folk had spent serious amounts
of time and money on there ‘Pride and Joy’ machines. An excellent
turn out, and to a terrific standard.
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 Phoenix
Automotive Shipping, whilst not restricted to, tends to specialise
in the International Movement of Mini’s. The main market being
the USA. Whilst we here in the U.K. are able to glory in the purchase
of the last few remaining Mini's coming off the production line,
the emissions and safety Laws of the USA are prohibitive towards
the Importation of later Mini’s. However,
Mini's 25 years of age or earlier are permitted to enter the country
using an 'Antique Car Exemption' ruling. This fact, together with
the recent new legislation here in the UK, allowing cars of a
similar vintage to be made Tax Exempt, made the class of "Best
Tax Dodge" perfect for Phoenix sponsorship. And so.. the
'Phoenix Trophy Cup' class, for the 'Best tax Dodger Mini’ was
created, and will be ongoing for the years to come. |
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| With all entrants
at the ready, maps and rules issued, we were off!- Each contestant
being 'set loose' at one minute intervals. In the hour to come,
those 'minute gaps' seemed non existence, and 'Mini Convoys' soon
started to take shape very early into the Rally. My plan was to
wait around a corner at the first rail-bridge on route. "An
ideal photograph opportunity" I thought. Yet Only five minutes
into the Tour, and Mini's were coming at me from all sides!- I
honestly didn't expect to see so many 'lost' looking faces so
soon. Their Echoing 'A' series engines shattering the quiet piece
and tranquillity of the Surrey Countryside. This was a wake up
call...... Mini Style |
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  The
second Photo opportunity was even more interesting - A traffic
light controlled crossroads!- This junction sent the Mini’s under
another rail bridge, and off into the heart of the town. Now I
cant be absolute on this, but I'm pretty certain that the Mini’s
were supposed to be coming at me from the left... - Wrong!- They
came from right, they came from opposite, I even saw one on the
opposite side of the road completely going back on itself, and
another circling the ‘Mole valley Business Park’! - There were
laughs & smiles to be seen every where. I started to think
this may have been part of an 'untold plan' of Mr Maurice Shevlin,
the organiser of the event! |
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| I had the advantage
of being issued with a Map to short-cut in front of the route,
and the five check points on-route, in order to gain best vantage
point for photos of oncoming competitors. But with Mini’s darting
all around me in different directions, I soon became quite confused
and ended up as lost as many of the entrants! (A quick note of
thanks to the young guys who put us back on the right tracks-
Thanks Guys) |
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 NATURE
played it's part in the first half of the Tour. We've had some
great, sunny weather over here in the U.K. for the past couple
of weeks. Preceded by several months of heavy rain. A perfect
'Growth' combination, and a real adventure trying to find some
of the smaller directional signs under heavy blossom & overgrowth!
- Never-the-less, most of the field managed to find their way
to the mid-distance 'Tea-Stop' (eventually!) and there was a noticeable
expression of relief from many, that this was the place they had
been aiming for. |
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  Tea
was enjoyed by all and after a compulsory two laps of the Mini
Racing Game 'Gran Turismo' by each team navigator, we were soon
back on the road, and heading out on the second part of the
course. As most will probably agree, the second half was a lot
more relaxed, and mixed in some beautiful scenery. But the 'hunt'
was still on...
For anyone that's ever in the area of Dorking, Surrey, I can
heartily recommend a stop-over at a place called "Friday
Street" with it's beautifully peaceful lake, and picnic
area. Really nice, and not a million miles from Wood & Pickett's
main location, where their excellent product range can be purchased.
Ockley, a rather quaint but lovely village, with a community
obviously proud of their public flower displays, was our next
target location for photographing Mini's. The local home produce
& farm shop, usually the focus of village attention, suddenly
took a back seat to the dozens of Mini's that came flying round
the bends leading to the village borders. All of us of course
observed the speed limits through the villages, as we did whilst
out on the open roads!!!
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 Our
last point of photo opportunity was at a 'Pub Stop' (no really...
it was!) - This was a final stop for us before the Mini's made
their dash to the finish line - PAST the pub!
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CHEQUERED FLAG
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We
arrived at the finishing point sandwiched between Mini's. As
each Mini arrived, the teams stretched their weary legs, and
engaged in storey-swaps. The faces that once wore looks of frustration,
anxiety and bewilderment, were no longer. Replaced now with
simple happiness, excitement and laughter. This was great fun,
with a capital F, and there was a sadness that the end had now
been reached. But what a day... We look forward to next year,
to relive those moments that is... THE MOLE VALLEY MINI TOUR
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THANKS
 THANK
YOU to all of the shiny-happy Mini people that took part in
this wonderful event, without whom, none of this would have
been made possible. Thanks to for giving Andrew York (My boss)
and I the opportunity to participate in this event. Andrew,
in his RSP Mini Cooper, magnificently supported by his Navigator
wife, Karen, and children. And me, Emma Pittaway, one of just
a few Non-Mini runners taking part in the event. Thanks to my
driver Mark Travers (my other half) for taking on the Surrey
Country lanes in his Vauxhall Cavalier Supersport. Thanks to
Maurice Shevlin, the organiser of this event, and to Wood and
Pickett, the main sponsors of the event. and THANK YOU TO EVERYONE
WHO HELPED IN THE ORGANISING, PLANNING, RUNNING, SUPPORTING
AND PARTICIPATION OF THIS WONDERFUL EVENT. WELL DONE MAURICE
& JEFF, A GREAT DAY OUT.
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PRIZES & AWARDS
 There
were some lovely prizes on offer, ranging from screen wash &
tee-shirts, through to Wood & Pickett purchase vouchers,
worth £100.00 - Everyone received something, in keeping
with the spirit of the day. And whist there is an official placings
list, this was never going to be 'just about where an individual
came'... participation was the real name of the game, and in
that, we were ALL winners. Official
placings and prize giving details to be submitted by Mr Maurice
Shevlin.
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THE PHOENIX TROPHY
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Our congratulations to Mini Entrant
No. 37, that of Mr Chris Tennant and navigator Katie Price of
Crawley, who were awarded the Phoenix "Best Tax Dodge Award"
with their, all original, 1964 Rally Green Mini CooperS, complete
with 'dig-u-out' spade kit on the rear parcel shelf. Not pristine,
but very complete, and used regularly. Not bad, considering
it was hauled from a barn store only last year!- A deserved
winner from the nine entrants in this category.
  
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AND SO IT ENDS...
 The
award ceremony, all in great sprit and camaraderie, brought
the day of the Mole valley Mini Tour to a conclusion, and as
we left, talk was of next years event. A true sign of success.
So don't forget to book your place in the MVMT 3rd Tour early,
as this event is just going to get bigger and better.
Again.. our thanks to Maurice,
his good wife, and children, to Jeff and all concerned in making
this a truly memorable 'MINI-TASTIC' day -
Urh!- And please may we have
some more of that lovely sunshine next year to!-
Team Phoenix
A personal account of the
2nd Mole Valley Mini Tour
written by Emma Pittaway, Phoenix Cargo.
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PLACINGS
& MORE INFO & IMAGES
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