Our week started in Miami after the end of the MTTS event at Homestead Raceway as we headed north. We drove a lot, tried not to eat too much junk food and got to have a great MINI experience!
A lot happened between Florida and Boston. Long days starting at 6:00am, driving all day, then not getting into our rooms until midnight and later. There was so much going on, you’ll have to check the photos and video. There were, however, a few standouts.
Starting with our stop in Charleston where MINI of Charleston hosted a great meet-up, beach party style! Great food, boiled peanuts and Tony the peanut man! In the background, the sky was interrupted by an aircraft carrier, which made a fantastic backdrop.
Here it is, all of the audio from MTTS 2008. Listen in as we start in Miami and work our way north to Boston. With many interviews along the way.
Some of you have asked about the MINI we drove. We had an Astro Black R56 S with body colored roof, sunroof and automatic transmission. Yes, we know we are Whiteroofradio. I think someone at MINI USA was having a little bit of fun with us.
This is the last of the audio and there is quite a bit of it. I still have more coming in the shape of video and photos, so you can watch for those later today.
Over the past months there has been quite a low level rumble from MINI enthusiasts about the lack of availability of LSD (Limited Slip Differential) on the new factory JCW MINI. The engineers have opted, instead, for an EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). The reason for the EDLC over the LSD is due to the fact that with a mechanical LSD, the high amount of torque in the JCW MINI causes the LSD to engage too quickly causing what’s been referred to as “anti-torque steer”. Torque steer is something that usually causes the steering to pull to one side under hard acceleration.
What they found with LSD on the JCW MINI was that it caused the car to want to pull the steering back to center and go straight under hard acceleration – not a desirable, or safe, effect in a lot of situations. This is a simplistic, easy to understand explanation and I’m sure a dissertation could be written on the technical aspects of force and intertia involved but hopefully this will help answer the question as to why no LSD. In the end, both options were tested and the EDLC gave the JCW the best handling. continued →
Exclusive! The Factory JCW will be getting the burble exhaust sound back as was on late R53 models. This is great news and you can see and hear for yourself at your local dealer starting July 14.
The MTTS road-trip continues. We just hit Boston last night and this is the first internet access we’ve had in two days. And this is not to mention the only time we’ve seen the inside of a hotel room in the last two days has been between 1 AM and 6 AM. We plan on having some updates tonight and/or in the morning. continued →
MINI UK Press Release: MINI has won the City Car/Supermini category of this year’s highly influential British Insurance Car Security Awards – yet another accolade for MINI’s trophy cabinet.
Awarded on the basis of its New Vehicle Security Ratings (a scoring system measuring ‘theft of’ and ‘theft from’), MINI beat its rivals to secure first place in the award that has become a leading indicator of all that is best in vehicle security. continued →
In Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC, talking to MINI Owners including our friend Murray who we actually convinced to join us at one more MTTS event!
Oh yea, and Tony the Peanut Man! Awe. Some. If you don’t know you’d better ax somebody!
The journey continues onward to Boston. Watch for more stuff coming.
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Sections: MTTS Jun 26th, 2008 4 Comments 
