Three MINIs, Ten Countries, One Giant Adventure.
Three MINI Cooper S hatches completed the final leg of a 49-day, thrill-a-minute adventure yesterday. At the end of the 8,000-mile journey that took them from South Africa to England across ten countries, they arrived at Plant Oxford, the home of MINI.
Having set off from Johannesburg on 8 March 2006, this overland voyage saw the trio of MINIs navigate the eastern side of Africa, travelling through Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. Decorated top-to-toe in South African flags, the MINIs were tested at every opportunity as they sped across Africa’s diverse terrain, conquering demanding mountain paths, vast expanses of desert land and gazelle-filled grassy plains.
MINI South Africa set the challenge. Diana Blake, General Manager for MINI South Africa, said: “MINI is a car that looks, feels and drives like no other. MINI’s classless appeal and myriad abilities inspired this journey during which we demonstrated that we can take our great little car, literally, to the furthest extremes.â€ÂÂ
The continent-conquering MINIs needed very few modifications. Aside from raising the ground clearance to approximately 230mm, changing the shock absorbers and adding steel rims and robust tyres, the cars were mechanically identical to the MINIs available to customers.
A further requirement for MINI Odyssey was that each MINI Cooper S be essentially self-sufficient for the entire journey. This involved the removal of the rear seats and interior cladding in order to accommodate the supplies needed. Each car carried two spare wheels, food and all sleeping equipment required by the team.
The drivers were led by Roger Pearce, Chairman of Motorsport South Africa and three-time winner of the South African Historic Championship. Steve Mearns, journalist and rally driver, took charge of the second MINI. Matthew Nash, a certified MINI mechanic and racecar builder, piloted the third.
Pearce said: “For this trip to succeed we needed a top quality car. North of Kenya the roads just deteriorate into stony desert tracks and when we reached Ethiopia and explained our journey to some interested locals, they laughed in disbelief. They were sceptical that we’d make it in anything smaller than a four-wheel drive truck, yet here we are! Our adventure is now complete and none of the MINIs suffered a single mechanical breakdown.â€ÂÂ
The team put the MINI trio through their final few paces as they crossed the Mediterranean by ferry into Italy. They then headed up through France and finally reached England.
The entire MINI Odyssey was broadcast live via the MINI Odyssey website, www.miniodyssey.co.za.
Now if we can get the float attachment to do the U.S. to Oxford run…
Seriously though, sounds like a great adventure! I wish I had the time and money to do something like this at least once in my life.
“MINIs classless appeal”…
I know what was meant by this comment, it just struck me as funny.
I would love to participate in an event like that!
<blockquote>MINIs classless appealâ€ÂÂ…
I know what was meant by this comment, it just struck me as funny.</blockquote>
Burp
Yeah, I like them minis too.
scratches and adjusts self
<blockquote>The continent-conquering MINIs needed very few modifications. Aside from raising the ground clearance to approximately 230mm, changing the shock absorbers and adding steel rims and robust tyres, the cars were mechanically identical to the MINIs available to customers.</blockquote>
Speaking of modifications, I notice that in the header picture #10 above that you have a modification (the blue bar with a bolt in it) what is it exactly and do you like it?
That blue bar is, I believe, a rear sway bar. It’s the first suspension mod recommended by almost everyone for the MINI. The one pictured is adjustable, allowing the driver to tune the steering for better performance in tighter or broader turns.
You could do a USA to Oxford run – go north through Alaska and ferry across to Russia. The Africans crossed the Mediterranean by ferry so it wasnt a drive all the way there.
I love the pic in front the pyramids… Darn! I missed this having returned from Egypt a two weeks ago… Two million cars and I think I saw one MINI but nothing confirmed since my views were from the tour bus at night. It would have been nice to have a guaranteed sight of at least one. I’m jealous, but then again seeing Cairo traffic, I don’t think I would have wanted to put my MINI thorugh it (Very… very surreal).
So now they have arrived. They got those KOOL MINI shirts, very envious, drank some bubbly and now what? Are they going to re-drive it back to South Africa? Ship them back, What? Can I go?!
Who won the all expenses paid trip to Oxford? I signed up did anybody else? If anybody won it please post.
Inquiring minds want to know right Capn……… :¬)
What’s the matter with the current generation? Do they have to be spoon fed and organised?
Back in the 60’s we thought nothing of jumping into our ancient cars eg 1932 Morris Minor or Austin 7 and heading for Moscow, Turkey, North Cape etc. In 1965 I drove my 1962 Mini Cooper round the Med going as far south as Aswan – even camped next to the pyramids and in the Garden of Gethsemane. No credit cards, sponsors, breakdown cover, mobile phones, GPS even 3rd party insurance in most countries in those days. I saw 3 minis then, one in Lebanon, one in Libya and a van with 2 Oz girls in Turkey, then in Jerusalem and a couple of months later back in London!
So think of somewhere and go!
Fancy driving the MINIs through the Alps instead of over them! What wimps!