As part of our 50th anniversary tribute to the Mini, we were invited to Taupo to check out the annual Mini Fun day promoted by the Mini Racing Drivers Club of NZ Inc
It was a crispy start to the morning leaving Auckland at sparrows and, with an NZCC shutter man at the wheel, we headed south hoping to beat the dark weather front that seemed to be heading to the same destination.
On arrival at Taupo track there was a frenzy of activity on and off the circuit as drivers, mechanics and myriads of helpers rallied 
around, organising the day’s activities. As luck would have it, the weather — albeit absolutely freezing cold — remained fairly fine for the best part of the day. However, by mid-afternoon it started to get rather ugly, but that didn’t deter the enthusiasm of the Mini drivers one iota.
The meeting was run in two separate events during the day, with drivers able to enter one or the other. Invited clubs included Minis Waikato Inc, Mini Car Club Auckland, Minis of Manawatu and Minis of Wellington Owners’ Group, with the purpose of the day to promote the MRDC and circuit racing to other Mini enthusiasts.
I believe that all Mini owners could actually attend, providing they were members of a MotorSport NZ-affiliated club.
Firstly, the Clubsport Competitor Coaching Sessions gave drivers the opportunity to drive around the track at their own pace, whilst testing and developing skills in a non-racing situation. Generally, there were several cars spaced around the track at any one time.
Secondly, the Clubsport Circuit Dual Car sessions involved close competition between two cars over a five-lap duration from a standing start; essentially this was an informal un-timed event. It also gave drivers the opportunity to match themselves with competition, with no less than eight cars starting from the grid, with each pair launching 10 seconds apart. Competitor coaching sessions continued to run in between Dual Sprint groups, allowing all drivers the option of spreading their activities over the whole 
day.
It was necessary for all drivers to participate in the Coaching sessions before Dual Sprinting in the afternoon sessions.
Buckling Up
Normal scrutineering procedures were carried out prior to racing, and all Minis eligible for competition had to comply with MotorSport New Zealand Schedule A requirements. Any Mini with a standard WoF and a fire extinguisher (Sch A 4.6) was also eligible. Classes of cars participating included Mini 7, Mini Miglia, Super Mini, Open Class and Mini club members’ private road cars which, I have to admit, were fairly impressive on the track.
Passengers wanting a ride could, providing they were invited by the car owner, as part of driver coaching, or as an appreciation of support as friends and sponsors, which meant me.
Robin Greenland was kind enough to buckle me into his fully race prepared Mini (Number 12) and take me for a ride. Robin 
competes in the Mini Miglia series (restricted to 1380cc) and is the current lap record holder in his class at Taupo.
No! I wasn’t scared. Okay, just a bit — especially as getting into the car was a challenge in itself. However, once buckled in securely (I literally couldn’t move) we were off. The first thing I noticed was how relaxed and professional Robin was in his whole approach to motor racing. As we headed out on to the track, safety for all concerned was paramount as far as Robin was concerned, and once on the circuit it only took a second or two to understand why this man is the lap record holder.
At this point, I must apologise to NZCC readers — I did actually try to video my on-track experience (for later uploading to our website), but filming was easier said than done. For a start there was very little room to even hold a video camera and, in order to film, I was actually obstructing Robin’s view. I wasn’t too keen on that idea, nor was he for that matter. Also, given the fact that I was struggling to even hang on to the camera, let alone try and keep it still, the enterprise was near impossible anyway.
Heading around the track with Robin was an eye-opening experience for someone like me, who thinks that big, old and heavy gas-guzzling V8s are the be all and end all. Robin’s Mini was unbelievably quick, and handled sensationally as he threw it into every corner, taking every line perfectly to ensure maximum speed in and maximum speed out.
Along the straights it seemed like we passed everything in sight as Robin calmly piloted his pocket rocket into the braking areas at 
full speed with relative ease. There was never any hint of under oversteer from the Mini’s obviously rigid chassis, except for a slight drift as we carried out of the corners.
Mind you, the noise emanating from the other side of the firewall was deafening, as the four cylinder 1380cc, 92kW (124bhp) engine seemed to hit maximum revs instantly as Robin selected each dog’ box cog at precisely the right time, every time. Unfortunately, just as I was getting used to all this excitement it was our turn to head into the pit area so the next group could head out.
A truly awesome experience. Robin’s commentary whilst out on the track gave me some insight to this man’s absolute passion for racing these little icons of motoring history — and was a fitting end to a cold, but exciting day at the race track.
Words: Ashley Webb Photos: Dan Wakelin
This article is from Classic Car issue 224. Click here to check it out.
