Manhattan Snow Plow Takes Out Mini Cooper, Caught On Tape [VIDEO]

As a MINI owner I am still in empathetic shock.

Crash Tuesday [Photo]

"A one car accident sent a Wagram man to the hospital Wednesday morning after his 2006 Mini Cooper struck a bridge pillar and overturned on Highway 15-501, according to officials on the scene. His injuries were believed to be minor."  [Source: www.laurinburgexchange.com]

Crash Tuesday [Photo]

On a more somber note, this in from NorCal...

"The 19-year-old driver of a Mini Cooper who crashed into a mini-van last weekend, killing a Sonoma family of four, was arrested for drunken driving when he was 17, according to the CHP..."

Hopefully this is no one we know... (funny how they don't even try to fuzz out the plate number!)

Full Story: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20091201/ARTICLES/912019981/1033

Deputies seize 129 grams of pot packaged for sale.

By HERNANDO TODAY STAFF
Published: July 21, 2009

SPRING HILL - Deputies seized a combined 129 grams of marijuana packaged for sale on Monday and Tuesday.

The first arrest came as a deputy noticed a speeding black Mini Cooper fail to dim its lights as it traveled south on Shoal Line Boulevard, a report states.

The car was pulled over and the deputy said he smelled marijuana coming from the car. The driver, Darrin Foreman, 18, told the deputy the pot was in a white grocery bag on the back seat, a report states.

Foreman reportedly added that he was given the drug for free to sell. He was arrested on a charge of possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana. A deputy weighed the bag at 114 grams..."

Full story at: hernandotoday.com

Lesson: Don't forget to kill your high-beams! LOL get it- high... beams... :)

Hartford Man, Apparently Fueled By Heroin, Crashes Into Hydrant - Courant.com

Sucks to be this guy!!

Hartford Man, Apparently Fueled By Heroin, Crashes Into Hydrant - Courant.com

By LYNN DOAN The Hartford Courant

10:23 AM EDT, July 26, 2009

HARTFORD - A 34-year-old Hartford man, who appears to have been under the influence of heroin, barreled through a red light at Broad Street and Capitol Avenue this morning before knocking down a fire hydrant in front of The Hartford Courant headquarters and then crashing into a median, police said.

Witnesses told police that Noel Salaberrios of Hartford had run a red light while heading northbound on Broad Street, nearly hitting a pedestrian, and then lost control and crashed into a fire hydrant outside the Courant building. Salaberrios apparently swerved after hitting the fire hydrant and crashed into a median on Broad Street, where he was found by a police officer at about 9:30 a.m.

Police found Salaberrios unconscious, clutching two empty bags of heroin in a 2006 silver MINI Cooper. A needle was found on the console of the car.

Salaberrios was taken to Hartford Hospital. The Metropolitan District was at the scene this morning to retrieve the fire hydrant, which had flown into the bushes planted outside the Courant building.

Copyright © 2009, The Hartford Courant

Posted using ShareThis

Crash Tuesday

 

(slightly edited)*

"At 23:15 on January 28, 2007, Taiwanese actress Beatrice Hsu Wei Lun (许玮伦)'s  Mini Cooper was driven by her assistant and she was sitting in the front seat of the car. The car smashed into a pretective fence on the Taichung stretch of Taiwan’s National Highway  and spun out to the other side of the highway and the car stopped horizontally between outer lane and the road shoulder. According to witness, her Mini Cooper was travelling at around 120-130km/h.

Wei Lun unbuckled her seat belt as she thought it was safe after the car stopped. The Mini Cooper’s rear-end was hit by a freight vehicle immediately. The collision cause the Mini Cooper tailstock serious hollow aberration. The front airbag failed to deploy during the collission occured as airbags are not designed to deploy in rear impact collission.

Wei Lun’s head was seriously fractured and she fell into a deep coma. After 43 hours of emergency treatment, her heartbeat stopped at 17:09 and she passed away on January 28, 2007 local time due to hydrocephalus."

*[source: http://www.malaysiaminilover.com/mini-cooper-and-beatrice-hsu-wei-lun]

WORLD PREMIERE OF THE NEW MINI CABRIO AND THE MINI E.

Allow me to be the 6254th website and blog to discuss the "World Premiere" of the MINI Cabrio, and the MINI E At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past week. I put "World Premiere" in quotes because, well, if you're reading this, then you are probably a big fan of the MINI, and if you're a big fan of the MINI, you've seen the photos and videos circulating the Internet as early as 6 months ago.

But alas, how could I not write post about it. But even better than that, how about some video! :)



Now, the Cabrio showed up on the MINIUSA.com configurator a few weeks ago, but I didn't take notice because I've been drooling over the JCWs for the last six months. (More on this later). Alas, now I must decide if my next MINI is a Cabrio or JCW... :)

:bmp:

Related links:

• MINIUSA.COM
• North American International Auto Show

"Keys and Car Stolen as Mum and I Slept"

[Ed. note: I read stories like this one every day... For some reason I am compelled to post this one.]

By Gina Marden, echo-news.co.uk

"A YOUNG woman has been left devastated after burglars stole her car after breaking into her home.

Sherri Saunders, 20, saved up for three years for the 2002 Mini Cooper S which she only enjoyed for three weeks before it was taken.

The shop assistant and model had been saving since passing her driving test. Her dad, Paul, discovered the car was missing from their driveway when he returned from work.

Sherri, 20, of Pound Lane, Bowers Gifford, said: “I was in shock at first and then what happened started to kick in a couple of days later.”

Her dad Paul, 48, added: “I just feel destroyed for her. She’s been crying every day. It’s so unfair.”

Paul is offering £1,000 for information given to police which leads to the return of the car..."

[the part that makes me laugh, sort of]

"...Detectives are still looking for the Mini, which was grey with a black roof and black stripes on the bonnet which continue on to the bumper."

Gee- that narrows it down!

Read the complete article at echo-news.co.uk

MINImus Omnibus: News at a Glance

It's been kinda dead the last few days on Bushfinger MINI- certainly not due to a lack of MINI related news, but moreso a combination of 1) yours truly relocating to new abode (i forgot how much moving sucks), 2) a deluge of over-recycled news (mostly old news to MINIacs), and 3) quite frankly, all the other "big" MINI news, seems to be a tad bit over-covered lately.

photo found on motoringunderground.com

Here are a few recent bits I find somewhat interesting that may or may not already be posted on 100 other blogs:

LA Times writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."
[at latimes.com]

MINI among Mercedes-Benz E320 and Tesla Roadster in "Fuel-Efficient Cars You Actually Want to Drive"
"With the current economic downturn, increasingly high fuel prices and a growing concern for the environment, many of today's drivers are embracing fuel efficient or 'green vehicles. We want to educate consumers on the few vehicles that are not only Earth-friendly, but also stylish and exhilarating to drive."..."
[at emercedesbenz.com]

More Clubman Reviews?? nah- I'll skip it.
[If you must, here are about 1,150,000 at Google.com]

Truck overturns, Mini-Cooper stays on its wheels after collision
Santa Paula Police are investigating a two-vehicle collision that left a truck overturned - but a Mini-Cooper on its wheels - Friday evening, blocking a busy intersection..."
[at santapaulatimes.com]

Clubmans Make Moms Hot
"The mom-reviewers here at MotherProof.com have recommendations for (mostly) functional family cars that can make you look and feel as hot as the summer sun..."
[at motherproof.com]


"Clubmans Post Up!"
MotoringUnderground.com unwittingly collects the coolest Clubman photos on the web...
[at motoringunderground.com]

Gas prices in world cities (LA TIMES)

I don't often read, and even more rarely quote the L.A. Times. However in an article I read today, staff writer Marla Dickerson writes: "American drivers should consider themselves lucky -- try $9.85 a gallon in Oslo."

To which I say, I've been saying this all along! The totally intriguing list is shown below. The full story is available on LA TIMES.com at the link below:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-worldgas10-2008jul10,1,1883309.story

Gas prices in world cities

City Reg. price in USD/gal.

Oslo 9.85
Paris 9.43
Copenhagen 9.24
Rome 9.03
London 8.96
Berlin 8.68
Hong Kong 8.05
Seoul 7.33
Sao Paulo 6.38
Tokyo 6.30
Singapore 6.13
Nairobi 5.94
Sydney 5.57
Montreal 5.57
Vancouver 5.50
Santiago 5.18
Toronto 4.98
Mumbai 4.94
Bangkok 4.78
Los Angeles 4.57
Johannesburg 4.41
Moscow 3.90
Havana 3.75
Buenos Aires 3.56
Beijing 3.40
Mexico City 2.62
Dubai City 1.70
Cairo 1.24
Kuwait City 0.92
Riyadh 0.47
Tehran 0.41
Caracas 0.12

Sources: AIRINC, Energy Information Administration

MINI CHALLENGE Series For Sale?

What the what?!?!?! Okay, not exactly...

Specifically, today I read that Motorsport Event Management (MEM), the agency contracted to run the Australian MINI CHALLENGE, has been put up for sale by its current owner.


While one of the fastest growing iterations of the MINI CHALLENGE (they speak English y'know!), the Australian automotive blog site, ausmotive.com reports that this sale is actually a result of the MEM owner's desire to focus on his own "multiple racing teams". I'll accept that! (how one finances, "multiple racing teams" is a different story altogether!)

"MINI is confident that any sale of MEM will be to a suitable purchaser who will continue to manage the increasingly popular MINI CHALLENGE series..."

--- BMW Group Australia, MINI National Manager, Justin Hocevar

For the full story check out ausmotive.com, one of my new favorite sites!

Related links:

• ausmotive.com
• minichallenge.com.au
• sherrinmotorsport.com.au

MINI of Charleston Team Picks Up Track Record

Found at the Post and Courier (from Charleston, SC):

While unable to claim wins last month in Virginia, the Mini of Charleston racing team did pick up a track record, with Robbie Davis averaging 84.692 miles per hour in a 2005 Mini Cooper S. Davis took two second places in the weekend races at the 3.27 mile Virginia International Raceway in Danville. The track record came on a lap in the Sunday race. The team returns to action in May 17-18 at Summit Point Raceway in Summit Point, W. Va.

Read the full story at: http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/may/10/whe40358/

(oh wait, that was the full story!?)

Related links:

• Charleston Post and Courier
• Mini of Charleston
• Summit Point Raceway
• Virginia International Raceway - www.virclub.com

MINI Takes The States 2008! Registration now Open!

If you are a new MINI Owner, a non-MINI owner, or just been living under the overpass the last two years, you may be saying "what is 'MINI Takes The States'?" In my own words, it's a four-part, nationwide party sponsored by good ol' MINI USA! In their words...

Two years ago, MINI Takes the States motored coast-to-coast with thousands of MINI Owners and enthusiasts joining up for a legendary motoring extravaganza. This year, though, everyone hoped even more folks could get in on the fun. So MINI owners voted to visit four U.S. cities for four separate weekends of good times, including the chance to drive a MINI on an aggressive autocross course.

Plus, the net proceeds from registration fees are all going to help out a regional MINI Motoring Hearts ™ charitable organization. So mark your calendars for one or more of these unforgettable events, register today and start picking your co-pilots...

Highlights in each city will include:

* MINI Parking Corral at festival grounds
* MINI-Autocross Test Drive
* Live festival entertainment
* Headliner band Saturday night
* The “Bootload of Fun Zone” with activities for all ages
* MINI Vendor Village
* An official MTTS Welcome Kit for each paid attendee
* Friday night Meet & Greet (MINI Owners only)
* Rise and Shine Saturday Rally (MINI Owners only)


And the list goes on! (click here for the rest)...

This event takes place in MIAMI, BOSTON, CHICAGO, and L.A. Now, here's the kicker- EVERYONE IS INVITED – EVEN IF YOU DON’T OWN A MINI!!

Now that's marketing, baby!

MiniTakesTheStates.com

Giants champion pimps the MINI Wienermobile

This one is quickly making the rounds throughout the MINI community, but as a NY Giants fan, I couldn't *not* cover it too!

Michael Strahan at the wheel of the Mini Wienermobile.

[adapted from the NY Times article]:

"Mr. Strahan squeezed his 6’5” frame behind the wheel of the new Mini Wienermobile, a smaller, sportier version of Oscar Mayer’s somewhat famous Wienermobile... his knees wedged beneath the dashboard, [he] flashed his broad gap-toothed smile as he eased the car into gear, moving through the cordoned-off lane at about the same speed at which one might walk back to the huddle after an incomplete pass..."

Read the full story on the New York Times website: http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/03/13/seeing-a-man-about-a-dog/index.html?hp

Boyd Coddington Dead at 63

[Ed. note: Man, this news breaks my heart, and I haven't even been into cars long enough to truly understand!]

[autoweek.com] Boyd Coddington, the hot-rod innovator whose creations won the coveted Grand National Roadster Show's America's Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) trophy a record seven times, died Wednesday morning after a lengthy hospital stay. He was 63.

Photo courtesy viewimages.com

"It is my firm belief that Boyd is the founding father of this street-rod movement," said Gary Meadors of the Goodguys. "From the Boyd cars to the Boyd billet aluminum wheels . . . that whole smooth look that he brought to street rodding is what set him apart. He took our hobby to a whole other level with all the exposure he got in media outside our world. He was a forerunner, and he will be missed."

Get the full story at Autoweek.com

Street-racing Crash Kills 7

[Ed. note: Well, this sucks....]

[From: CNN.com] A car plowed into a crowd that had gathered to watch a drag race on a suburban road early Saturday, killing seven people and injuring at least four, police said.

A witness said two cars in the illegal street race sped past just before a car without its lights on came up behind the crowd of about 50.

"There were just bodies everywhere; it was horrible," said Crystal Gaines, 27, whose father was among the dead.

Read the full article at CNN.com

Silverado Truck Reaches 1,000,000 Mile Mark

*Yes, that says one meeeleeion miles, and no, that's not a typo! At least not according to the article from local Wisconsin newpaper, Shawano Leader...

Wisconsin man’s dependable pickup hits incredible milestone
(Shawano Leader, Sunday, February 10, 2008)

GRESHAM, Wis. - Frank Oresnik's trusty pickup truck — he calls it "the old girl" — passed the 1 million-mile mark with a camera crew filming the event and a public-radio audience listening in. "I can't tell you how much fun it was," he said. "It was really humbling, all this interest."

Oresnick uses this perspective: He’s had the oil changed more than 300 times. In fact, the oil’s been changed so often, the oil pan drain plug has needed rethreading. Several times.

Dr. Evil would approve.










Full text available at:
http://www.shawanoleader.com/articles/2008/02/10/news/news1.txt

[Ed. note: So, technically, since most odometers only go to 100,000 miles before flipping, then his odometer actually read zero, right?]

Newsflash: Women Want Cupholders!

Okay, so perhaps it's not an exclusive...

Making the rounds through my favorite websites (a.k.a. procrastination) I came across a recent article at MyRide.com. The topic: "Top Ten Things Women Like About Cars". Among the list are things you'd expect like Safety and Comfort, Efficiency and Safety, and Convenience. A good read for those who hope to one day proclaim they've figured out women. I for one wasn't entirely enlightened. I mean, except for the cupholders, that is. That blew my mind.

Photo courtesy of MyRide.com

"As a woman with children, cupholders are a must…the kind that adjusts to keep spills to a minimum."

Get the full story at MyRide.com. Then come back and tell us your thoughts!

Revisited... "Mutant steals Mini Cooper for Joy Ride"

Gotta love "The Paper"*...




*five points for who ever can reference that quote! :)

Lily Allen rows with her neighbour

"Lily Allen had a furious row* with one of her new neighbours last week.

The 'Smile' singer has been parking her car in a private bay which does not belong to her, over the past two weeks.

A few days ago, the bay's owner spotted Lily parking her Mini Cooper S in his space, which led to a confrontation outside her home in Hackney, East London..."

Read the rest at: digitalspy.com
###

Note: I don't think Lily Allen would like what would happen if she parked her MINI in someone else's spot here in Left Coast, USA. Also, who the heck is Lily Allen? :)

*row [rou]
–noun
1. a noisy dispute or quarrel; commotion.
2. noise or clamor
–verb (used without object)
3. to quarrel noisily.
–verb (used with object)

4. Chiefly British. to upbraid severely; scold.
[Origin: 1740–50; orig. uncert.]

—Synonyms 1. spat, tiff, scrap, scrape, set-to.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source