Back in December, a thread appeared on MINI2 about going to the Top Gear track. Having enjoyed it the previous year, I decided to stick mine and Matts names down. I was quite excited about it as last year when I went, I hadn’t been allowed to drive due to that fact Matt had just got his MINI and didn’t want anyone else to drive it.. so I though this year would be pay back and I would drive my lovely car instead! tee hee

With the year going as quick as ever, it didn’t take long for the day to get here! The day before, when I finished work I spent the rest of the afternoon/early evening cleaning the car and making it look really nice and shiny! Decided not to drive it anywhere that evening in case it got little speck of dirt on it :O That even I had a message from my friend Sam who I had invited to come along to Top Gear as she owns a MINI (through working at the MINI factory) and wanted to come along on some of the runs. Unfortunately, she said she couldn’t go any more as she was too tired! Lame excuse I think! Shame really as I hadn’t seen her in over 4 years!

Saturday morning soon arrived and I was up at the stupid hour of 6:30!! Far to early for a weekend but hey I was off to Top Gear! My nice shiny MINI was now dirty when I went out to it! It had rained the night before and had left lovely dirty rain marks all over it rubbish!! I had asked Becky to come with me and Matt on the day so we went to go and pick her up on the way. Met a few friends at the MINI Factory before convoying off to another meet point at Chievely Services. When we got there we were greeted by the site of 4 MINI transporters! So it seemed only right that we park near them! Nicky J, her husband and kids were there when we got there too! I had never met Nicky before so it was nice to finally say hello in person! We chatted for a while before heading into the services to grab drinks and munch! Pics from the meet point..

When we came back out, many more people had gathered with our MINIs ready to head off to the Track. I was getting more and more excited!! Paul led us there, though we ended up losing everyone as we got into Guildford! Also got very lost when we got to Top Gear as we kept missing the turning!

Finally at 10:30, we arrived at the track! We had to join a queue of MINIs from SCNM so we could hand over our money for the day and pick up some forms and information sheets. After that was done, we all headed over to the rest of the MINIs parked up by the big jumbo jet! Many MINIs had already been on the track (we could tell by the way they were facing ) so we went and joined the queue facing towards the track ready to get on and have a go! Had to wait ages to get onto the track as there were so many cars waiting, but soon it was my turn!

We were led out onto the track by the pace car and slowly made our way along the first stretch so everyone was onto the track. Then we were off, zooming away, god it was fun!! I know they said that we weren’t meant to go fast but the pace car and the car in front of me were going pretty fast, and I was going at 80mph at one point to stay with them!! Becky had come round with me while Matt stayed by the side of the track and took pics! I think most of the time we were going round we were both going ‘eeeeeeeeeeeeee’ with big grins on our faces! We were allowed to go round 3 times, I wished we had longer though. 3 laps for me wasn’t enough Unfortunately we had to come off and park up with all the other MINIs who had already been on. Pics of the MINIs going round the track..

Pics of me going round the track

     

I got out the car and started talking to Karl, who I had been following round the track. We were both pretty excited about having been around but disappointed we didn’t get a longer go out there or get a chance to go back on.. In the middle of our conversation, a car alarm starting going off, was looking around to find where it was coming from and then realised it was coming from my car! Stupid me, I had locked the car before Becky had had a chance to get out! :O She was trying to get my attention as she couldn’t get out and in the process setting off my alarm! Ah well, at least I know it works!

After I let Becky out the car ( ) we wondered around for a bit, trying to find people and also to find Phil at MINI Pirate. I was meant to be getting some side stripes fitted while I was there but with the weather being so bad, we both decided it would be better to leave them until another day! Was disappointed, but I haven’t got long to wait until they get fitted again

It got too cold and wet so we went and sat in the car. We were also joined by Matt. Sat there eating our snacks and having a chat We decided we should go as there wasn’t much else to do now and with the weather being how it was, we kinda felt a little miserable and just wanted to get home! Over all I had a great day round the track, just disappointed with the weather, not being able to catch up with many people or get my stripes. Still, I’m up for it next year!

Final few pics off the majority of the MINIs, from right up by the jumbo!