Whoever said copying stuff was a form of flattery probably works for GM. In a move similar to BMW’s penchant for reviving old monikers for its MINI brand of automobiles (cooper, checkmate, sidewalk, clubman, moke, need I go on?)

I give you the concept “Chevy Nomad” (wtf? a Nomad? this is not..) Chevy wants to call this a Nomad, but it looks more like a new MINI clubman than the iconic big Chevy of old..

In an effort to tug a bit at the heartstrings of auto enthusiasts, they slap a old corvette style grille and your stock issue big 5-bar patterned wheels on this chopped thing, whose size and interior resembles more so a rabid minivan than muscle car.

When I see stuff like this on the drawing board — take the Saturn Sky for example, which originally looked more like a Mazda Miata than the production roaster does today  — well I can’t really give the project much more than a glimmer of hope.

I better stop now before the political soap box really gets going (see my other blog for that!) You know, if you want a MINI clubman, just get a MINI clubman they’re only $26k and worth every penny.

Enter the DFSF 7th annual Car Raffle with 20 chances to win! Tickets are only $99 and a maximum of 2,000 will be sold.  The drawing will be held on March 6, 2009!  Purchase your tickets securely using PayPal or print the attached form and mail it with payment directly to the organizers.

Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts is excited to announce an association with the Dobbs Ferry School Foundation, a Parent and Community based organization dedicated to raise funds for the enrichment of public schools located in the hamlet of Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson in New York. When asked to help market this years DFSF fundraising efforts, REME was thrilled to sign up the club as an enthusiastic sponsor.

Since its creation in 1994, the Dobbs Ferry Schools Foundation has raised over $4.5 million through individual contributions, as well as public and private grants.  Started by a handful of dedicated parents, the DFSF is now a working board of close to 50 community members who partner with the faculty and staff of the district.

The DFSF Board selects programs for funding that support the strategic goals of their district. Whether the programs target a specific grade or an entire school, the end result is a stronger, richer community of educated students.  From technology and the arts, to reading, writing and arithmetic, the DFSF supports diverse programs that advance student learning. Some of the programs funded are unavailable at any schools nearby.

2008-2009 marks DFSF Seventh annual car donation and raffle.

This year, prizes include:

1. Grand Prize: 2009 Mini Cooper S Convertible or $20,000 cash
2. 1st Prize: 2009 smart fortwo passion coupe or $10,000 cash
3. 2nd Prize: 2009 Vespa GTV 250 or $6,000 cash
4. 2 prize winners of $5,000 cash
5. 5 prize winners of $2,500 cash
6. 5 prize winners of $1,000 cash
7. 5 *early bird winners of $500 each (see contest rules for details).

If you can not afford the cost of a raffle ticket, please help support DFSF by making a simple online donation using PayPal or by dedicating a percentage of your Amazon.com purchase to this worthy non-profit organization.

Download a raffle ticket application and mail directly to the organizer with your check or money order.

[received in email for posting to the site, thanks!]

CHICO’S 20th ANNUAL BRITISH CAR SHOW

We would like to cordially invite you to the 20th annual All British Meet on Sunday, April 26th, 2009. This event will once again be held at Canyon Oaks Country Club in Chico, California. The All British Meet is organized by the Chico Area British Car Club and Company 323.

Click here to read more.. »

Another edition of Miniology Radio – Norm talks about a spectacular crash at Infineon, We give our pick of the week and discuss more upcoming classic and new Mini Cooper events happening around the USA along with other tasty news bits from BMW and the world of MINI sponsored by MC2 Magazine.

About 27 minutes of extraordinary audio to your eardrums.

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[from ThinkGeek website, linked below]

http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/rc/a427/

Mini Mini Mini… Mini Coopers
With the current fuel crisis forcing people into smaller and smaller vehicles and spelling impending doom for society as we know it… we figured it was a perfect time to offer these Thumb-Size R/C Mini Coopers. Their all-electric engines run off of button type batteries and are very fuel efficient. Hey… they can’t carry much groceries in the trunk, but they do feature full control with forward/reverse and right/left turning… plus the remote looks like a tiny cellphone. Take that high gas prices!

Here’s a video they posted of the thumb-size racer in action..

REME runs the hills of the East Bay, Northern California.

BMW Group Press Release: The BMW Group and Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) are considering the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components for their MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles. A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed by Friedrich Eichiner, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Corporate and Brand Development, and Alfredo Altavilla, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Fiat Group Automobiles and CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
“We are currently examining with the Fiat Group possibilities for the joint use of components and systems in MINI and Alfa Romeo vehicles in order to achieve economies of scale and thus cost reductions within the framework of our Strategy Number ONE”, Eichiner said in Munich.
“The proposed co-operation with BMW is a significant cornerstone of our strategy of alliances. We are delighted to work with such an esteemed and respected partner in the automotive industry with the clear objective of improving the competitive position of both parties,” Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and FGA, said in Turin.
The two partners have agreed not to divulge details of the possible collaboration. The results of the cooperation discussions will probably be achieved by the end of the year.

A million crystals. That’s what this MINI Cooper is glittering from, one million Swarovski crystals of 40 different colours. The creation is by Ken and Annie Burkitt of Ontario, Canada and it depicts 10 images of iconic American institutions, things like Mt Rushmore, the statue of Liberty, the American flag, White House, the soaring eagle and the Hollywood Hills sign among others. Resulting in eye-catching mobile art, the two artists placed these crystals by hand, one by one on the MINI.
The bling car, named American Icon, is featured at the new Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum at Piccadilly Circus in London.

Another round of Miniology’s Mini Events Podcast sponsored by MC2 Magazine and MiniMotoringGrahics. Topics include MINI 2009 EPA ratings, the Le Mans at Laguna Seca, the electric MINI, USTCC standings, REME events, MINI united 2009, Car Insurance List, Kent and East Sussex MINI club, Edge Motorworks, and Griots Garage.

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Duration: About 25 Minutes, also posted to iTunes extended AAC format (this one is FLV)

This coming weekend (11/8-9, 2008) the USTCC (US Touring Car Championships) will hold their 2008 series finale at Infineon Raceway. The series starts in March and ends in November. The 14 races are held at several locations across the US, including Thunderhill Raceway Park, WIllows CA, Virginia International Raceway (VIR), Alton, VA, Infineon Raceway, Sears Point CA, Gateway Raceway, Madison, IL, Putnam Park, Mt. Meridian IN, Summit Point Raceway, Summit Pt., WV, Road America, Elkhart WI, and Buttonwillow Raceway Park, Buttonwillow CA.

MINI Cooper leads the manufacturers point standing by only two points over Acura (402-400), followed by Dodge, BMW, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Chevrolet, and Honda, going into the final race of the year.

Local favorite, Jerry Bradbury is currently leading the Rookie of the Year points standings by six points (262-256). Other Mini Cooper drivers include Rich Peterson-R, and Bob Sheer-R. So come out and cheer on the Mini Coopers as they battle Acura to the bitter end. Should make for some exciting racing.

Our own Mark Molina will also be making his racing debut.

http://ustcc.com/

USTCC/NASA has agreed to allow us to set up a Mini Cooper corral in the paddock just inside turn 1 near the bridge to the carousel (turn 6). We will rope off the area on Friday afternoon and put up signs near the front entry and along the route, so just follow the signs.

Please be aware that there is a $10/person entry fee (even if you are only going for one day). Keep you ticket stub for Sunday entry..

Here is the schedule:

http://www.nasanorcal.com/eventinfo2…r_8-9_2008.pdf