Having taken part in the HRCR Clubmans Road Rally championships in 2005, 2006 & 2007  in the Mini Cooper MK3 s I had prepared during the winter of 2004/5 I thought I needed another challenge after repairing the car after an accident on a test on the Cloverleaf Rally in 2007 in East Anglia.

​

When I asked John Wilkins who had helped me organise the 2006 Mini Cooper Register's Minis 2 Monte event,  he accepted the challenge.

​

An interesting adventure for both of us as the weather got colder as we entered Wales and even colder as we passed though the northern counties.  Scotland could only be described as Arctic with lots of black sheet ice on the roads.

​

Meeting a LARGE fully loaded logging TRUCK in Scotland on a quiet forest road was an experience!

​

We reached John O'Groats without penalty on the Touring Event and were awarded a Blue Riband medal.

​

The picture at John O'Groats was chosen as a front cover image for CooperWorld in early 2009 with my article appearing in the issue.

​

As we entered Wales the temperature dropped and the performance of the twin 1.25" SU carbs deteriorated to the finish.

​

We attended the awards dinner but decided to return home immediately afterwards as the weather was getting worse.  A nightmare drive home to the Midlands.

​

A big thank you to John Wilkins for his support and direction.