Tarmac Life Xmas Special – Mini 66th. 66 Hours, 6 Cities, 6 British Meals Across NZ
With Xmas looming and Season 1 of our TV Show wrapped up, we decided to do an Xmas special, taking to the road to celebrate Mini’s 66th anniversary. Instead of a simple cake and candles affair, we orchestrated an epic road trip challenge that would take the 3 of us (Dave, Matt and Harry), and […]
It’s a Big Country, Man – 2025 Mini Countryman JCW All4 Review
Mini have been on a bit of roll recently. A new Cooper, an all-new all-electric Aceman, and to top it off, a new Countryman. While the Countryman was the first BMW made Mini to boldly go into a market where no Mini has gone before, namely the urban SUV sector, it has been such a […]
MINI and Deus Ex Machina Forge Two Wild JCWs – For The Surf & For The Track
In a collaboration that feels both surprising and perfectly natural, MINI has teamed up with the iconic lifestyle brand Deus Ex Machina to create two exclusive, one-off John Cooper Works vehicles. This isn’t just a simple sticker pack; it’s a deep dive into the shared cultures of motorsport heritage, creative design, and a love for […]
Happy Birthday – 66 Years Of MINI
On August 26th, a significant milestone in automotive history is celebrated. It marks 66 years since the British Motor Corporation (BMC) first unveiled a car that would become a global icon: the Mini. Sixty-six years on, the MINI brand is celebrating not by looking in the rearview mirror, but by charging full-speed into an electric […]
A New Orbit – We Meet Francois Roca, BMW Group NZ’s Globetrotting New MD
There’s a new boss at BMW Group New Zealand, and he’s not your typical corporate executive. Meet Francois Roca, a man whose personal story is as compelling as the performance figures of an M-car. He’s a French citizen raised in Japan, an ex-MINI owner whose passion for the brand led him to join the company, […]
MINI and Bulldog Racing Conquer the Green Hell with a Podium Finish
In a spectacular display of endurance, speed, and unwavering team spirit, the MINI John Cooper Works and Bulldog Racing team secured a hard-fought second place in the SP3T class at the legendary 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This marks the team’s third consecutive podium finish at one of the world’s most demanding motorsport events, solidifying their […]
Exclusive: John Cooper Works – A Legacy Forged in Speed
In the 3rd part of our exclusive interview with Charlie Cooper (and also joined by John Cooper), we talk about the Cooper name and what it was like growing up in the motorsport environment. Charlie Cooper, a name increasingly recognised in the demanding world of endurance racing, carries more than just his helmet and racing […]
Exclusive – Charlie Cooper, JCW, and the Motorsport Passion of Australasia
The Cooper name, synonymous with motorsport innovation and the iconic Mini, resonates deeply far beyond British shores, finding a particularly enthusiastic audience in New Zealand and Australia. In the second part of our three exclusive interviews with Charlie Cooper, grandson of the legendary John Cooper and son of JCW founder Mike Cooper, he speaks of […]
Exclusive – Charlie Cooper on Conquering the Green Hell in a JCW
With a Mini Aceman E JCW on our driveway and the 2024 Nürburgring 24 Hours (officially known as ADAC Ravenol 24h Race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife) looming this weekend, it seemed fitting that we had an exclusive chat with Charlie Cooper, Mini JCW brand ambassador, son of Mike Cooper (John Cooper Works founder) and Grandson […]
MINI JCW and Bulldog Racing Set for Nürburgring 24 Hours Glory
The Nürburgring, a name synonymous with motorsport’s ultimate endurance test, is once again set to host its iconic 24 Hours Race, marking its 53rd edition in 2025. Among the approximately 130 racing cars gearing up for this grueling challenge is a formidable entry from MINI John Cooper Works, partnered with the Bulldog Racing Team. Building […]