Ashburton Courier: October 28, 2021
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www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
FEATURE<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>October</strong> <strong>28</strong>, <strong>2021</strong><br />
27<br />
James’ mini fixation has abig impact<br />
TONI.WILLIAMS<br />
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz<br />
Car enthusiast James Storeyhas a<br />
collectionofcompact minis in his<br />
possession.<br />
Hehashad afixationwith theclassic<br />
two door mini for many years.<br />
Hehadnine when he lived in the UK,<br />
and brought a1300cc race engine with<br />
himwhen he movedtoNew Zealand13<br />
years ago.<br />
The engine, which he has owned for<br />
around 20 years, waslovinglyboxed up<br />
and shipped out, ahead of anyother<br />
possessions.<br />
Itnow sits in hisNew Zealandbuilt<br />
1975Mini Clubman, which he recently<br />
used for the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Car Clubgrass<br />
motokhana; the club’s secondevent of the<br />
season,and thefirst since the <strong>Ashburton</strong><br />
Rivernorth branch flooded in lateMay<br />
and water flowed across the club grounds.<br />
James’ best run time around thegrass<br />
slalom course was <strong>28</strong>.86sec.<br />
He ended up placing fifthout of 12<br />
entries.<br />
Compactminis did wellinthe event<br />
taking out firstand second places;Daniel<br />
Maleswon with best runtime of 26.38sec,<br />
and Adrian Harris wassecond (<strong>28</strong>.16sec).<br />
James’ red mini has amanual gearbox,<br />
interior doorpanels lined with alloy<br />
checked panelling, and is fitted with aroll<br />
cage.<br />
Although notcurrently road legal,<br />
because ofthe roll cage andthe need for<br />
official signoff, James does haveplansto<br />
get it legalfor road use. But for now he<br />
transports it to eventstocompete.<br />
James has been amemberofthe car<br />
club forthe pastseven years.<br />
In total he is the proud owner of 14 cars;<br />
one is his red Evo1 used forothercar club<br />
events, such as the recent standing<br />
quarter mile sprint. James scored abest<br />
time of 12.71sec,earninghim a<br />
respectable 10th placeinthat event.<br />
But there aresix minisinvarying states<br />
of restoration; once finishedthey will be<br />
soldtofundthenextmini project.<br />
He likes that they are‘‘smalland<br />
nimble, agokart onwheels’’.<br />
LatelyJames’ interest in the mini<br />
speedstershas piquedthe interest of his<br />
youngsons, aged 13 and11.<br />
They both have their own 1000ccmini<br />
projectsnowtoo. And the elder of thetwo<br />
is nearlyready to take part in hisfirstclub<br />
event.<br />
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Photos: above; James Storey has asmall<br />
collection of the compact cars in his stable in<br />
varying stages of restoration, and right: James in<br />
action driving his 1975 Mini Clubman during the<br />
<strong>Ashburton</strong> Car Club grass motokhana.<br />
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