The Flying Squad's Mini?

The companion to the rally Cooper is this Morris Mini in police livery.

A few years back, during the GB Wales Rally, the police rather unsportingly put up speed traps between the stages to catch unwary competitors and spectators.  In (dis)honour of that event, this police Mini can chase the rally version around my track.

I found this photo of an original version.  I can't imagine suspects were routinely held in the back!

The Flying Finn's Mini

The first of a pair of original Minis from Scalextric is this 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S which won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1967 driven by Rauno Aaltonen, the "Flying Finn".  A tiny yet highly detailed model:

The real car is now at the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon and here's a photo I took of it a few years ago:

And here's the real thing in action:

Aaltonen's son now runs an ice driving school and has a replica of the Mini Cooper - see it in action here or embedded below.

Donington Slot Car Festival

Andy and I went up to Donington Park last weekend for this annual slot car festival.  A really hot day and a nice drive up in the Lotus.

There were lots of circuits set up (with "driving licences" for kids to acquire by driving different types of vehicles), a competition on a huge track, and lots of traders.  Andy stocked up on yet more Metros and motorcycles.  I bought a couple of Mini Coopers plus another car I'll blog about next time.  I registered and obtained a bidding number for the auction in the afternoon but the lots I was interested in went for more than I wanted to pay, and I managed to keep in control.  (I've never seen Andy sit so still).

Included in the ticket was entrance to the Donington Grand Prix Exhibition which has five halls of Grand Prix and other interesting cars plus lots of motorsport memorabilia.  A well laid out exhibition which was a nice bonus on the entrance price.