Author: Rhys Gregory

As a long-time Mini enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated the blend of performance and personality that comes with these cars. I used to drive a 2.0 Mini Clubman Cooper S (2017) that sounded incredible and looked equally as cool. With a few modifications, I’d managed to amp up both the look and the sound, though, in reality, it was never truly a JCW. Even with a big brake upgrade and the OEM JCW brake kit, it was always just shy of hitting that next level. So, when I finally upgraded to a 2021 Mini Clubman F54, the true Cooper S’s bigger,…

In the first part of my tuning journey, I shared my motivation and reasoning for considering a Stage II tune on my Mini Clubman JCW. Now, it’s time to dig into the final steps and upgrades needed to prepare the car for this significant performance enhancement. When tuning a car, the process is as much about the preparation and supporting hardware as it is about the tune itself. Let’s dive into the specifics of getting the Clubman JCW ready to handle Stage II, covering the necessary upgrades, hardware decisions, and pre-tune checks. Understanding Stage II Requirements The hardware requirements for…

Analysis of the latest government data has revealed that younger drivers are outperforming older generations in their driving tests. In the 2023/24 testing period, 52% of learner drivers aged 17 to 24 passed their practical on the first attempt, compared to well under half (44%) of 25 to 34-year-olds.[1] In fact, learners between the ages of 50 and 59 were most likely to need six or more attempts before succeeding, as just 38% passed their test on the first attempt. The research, by Go.Compare Car Insurance, looked at pass rate data from the Department for Transport to uncover how many…

This past weekend, the NEC Classic Motor Show celebrated its 40th anniversary in Birmingham, drawing thousands of enthusiasts and car lovers from across the UK and beyond. Running from 8-10 November 2024, the event is legendary in petrolhead circles, and for years, I’d wanted to go. Every November, I’d think about it, only to find myself either too busy or realising the show had come and gone. This year, though, was different. With tickets booked months in advance and the date firmly circled on the calendar, there were no excuses. I was finally going to the NEC Classic Motor Show!…

Analysis from Carmoola, the digital car finance lender, reveals the UK’s fastest and slowest-selling cars this year, shedding light on some surprising trends in the market. The research, fuelled by data from over 40 million car sales from vehicle valuation experts Brego, dives into which models are zooming off lots and why certain electric vehicles (EVs) seem to be hitting the brakes. Speediest and the sleepiest cars on the market The data showcases models that spend just around a month on the market, led by practical and popular choices like the Dacia Jogger (30.1 days) and the Tesla Model 3…

On the 26th October 2024, the Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally, supported by Isuzu, brought spectacular motorsport action, with former European and World champions taking part in the event. The event started and concluded in Llandudno, with world class stages at Brenig, Clocaenog, Alwen, and Elsi. The 2019 winner of the FIA European Rally Championship, Chris Ingram, emerged as the victor of the overall event. Isuzu UK dealer, Threeways Garage, provided two D-Max V-Cross vehicles to support the event. With its rugged 4×4 capability and renowned reliability, the pick-up was the right at home with the uneven terrain of the rally…

For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to enhance the look of my Mini Clubman F54 JCW with a spoiler. The trouble? If you own a Clubman, you’ll know the options are limited, especially compared to the popular Mini hatchback. MINI even decided to end production of the F54 earlier this year, perhaps adding to the challenge of finding quality aftermarket parts. But that didn’t stop me from searching for something unique. Weighing My Options After scouring the web, I found a few potential options in the UK. First, there’s the Maxton Design Spoiler Cap, available for the…

There’s something magical about watching your child find their passion, and for my daughter, it’s racing. You might remember from our TeamSport Cardiff adventure that she’s shown up ready to race, eager to improve, and more than a little competitive. This journey of ours, filled with laps around the go-karting track, is something I cherish deeply. So, when I stumbled upon the Ninebot Go Kart Pro, I knew it was time to bring a bit of the track home. A Missed Childhood Classic, Finally Realised As a kid, my daughter didn’t have one of those cute battery-powered cars – the kind you’d spot…

Subaru UK is proud to be supporting the armed forces motorsport charity, Mission Motorsport, as a sponsor at the Race for Remembrance (RoR) this weekend. Subaru UK has also lent support to one of the competing teams, made up of veterans with service-related injuries. The team will be racing in a previously written-off Subaru BRZ sports car, which has been fully rebuilt and adapted to be operated using hand controls. Mission Motorsport, which operates under the motto “Race, Retrain, Recover”, supports the rehabilitation of veterans affected by military operations, using the power of motorsport to help rebuild lives.  In partnership with…

October marked another month of decline for the UK new car market, signalling a shift after two years of steady growth. According to the latest figures, total registrations for the month fell by 6.0% year-on-year, landing at 144,288 units. Both private and fleet sales struggled, with private purchases dropping by 11.8% and fleet registrations by 1.7%. In Wales, the decline mirrored the national trend, with registrations down 3.75% to 5,165 units. However, the Kia Sportage continued to dominate, topping both the Welsh and UK leaderboards. The enduring popularity of models like the Sportage, Ford Puma, and Mini Cooper reflects the…