Meet the Minis – in our Italian jobs!!

Thanks to David we have been invited to the well established Mini show in Portrush on Sunday 1 September. David is good friend of the Treasurer of the Causeway Coast Mini Club, having known him from his school days.

As their club meets on same day as we do – the first Tuesday of the month – we decided to pay them a visit where they hold their meetings at the Brown Trout Inn in Aghadowey, Coleraine and combine this with a club run. David had kindly worked out a cross country route on well surfaced roads and so we met at Corrs Corner ready for a 7pm departure.

Although not a big turnout (some club members are away on holiday) we had 4 cars to begin with  – Abarth Spider, Alfa GT, Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio and Maserati Gran Turismo and Dave Campbell’s Alfa Giulia Veloce Ti would make it 5 when we picked him up on our way through Ballymena. We headed off towards Ballyrobert and stuck entirely to A and B roads as we progressed to the Brown Trout via Doagh, Ballymena, Ahoghill, Kilrea and Garvagh. The weather on the journey there was favourable – staying dry but rain was forecast.

At the Brown Trout we met with the Mini Club Chairman, Mike McCallum and Club Treasurer, Kenny Campbell who provided us with a run through of likely arrangements for the show in September and the assistance that NIIMC can offer.

After some coffee and a chat we set off home but guess what — the rain had arrived. Initially it was not too bad but got progressively worse on the way home making driving conditions treacherous, especially for Big Roy’s Maserati as he needed to be careful when squeezing the loud pedal, such is the power from his 4.7 litre V8.

Thankfully we all got home safe and sound and look forward to meeting up with many Minis at the start of September.

Tim Logan

Club Chairman