The Mini Coopers of Don and Dennis Racine traveled to the fabled Portland International Raceway for the 34th annual Portland Historics Races July 9-11, 2010. “The Baxter Auto Parts Portland Historic Races celebrated 100 years of Alfa Romeo by hosting a race group comprised solely of cars from the Italian marque. Throughout its rich history, Alfa Romeos have carried hundreds of champions over the finish line and the vintage races at Portland International were no exception. With its open paddock, the Portland Historics allowed spectators the opportunity to see race cars up close and interact with the drivers and crew. The event also featured a display of more than 700 collector cars and hot rods, a food and wine pavilion, a kid zone, an autocross and a vendor midway. The Portland Historics is as a fundraiser for the Community Transitional School, a Portland-based organization that provides important educational services to children who are homeless or otherwise at risk of school failure.
The “Monty Mini” of Mini Mania, driven by Dennis Racine was entered in the small bore production class against a variety of Porsches, Midgets, MGBs, Elvas, etc. The race for the Monty Mini started from 4th on the grid of 30+ cars and was hard fought until the last laps with Dennis taking the Mini to victory. This period correct Mini still runs on 10” wheels and original Cooper S 7.5” Disc Brakes. The engine is a 1275cc unit bored out to +.040 that still uses twin SU Carbs for control.
Dear friends, fantastic footage. I enjoy it very much. As owner (and fanatic) of 3 Mini Cooper, is great to see them in the track. I'm own a 356 too (and other cars), but the Mini is the most fantastic to drive. I restored a 1964 MK I 1275 S with Downton prep., straith cut, close ratio gearbox, I have a 1993 Rover Cooper 1.3i with special head and other prep. and I'm restoring an 8-port aluminium head with 147 hp (that race a lot in our circuit El Pinar in the '70). Sorry for my english. Best regards from Uruguay.
From:
DonRacine
Date:
07/21/2010 @ 1:47 PM
Comment:
Wow! I have to admit that I am humbled by your perception of our encounter. I am very proud of what I and Mini Mania have accomplished on the last 30+ years of racing. In particular I love to talk about the cars and efforts we have experienced. I could maybe explain my response as my being too focused on the intensity of trying to figure out how to find a way to out run by son, Dennis. Or perhaps I was exhausted due to the excessive heat, or trying to fix a few of the issues we had over the 3 days of racing, or? or? But I am embarrassed to admit that I do not remember such an encounter and I must accept responsibility for your perception. Please accept my apology
From:
Long time racer-new Mini Man
Date:
07/20/2010 @ 4:31 PM
Comment:
We went to the Historic Races in Portland. The Dennis Racing Mini's were awesome on the track!
We have a Mini Morris that we are restoring, so we have spent a lot of money with Mini Mania, and planned to spend even more!
We were excited to go over to the Mini Mania Trailer, after the Mini's ran. We had a few questions about the set up, motors, etc... We were quite disappointed when it was apparent the drivers of the two Mini's didn't have the time or the interest in answering our questions. They did answer our questions, with short, one word answers, or "I don't knows". They never made eye contact, did not encourage us to look at the cars or find out why we were asking our questions.
We have been in racing for over 20 years. Every class from foreign stock, to NASCAR late models to SCCA Rally. We have been sponsored by some great, well known companies - so we know the drill. When you have a company's name/logo on your car/trailer/t-shirt you are a representative for that company - no matter how your day is going or how busy you are - the way you treat others is how they see the company that sponsors you. Based on the representation that Mini Mania had at the Historic Races, I would never buy another bolt from your site... Of course, I am more realistic than that... However, I was appalled by the treatment your drivers gave the fans...
Hope to see more Mini's at these types of events!
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