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  Sue Mead
Editor

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2002 Mini Cooper by Marty Padgett (4/1/2002)

LISBON, Portugal — Herzlich Wilkommen in Portugal, Siate I bienvenuti in Portogallo, I bienvenidos en Portugal, Bienvenue en Portugal — Welcome to Portugal! These were the greetings in BMW's route book that directed me and a cadre of international motoring journalists out of the bustling city of Lisbon toward the spectacular and demanding coastal roads of western Portugal.

forum

At first, I wasn't sure why this German car company was holding its worldwide introduction of the new MINI Cooper S here. But, after two days of driving excursions on roads that automotive journalists dream about — long scenic straightaways and tight, snaking turns — I had a better understanding. And, there was also the learning experience, not to mention the fun, of taking the new Cooper S through a series of cones courses at a small tarmac track set up near the coast, as well as the great seafood nearby.

Competition spec

When the first MINI appeared in 1959, its premier competition was not public, but a private rivalry among motoring journalists, attempting to be the quickest around a testing circuit that incorporated high-speed banking and a hilly 'snake' section, at Chobham, a vehicle testing facility near London. Top honors went to Paul Frere, a Belgian who has set many racing records (he was on the Ferrari F1 team, among others) and has successfully combined race car driving and auto writing. Frere ended his day at Chobham leaving many in awe of his performance, as well as the MINI's.

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