82 replies to this topic

[mini1071s]

Query how many people out there are working on projects - who actually don't know what they're doing and would subscribe to a magazine to tell them how?

Also a good point, but consider this, how many people have to have work done by garages, quite a few I think. How useful would it be to know if it had been done properly? Do you think it would be good to know if your garage was fobbing you off with disinformation and fictional repairs?

I think the market for knowing how things should be done extends beyond those of us fortunate enough to have a garage to work in or who can do their own work.

[mini1071s]

great idea...only if i can tell you what i want to know, then you print it in the next mag.

Well you see new technology may allow us to do just that! Obviously it would have to be done on a votes cast basis on our website where the most popular article make it, but don't dismiss that idea, it's a great one!

[mini1071s]

I quite like the current mags but as alot of people have said they just dont go ito enough technical detail about the cars. They leave me thinking "how did they do that" and "whats that bit" and somethimes you never find out. I'd like a mag that really goes into detail of the cars, one for people who already know the basics and want more! I'd buy it even if it is more expensive.

Don't say things like that, you will give us ideas! Actually, we think we can be cheaper than the others if we have enough support. The idea was born from the frustration of existing magazines and we are all real mini nuts as well as publishers. engineers and designers. We are not setting out to make lots of money out of you, we just want a good magazine!

[Jammy]

Ok, my 2 pence worth.

I for one have gradually lost interest with the two mini mags that are out at the mo, they do have there differences (MiniWorld gradually getting closer to Max Power), but on the whole they are generally the same.

My ideal Mini Mag would be thus; more technical information definitely, maybe going through a COMPLETE rebuilt in great detail, using alot more pages than either if the 2 mags do at the moment.

Some INTERESTING feature cars, I'm really sick of reading about how a guy has restored a random mini to orginal, or how some welder has stuck a bodykit on his 80s mini, whipped in a bit of ICE and bolted on a stage 1 kit. Yes, feature cars that are ground braking, or are truly original, but others I think should be featured less! I'd like to see feature cars with a decent story behind them, or a fantastic history. The car might look like a portaloo but its been round the world or someone drove it 300 miles with a bowl of jelly on his lap and didn't spill a bit!

More focus on other ares of mini-ing. Steward Meads mini broke the 10second quarter mile recently at Pod, now I bet that won't get more than 3 or 4 lines in either of the mags, I'd like to hear everything thats happening in the drag mini scene, more info on circuit racing, more info on how to get into motorsport with our minis. Maybe some info on historic rallying and night rallys?

Also, from reading other mini forums I learnt about a stupidly quick mini in Jamaica, with some real 'trick' bits. There must be soooo many more interesting minis around the world and we hardly ever get to hear about them!

Now you create a mag that addresses even a couple of these issues and I'll be subscribing!

[Brawlyrox]

Ok, my 2 pence worth.

I for one have gradually lost interest with the two mini mags that are out at the mo, they do have there differences (MiniWorld gradually getting closer to Max Power), but on the whole they are generally the same.

My ideal Mini Mag would be thus; more technical information definitely, maybe going through a COMPLETE rebuilt in great detail, using alot more pages than either if the 2 mags do at the moment.

Some INTERESTING feature cars, I'm really sick of reading about how a guy has restored a random mini to orginal, or how some welder has stuck a bodykit on his 80s mini, whipped in a bit of ICE and bolted on a stage 1 kit. Yes, feature cars that are ground braking, or are truly original, but others I think should be featured less! I'd like to see feature cars with a decent story behind them, or a fantastic history. The car might look like a portaloo but its been round the world or someone drove it 300 miles with a bowl of jelly on his lap and didn't spill a bit!

More focus on other ares of mini-ing. Steward Meads mini broke the 10second quarter mile recently at Pod, now I bet that won't get more than 3 or 4 lines in either of the mags, I'd like to hear everything thats happening in the drag mini scene, more info on circuit racing, more info on how to get into motorsport with our minis. Maybe some info on historic rallying and night rallys?

Also, from reading other mini forums I learnt about a stupidly quick mini in Jamaica, with some real 'trick' bits. There must be soooo many more interesting minis around the world and we hardly ever get to hear about them!

Now you create a mag that addresses even a couple of these issues and I'll be subscribing!

I think that Jammy has hit it on the head if i was being honest.


Also TMF has always been aiming to offer more and more 'how to's' and tech articles. And we still hope that in the future we can expand this service but I would always buy a mini mag and what could be argued as a 'more interesting' mag would find its way onto my shopping list.

[Jammy]

Wow, think I may print of this thread, frame it and mount it on my bedroom wall!! *proud face*

[mini1071s]

My ideal Mini Mag would be thus; more technical information definitely, maybe going through a COMPLETE rebuilt in great detail, using alot more pages than either if the 2 mags do at the moment.

Some INTERESTING feature cars, I'm really sick of reading about how a guy has restored a random mini to orginal, or how some welder has stuck a bodykit on his 80s mini, whipped in a bit of ICE and bolted on a stage 1 kit. Yes, feature cars that are ground braking, or are truly original, but others I think should be featured less! I'd like to see feature cars with a decent story behind them, or a fantastic history. The car might look like a portaloo but its been round the world or someone drove it 300 miles with a bowl of jelly on his lap and didn't spill a bit!

More focus on other ares of mini-ing. Steward Meads mini broke the 10second quarter mile recently at Pod, now I bet that won't get more than 3 or 4 lines in either of the mags, I'd like to hear everything thats happening in the drag mini scene, more info on circuit racing, more info on how to get into motorsport with our minis. Maybe some info on historic rallying and night rallys?

Also, from reading other mini forums I learnt about a stupidly quick mini in Jamaica, with some real 'trick' bits. There must be soooo many more interesting minis around the world and we hardly ever get to hear about them!

Now you create a mag that addresses even a couple of these issues and I'll be subscribing!

Wow! LOTS of good ideas there. I agree with you on all points really. Especially the mini drag scene. I know about the 12 sec Jamaican mini - it rocks! May not look like much but I find it interesting for what it does...kick exotic car arse!

D class turbominis at the pod is amazing, wont be long before someone is knocking on the 12 second door, mid 13's is pretty amazing!

I like cars with interesting histories as well. My partners 67 is a portaloo car but we love it. Yes it will be restored one day soon, but you don't need to have a perfect mini to have fun do you?!

Tech and resto is where it's at as far as we are concerned.

Your idea for a complete rebuild, properly documented in minute detail is a very good one. It really should be done.

Stuart's mini deserves a proper tech article, totally agree.

Any more ideas?

[Brawlyrox]

Any more ideas?

25%for TMF members!! and a big TMF logo on the front cover?

:tongue:

as for Jammy, everybody is entitled to have one in their lifetime,

[Jammy]

Well one last idea...more really technical stuff, I know the physics or certain stuff might be beyond some people, but I think it would be a great help if someone were for instance look at a certain part on a car and see if it could be improved or what its short comings are..

Like Calver did with the oil banjo pipe, after testing he found that the internal diameter of the pipe restricted oil flow and so recommended a fitting a different type they already use in motorsport.

Now that article was about a quarter of a page, but it could have easily been at least a side. He could have shown his mathematics behind his research, the equations he used to find out what oil flow should be and so on..

I guess what I'm trying to say is if there was like a bit that was written how Vizard wrote both his books, in each months magazine then it would be very interesting, at least for those of us interested in the physics behind each engine component..

[Brawlyrox]

Anybody see 'a car is born, 'a kitcar is born', a car is reborn'??

I think somet like that ith full illustrations, digrammes and full articles built up over a period of a year or even longer would help sell a mag. I thought even the episodes and series was well too short to completely building/restoring a car.

[mini1071s]

I think combining the 2 things, magazine and web would be a way forward.

Saving numerous magazines for articles is a pain, especially when you think, "I am sure i saw that some where" and have to go hunting to find articles

A magazine and a website hand in hand would be great.

I dont mean a full blown colour website that gives you a magazine online. I mean a simple site with a search engine built in, should you need something that you saw in a magazineyou could look up the web site and find the artice/Magazine issue number.

This would require simple headings and a very brief description of the article..
litterally a few words.

That way you would also develop a market for back issues for people who buy the magazine in future.

I think this is the way publishing needs to go. Also it has been pointed out by some US readers that they might like a digital version as postage costs mean they have to pay $12 per issue!

I would think that we could offer back issues as PDF's on CD's, like a whole years worth at the end of that publishing year so you can keep a searchable database of magazines without the clutter. Subscribers would have access to articles electronically as well.

You might be the next Mr. Branson!

[mini1071s]

Well one last idea...more really technical stuff, I know the physics or certain stuff might be beyond some people, but I think it would be a great help if someone were for instance look at a certain part on a car and see if it could be improved or what its short comings are..

He could have shown his mathematics behind his research, the equations he used to find out what oil flow should be and so on..

Quite right. My background is one of a scientist/engineer and these are the sort of really in depth articles I want to see but I was worried that it may be too much. Nice to see someone disagrees.

To be honest, I think the readers of the mini mags are far more intelligent than publishers give them credit for and would be interested in the deeper aspects of the science and engineering. We could also have a plus section on the site for subscribers to access the greater in depth and technical background to the articles, rather than boring people with very basic "how it works" articles.

[mini1071s]

Nah, Im happy with the current mags, I think they should go into more detail about technical things though. And I like the "How to" Guides too!

<|Ben|>

We also need to know how many people think this as well, as it would save us a lot of hard work for not much money!

[mini1071s]

Any more ideas?

25%for TMF members!! and a big TMF logo on the front cover?

Well, you can ask! We would be doing very generous discounts for subscriptions anyway, as this helps us plan for the future.

I never see the forums much in the magazines and it would be nice to have articles from real enthusiasts like you. The online scene is one of the most important and it is largely ignored. Where would we all be without each other? (Answer, in a cold garage with our minis in bits, that's where!)

[Brawlyrox]

I also have to vouch for this guys knowledge, he talked me through the potential of megasquirt on a turbo engine!!! and he lives close.
:tongue: