37 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

I'm just concerned that some of you younger guys on here might think that because some of us are over 70, then, in driving terms, we must be 'past it'. I also have a Rover 214 SI twin-cam rally car and when I helped organise a National Rally event recently I was asked to drive one test at competitive speed with my grandson holding a video camera. Despite having to self-navigate, my test time was still fairly competitive overall and as the video shows, we were 'well-sideways' at full power several times!
Of course, my most competitive days of rallying are over and I realise this. However, I can still drive at reasonably competitive speeds and try to pass some of this onto others and I still love building competition Minis for rallying. All the young Mini chaps in this area seem to come around to my workshop at my home for help and advice and I'm delighted that they do. I've even been asked to show one or two of them how to drive a Mini quickly, smoothly (that's the key) and safely in the twisty lanes at night. Of course, I'm delighted to oblige.
Recently I've not had so much time to spare as I've returned to gliding after a break from it of 46 years (yes, really) and I have to take a writted exam for my 'Bronze certificate' later this month in addition to a more advanced flying ability test.
I had lunch with Rauno Altonnen last year and he can still drive a Mini, and anything else really, at extremely high speeds. Paddy Hopkirk is still very good in one in addition to being a really nice guy.
Don't write off us 'old farts' too soon!

[Cooperman]

it's not about the age, but about the spirit!!!

Well said, that man!
Another 'evergreen' Mini driver is my old friend Barrie 'Whizzo' Williams who still teaches racing, races, tests all sorts of cars and drives his famous 1963 Cooper 'S' reg. 120 MNP very quickly. In fact he was the first person to win an international rally in a Cooper 'S' and still has the car. He is also 70 years-young.

ive met whizzo before, he bought a car from my work, great chap

Yes, Barrie is a really great bloke. He and I have been friends since 1964 and we often have lunch and laughter together. We also marshall together every year on the Tour-of-Cheshire Rally. We've helped each other with Mini parts.
He has always been an 'ace' in the world of Mini drivers. If you 'Google' 24PK you can read about how he and I recovered Sir Peter Moon's famous Mini after he crashed it on the Isle of Man Rally and towed the wreck back to England.

[minidream94]

theres a dude that pottles along in a mayfair near to where i work, he must be atleast 70 odd and ive only seen him going to the news agents in it, i dont know if he goes else where or not in it, but who cares atleast hes still driving it :L

[Cooperman]

Remember, we 'very, very old' guys are the ones who started the legend that is 'the Mini' for you youngsters to continue to enjoy.
Just make sure sure you live up to it

[Matt.P]

I'm just concerned that some of you younger guys on here might think that because some of us are over 70, then, in driving terms, we must be 'past it'. I also have a Rover 214 SI twin-cam rally car and when I helped organise a National Rally event recently I was asked to drive one test at competitive speed with my grandson holding a video camera. Despite having to self-navigate, my test time was still fairly competitive overall and as the video shows, we were 'well-sideways' at full power several times!
Of course, my most competitive days of rallying are over and I realise this. However, I can still drive at reasonably competitive speeds and try to pass some of this onto others and I still love building competition Minis for rallying. All the young Mini chaps in this area seem to come around to my workshop at my home for help and advice and I'm delighted that they do. I've even been asked to show one or two of them how to drive a Mini quickly, smoothly (that's the key) and safely in the twisty lanes at night. Of course, I'm delighted to oblige.
Recently I've not had so much time to spare as I've returned to gliding after a break from it of 46 years (yes, really) and I have to take a writted exam for my 'Bronze certificate' later this month in addition to a more advanced flying ability test.
I had lunch with Rauno Altonnen last year and he can still drive a Mini, and anything else really, at extremely high speeds. Paddy Hopkirk is still very good in one in addition to being a really nice guy.
Don't write off us 'old farts' too soon!

Fantastic - I can honestly say that I've never read anything so inspirational on an internet forum before.

One of the issues that concerns me is aging. I'm 18 so I've got a few years before I can even consider retirement. It's not getting older itself that worries me, more so that I'll end up being the more stereotypical old dodderer you see driving at 20mph on a Motorway during the evening news...

What would be your advice to us youngsters who want to age gracefully and keep driving like yourself?

[Bobby9779]

Not that age concerns me...but I'm soon to be 26 and I salute you cooperman. A true inspiration to us all. I will still be driving my current mini at 70 and beyond. She will not slip quietly into the darkness.

[Cooperman]

Get involved in motor-sport, learn to drive safely, very quickly and efficiently, and keep on laughing!
Seriously, I appreciate your remarks. I don't know what the key to a long and full life is. If I did I would bottle it and make a fortune. I do think it's largely a state-of-mind and the luck of good health.
I started rallying when I was 18 and navigated my first Mini to a rally win when I was 20 in 1961 .
You could say that so far I've lived life to the full - and then some. I used to get people say to me that I was lucky to be flying aeroplanes and driving/navigating rally cars and that they would love to do that. The answer is "Well, do it then. This is not a rehersal for life, this is life, live it every day, try to win at what you do, value your friends, most of all have fun and never act your age".
I have done a lot of rallies with my son and one of the best things in life was to win a really tough rally, with my son navigating, in a car we built and prepared together. My son is now 36 and works in F1, but we are really good mates as well. I have done a few small rallies with my middle grandson who is now 16 and he and I are building a 1997 MPI as his first road car for when he is 17 in November. We previously restored a 1986 Mayfair with a 1061 cc engine and lots of good bits. He drove this on tracks and closed roads with me 'advising' him how to get it to perform best. I always stress that smooth driving and looking a long way down the road makes you a safe and quick driver.
You are only as old as you think you are or you allow yourself to be.
Keep on keeping on!
Good luck with your life - you have it all to do. Now go and do it.

[rendersonique]

I've met Cooperman, and I must say I didn't realise you were 70 . Glad to hear you are well

[Cooperman]

I've met Cooperman, and I must say I didn't realise you were 70 . Glad to hear you are well

Hi Andy,

I hope that you are well.
Yes, I was 70 last Dec 3rd.

Anyone on here doing the 'Huntingdon to Hunstanton' run in April? If so I'll see you there. Probably in my red/white 'S' CNX132B or my Innocenti Cooper 1300 LFL468L which is blue/white. We can have ice cream and whelks at the seaside and go on the bumper cars!

[samsfern]

i wish i done the h2h run last year, so im going to do it this year i think, any more details on it?

[Cooperman]

i wish i done the h2h run last year, so im going to do it this year i think, any more details on it?

Google 'HAMOC' and go to H2H. It will come up with a contact.
I do hope to see you there Sam, 'twould be good to meet up. I'll be with my grandson, Cooperkid, a.k.a. Dennis.
If you wanted to you could come around to mine and look at my Rover rally car to give you some ideas for yours maybe.

[samperks]

Hey Cooperman!
just thought id say very insperational to see your still so stuck in and hands on with your racing a flying by the sounds of it! could you give any tips or advice on how to start joining the rallying scene as i think it could be something i would enjoy if not just to watch let alone race.

Cheers!

[Cooperman]

Hey Cooperman!
just thought id say very insperational to see your still so stuck in and hands on with your racing a flying by the sounds of it! could you give any tips or advice on how to start joining the rallying scene as i think it could be something i would enjoy if not just to watch let alone race.

Cheers!

I see that you ae in the Wolverhampton area. There is an excellent club local to you. It's the 'Wolverhampton & South Staffordshire Car Club'. They run some excellent rallies and other events, so you could join and start by helping with marshalling on events to see how it all works. Then there will be members who will help with advice on the sort of events you wish to do and the car preparation for them. There will be autotests and small club rallies (both ideal for a Mini), larger rallies, probably sprints and maybe hillclimbs. If you 'Google' their website you'll get a really good idea. If you do to one of their club-nights you'll meet lots of enthusiasts who will be only too pleased to welcome another member.
As a marshal on rallies you are essential to the running of the events and get right up close as an official and get to meet the top crews and see how they do it.
It's all great fun and great for making new friends of all ages with similar interests.
Good luck with it all,

Peter

[Ethel]

I'd commend Cooperman's attitude too,

Growing old disgracefully and taking on new challenges won't only help to stave off some of the effects of ageing; it also means you're regularly testing your abilities. It's the real old dodderers who are a hazard, as many won't even have realised how their abilities have deteriorated. I don't imagine he needs any encouragement, but we should be careful that our attitude to older people doesn't become a self fulfilling prophecy.

[DAVEY_C]

cooperman is realy a legend in his own right and IMHO tells not how it is but how it should be, one part of being in the mini scene i love is when you get people of 70+ coming over outside tescos or somewhere with a big smile telling how in their youth they drove mini's and they can remember every detail like it was yesterday, i realy enjoy listening to them stories and how pasionate they get about them.... its a connection between current mini drivers and anyone who has driven them in the past. truth be told alot of them prob have their mini's still tucked away somewhere

my granny drove mini's all her life till her late 70's when she was no longer fit to drive in '01, her last one being a '91 rover city, i am currently restoring but mini's kept her young although she was a sunday driver(20mph everywhere) lol