Welcome to 2016, race fans! One of my resolutions for this year is to spend more time on this blog again. I got so far behind in 2015 that you haven’t even heard about how I got tased by Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas. Or all the interesting car-related observations I made in Southeast Asia. […]
Category Archives: The MINI
August
21
Surprises
posted by Motorista
On the way to work today, I ended up behind a Buick that was quite good-looking. A BUICK. More specifically, it was a red Buick Regal and, I have to say, it looks fairly sporty in motion. I was shocked, and I’m not even being snarky about it. Buick’s SUVs are looking pretty good these days, […]
September
10
Small-Car Syndrome
posted by Motorista
Today I had the privilege of spending a fair amount of time behind the wheel of the “work car,” otherwise known (by me) as the World’s Biggest Benz-o. I love driving, and I love driving all types of vehicles, including the Benz-o. But going from a MINI to Mercedes’ biggest SUV is quite the study […]
August
22
My Rogue Protege
posted by Motorista
Ah, Auto Buddy – up to no good. My littlest reader challenged me to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. What could I do but accept?? This young man’s already out of my hands… And there’s a little tease of the Red MINI, for those of you who have not met her yet. What say […]
July
05
Second Annual Father-Daughter GP of Houston: the Daughter Version
posted by Motorista
Lessons learned at the IndyCar Houston Grand Prix: rain won’t kill you, and the world’s best hamburger is made in a school bus. Dad shared his version of the weekend with you a few days ago. Now you get to hear what really happened. 😉 Saturday The weekend began at 5:30 a.m. for me, which […]
June
20
In Praise of the Manual
posted by Motorista
Sometimes the “easy” way is the best way. Sometimes the “harder” way provides a richer, more rewarding experience. Such is the manual transmission. I did not learn to drive on a manual. Frankly, I was scared enough with the automatic. Worrying about shifting and using two feet for three pedals might have sent me over […]
May
21
New Gig: Guest Blogging
posted by Motorista
I was excited and honored to receive an invitation from Lisa Copeland, General Manager of Fiat of Austin and all-around badass auto industry gal, to contribute to her website, Buying Cars Her Way. My first post is now up, so click on over to BCHW to read more about the Red MINI’s recent brush with the law, […]
May
15
The World’s Fastest Petit Four
posted by Motorista
I’m not sure what it says about me that my latest hero is a confectionary treat. Whatever, who cares. Ladies and gentlemen, meet the World’s Fastest Petit Four: It all started with Cindy‘s birthday party yesterday. At the party were some cute and delicious petit fours, from Paige’s Bakehouse in Round Rock, Texas. If you […]
February
14
Be Mine
posted by Motorista
My Valentines are of the four-wheeled variety. I win. Here are a few of my recent loves. And my current steady, the Red MINI.
December
29
2013: a Look Back
posted by Motorista
I never thought the birth year of a blog would be a big deal, but here I am, looking back on 2013 through the eyes of this blog, and thinking about all that has happened since I published my first post on May 25. I have been to car-related events in Michigan, California and Texas, […]
November
19
And Now?
posted by Motorista
After two very busy workdays, on the heels of USGP weekend, it occurred to me in a quiet moment this evening: I have nothing car-related on my schedule. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. This has not been the case since…when? August? July? Good grief. What does one do with a wide-open calendar? I hear my dad, […]
October
14
Lotus and Me: a Love Story
posted by Motorista
I am in love, and she is British. Wait. That didn’t come out quite right. In these instances, it is unfortunate that cars are referred to in the feminine… You may recall last month’s visitor to my driveway – a beautiful red Lotus Evora. (In case you forgot, I wrote about it here, here, here […]
October
10
The Bow Tie in My Driveway
posted by Motorista
The Red MINI took one to the chin in the office parking lot the other day. While she gets stitches, I have a visitor in my driveway. This one isn’t quite as hot as my last visitor. Nevertheless, it sports a dapper bow tie, and I welcome it gladly. Meet the Chevy Equinox. Given how […]
October
03
Double Down in H-Town
posted by Motorista
Camera? Check. Schedule? Check. Spotter’s guide? Check. Tickets? Check. Dad? Soon to be in transit. Having a little father-daughter time at the Grand Prix of Houston this weekend. The festivities begin tomorrow with a ride to Houston in the Red MINI and continue Saturday and Sunday with Pro Mazda Championship races, the Pirelli World […]
September
29
British Invasion Weekend
posted by Motorista
So, the British invaded Central Texas this weekend. More precisely, the Texas All British Car Days show was held in Round Rock today. I was planning to go as a camera-wielding spectator. Instead, through a combination of happenstance and generosity, I ended up being a camera-wielding JUDGE. And since it was raining off and on, […]
September
04
Britannia! in My Driveway
posted by Motorista
Kinda digging my driveway this week. I don’t even have anything intelligent to say about this. It just makes me giggle with delight. The dogs are a little confused. They aren’t sure why I keep backing one red thing out and pulling a different red thing in. I tell them not everything in […]
August
12
What’s in Your Fantasy Garage?
posted by Motorista
One of my life goals is to build a beautiful, stable-like multi-car garage to house my inevitable collection of sheet metal. (Well, inevitable if I stop spending so much money on racing classes and trips to California…) I have it laid out in my mind, right down to the artwork on the walls (old car […]
June
17
Co-Pilots
posted by Motorista
Everyone needs a co-pilot. Yours may be Jesus. Or your significant other. Or the wacky college friend who has been sleeping on your couch since graduation. Five years ago. My co-pilots are furry. Meet Thing 1 (not her real name; she is wary of privacy violations), pictured at left with her beloved Cow. Thing 1 […]
June
14
Motorista’s ride
posted by Motorista
The most frequently asked question of a car enthusiast – after “what is your favorite car?”- is, “Well, what do you drive??” Fair enough. If I talk the talk, I should walk the walk. And so, dear readers, I submit to you…the 2012 MINI John Cooper Works. “John Cooper Works” is MINI’s skunkworks, sort of […]
MOTORista 