July 7, 2006:
“We don’t have any idea what it’s like!”
That’s an answer received by our “gang of GP owners” to some questions we posed to MINI USA recently about the specifications of the MINI Cooper S with JCW GP kit! Questions like: Will the GP have rear fog lights? What is the ground clearance of the GP?
The first response from MINI USA was to dump the questions to R.A.Events, the company contracted to organize MINI Takes The States and the Monterey GP delivery; rather unsurprisingly, they didn’t know the answers:
… I talked to Stracco, our product advocate, about your other questions and he just gave me a wry smile and said: “Anticipation is what makes waiting fun. Patience grasshopper…. Patience.” The Great Stracco has spoken.
Seriously, these cars are so special we quite frankly don’t have answers to the rest of your questions and probably won’t until the cars get here which is right before you take delivery …
What a bunch of crock!
The mentioned “Stracco” is Jeff Stracco, MINI product manager (see this MotoringFile interview) – apparently he’s not so great at bringing answers 
So next we tried a direct assault on our contacts at MINI USA; their response:
… the truth is that we really don’t have the answers to those questions … these cars are being built at the Bertone factory and quite frankly, we don’t have the same communication path to them as we do for our other models …
Apparently, MINI went to Bertone, asked them to build some cars, and didn’t attempt to find out what sort of cars would be built – incredible! And obviously, complete nonsense.
It’s obvious to all that there are people within MINI that spec’ed the GP, and provided Bertone with the necessary details on what sort of car to build – apparently such information is not available to MINI USA; they’re simply hoping that the buyer will be happy with whatever is delivered.
I certainly hope all GP buyers will be happy, but I think there should be more details – after all, people are being told to lay out non-refundable commitments for a car that, supposedly, even MINI USA doesn’t have the specs for!
[sorry, rant mode off now]
Jeff (2006/07/07 @ 11:19 pm)
It’s good to know I am not alone. At least you got a roof number. You would think they could at least be consistent in what info they are releasing. We’ll see in CA I guess. Thanks for all of your work here. It’s therapeutic. lol
peter (2006/07/08 @ 12:09 pm)
Lack of specific information such as mentioned is a long standing way of working in the automotive industry. Even dealers do not know any specifics until a new car lands on their doorstep. Upper management doesn’t really know either about many specifics.
That is not surprising to me. These folks are not involved in the physical product development. The people who do that are behind the scenes and not available for comment – not reachable by anyone in the public pool, and too complicated and restricted for even corporate gurus to consult with.
The product is being developed – wait and see – be patient – let us do our jobs and don’t bother us. Thank you. Thank you very much.
Similar to other vehicles, product development takes place in a high security environment. Just imagine what other manufacturers would do to get the scoop on competitors specific plans and details of the next new model. People who need to know, do. Others don’t and must await with baited breath.
At least, in my opinion, whatever that’s worth may be questionable, natch, that’s the way it is.
As the famous Ripley says : “Believe it or not”.
Not to worry, we’ll like it! Monterey and MTTS are closer every second, minute, hour and day!!
Remain calm, step away from the computer, go out motoring and no one will be harmed. 
Jim Ray (2006/07/09 @ 5:53 pm)
“The product is being developed – wait and see – be patient – let us do our jobs and don’t bother us. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Spoken like a true employee of MINI USA. The product is developed, the cars are built, they are in transit. That don’t bother us attitude is what has started the problem. Trying to find out what part of the hype is real, and what is “Misprints” is what it it all about.
peter (2006/07/10 @ 11:55 am)
Yeah, well, I do understand. I figure then we need to send an elite team of highly trained undercover agents to Bertone, or work on establishing some mole to spill the goods!
I was actually in Italy this past May, but got waylaid at the Fiorano track, but that’s another story!