Driven by Charlie Ryder
Charlie Ryder was in his early 70s at the time of the 1994 Cannonball Run.
Charlie was the founder of the Mini Club of Australia and was the owner of the very first Cooper S, a London to Sydney Marathon Rally Car, imported to Australia.
Charlie used to own a garage in Gosford called “Ryders Garage.” If anyone knows of Charlie, he was apparently a very fit man. We have personally spoken to Charlie a few years back. One gets the thoughts when speaking with Charlie he has had a full and complete life.
It was rumoured that on the very first day, Car 28, the Mini Cooper S, broke down only a few hours out of Darwin. It was also rumoured that they called for a new motor to be delivered, set up a tripod, and the spare motor was fitted – all inside an hour.
We know these cars are small, but we also know they can be a bitch to work on. It’s a credit to the driver and navigator to know their vehicle so well and be able to do everything themselves, let alone in that short space of time.
Consider this:
70 years of age and changing a motor in a mini, inside an hour. Are you up for it?
