1983 Basic Mini ‘Mentley’ wins Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour UK 2024Toy World Journal

Dominic Whittle’s construct fought off over 180 rivals to assert the Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour UK crown in entrance of followers and a panel of judges at SlammedUK’s Gravity Present.

A 1983 Austin Mini, remodelled with styling that evokes the traditional Bentley Pace 8s of the Twenties, has been named the winner of the 2024 Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour UK, hosted by SlammedUK’s Gravity Present on the NEC.

Now set to characterize the UK on the worldwide stage, and in with an opportunity to be recreated as a 1:64 scale die forged mannequin, the Mini ‘Mentley’ was first conceived as a observe day automobile earlier than being progressively reworked into the showpiece it’s right this moment.

Owned by a trio of musicians – Dominic Whittle, Gary Selby and Mike Williams – the Mini ‘Mentley’ is utilized by the three buddies to journey throughout Europe (with their devices strapped to the baggage rack) as they carry out all through France, Italy and Germany to lift cash for Save the Kids.

“It’s an enormous privilege for us to win the UK spherical of the Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour with ‘Mentley’, justifying the onerous work (and enjoyable) we had creating it,” says Dominic Whittle. “Our curiosity in automobiles started once we had been six years previous, and it’s nice to be right here 53 years later with a car that displays these childhood reminiscences. To be immersed in a world of automobile fans for 2 days as a part of the Gravity Present has been great.”

Beating over 180 entries, Dominic Whittle’s Mini ‘Mentley’ impressed the judging panel, led by Sizzling Wheels’ design supervisor Craig Callum, with its unmistakable authenticity and character capturing the essence of the Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour.

Judges Nicola Hume (host of Pink Bull’s ‘Speaking Bull’ podcast), Jordan Clarke (founding father of Slammed UK) and influencer Mat Armstrong scored every entry in opposition to a strict set of standards: design, authenticity and storage spirit, in addition to efficiency, enjoyable and the story behind the construct. As Craig Callum explains: “The Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour celebrates builders, visionaries and other people within the automotive world who put within the late nights, early mornings and creativity to provide a legend. As soon as once more the UK has supplied some unbelievable contenders stuffed with the creativity, storage spirit and authenticity that makes Sizzling Wheels Legends so particular.”

The preliminary entry record was narrowed all the way down to eight semi-finalists by Sizzling Wheels representatives on either side of the Atlantic. For less than the second time, the 2024 UK closing was open to the general public. The ultimate occurred on the Gravity Present on the Birmingham NEC, the UK’s largest modified and supercar present. After profitable the UK leg of the Sizzling Wheels Legends Tour, the Mini ‘Mentley’ will compete in opposition to regional finalists on the International Semi-Remaining on November 2nd with the Grand Finale set for November eleventh. The general victor will probably be reworked right into a die forged that will probably be offered around the globe.

Dominic hopes to comply with within the footsteps of final yr’s winner, Michael Wallhead’s MG-Beast, which took the UK entry to the International Finale for the third consecutive yr. Coupled with Lee Johnstone’s 1969 Volvo P1800 Gasser, which received the general competitors in 2021, The Mini ‘Mentley’ it underlines the UK’s place and standing in worldwide automobile tradition.