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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Perth couple Nigel Jones and Cindy Gielingh-Jones returned to the 2025 Tarmac West Rally in “Jaffa,” their bright red 1967 Mini Cooper. Jones drove while his wife co-drove, helping guide the car through stages and calling the pace notes. For the pair, the point was less about speed than enjoying a demanding event in a small, much-loved classic.
Meet Jaffa and the couple behind the wheel
PerthNow reported on September 18, 2025, that Jones was taking part in the rally for the nineteenth time and Gielingh-Jones for the fifteenth, counting their participation across driving and navigating. Their car, nicknamed “Jaffa,” is a bright red 1967 Mini Cooper.
Jones described the car’s appeal in a comment attributed by PerthNow to The West Australian: “It’s just small, it’s fun, everyone loves it. It’s hard work because it’s pretty old, but we just love it.” That is the couple’s affection for their car, not a claim that an old Mini is easy to run on a rally.
What co-driving involves
In Jones’s account, the co-driver helps guide the driver to stages and reads pace notes describing turns ahead. That work makes the navigator an active partner: the driver has to interpret the calls and steer, while the co-driver has to deliver useful information at the right time.
#1 Best Overall
- 1️⃣ 🏁 A VICTORY THAT CHANGED HISTORY In 1967, a small Mini Cooper S shocked the world. Competing against larger, more powerful cars in the Monte Carlo Rally, it proved that precision, courage, and innovation could defeat pure power. Car #177 became a symbol of one of racing’s greatest underdog victories.
- 2️⃣ 🔥 MORE THAN A MODEL — A MOMENT IN TIME This is not just a diecast car. It’s a tribute to a golden era of motorsport, when drivers battled through snow-covered mountain roads and every victory carried a story worth remembering.
- 3️⃣ 🔍 COLLECTOR-LEVEL DETAIL & OPENING DOOR Crafted with precision, featuring an opening door and a fully detailed interior including steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and pedals—bringing you closer to the original driving experience.
- 4️⃣ ⚙️ PREMIUM 1:18 DIECAST BUILD Made from high-quality diecast metal with durable ABS components. Solid weight, smooth finish, and realistic proportions make it ideal for collectors and long-term display.
- 5️⃣ 🎁 A MEANINGFUL GIFT FOR TRUE ENTHUSIASTS Designed for collectors, car lovers, and ages 14+, this model is more than a display piece—it’s a conversation starter, a memory, and a tribute to a legendary moment.
Jones emphasized that reliance on the navigator is fundamental to the sport: “You’ve got to have trust in your navigator, if you don’t then you shouldn’t be doing the sport. It’s not just the driving, the co-driving is just as important.”
How far the 2025 rally covered
The 2025 Tarmac West Rally ran over four days, beginning in Perth and linking locations that included the Perth Hills, Toodyay, Malaga and Langley Park before a Perth finale. PerthNow reported almost 219 competitive kilometres on timed stages and 1,121 kilometres in total across the event. Those figures describe the 2025 rally, not a fixed distance for future editions.
Rank #2
- Brand new box. Real rubber tires. Has opening hood and front doors. Made of diecast with some plastic parts. Detailed interior, exterior, engine compartment. Dimensions approximately L-7.5, W-3, H-2.5 inches.
The route gave the event a mix of competitive stages and the travel between them. In the Perth Hills, the Shire of Mundaring said the September 19, 2025 stages passed through Parkerville and along Mundaring Weir Road, with temporary road closures and detours. Its notice applied to that date and event; it should not be used to plan travel for another year.
Where spectators can watch
The 2025 PerthNow report said spectating was free. Viewing locations, access rules, road closures and schedules can change from year to year, so anyone planning to attend should use the official spectator guide for the specific edition rather than rely on a past route notice.
Rank #3
![Hot Wheels Austin Mini Cooper S [Green] Then & Now 1/10, 71/250, New for 2026! 1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Vehicle](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41yQX2Xv4jL._SL160_.jpg)
- Austin Mini Cooper S in a Stlyish Green Finish!
- Number 1/10 in the Then & Now Set! Number 71/250 in the overall series!
- 1:64 Scale Diecast Toy Car
Why the couple keep coming back
Jones said the pair were among the smallest, oldest and slowest cars in the field, but that having fun mattered most: “We just love it, we’re the smallest car, the oldest car and we’re probably one of the slowest, but we still have fun so that’s the main thing.” Their return in Jaffa is a reminder that a rally can be as much about shared experience and teamwork as outright pace.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Approximately 7-1/2" Long
- Scaled replicas of cars and trucks
- Die-cast metal body with plastic details
- Opening doors on all- some with opening hoods and trunks
- Detailed chassis
Rank #4
- 1️⃣ 🇬🇧 ICONIC BRITISH STYLE DESIGN Featuring the bold Union Jack design, this Mini Cooper model represents the essence of British culture, combining vintage aesthetics with timeless style.
- 2️⃣ 🎯 A COLLECTIBLE THAT STANDS OUT Unlike racing replicas, this edition celebrates design and identity—perfect for collectors who appreciate unique style and cultural icons.
- 3️⃣ 🔍 DETAILED INTERIOR & OPENING DOOR Includes an opening door and a carefully recreated interior with steering wheel, dashboard, seats, and pedals for a realistic experience.
- 4️⃣ ⚙️ PREMIUM 1:18 DIECAST BUILD Made from high-quality diecast metal with ABS components, offering solid weight, durability, and a premium finish for display.
- 5️⃣ 🎁 PERFECT FOR DISPLAY & GIFTING Ideal for ages 14+, collectors, and fans of British cars. A stylish display piece for desks, shelves, or showcases.
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