LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
A father-son relationship is a very special thing, made even more so through the pursuit of shared interests such as music and sports, or hobbies like fishing. For Wayne and Ashley Ellis however, spending quality time together means chasing each other through the forests of the Nürburgring, their MINI R56s popping and banging as they scythe past BMWs like an automotive Batman and Robin. “Ash being a petrolhead was inevitable,” laughs Wayne before Ashley agrees: “Even as a small kid I remember being around the race cars, plus going to shows and track days… nothing has changed!” he grins.
Wayne has been around modified cars and motorsport for many years, even mixing with the likes of Tony Gilham and Matt Neal of BTCC fame, but more about that later. Back then, he was actually a Vauxhall fan and ran various modified examples culminating in a 400hp turbocharged Corsa. But four years ago everything changed when a MINI elbowed its way onto the driveway, an R53 to be precise. “My partner bought one as a daily driver,” continues Wayne, “and it kept breaking down, so she retired it from commuting duties, and I took it to a track day for a giggle.” That giggle turned into a belly laugh, then into a full-blown fit of hysterics as he discovered to his surprise that the little Cooper S is no clown car
