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MINI UNITED - Day 2 On the Track

Day 2 of MINI United was just a complete blast. What an incredible event.

It start rather early, catching the shuttle bus at 7am in order for the USA owners to get to the track before it officially opened.   Many thanks to everyone at MINI USA who made this possible. 

Ian getting ready to heat up the tires on our Cooper

The track was really enjoyable and although we had a pace car limiting our speeds we managed to get up to 16okhm on the straight away before having to brake hard for turn one. 

For Day 2 Pictures

Also Check out Ian’s coverage of MINI United

MINI UNITED - Day 2 GP Sightings

As one would expect at this side of the globes largest MINI gathering we saw quite a few GP’s through out the day that brought both delight and sadness.   Delight to see GP’s and sadness that we left our little girls behind and boy did those Recaro seats looking good.  Next time we’ll ship our GP’s over!   I bet we spotted over a dozen GP’s but could only confirm 9 Roof Numbers GP0049, 0309, 0599, 0608, 1414, 1420, 1630, 1657, 1630 (didn’t see GP1414 but the owner spotted my 3 GP shirt and introduced himself that he owned GP1414). Others  we couldn’t catch without a net.  We also had the please to meet several GP owners and had a delightful time GP chatting.

 For all Day 2 Pictures

Also Check out Ian’s coverage of MINI United

MINI UNITED - Day 1 Getting to AMS

 We left London Heathrow and only had a slight delay and arrived in Amsterdam around 2pm local time.   Ian wasn’t going to get in until about 3:30ish so I figured I would get some early duty free shopping done and let Nigel and Blue Bear loose to have some some fun.  I gave them each a few Euro’s but when I caught up with them they where being a little mischevious.

Looks like Nigel and Blue Bear made a friend and in their search for a refreshment

Nigel figured why pay for the milk when I can get it for free or at least try.

Ian’s flight arrived and we set off on taking the train to Amsterdam Centraal but it was not as easy at it seemed.  We tried several different ticket vending machines but after trying four different cards we could not get tickets out of the vending machine so we said the heck with it and took a taxi which provided for a more scenic view.  

When we arrived at the Movenpick hotel we were greeted. (ps. The dutch fellow sitting is as tall as a skyscraper. No doubt he can walk over MINIs in a single step)

After dropping our stuff off in our room we headed back downstairs for a welcome reception hosted by MINIUSA where we saw many friendly MINIUSA folks from MTTS and met several new MINI owners who came out for MINI United.  

Nigel, Blue Bear and QQ Jack wasted no time feeding themselves.  

After our reception MINI USA took us on a great canal ride.  Even though it was raining outside it did not spoil the fun

and Nigel and QQ Jack wasted no time heading for the booze.  When in Amsterdam drink Heineken

and waste no time adopting the Peace, Love and Ice Cream motto. 

Nigel and Blue Bear wanted to go to a coffee shop for some ice cream and coffe but I had to explain that in Amsterdam a coffee shop isn’t a coffee shop and what they really wanted was a Cafe.  Anyhow I expect tomorrow I will be explaining the birds and the bees.

Click here For all pictures of Day 1

Also Check out Ian’s coverage of MINI United

@ JFK w/Nigel & Blue Bear

At JFK waiting in the Admiral’s Lounge for the inbound flight to take Nigel the Sunshine MINIs mascot, along with Blue Bear and myself to London for a quick night cap and then onto Amsterdam in the morning for Day 1 of MINI United where we will meet up with Ian Cull and Quak Quak Jack. 

MINIsOnTop Day 3 - Nigel and the Bears

Well last night I was entrusted with Nigel  who is the Sunshine MINIs mascot.  The idea is for Nigel to travel around the United States (and abroad?) by being handed off from one Mini or MINI owner to another.  Nigel should attend meets and have his photo taken at interesting landmarks.   Well last week Nigel and Brandy participated in the Great Ice Cream Run where I hear he consumed more then his share of ice cream.   Nigel while in my care will be attending MINI United  next week along with Quack Quack Jack.  

Hopefully the two of them won’t get into tooo much trouble.

Nigel, Blue Bear, GP Bear and GQ Bear hit it off from the start.  Here they are at Six Gun City

Next stop Santa’s Village as Nigel and the bears wanted to see Santa and put there wish list together

I think Nigel and Blue Bear have created the strongest bond.  Blue bear wanted to go down the slide but he’s too little so Nigel volunteerED to go down while blue bear held onto him.  Blue Bear looked a little scared.

Nigel and Blue Bear building a bright future together and here is Nigel and Blue Bear on top of Poets Seat Tower.

We stopped at the Bridge of Flowers to smell the flowers

And the final stop of the day was at the Trolley Museum where we got to ride this trolley and get a bit of it’s history.

More MOT Pictures in Gallery

MINIsOnTop Day 3 - GP and the Moose!

Well on Day 3, got up early and hit the road back home to NY and tried to stop at various spots and capture some pictures.  Here GP meets a Moose Meadow who is in charge of the MINI Golf.   (GP is such a hottie)

Well it seems that there was a great deal of ‘intelligence chatter’ amongst the Moose community over the weekend that several GP’s had infiltrated the area that a baby Moose snuck away from it’s mum and grabbed a rare peak at the sought after GP. 

I almost pee’d my pants as I could not believe what just popped out of the woods.  GP quickly came to stop well ahead of where he stood and then he ran across the street but I quickly opened my window and yeld out at him that he had nothing to fear.  He turned around and he and GP admired each other for a bit amazed that such an incredible created existed and stood before him in awe.  GP waved goodbye and wished him safe travels.  Baby Moose promised to spread the word all MINI’s are friends of all Moose.

More MOT Pictures in Gallery

MINIsOnTop Day 2 - Top of Mt Washinton

To end a spectacular day, we all met at the base of Mt. Washington where we had dinner, awards presented and raffles drawn for some fantastic prizes including MINI of Peabody Trip To England and Herb Chambers MINI Cooper Lease as the top prizes.  We were blessed with picture perfect weather for the entire weekend that made the drive up the mountain even more enjoyable.

Once on the top, watching all the MINI’s drive up seemed comical.  They looked like little toy cars.

In total I think 175 of the 257 MINI’s in attendance where allow to climb Mt. Washington filling all the lots. This being a picture of two of the four lots.

More MOTS Pictures in Gallery

MINIsOnTop Day 2 - Lunch at Polly’s

After a great morning meeting and greeting other MINI enthusiasts, old friends and getting a little shopping in on the boot sale where I picked up a few items.  We followed Ian and Margaret over to Polly’s Pancakes for the most amazing pancakes and bacon I have ever had.  It was well worth the hour wait and If you’re ever in the area you have to stop by.

Here is one way to work off lunch

MINIsOnTop Day 2 - Concours & Awards

This year marked the first MOTs Concourse De Elegance where attendings could participate in many categories.  Cleanest, Dirtiest, Best Sounds, Best Customization, Best Plate, Best display of ducks, Peoples Choice… all in all I think there was close to a dozen categories.

Luis and Elsa who we met earlier this year at the Hammer & Coop Movie premier where in attendance with ‘FastMINI’  They did an incredible presentation all decked out in checkers, outfits included.  They where rewarded for their outstanding Motoring by winning four awards including People’s Choice and Overall.

This was the first opportunity I have had to listen to Ian’s sound system and it was amazing.  He took the DPSM I installed in GP0154 to the next level with an incredibly custom enclosure and addition of additional amp and speakers.  Ian and GP0203 won for best sound system.   Ian was also presented with an Appreciation award presented by MINI USA Gerry Mathews, Paul Macerone and Jim McDowell for his oustanding and continued efforts in the MINI Community.  Well deserved Ian!

 Brandy who drove up from Florida with Amy and Nigel and participated in the Great Ice Cream Run prior to coming to MOTs. She won for dirtiest MINI

MINIsOnTop Day 2 - Memories of MTTS

Day 2 brought back many great memories of MTTS and following Ian in GP0203 this time in GP1717.   Even with owning three GP’s I can never get enough of watching a GP drive along.  Boy she’s a beauty.  GP0154 although stuck in Dallas was there in spirit with GP0154 R/C trying to sneak in line and get in on the action.

Once we arrived at Loon Park, we parked and cleaned GP1717 to get ready for the Concourse De Elegance. GP Bear focused on prepping GP0154 R/C.

More MOTS Pixs in Gallery