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MINI UNITED - Videos

I was not able to get YouTube to automatically create the post and insert the videos but was able to cut-n-paste the links into my post.
Here are four videos, The Car Wash Girls, Ian driving on the R56 Cooper on Circuit Park and the two MINI Driver Training Events..Lane Change and Reverse Spin.

MINI UNITED - Lots of MINIs, Minis & GPs

The official MINI Press release reported that there where some 8000 people in attendance ranging from 50 countries and 3000 cars. Thoughout the three day weekend we got to see all kinds of wonderful MINIs and classic Minis.  I was jumping for joy at each and every GP sighting with the highlight being the 20+ GP’s lined up in the backrow on the final day. It was reported that some 41+ GP’s where spotted throughtout the weekend. Goooo GPs!

Here is a collage of some that caught my camera.

MINI UNITED - Day 3 MINI USA Dinner

As if MINI USA did not do enough to make the entire weekend memorable they iced the cake with a wonderful dinner for the USA attendies at Fifteen which was just a short walk from the Movenpick hotel we where staying at.

Special Guest in attendance was the legendary Rauno Aaltonen who won the 1967 Monte Carlo rally in his 1275cc Cooper S pictured here talking with Stephen Seward of MINI USA and Jim McDowell MINI USA VP introducing him

Another wonderful suprise was Rauno autographing “MINI the book”

After the autograph signing we all sat down for a wonderful dinner

Our four course meal…. mouth watering and elegantly presented

The restaurant had a great deal of character here are the bathroom signs

Some more photo opportunities with Rauno and our group picture.

Thanks again to everyone in attendance, RA Events and MINI USA for a wonderful weekend. 

For more Pictures

MINI UNITED - Day 3 Coming to an End

On the third and last day of MINI United, Ian and I where not able to register for the MINI Challenge Taxi Ride where we would have been driven around the track in a Challenge car but did manage to register for the MINI Design Workshop where we had an opportunity to meet two of the several designers responsible for the GP.  The two young ladies we met where responsible for the seat and interior design. (Ian thanks for the pic)   I thanked them and praised them for their accomplishments.   

Also present was the 1 Millionth MINI and Nigel wasted no time for a photo op.

While we where inside the Main tent waiting for break in the rain, Nigel and Blue Bear decided to head over and listen to some tunes. 

 At 11am we waited for Mike Cooper to arrive for the last autograph signing and Nigel got his hanky autographed.  Nigel is not only the first in his family to cross the atlantic to Europe but the first to meet and get signed my the legendary Mike Cooper.   Mike, thanks again for all the autographs.

The brief periods of rain that we received did not deter from my enjoyment of the events and Nigel figured it was a good opportunity to take a mini MINI out for a spin and try to catch up this future MINI owner.

Luckily there was a break in the weather and the last MINI Challenge race was able to be run.  It was a bit breezey on top of the viewing area we were at and this little cutie pie of a pup was trembling.  His mum should have planned ahead gotten him a MINI sweater.  

Ian and I also registered for the MINI Ride where we each where able to take a MINI of choice (we both select the R56 MCS) and take it for a spin around the neighboring area guided by someone from MINI in a lead car.  Granted it poured for periods of our drive but I found it rather enjoyable.   I have driven the R56 MCS several other times but found this to be my best experience perhaps because it was during a rain storm on the back roads in Holland.  Overall I pleased with the interior of the R56 and are growing fond of the Nav integration within the speedometer.   It is impossible to truly compare it to the GP as in my eyes the GP is the pinnacle MINI package.  For me everything about the GP works, the color, the wheels, red mirrors and lack of rear seats but for the forward evolution of MINI’s the R56 is heading in the right direction and look forward to future special packages.

Back inside the huge MINI United tent there where many stations setup up where you could get a massage, eat, shop, look at the new MINI’s, purchase accessories and also get your hair MINI Styled.  Near the end of todays activities was a wonderful concert.

And on the coach ride back to the hotel, I took this picture of Ian.  Ian, thanks again for making the trip out.  It was great to enjoy the events with you and hope you had a pleasant time.

For more Day 3 Pictures

Also Check out Ian’s coverage of MINI United

MINI UNITED - Day 2 Night out in AMS

After a wonderful day at we headed back to the hotel to freshen up and then met up with Ian and Dave and headed out for a walk in search of some dinner.

Amsterdam is full of wonderful historic buildings. Some leaning more then they should.

Walking through the countless canals that surround the area

Ian and Dave figured we could take this little Smart car with us.

Now no visit to Amsterdam would be completed without a walk through the Red Light District and the many Coffee shop in the area.

Prostitute information center (PIC)? Wonder what level of information you can get here, Resumes?  This Coffee Shop had a ‘Girl Wanted’ sign in the window.  Maybe they should check with the PIC.

We finished up the night by having some ice cream and watching a bit of the Under 21 EUFA championship match on the big screen.

For more pictures 

Also check out Ian’s coverage

MINI UNITED - Day 2 Events Galore!

During Day 2 Ian and I registered and attended several events including the MINI Driver Training where we got the opportunity to take a pair of R56 MCS through two paces.  First was lane change at various speeds and second was doing a James Bond like reverse spinning the car around, straighting it out and moving forward whilst going through a water covered course.

Here are our instructors, and the reverse wet course.  What a blast.. can’t wait to try these moves on rental cars.

Here are two more USA owners who attended the drivers training.  Judging from their smiles I think they had a great time as well and Ian getting ready for the lane change excersise. 

Nigel lacking a drivers license couldn’t take the R56 he chose out so we got him a MINI more suitable for him to take out on the track. 

On our way back from the MINI Driver Training we stopped off at the Dunlop RunOnFlat Slalom which I think out of all the events was our favorite and gave us the opportunity to experience a MINI on a slalom course with the left front drivers wheel completely flat.  If you ever had your doubts about run flats, driving this event surely puts you at ease knowing you are safe to drive on a deflated run flat and still be able to push through some aggressive manuevers (turns and brake).

At the MINI CareProduct show this MINI was lucky enough to get washed. 

The overall atmosphere was one of relaxed fun.  There where pleanty of spots that people could just kick back and relax and take the whole event in. 

Ian and I teammed up and did several of the challenge events.  Here I am matching the speed record for fasted tire change and then it was off to the MINI Pull where Ian launched that pull of the Cooper in one direction and then I in the other.  I think our combined time was 27 seconds.

Here we got an opportunity to see some history.  My first in person sighting of the MINI ACV30 concept car and the Monte Carlo winning classic.

Nigel was busy making all sorts of friends.

Again want to thank everyone at MINI USA for making this possible.

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.