FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE YET TO SUBSCRIBE, WE ARE SHIPPING 20-30 COMPLIMENTARY ISSUES TO EVERY MINI DEALER IN N.AMERICA. AFTER THAT, THEY’LL BE AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE MINI STORE AT US$5.95.

FOR CANADIANS (EH?), CHECKOUT YOUR LOCAL HASTINGS, INDIGO OR LOCAL MAGAZINE SELLER. FOR THE US, WE’RE STILL WORKING WITH BORDERS, B&N AND OTHERS ON DISTRIBUTION.

IN ADDITION, WE’LL BE SENDING COPIES TO AS MANY CLUBS AS WE HAVE CONTACT WITH.

THE T-SHIRT ART IS NOW FINISHED AND WILL BE UP ON OUR WEBSITE (WWW.MC2MAGAZINE.COM) SOON. IT’S A 5-COLOUR INK DESIGN (NOT AN IRON-ON TRANSFER!) ON A QUALITY SHIRT. THEY WILL BE SHIPPED VIA THE POSTMAN TO ARRIVE UNDER YOUR TREE.

GARY AND I ARE GOING TO HIDE FOR A FEW DAYS NOW AS WE’RE POOPED!

THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WELL WISHES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. IT’S BEEN VERY REWARDING TO SEE SUCH SUPPORT, BARRY

Also in the Q & A it’s written:

Charter Subscribers will be offered privileges at our planned e-zine/newsletter, interactions with advertisers for testing new products, and some ideas we’re tinkering with. It’s about relationships, so e-mails.

Why is it that only “Charter Subscribers (i.e those that subscribe before issue #1 is out) will get e-zine/newsletter, etc? I can understand the t-shirt thing but isn’t it kind of unfair for people who subscribe after the first issue release that they won’t be able to receive the e-zine/newsletter.

To me that doesn’t seem a good thing to do when a publication wants subscribers.

I’m really pleased to see that you have a lady in your writing crew. I’ve always enjoyed cars, but I’ve never been the type to “mod” my car. The MINI, however, has turned that all around. I can use all the “Dummies guide to MINI how-tos” you guys can publish. I want to understand everything from the lingo to how to inspect my brakes.

A suggestion I’d offer for a topic to cover… (as morbid as this sounds) Cover the MINI saving lives. As a former Volvo owner, I still love going to Volvo’s website & reading the “my Volvo saved my life” stories complete with pictures of a totaled car. I would not have bought a car this small without the safety features it has & I’d love to have more confirmation of the extremes this car is capable of.

I’d also like to see an article on high-mileage MINIs. I know we have one out there with 150K on the odometer. It’d be really interesting to have a mechanic look at all the major systems and talk about how the car is fairing.

Well, anyhow… just a couple of my crazy ideas for what I’d like to read (along with everything else already mentioned). Best of luck to you guys!

There’s so much to respond to, but I’ll keep it brief. Gary and I are “ink on paper” guys. We are fully aware of the Internet, and know that’s where you get your news. We’ll never try and replace Gabe. It takes just as much time and effort to post as it does print, and I stare at this 19-inch sreen all day thanks!

To those that have posted some great insight into the small niche-market magazine business thanks very much.

Please know that you Charter Subscribers are special to us. Look for us to make contact with some of you for other ideas, and your input on your magazine.

And PS, a close frfiend of mine coined the phrase about dying with the most toys. His name is Bob Barnes. He coined it in the early 1980s at a street rod event. He owns one helluva chrome and plating shop!

We thank you for your trust and support. We’ll deliver your first issue in early December. (That’s 2005!) Then several more issues before the end of 2006 for just $24.95 in the USA.

The t-shirt you’ll be pleased to wear. It’s 4-6 colours, on a quality shirt.

Happy Motoring, Barry

Oh and to answer a few more questions:

Yes, we’re running a business. However, it’s a business born of passion, not simply financial gain. You’ll find in our magazine that we will not sacrifice that passion.

We’re not R&T, C&D or part of some huge entity like those mag’s. We will respond to you the reader and you postings and inpit via e-mails thru our site. Not every one of them, but some of them, as some are being answered by other posts.

About the shirts. We have yet to print them, so keep the orders going as we’re watching the progress. Our site generates a sub order e-mail to my desk, so keep ‘em coming, and we’ll see what develops. We will not be printing the Charter Subscriber t-shirt again!

I’d have thought the original hype surrounding the new MINI would have lessened by now, but all this good stuff going on in motorsports keeps things at a fever pitch. Good luck keeping up!!!

Actually, given the challenges faced by GoMINI, perhaps it’s more sustainable if the print/web enterprises worked in harmony somehow.

I sure hope they honor the quote above:

For Charter Subscribers (those with paid sub’s before we mail the debut issue), we’re designing and printing a limited edition of a few thousand MC² t-shirts.

Where everyone subscribing before the first issue is mailed gets a shirt.

Honestly I would’ve waited to subscribe if it wasn’t for the T-Shirt offer and I had no indication they were already past order number 1500 before I paid…

When Editor Gary Anderson invited me to contribute, I was flattered – and I want to do my best for all of you. There’s such a lot going on at the British end of this enterprise that I don’t think we will ever lack things to talk about.

Did You Know That ? corner : The MINI is manufactured in a much-modernised factory at Cowley, near Oxford. Originally that factory was owned by Pressed Steel Co., providing body shells for cars as various as Mini, and Rolls-Royce ! Did You Know That ?

tommyb

Do I get a shirt

cool stuff ! !