Sure the price of gas is going through the roof with no relief in site. But, if you are really a MINI person, trust me when I say this is an event you are not going to want to miss!
If MTTS this year is half as cool as MINI United was last year, it’s going to be awesome! Check out the MTTS site to get the lowdown on all of the events that will be going on. Don’t forget to subscribe via RSS or email to get those updates as they happen! Of course, the games and activities are cool to be sure, but the real reason you’re going is for the MINIs and the people. If you have never experienced a large scale MINI event, you will be in for a treat!
Another tip of the cap to MINIs on the Tail of the Dragon which is taking place this weekend. This video shows a (almost) full run of the famed road from last year’s event with me in a 2007 MCS press car. Unfortunately several sections had to be cut out due to some traffic, but I think you generally get the idea. And keep in mind that this particular run was done casually with some regard for the law.
In honor of MINIs on the Tail of the Dragon taking place this week we thought we’d pull out a video we create last year of our trip from Chicago. It gives you a small window into our 10 hour drive that day - including a shortened version of the ‘Dragon Night Run’ posted last year.
MINI and Life Ball have been synonymous for eight consecutive years now, and this years unique MINI will be designed by cult lingerie label Agent Provocateur, founded by Serena Rees and her husband, Vivianne Westwood’s son, Joseph Corre.
The Life Ball MINI 2008 will be auctioned through eBay from 5 to 15 June 2008 in further aid of Life Ball, Europe’s largest AIDS charity event to be helt on 17 May 2008.
(Updated) What happens with a full tanked up bike goes over a edge of the heavily forested ravine on the Dragon? Fire. Currently firefighters are battled the blaze which has now spread to around 10 acres. Here’s an excerpt from a local news crew:
Miller said the steep and rocky terrain prevents firefighters from making a direct attack on the fire. They were working to contain it between the highway and the Topoco power line.
Officials said the motorcyclist walked away from the crash.
Gina Koutros from MINIUSA took 10 with us this week to update us on all of the details that were released about MTTS.
One thing you do want to do if you are planning on going is to register! It’s not necessary, but if you don’t register before the event, you won’t get the ever coveted goody bag. We are sure it’s going to be chock full of some great swag that you aren’t going to want to be without. Besides, the registration fees goes to a local charity for each location. Win win in our book!
Be sure to head over to the MTTS site and subscribe via email or RSS to get updates, and don’t forget to stay tuned to MF, WRR and WR.tv for all of the updates and complete coverage of all 4 events as they happen!
In two weeks the largest non-official MINI event in North America will take place in a far western corner of North Carolina. For those that don’t know much about the Tail of the Dragon as a road or a MINI event, think of it this way; arguably the best roads in North American combined with some of the most beautiful rural scenery and hundreds of other MINI owners. Or to put it another way, if there’s one event that every MINI owner in North America should experience, this is probably it.
All the MTTS related details we’ve all been waiting for have arrived. If you want to know all the where and when related questions be sure to check out minitakesthestates.com. But starting today you can not only get full details on each MTTS site but you can register as well. For those new to the MINI world, read this. For the rest of you, let’s first talk about event details.
Miami: June 13-15
Fun, sun and lots of gorgeous hard bodies. We mean all those MINIs of course. The MTTS events kick-off with a weekend in Miami and the Homestead Racetrack with hot laps, music and motoring tales aplenty from MINI racing legend Rauno “The Flying Finn” Aaltonen.
The last leg of The Flying Finn’s rally from Miami and the second big weekend of MTTS fun comes to this city well known for throwing some historic parties on the waterfront. Our choice spot at the University of Massachusetts, Boston campus along the water should work out perfectly.
MINI Takes the States heads to the heartland to keep the summer of fun rolling along. With a rally kick-off at the Lincoln Park Zoo and a weekend full of events at the famous Road America race track, there should be no shortage of good times and adrenaline.
MINI Owners already feel a little bit like celebrities with all the admiring stares they tend to attract. Just imagine the looks we’ll get when a thousand of us storm the City of Angels. Plus, we’re taking over the Rose Bowl for the MTTS festival, so you’ll get to reenact all your favorite football dreams with your MINI cheering you on.
To start, apologies again for the mixup with #235. The problem should be fixed now or very shortly.
Moving on, Todd and I take the time to recap AMVIV. We realized that we were busier than we have been before and were amazed at the number of people we didn’t get to talk to.
A good time was had by all we think. If you missed any of the video, check out Whiteroof.tv for all of that. There is more audio yet to come tomorrow, so keep an eye out for that as well.
This was the sixth running of A MINI Vaction in Vegas and dare I say the best one yet! Before going any further, I must give a huge shout to Andrew ‘Agro’ Ross, grand poobah and all around good guy, plus his team for putting on another outstanding event!
Gina Koutros from MINIUSA took time away from getting ready for the New York Auto Show to give us some more detail on MINI Takes the States 2008!
We find out the reasoning behind selection Miami, Boston, Chicago and LA for this years event. Plus a sneak peak into the reasoning behind separate weekends. For those of you that missed it, there was a poll conducted late last year as to what type of event owners would like to see, and the four regional events won hands down!
While it’s old news to MotoringFile readers (since we exclusively scooped the correct dates weeks ago), MINI USA has officially announced the dates and locations of MTTS 2008. In the coming months you’ll read, hear and see much more about MTTS here on MotoringFile and on Whiteroofradio. But until then, here’s the official release with the locations and dates that we reported on previously.
Two years ago, MINI Takes the States rambled coast-to-coast with thousands of MINI Owners joining up for a legendary motoring extravaganza. This year, though, everyone hoped even more folks could get in on the fun. So the MINI owner community voted for us to visit four U.S. cities for four separate blowout weekends throughout the
summer.
While we were unable to make it to the Geneva Motor Show this year, a couple MotoringFile readers were and have the pictures to prove it. The best set we’ve seen so far comes from Picasa user Guilaine:
Lovers of the long show are definitely in for a treat tonight! To get us started, Gabe has a set of Schroth Harnesses (driver and passenger side with pads), contact him if you are interested.
Gabe or db on Top Gear US? Crazier things have happened.
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Sections: Events, MTTS May 9th, 2008 27 Comments 
Sure the price of gas is going through the roof with no relief in site. But, if you are really a MINI person, trust me when I say this is an event you are not going to want to miss!
To start, apologies again for the mixup with #235. The problem should be fixed now or very shortly.
