From MINI Press:
MINI is adding another exciting event to 2005’s growing list of great motoring adventures. MINI United will join the ranks of Le Mans, the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monaco when the first international MINI festival takes place in Italy from 28 to 30 October 2005. MINI United is three days of MINI action based around the Santa Monica racetrack in Misano, south of Rimini, that is set to attract MINI owners and fans from around the globe.
The focus of the festival will be the grand final of the 2005 John Cooper Challenge (JCC) where the top drivers from the national championships will compete against each other in fully-kitted out John Cooper Works MINI Cooper S’. The UK has four of the 20 spaces on the grid, and will be competing against drivers from ten other countries including the US, Germany, Australia, Switzerland and Bahrain. Competitors will take part in karting, slalom, racing and off-road challenges to find the inaugural JCC world champion.
MINI owners will also get the chance to drive on the track and experience a few fast laps with the professionals. Other highlights include a MINI market featuring every accessory to personalise your car, live music, cinema, dance tent, helicopter rides, design workshops, sport competitions and all a 15 minute walk from the mud-less Italian coastline.
More information and registration details are on the international MINI website www.mini.com/MINIUnited. Registration costs 30 Euros, but this is reimbursed in food vouchers to spend over the weekend.
From July, the website will offer advice on accommodation and host a forum to aid liftshares and convoys. MINI fans from as far as America and Japan have already registered for the trip to Italy. The drive from London is approximately 1000 miles.
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Could you put up a link to a larger version of the first photo, please? I tried to find it on the MINIUnited website but didn’t see it. Thanks!</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://motoringfile.com/pictures/MINIunited/P0019535_large.jpg">Enjoy</a>.</p>
<p>I’m so game for this event…I suggest a motoringfile group going, we could get a discount on airfare if the group is large enough…</p>
<p><em>Off Topic</em> Has MINI always sent out a “Welcome to the Neighborhood” package? I just got mine and I’m super impressed with this company’s abillity/effort/interest/whathaveyou in keeping its clients happy. I’m just super impressed. Cheers</p>
<p>Yes – let’s get a group from the US going! Airline tickets couldn’t be that bad since it’s off-peak. That being said, I probably won’t be able to make it.</p>
<p>Re: the new owner pack – They have been sending them out since day one in the US. I hope to get my second soon.</p>
<p>Thanks! What a great desktop that makes for my PowerBook!!</p>
<p>For anyone going from the States interested in organizing a U.S. group, I would recommend <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39929">posting to this thread</a> so that you can all stick together as a group and keep each other updated on your plans (since you can subscribe to the thread)</p>
<p>Cool Stuff. Any luck of getting the shot of the driver beside the car at a larger size? Thanks, Gabe.</p>
<p>This is gonna be good…what a fantastic destination!!!</p>
<p>Awesome!</p>
<p>I think that MINI should consider holding events like this in North America in the near future.</p>
<p>The event organizers have discussed having future MINI United events in different locations (in other markets). But I wouldn’t look for anything on that “in the near future” considering the amount of time it takes to put one of these on. Maybe the 2007 version won’t be in Europe, but we’re going to have to wait and see.</p>
<p>Yeah I’ve heard the same thing as Dave. </p>
<p>BTW it’s my understanding that MINIUSA won’t be officially participating with MINI United this year due to the location and their always small budget for such things.</p>
<p>“Thanks! What a great desktop that makes for my PowerBook!!”</p>
<p>Seconded.</p>
<p>Sounds like a great time. Wish I was able to go!</p>
<p>Glad to hear. I actually sized the width to fit a 15″ Powerbook specifically ;)</p>
<p>I’d also like a bigger one of the driver next to the car…</p>
<p>The first two photos can be found larger below:</p>
<p><a rel="nofollow" href="http://motoringfile.com/pictures/MINIunited/P0019535_large.jpg">Photo One</a> / <a rel="nofollow" href="http://motoringfile.com/pictures/MINIunited/P0019534_large.jpg">Photo Two</a>.</p>
<p>Gabe,</p>
<p>Sorry to butt in but do somebody have tried to install 2005 rear view mirror to a 2003 with upgraded door garrage openner?..
thanks.</p>
<p>Gilbert</p>