MTTS 2008: Vote Now!
MINI Takes the States 2008 is in the early planning stages now and MINI is looking for your input!
>The first time we pulled this thing off in 2006, MINI Owners had so much fun that we swore we would do it again. So now we’re starting to gear up for an even bigger and better MINI Takes the States in 2008.
>But here’s the best part: this time around we want YOU to decide where we’re going. This event is all about bringing as many of our incredible MINI Owners together as possible. So we figured it would only make sense if it was MINI Owners like you who actually decided what the event was going to be. Now is your chance to weigh in and help make MINI Takes the States 2008 as Motortastic as possible
Get on over to the Owners Lounge now and cast your vote! And after you’re done head back to MF to let us hear your thoughts – especially if you have suggestions that aren’t listed on the ballot.
As they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often.
My vote is in! Having just got back from MINI United, I voted for the Big Bang!
I voted for a repeat of MTTS’06 … complete with GP deliveries 😉
Just voted, option three, four regional events. I wouldn’t be able to get my wife to travel more than a couple of days.
i voted for the same route as last time
I was selfish with my vote. Having already experienced MTTS when it came through Dallas.
Knowing that it might not come through again, my vote was for option 3 – to have 4 events spread out all over the country. Hopefully one of those events will be close to me.
Option 1 – (just like last time) would be cool if they brought it through North Texas again, but odds are, it would go across the northern part of the country and Dallas would miss out.
Option 2 – a MINI UNITED type event is too big of a risk for me. As much as I’d love to drive across country, chances are it’ll be too far out of my driving range.
I voted (#1) a repeat of MTTS ’06 because I missed the first one (MINI being built at the time, although I could have rented one). If they have another one, I’m not missing it. I didn’t want a BIG BANG because I felt it would be competing with MINI United which should be a ‘unique’ event for MINI…maybe. I think MTTS is still a great idea.
I think MTTS concept is great for Americans because it has such a ‘road trip’ feel to it which is still popular in our culture.
My second choice would be for the four regional events…I mean heck, we already have 2 of them which could be regional (AMVIV and The Dragon), and build on those two events, and add 2 more.
I went for the cross-country adventure, with giant North/South zigzags…or start in Flawda and end in Seattle…or maybe a giant ‘W’, and they could call it “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, MINI World”. We already got some awesome regional get togethers, so a National isn’t my choice – it would not be as easy for a lot of folk’s logistics. The more the merrier.
I voted for a road trip but would do the big bang or all four small gatherings.
Voted for option #3. Florida was omitted from MTTS ’06 and it is only fair that MTTS organizers take one of their biggest MINI markets into consideration.
Option #1 would be cool only if they do something along the lines of Seattle to Key West.
A MINI UNITED type of gathering sounds fun, but that works much better in Europe. By doing a centralized event like MINI UNITED in the US, it will effectively exclude a huge number of people. Not everybody is retired, have 3 months vacation a year or have the time/finances to embark in a super long road trip.
By the way, we are already planning on going to MINI UNITED 2009 in the UK. Who else is thinking of going?
I voted for (#3) four events.
<blockquote>Voted for option #3. Florida was omitted from MTTS ‘06 and it is only fair that MTTS organizers take one of their biggest MINI markets into consideration.</blockquote>
Could not agree more!
There’s already a Mini Meet West, a Mini Meet East, AMVIV, The Dragon, MITM, MOT, (and a few others I prolly forgot), well attended get-togethers already extant, and personally, I feel an MTTS like ’06 would have much more involvement potential for a lot more folks than any other format. I realize the onus for organizing and logistics would be mostly on MINIUSA, but the last one was the single best-organized and attended long-term car event I’ve ever seen in 30-some years of car conventions, so they obviously have the skills.
I’ve been to National events, and they are generally limited to those with the dough and the time, where as a coast-to-coast roadtrip event can enable LOTS of motorers, even with a MINI but limited means or time, to pop in and out at reasonably local parts of the trip, as evidenced by the turnout in ’06. I firmly believe if MINI gets this to be a semi-annual regular thing, it would be a huge asset to both them and the owners.
I know the “National” tag would be a big deal for a small group of us, but personally, I’d much rather be motoring in my MINI with literally thousands of other enthusiasts, than standing around with 10 or 15 joe blows comparing how well the screw heads in our engine compartments are aligned, or sniffing haughtily at the newer-chassis-numbered cars. Motoring is about inclusion, not exclusion.
<blockquote>I know the “National” tag would be a big deal for a small group of us, but personally, I’d much rather be motoring in my MINI with literally thousands of other enthusiasts, than standing around with 10 or 15 joe blows comparing how well the screw heads in our engine compartments are aligned, or sniffing haughtily at the newer-chassis-numbered cars. Motoring is about inclusion, not exclusion.</blockquote>
I sort of agree and disagree with you on this. First, I’d love to motor with other enthusiasts as well. There’s nothing more fun than driving our cars.
I also LOVE standing around and, not just talking to “10 or 15 joe blows” but meeting and interacting with all different types of enthusiasts. From those new to the MINI to the many friends that I’ve made, I love hearing their stories. That’s the one thing you don’t get when you’re motoring around – that interaction with your community.
MTTS 06 was a perfect combination of both and I wouldn’t mind seeing that happen again. I just wish, MINIUSA would get a little more ‘local’ info for each destination. When they came through Dallas last year, it seems like the location was just picked out of the phone book, when most of us could have chosen a dozen better locations suited for a MINI gathering.
The only reason that I opted for 3 is because I’m hoping one of the 4 locations will be close to me, but I’ll understand if this years leg goes from north to south (florida). They need some MINI love too.
Also, hit the cities with you larger MINI clubs. They’re your best supporters.
I voted for option 3, but like all three options.
What I would like to see is four smaller events, then a community drive from those to a central location for a community wide big bang. If they did that maybe even start with more than four initial events, I could see actually 6, two on either coast and two in the middle of the country.
The initial meeting would draw in a lot of people that might not be able/willing to leave a region, the drive of the original MTTS I believe is a part of any future MTTS event.
dickdavid –
Oh, I love to stand and look at MINIs, too, but there are already those kinds of local conventions I mentioned for that – and they serve the various regions very well already. Why add multiple MTTS events? Additionally, the size of a National would be limited, if not by time, distance and money, but a venue for any meaningful amount of people would cost a fortune to put on. I think MINI struck on the perfect idea right out of the box, and fine tuning it would work best – I agree about local venues being chosen by locals.
i voted for option #1, but like #2 as well. they all have their pros and cons, so whatever happens, it will be awesome to hang out with thousands of MINI owners again! hey, btw-that’s me in the MINI email, standing next to my friend cher, who i met on the trip!!! it was soo cool to see that in my inbox. i also took the sideview mirror shot of the yellow MINI as well.
15 minutes of fame,
minimic
Van –
I totally agree that MINI struck on the perfect idea right out of the box with MTTS 06 and they should probably do the same. My only reason for voting on #3 (as stated in my first post) was purely selfish – because I fear that a tour in 08 won’t come through my neck of the woods a second time. 😉
My inclination was to go for another Road Trip (MTTS 1) because of the camraderie I felt. It was fun getting together with MINI owners I had never met in person. (Pub night in Monterey, karoaking in Santa Barbara, dancing in Vegas, chuggin’ beers in Albuquerque- it seemed that a lot happened at night.)
However, I ended up voting for the Big Bang. It sounds like it’d eclipse all other MINI happennings. I remember the negative comments posted on this blog about MTTS 1. Yet, look at the turnout. Even more, look at the regrets at not having participated.
No matter, I’m sure it’ll turn out great regardless of the vote results.
I’ll cast my vote for Barak Obama.
Could only be me Greg, but politics and Mini’s should never cross. Part of the thing that totally rocks with the Mini community is that it represents a vast number of people of different beliefs, political views.
IMO
How about somthing that comes ut to WI or even chicago. There is realy no events around this area ever it seems like.
Like DB, I voted for option 2. MINI United was such a great experience! I think it would be so much fun to have a huge get together like that in the U.S.
I love the fact that MINI USA asking the owners what they want.
I also voted for one large event. And I know just about the perfect location. The largest city in the center of the country. A place with multiple racetracks and locations that are also perfect for large festivals. A place with two international airports and countless other attractions. A place that I can get to in minutes.. 🙂
Seriously though no matter where a single large event would be, it would be by far my personal choice as I could spend as little time away from my wife and work as possible.
<blockquote>A place with multiple racetracks and locations that are also perfect for large festivals. A place with two international airports and countless other attractions.</blockquote>
Hey, that’s my kind of town..
I voted for option three since it would be more likely I’d be able to make the event, but hoping it would be staggered in case I was able to hit up a different region as well.
Sounds like cosmopolitan Miami. We have several racetracks, including Miami-Homestead international speedway, fantastic weather, beaches, good looking women, fancy cars everywhere and 2international airports.
Hey and its all very close to my house. 🙂
I voted for Option 3 – As much as I’d love to participate in a cross country road trip, I couldn’t make the last one happen & I doubt I’d be able to make the next one. I fear one massive gathering may take place in an area I would not be able to make. So, with 4 events, maybe I’d have a fighting chance. Loved hooking-up when they came through my town last year!
<blockquote>I also voted for one large event. And I know just about the perfect location. The largest city in the center of the country. A place with multiple racetracks and locations that are also perfect for large festivals. A place with two international airports and countless other attractions. A place that I can get to in minutes.. :)</blockquote>
Hey, that’s a fabulous idea! I wish I had known so I could have put that in my survey response…alas.
But I did vote for the “Big Bang” option as well, because my employer is not as generous with vacation as others. It was tough to decide between that and doing an ’06-style road trip, because I missed that one and it really looked like tons o’ fun.
I voted for #1. We had too much fun on the last one to not want to do it again.
I suggest a) Seattle to Key West… b) Maine to Key West … or c)someplace East Coast to San Francisco. As for timing, it would be great to start in August and wrap up on the holiday…or the weekend before the holiday. October would be another nice month to do it in weather-wise. Just my $0.02. 🙂
Voted #1! Cross country al the way. We drove the first legs of 2006 and totally regret not going all the way.
If you want regional, then join a club.
A central meet would negate the community driving experience. Is this LETS MOTOR or LETS PARK folks??
A NW to SE crosscountry would touch all the areas missed by 2006. Thanks to MINI for listening to us.
I’m with WEEPINT.
National MINI Clubs have already established some outstanding regional, seasonal grass-roots events (AMVIV, MOTD, etc.). A big central meet just mimics MINI United – and that event will probably come here soon enough.
Let’s Motor or Let’s Park says it all! Only MINI USA has the proven resources needed to pull off a logistically smooth cross country “rally” and only MINI Drivers have the verve to participate.
MTTS Suggestions: Stick with some traditional dates, alternate the direction and the host cities visited, and announce the route well in advance – a la Le Tour de France.