We’ve got a couple of articles for you today. First up is Emily Martian’s article in Motor Trend. Here’s an excerpt:
>Bright and early at Pirate’s Cove, before any normal pirate would be awake–7:30 a.m., to be exact–the MTTS sendoff beach party began, complete with a rockin’ live band and the fire pits required at any beach party. There was an array of breakfast goodies, a roar of excitement for the long-awaited journey, and swag bags to please everyone. The time flew by, and soon the flock of MINIs was off to its new overnight destination in Santa Barbara.
>Now down to business. The MINI GP has been well received, and the attention from non-MINI owners is building as the days go by. Here, with the official review, is one of the first to take delivery. Please welcome guest writer Todd Pearson from White Roof Radio.com.
Emily will be posting about her MTTS experience daily so be sure to check out the link below from time to time:
[ MINI Takes the States ] Motor Trend
Next up, the Monterey Herald:
>”In all my experience, it is the first car company that has brought (an affordable) car to the people that has invoked so much passion,” said Scott McIntyre of Thousand Oaks, a former master technician for Porsche and Audi. “Every person who owns a Mini is every bit as passionate about their car as is the owner of a $200,000 Ferrari.”
>Along the way, the car company is going to host a music festival in Nashville headlined by singer-songwriter John Hiatt, the cars will be able to lap the Indy Speedway, and one of the participating couples will get married at an undisclosed location. A bus sponsored by Wired Magazine will accompany the cars and acts as a portable Internet station.
[ LINE ‘EM UP, MOVE ‘EM OUT ] Monterey Herald
Yup seems true. My wife thought I was crazed until she met a few others a few years back.
They must be sisters. My wife thought the same thing. She still believes this is a “cult”. My reply, “Yup, is that a bad thing??”
There is a reason why BMW is one of the best run auto companies in the world. Events such as MTTS help to raise awareness of the MINI brand and strength bonds between customers, future customers and owners alike.
This also serves as proof as to how clueless most automakers are today. Great product is not good enough anymore. You need to constantly find ways to connect and bond with your customers. In this regard, BMW/MINI have no rivals whatsoever.
As an internet spectator from afar, I’m supremely jealous of all the GP owners, and all the participants in MTTS. I feel like I’m really missing out in something legendary and unprecidented in the automotive world.
To all those motorists taking part, I say congratulations, and savor this experience! Also, share it with the rest of us poor slobs who longingly admire your good fortune via the web.
I want to see CNN helicopter footage of 300 MINIs haulin’ down the highway somewhere on this trip. I love the line about every MINI owner being every bit as passionate as $200,000 Ferrari owners. So true! When I was waiting for my MINI to arrive, I could have won an Enzo in a raffle and wouldn’t have been as excited as I was (am) about my Cooper S. Though that would be pretty exciting too, I have to admit.
Jon, my sentiments exactly. I would have loved to be part of the MTTS event but right now life circumstances would not have allowed it (Pregnant wife @ 7 months).
Also just started a new job and although I am eligible to take vacation time immediately, I have to reserve the time for when the baby comes. But that is a very joyious event all in itself!!!
As far as travelling this year, we can’t complaint. And the funny thing is that this year I have been to some of the places MTTS has or will be crossing….
In February we flew to San Francisco and had the opportunity to visit the entire bay area, including Monterey. The Monterey peninsula is gorgeous. I can’t think of a better setting chosen by MINIUSA to kick off the MTTS event.
And in May, we drove from Miami to Nashville, TN in my 2005 MCS and also did the Dragon/Cherohala Skyway. We had a blast. And also since my wife by then was out of the first trimester of her pregnancy, the trip went smooth as silk. She felt great the whole way. We both are real troopers when it comes to travelling.
Maybe next time. I hope that MINIUSA’s next big driving event comes a little closer to Florida and for sure we will be there with Vince!!
Don’t feel bad guys. My MINI has never even seen US soil. I still have another year left before me and my MINI get to see the Dragon and take part in events such as AMVIV. I only hope MINIUSA decides to host another event like this to include all of those, due to certain circumstances, who are not able to participate get a chance to get in on the love.
I am very thankful for Gabe, Todd, and Db for posting and keeping us on the sidelines up to date with the latest happenings.
If MINIUSA doesn’t stepup to the plate, then I believe all MINI clubs in America should plan a MINI Takes the States event on their own. Thats what happened in Germany during the Deutschlandrundfahrt. All chapters in Germany pulled together all of thier resources and held an awesome cross country venture to circle this great country. I am sure the same can happen for USA.
<blockquote>“Every person who owns a Mini is every bit as passionate about their car as is the owner of a $200,000 Ferrari.â€ÂÂ</blockquote>
The difference is that Mini owners aren’t only passionate about the cars, but the people and the community as well.
I can think of no other community of vehicle owners that are, on the whole, as fun, wacky, passionate, compassionate, caring and just plain wonderful as the community of Mini owners has become.
So true, I love the product I help to make, and all the people who drive them with such enthusiasm just makes my job a thrill instead of a daily grind. As an owner driver of around 19 MINI’s since 2001 I’m proud to be classed as an obsessive compulsive on the brand and the people that own them. I’ve made so many buddies all over the world due to this diminutive car and I cant wait to meet more to share their collective luuurve for a great little car.
You are all great, thanks everyone 🙂
Its definitely neat watching the event, I’m real jealous of the keys “ceremony”. When I bought my latest, it was parked on the street outside the dealer, I did the paperwork, the guy threw me the keys and said goodbye and went back to his office.
<blockquote>She still believes this is a “cultâ€ÂÂ. My reply, “Yup, is that a bad thing??â€ÂÂ</blockquote>
Funny, my parents think I’m in a cult…. I’m starting to think that there is a cult of people who think MINI owners are in a cult. I believe it is us who needs to look at them with a skeptical eye! 🙂
I’m totally looking forward to picking up the MTTS in Memphis and going through to Indy! I’ve invested in a laptop so I can post pics along the way, and hopefully will be able to rig some form of dashcam for the Indy 500! 🙂
<blockquote>I can think of no other community of vehicle owners that are, on the whole, as fun, wacky, passionate, compassionate, caring and just plain wonderful as the community of Mini owners has become.</blockquote>
I couldn’t agree more! I’ve met some really great people since I’ve brought home my car last December and I hope to meet a whole lot more on the MTTS!
<blockquote>the guy threw me the keys and said goodbye and went back to his office.</blockquote>
Wow, that’s very un-Mini-like of him!
When I bought my first Mini the sales guy and I spent about an hour or so going over EVERY nook, cranny, bell, whistle and bauble on the thing. He seemed to be having as much fun as I was!
Pretty much the same thing happened when I bought the one for my wife, even though she already knew everything about the car from stealing…um, driving…mine so often!
Pretty good coverage of the beach party by MLE, considering she wasn’t even there. My guess is Tuls and the rest of Tim’s Fireball Brigade were feeding her info. She joined the parade in Barstow.
Nothing wrong with that, mind you, that’s how I did the St. Louis Phil Wicks article from Cali. Nice job, M!
<blockquote>Nothing wrong with that, mind you, that’s how I did the St. Louis Phil Wicks article from Cali.</blockquote>
With a little help from your friends! 😉
Tru dat! Without eyes and ears on the ground, there is no story. Thanks, Brian.
yay I made Motoringfile! I must be cool.
Thanks to all who read my article, it was great fun. There was soooo much more I wanted to write about but just didn’t have the time. The rest of the article has been posted with loads of photos and more to come in the future.
Sid-you’re a nut…a big ginormous nut, that’s why I like ya!
Thanks again guys…I love my MINI Cult, yeee haaww!
ps
If you can’t tell I made it back alive