Just a reminder to get your tickets now for MINI United 2012 (in France, yeah, does anyone wonder how Citroen, Peugeot, Renault, and smart are taking the news?)

The ticketmaster link is up so you can buy tickets now: http://bit.ly/MINIunitedGetTickets

From May 11th to 13th 2012, Le Castellet in France will become the dream destination of MINI fans worldwide. You can visit MINI’s social site, MINI Space for info, and the MINI YouTube channel posted a teaser video to show folks what to expect when MINI United 2012 kicks off..

You’ll be glad they include classics in there, indeed there are lots of them across the pond as well here in the states of course, but how many people are going to be shipping more than themselves overseas to attend a fair even of this magnitude? (Well okay, I suppose you could do it if you really wanted to and money wasn’t much of an object, heh, but if you were going to that much trouble you may as well just rent one eh?!)

Of course Miniology is the place to go for all the best coverage, we’ll keep you posted on all the MINI United goodness, and are working on getting live updates from people attending the shows and events, just like we did last time ( as I recall we and our sponsor MC2 Magazine were the only live Mini-oriented audio & video podcast to do this! )

We’ve always been about the people, the clubs, the fans, you know, enthusiasts, indeed this is the perfect event for us to partake in! Perhaps this year MINI/BMW will give us an all-access pass and set us up to cover the event properly.. (huh?) ..yeah they kind of dropped the ball last time, but you don’t need us to tell you about that

It’s not often enough we get to see Norm Nelson wearing those interesting hats and his smokin’ hot wife Jess (can I say that?) doing interviews. Now that’s just good television.  Yeah yeah, speaking of video, you wanted to see that preview video again, didn’t you? Well, here it is:

Freaking awesome, this is what I call a test drive!

• MINI USA’s Facebook Sweepstakes opens for Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship – runs from December 22, 2011 – January 3, 2012

• Winner receives two VIP tickets to next month’s series-opening extreme sport event
• Prize includes plane tickets, accommodation, and access to Red Bull After Party

MINI USA’s Facebook page has launched a competition with a prize so cool it will literally take the winner’s breath away.

The MINI USA/Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship Sweepstakes will give the lucky winner and his or her companion two VIP tickets to the opening event of the 2012 Championship in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on January 14. Entries can be submitted at www.facebook.com/MINIUSA.

This will be the first USA-based event in the world series for Ice Cross Downhill – a sport in which some of the world’s toughest ice-hockey players, downhill skiers, and speed skaters race on a steep downhill course. Jostling shoulder-to-shoulder at speeds of up to 45 mph, they have to negotiate chicanes, jumps, rollers and hairpin bends.

The chance to witness this icy sporting spectacle will include two round-trip plane tickets, hotel accommodation, meal costs, and VIP access to the Red Bull Energy Station and Red Bull After Party. But thrill-seekers who hope to enter will have to get their skates on as the sweepstakes closes at 4.00 PM EST on January 3.

The winner will be selected at random, with no purchase necessary. Entrants must be aged 18 or over; full competition rules can be found at www.facebook.com/MINIUSA.

MINI is the official partner of the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012 and will present the Rookie Award at each of the series’ four events. After appearing at Cathedral of Saint Paul in Saint Paul, MN, on January 12-14, competitors move on to Valkenburg, Netherlands (February 2-4); Aare, Sweden (February 16-18); and Quebec City, Canada (March 15-17).

For more information on Red Bull Crashed Ice, please visit www.redbullcrashedice.com.

[Source: MINI, Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 22, 2011]

Hiya folks, we just updated our podcast feed to better support Apple’s iCloud (since the old .web / mobile me is going bye bye), there are several ways to subscribe, and I’ll list them here:

iTunes Store link (Apple web page)
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/miniology/id490423184

iTunes subscribe URL (launch iTunes, go to Advanced -> Subscribe to Podcast…)

http://miniology.com/feed/podcast/

If you want to subscribe via an RSS reader or other software, just use the same link above!

The older podcast URL, which is titled “MINIOLOGY PODCASTs” will be decommissioned soon.

Today, MINI became the first car brand in the Netherlands to open an official Brand store, which offers a large assortment of MINI accessories and lifestyle articles. Visitors can also compose their own MINI on a large screen.

Everything in the store revolves around the pure experience of our favorite British brand.

During a traditional ceremony, four Queens Guards handed the key of the lifestyle shop to the Director of BMW Group The Netherlands Jan-Christiaan Koenders and the Director MINI Netherlands Chris Collet, who allegedy are pictured in the photo to the left. I wonder if they celebrated afterwards by going to one of Amsterdam’s popular cafe shops?

This Saturday the store opens to the public, no words if the smokin’ hot guards will still be there or not, but rumor has it more stores are planned globally, the Dutch Brand Store is a pilot for the rest of the world.

We’ve never seen Queens guards that look like this, and don’t know if they’ll be participating in the change of guard ceremonies at the palace or what-not, but then again they are much more pleasant to look at than the usual stuffy old men in big black fluffy hats that we are used to seeing.

Three cheers for MINI, Amsterdam and old blighty!

[Source: BMW Group, December 19, 2011 in Amsterdam]

MINI United time is here again! The international community growing up around the British small car brand is set to come together for the fourth running of a very special open-air festival; MINI has announced the date and venue for what is sure to be a spectacular event. MINI aficionados and music fans alike should set aside the weekend of 11 – 13 May 2012 in their diaries and programme the destination Le Castellet – or, more precisely, the Circuit Paul Ricard – in France into their sat-navs. Lying in wait for the MINI United 2012 crowd at the circuit, which played host to Formula One races over several decades, will be a top-class line-up featuring live music acts, motor sport, lifestyle action and MINI Community activities.

Some 25,000 fans from more than 40 nations flocked to Silverstone in England for the MINI United festival in 2009 to celebrate not only the third Community catch-up but also the 50th anniversary of the brand’s founding. However, the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet offers enough space for even the Silverstone masses to be exceeded in number. Indeed, the event programme is richer in depth and variety than ever before. Live appearances by leading lights of the international music and DJ scene, fun sporting activities, stunt shows and driving experiences on the track, exhibitions of accessories, current MINI and Classic Mini cars on display, and the exclusive presentation of a new MINI model ensure an attractive blend of al fresco party, shared experience and MINI action in every shape and form.

An extensive entertainment programme for younger MINI fans is guaranteed, as are a broad spread of culinary treats laid on by various restaurants, bars and catering stations. Other essential features of a MINI United festival are the MINI Club Area and Beauty Parking, which serves as both a car park and stage for the more strikingly styled members of the MINI fleet. Indeed, for the majority of the fans at the fourth MINI United festival, driving to the venue in their own MINI will be the perfect way of getting into the mood for a weekend among the MINI Community.

Further information on MINI United 2012 is now available at www.MINIspace.com/MINIunited. Regular updates on the event programme, motor sport line-up and MINI Community will also be posted on the site, as well as tips and links on the event location, registration, ticket bookings and accommodation reservations in the area around the venue.

[Source: BMW Group, Munich/Le Castellet, 16-Dec-2011]

The annual North American International Auto Show is one of the world’s most important car shows. As the traditional curtain-raiser to the year, it will point the way for the entire automotive industry once again in 2012. Over 150 exhibitors from every corner of the earth will come together in Detroit’s Cobo Center to present new models and other product innovations. The organizers are expecting more than 5,000 media representatives from around the world to attend the event, along with some 750,000 members of the public.

The NAIAS 2012 is the venue for the world premiere of the MINI Roadster. The first open-top two-seater in the MINI model range provides a spontaneous, unadulterated recipe for urban driving fun. A contemporary take on the compact, open-top sports car concept, the MINI Roadster boasts advanced drive and chassis technology, and a classical, manually operated soft-top roof which can be opened and closed quickly and easily.

Of course, you knew that already, dedicated Miniologist that you are..

The design and technology of the MINI Roadster are geared squarely to laying on open-top driving fun for two. With its inspiring agility and cutting-edge efficiency, expressive design and remarkable practicality, the youngest MINI representative gives the brand’s traditional qualities a fresh new twist. All of which will see the MINI Roadster unveiled at the NAIAS on January 14 – 22, 2012 welcomed not only as an attractive addition to the current model range, but also as the world’s first premium model of its kind in the small car segment.

We’ll spare you the rest of the marketing fluff, but hey, anyone who already has their hands on a roadster or is going to NAIAS, feel free to send us pics and vids and what not. We’ll be sitting here in on the west coast recovering from the holiday festivities, and keeping ourselves toasty warm in the California sun.. In fact, that’s the perfect place for a MINI roadster, somewhere you can drive topless (we mean a convertible, er, that’s our story anyway) .. Cheers!

[Source: Highly edited from BMW's press release, Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 15, 2011]

Local car club “Shasta Minis” will be delivering Toys 4 Tots on Wednesday Dec 14, 2011 from 12 noon – 2:00PM. Shasta Minis who have been active in many local charities and Veteran’s events will be bringing out their colorful little classic Minis filled with toys. Q97 FM Radio will be broadcasting live from the parking lot of Fatboy’s Rotisserie & Sandwiches 829 Twin View Blvd, Redding CA. Shasta Minis members will be on-hand in Christmas costumes, including Santa himself, to welcome the public to bring by new and unwrapped gifts. All gifts are being donated in the memory of Adam Martinez. This is the second year that Shasta Minis and friends have collected Toys 4 Tots.

The Toys are part of the US Marines effort to bring gifts and toys to needy children.

Shasta Minis has also participated and contributed in the Shasta Lake Veteran’s Parade, “Stuff the Bus” food drive, Cops and Rodders (Redding K9), Northern California Veterans Home in Yountville, SLATE Autism Program Car Show, Anderson Veteran’s Walk of Honor and others.

Shasta Minis have about 100 local members with nearly 50 that are active in these events and touring our beautiful north state mountains, valleys, lakes, waterfalls, caves and more. You can find us on Face book at www.facebook.com/shastaminis

• World Championship kicks off in Saint Paul, Minnesota January 12-14, 2012
• One lucky MINI USA Facebook fan will win a trip to see the action
• Admission is free to see the races

After an amazing year in 2011, MINI is again the official partner of the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012, and invites fans to join us Jan. 12-14 as the events kick off in Saint Paul, Minnesota to see for themselves who will be crowned the world’s strongest, fastest ice cross downhill racer in the U.S.

On a man-made ice track made for head-to-head battle, the 100 toughest, fastest ice cross downhill racers from around the world will go head-to-head, racing up to 40 miles an hour down steep ice canals dotted with jumps, rollers, obstacles, banked corners and hairpin bends – until the first two cross the finish line and advance to the next round. This bracketed madness will continue until the final chapter when the four remaining competitors race to the bottom to crown the champ. All of this takes place against the backdrop of the strikingly iconic Cathedral of Saint Paul with thousands of spectators bearing witness.

MINI USA will host a contest on its Facebook page, and one winner will receive a trip for themselves and a guest to see the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship action in Saint Paul, including two VIP Access Only Passes to the event, hotel and roundtrip airfare (within the U.S.). Please go to www.facebook.com/MINIUSA for more details.

MINI will partner with Red Bull to host fans throughout the World Championship series, and admission is free to all spectators. In Saint Paul, MINI will have some of its newest vehicles on display, the MINI Countryman ALL4 for snow lovers, and the MINI Roadster for those who are looking forward to top-down driving season.

“We all have an itch to hit and go fast, and Red Bull Crashed Ice feeds that desire like nothing else,” said 2011 champion Arttu Pihlainen of Finland. “Each race attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators packed into a breathtakingly cold and action packed scenario, and I can’t wait for the first U.S. stop this year.”

The U.S. will host seven qualifiers through December with the best moving on to take on the icy gauntlet in Saint Paul in January. From the competitors in Saint Paul, a Team USA squad will be selected to travel to three additional global stops. The athletes come from a variety of disciplines – hockey, downhill skiing, speed skating, boardercross, and others – with grit, skate skills and toughness as mandatory barometers of success.

The Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship 2012 calendar is as follows:

Saint Paul, MN (USA) January 12-14
Valkenburg (NED) February 2-4
Aare (SWE) February 16-18
Quebec City (CAN) March 15-17

Points are up for grabs at each of the four stops of the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship: The winner collects 1,000 points and competitors all the way down to 100th (0.5 point) can collect valuable points. Whoever finishes the season with the most points after the four races is crowned champion.

At the Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship, MINI will also be demonstrating its innate commitment to supporting outstanding new talent. In 2012, the company will again present the Rookie Award at each of the four World Championship events. The award is reserved for the best newcomer of the year and will reward the top-placed of all athletes venturing onto the ice cross downhill track for the first time in the new season.

For more information on Red Bull Crashed Ice, the qualifiers and global stops, please visit www.redbullcrashedice.com

[Source: MINI, Woodcliff Lake, NJ – December 9, 2011]