Norm checks in from France: Miniology is on site at MINI United 2012 in Le Castellet Paul Ricard Circuit in southern France as Mini enthusiasts arrive by Mini, plane, train, and ferry. Its a beautiful setting in a georgeous little coastal town on the “French Rivera”. The sun has just risen with clear blue skies. I will unpack the cameras and microphones and get to work!
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:
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]
