Tag Archives: driving

Take A Ride For Her Life

Take a “Ride for her Life”
February 19th at Thunderhill Raceway, Willows 9:30AM-3:00PM
Shasta MINIs, O2 Motorsport and MINI Thunder III will be giving rides in race cars on February 19th at Thunderhill Raceway, Willows to raise money for baby Kamila Marie Sandoval who was born with VSD – Ventricular Septal Defect. Come make a donation and get a ride in a race car, on a race track with a High Performance Driving Instructor.

It’s been an emotional roller-coaster for Lorena Sandoval and Gustavo Perez after their twin girls were born more than a
month premature last September. But nothing prepared them for the news that one of the girls was born with a heart
defect.

Baby Kamila was diagnosed with VSD, or a Vetricular Septal Defect. She has two holes between her two heart
chambers that need to be repaired. The six hour open heart surgery was performed on January 23rd at the Sutter
Memorial Hospital in Sacramento where she’s been living since she was born.

But the struggle to get young Kamila healthy is more than just emotionally draining, it’s also expensive. Between the
multiple trips per week to Sacramento, and taking time off from work, the family is struggling. “It’s been hard you know,
especially during these times”, Sandoval said.

The family is receiving some financial support from the American Heart Association. If all goes well, Kamila should be able to come home seven to 10 weeks after her surgery. “I just want her to be a normal little girl after all this is done”, explained Sandoval.

Come and support the cause. Make a donation and get Hot Laps on a Hot Track in a race car.

In the UK and age 11 or older? MINI UK just donated Mini One track day cars for you!

MINI TAKES YOUNGSTERS OUT ON THE TRACK WITH MOTORSPORT VISION’S YOUNGDRIVE

MINI is delighted to team up with MotorSport Vision to supply a fleet of MINI One models for its YoungDrive programme. The scheme offers children as young as 11 years old (and a minimum of 4’ 8” tall) the chance to have their first taste of motoring.

The dual controlled MINI Ones are available at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and Bedford Autodrome and each car features a DSA-approved instructor who will teach young drivers essential skills in a traffic-free environment to prepare them for hitting the roads for real when they’re old enough.

“The MINI One is the perfect car to give young people their first driving experience and is very popular amongst new drivers; it’s small, nippy and fantastic fun. I’m sure it will leave them counting the days to their 17th birthday!” says Jochen Goller, Director, MINI UK.

Jonathan Palmer, owner of Motorsport Vision says “Our renowned YoungDrive programme is a fun and informative course that’s designed to give a positive first experience for new drivers and its popularity has grown significantly over the past few years. I’m delighted we’ve joined forces with the iconic MINI brand – it really is the perfect car for young people to sample driving for the first time.”

This collaboration further highlights MINI’s dedication to investing in young drivers; the company already supplies a fleet of MINI Ones to the MINI Drivers @ Goodwood programme.

For more information on availability and restrictions contact MSV on 0843 453 1000 or www.motorsportvision.co.uk.

Attention Bollywood, MINI arrives in India!

MINI unleashes style, inventiveness and excitement at Auto Expo 2012.

The BMW Group today introduced MINI as a premium small car brand in India. The MINI (MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S), MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Countryman are launched in India and can be ordered as CBU (completely built-up) units.

Dr. Kay Segler, Senior Vice President, MINI Brand Management and Business Coordination said, “By launching the new MINI ten years ago, we created the most exciting premium small car brand in the world. Our approach was: From the original to the original. Since then, we have been busy growing the MINI Family with bold models such as MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman. As one of the world’s top growth markets, India is a great place to continue accelerating MINI’s global momentum. We are sure MINI fans in India are as excited as we are.”

In 2012, MINI India will establish three exclusive outlets in the Indian market: Deutsche Motoren and Bird Automotive in Delhi (National Capital Region) and Infinity Cars in Mumbai.

Dr. Andreas Schaaf, President, BMW Group India said, “Around the world, MINI has become a byword in the premium small car segment for expressive design, premium quality and unmistakable driving fun. MINI’s innovative profile has enabled the brand to win over a trend-conscious and quality-oriented target group. With the launch of MINI, the BMW Group debuts in the premium small car segment in India. In the start-up phase, BMW Group’s main focus will be to concentrate on successfully establishing the MINI brand in India. At a later stage, the BMW Group will focus on further development of dealer network and higher sales volumes.”

The MINI (MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S), MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Cooper S Countryman will be available in six-speed automatic transmission with powerful and efficient petrol engines.

The ex-showroom prices of the new MINI cars in India are as follows –

MINI Cooper:` 24,90,000
MINI Cooper S:` 27,90,000
MINI Cooper Convertible:` 29,99,000
MINI Cooper S Countryman:` 31,99,000

Note: Ex-showroom price excludes RTO registration charges, tax, insurance, handling charges; Octroi and entry tax (as applicable). The above ex-showroom prices are exclusive of sales tax / VAT applicable on sale to the customer. Prices and options are subject to change without prior notice.

Every MINI is unique and stands out from the crowd due to its distinctive design. All the MINI models put a smile on their owner’s face with outstanding performance and leading efficiency in their respective class.

MINI: A global success and ‘Car of the Decade’.
The modern MINI combines an agile ‘Go-kart’ handling as its most natural characteristic with cutting-edge efficiency and uncompromising premium quality. MINI has established itself around the world as a symbol of urban driving fun and an indispensable element in its driver’s mobile lifestyle.

MINI Convertible: Inspiringly Agile, Refreshingly Open.
The MINI Convertible blends the brand’s hallmark attributes with the refreshing feeling of open-air motoring with greater intensity than ever before. Again, the brand’s soft-top representative is unmistakably a MINI. Its proportions, short front and rear overhangs, large wheel cutouts, the height of the waistline and numerous design features typical of the brand clearly show that this is a full-fledged member of the MINI family.

MINI Countryman: Taking driving fun into new territory.
The MINI Countryman takes the hallmark MINI driving fun to a new dimension and marks the arrival on the scene of a MINI with four doors, a large tailgate and a variable-use interior capable of accommodating up to five people. The MINI Countryman is also the brand’s first model with a body over four metres in length. Its advanced chassis technology and the extremely precise and efficient Electric Power Steering ensure that the typical MINI ‘Go-kart’ driving experience is preserved.

[Source: BMW Group India, January 5, 2012, New Delhi]

MINI Roadster debuts at Detroit North American International Auto Show 2012

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]

MINITHUNDER III Registration Now Open

Join us for this all day track event of HPDI (High Performance Driving Instruction) at the SCCA track at Willows California.

This track was designed and built by the members of the San Francisco SCCA. It’s a wonderful track with great facilities.

We are limiting the number to 120 MINI/MInis. This will give enough time and instructors for every driver. We will have groups ranging from first timers to advanced.

The cost is $199 per entrant or $275 for those that want to share a Mini. This includes loads of track time, turn workers, tow-trucks, flaggers, instructors, lunch, & T-shirts. For shared entries the 1st T-Shirt is included for the primary driver and the second to be purchased @ $15 in sizes of S,M,L, XL, 2XL.

T-Shirts will be available in sizes small, medium, large, XL, and 2XL, larger shirts (3XL, 4XL, etc) must be purchased in advanced and will be at $25.00 ea.

This event is for MINI/Mini Coopers only, any model or variation.

Participants must be 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and proof of current insurance. Guests must be 18 years old to take free rides (Parade Laps) @ Lunch. You must fill out the on-line registration form & vehicle technical check list, http://www.minithunderhill.com/Event_Registration.cfm

You will need a SA 2000 or SA 2005 rated helmet. That is “A” for automotive and not “M” for motorcycle. Helmets are available for rent at the track @ $35/day. Be sure to get to the track early to get your helmet.

MINI USA Partners with Miles Ahead to launch teen driving school

'Miles Ahead Co-Founders, Stephan Gregoire (right) and Ted Woerner (left).

Indy 500 Veteran, Stephan Gregoire, Will Lead ‘Miles Ahead’ at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

MINI Cooper Hardtops will be used for all Miles Ahead driving activities
- ½ day courses at Indianapolis Motor Speedway include on-track and classroom instruction
- Firestone Indy Lights and IZOD IndyCar Series drivers will teach all courses
- First classes scheduled for November 5-6, 2011

[Source: MINI Press, Woodcliff Lake, NJ– October 5, 2011]

MINI has partnered with Miles Ahead, a new teen driving school created by Indy 500 veteran, Stephan Gregoire and business partner, Ted Woerner, to address the disproportionate number of collisions, injuries and fatalities involving teenage drivers. As part of the partnership, MINI USA will supply Miles Ahead with 12 MINI Cooper Hardtop vehicles for all of the specialized instruction for licensed teen drivers. Indianapolis Motor Speedway will serve as the program’s host site.

“Teens tend to be more engaged in learning when there is an element of excitement,” said Stephan Gregoire, former Indy racing driver and founder of Miles Ahead. “The combination of using the fun-to-drive MINIs, racing champion instructors, maximizing time behind the wheel and a driving course at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway should really help us connect with the students and make a real difference in reducing their chances of being involved in collisions on public roads.”

Fast facts / startling statistics.

- The chance of one crash in the first three years of driving is 89.2 percent
- The chance of two crashes in the first three years of driving is 52.5 percent
- A 16-year-old is 20 times more likely to be killed in a crash than an adult
- Teens are 400 percent more likely to die in a car crash than 25-34 year-old drivers
- 63% of teenage passenger deaths occur in vehicles driven by another teenager
- 113 teenage drivers each week in the U.S. are involved in fatal crashes
- Nearly 1000 teens each day are treated in an emergency room for injuries suffered in a motor vehicle crash

“The need for additional teen driving programs is clear, and this is a great opportunity for MINI to extend its commitment to safety beyond the engineering of our vehicles,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President – MINI USA. “MINI USA and its dealers are proud to be part of Miles Ahead, a very dynamic teen driving school that addresses a serious problem with a fun learning style that is sure to provide teens with lifelong lessons to keep them safe on the road.”

Each class will last approximately 4.5 hours, providing licensed teens with specialized instruction to improve their decision-making behind the wheel. This includes driving modules focused on things like distracted / impaired driving, skid control, emergency ABS brake application and hazard avoidance.

In addition to Gregoire, an impressive list of Firestone Indy Lights and IZOD IndyCar Series drivers have been added to the instructor roster for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, including Dillon Battistini, Dan Clarke, Conor Daly, Alex Lloyd, Philip Major, Stephen Simpson, Stefan Wilson and James Winslow.

The first classes will be held on November 5-6, 2011, with a full season of up to 50 class days per year beginning in 2012. Individual classes will be priced at $389, and Miles Ahead will offer group sales to companies that want to extend the course to their employees’ or customers’ children. There will be a scholarship program to award school slots to applicants in need.

The Miles Ahead Teen Driving Intensive is open to any teen driver over the age of 16 who has already earned their driver’s license. For more information or to register for upcoming Miles Ahead classes at IMS, go to www.bemilesahead.net

Miniology TV: Mini Paceman Concept and Mini Coupe!

From 1975-1980, AMC produced the iconic Pacer .. in January 2011, MINI announced the Paceman concept vehicle! The first part of the video shows this. Next up, the MINI Coupe shown in some wicked driving goodness for you to feast upon..