Tag Archives: mini clubs

IMM 2012: world’s largest gathering of classic Mini enthusiasts is about to kick off

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It was in 1959 that the Mini broke out onto the scene as a classless car, quickly took the world by storm and soon became a motoring icon admired by one generation after the next. Nowhere is the close bond between the classic Mini and its followers more apparent than at the International Mini Meeting (IMM).

The 36th edition of this traditional event is about to get under way, and still the classic Mini continues to transcend boundaries: this year marks the first time that the IMM is being held in Hungary. From 24 – 28 May 2012, fans of this compact British classic will descend on the resort of Balatonfüred on the northern shore of Lake Balaton.

The event’s hosts from MINI Club Hungary have put together a wide-ranging programme packed with thoughtful details, all organised with help and support from various quarters, including the MINI Clubs International Office. Two floating pedal-powered MINIs will be launched out onto Lake Balaton, for instance, while MINI wicker beach chairs will invite visitors to soak up the sun, and professionally restored classic Minis from the BMW Group Classic collection will be on show on the lakeshore alongside the brand’s current models.

Fans and drivers of today’s MINI have been equally welcome at the IMM events for years now.

The inaugural IMM took place in 1978 and has since evolved into the world’s largest gathering of classic Mini owners and friends. Some 4,000 of the brand’s fans, including representatives from over 200 MINI Clubs in countless countries, have registered for the IMM 2012. Enthusiasts from Portugal, Finland and Ireland are planning to drive there in their own Mini, and registrations have even been received from as far afield as Seattle in the US. For the day when everyone arrives, MINI Club Hungary has prepared a highly entertaining rally where the objective is not to be the fastest but to master the final stage before the journey’s end along a particularly picturesque stretch of road.

Bungalows and caravans provide accommodation for anyone attending the IMM, while the extensive campsite in Balatonfüred offers enough room for visitors to park their classic Mini and pitch their tent right next to it. The campsite grounds, furthermore, are the venue for numerous spectacular activities revolving around the classic Mini where the name of the game is sporting competition and having fun together. Plans include setting up a parts and accessories market, staging slalom races in the classic Mini, as well as a competition for the most stunning specimens from all model series, the classic Mini that is truest to the original, the oldest driver and the oldest car. Wedding bells will also be ringing amid the ranks of MINI enthusiasts when two members of the host MINI Club take their vows at the event arena before starting their new life together in true style at the wheel of a classic Mini – followed by a celebratory convoy of some 200 further examples of this British classic, whose drivers have registered in advance for the occasion.

MINI USA gives backstory to ‘The Best Test Drive Ever. Period.’ video we posted last week..

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Not one to leave any details behind, BMW just scurried up and reposted our report with some of the backstory behind the contest, winner, filming, and people behind the scenes (we like that behind the scenes stuff!), who were none other than our MINI motoring pals over in Sausalito, MINI’s ad agency BSSP.

BSSP (www.bssp.com) is a full-service marketing communications agency, providing services in advertising, online marketing, web development, data analytics, integrated communications planning, brand identity, design and strategic brand consulting. (Makes the head spin, doesn’t it?)

In 2010, BSSP was named by Adweek as “Best Small Agency of the Decade.” BSSP is one of the largest independent agencies on the West Coast, being known for their highly creative marketing stuff .. Ok let’s stop right there with the press release drivel, a few more fun facts then we promise to stay on topic..

We joined BSSP on a MINI run back in September 2006, when it all began with MINI USA, also attended by sponsors Sracer, MC2 Magazine, and several area MINI clubs. You can see the footage in StarLord Mini Podcast episode four (wow, that really DOES go back in time, doesn’t it?) here. You can also get a few other mentions of BSSP and Miniology here as well join them on Facebook, Twitter, and such.

So, the back story..

On December 23, MINI USA and Miniology.com brought you The Best Test Drive Ever. Period. This began back in October (Motor-Tober), when MINI USA launched a contest for fans to submit their fantasy test drive, promising the winner that it’ll be made a reality.

Over 14,000 entries came pouring in and were evaluated on creativity, originality, and the best use of a brand new MINI John Cooper Works Coupe. MINI even partnered with Larry Smith, founder of the 6-word memoir project to help judge the entries. From all of the entries received, MINI USA selected one winner: Mathew Foster, from Portland, Oregon.

Matthew’s fantasy test drive submission was selected as the MINI contest winner, and a film of Foster’s test drive premiered online on MINI USA’s Facebook Page, YouTube Channel, Miniology.com, and in cinemas nationwide starting Friday, December 23. This is all part of a national media buy reaching more than 20 million viewers. MINI’s ad agency, Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners (BSSP) out of Sausalito, CA took the 6 words from Foster’s fantasy test drive submission: Stewardess, Salt Flats, Sushi, Paratroopers, Falconer, and made it into a wicked video (they kind only they could produce!)

“It is safe to say that MINI has officially delivered on the promise of ‘THE BEST TEST DRIVE EVER. PERIOD.’ and provided a once in a lifetime experience. While there was only one winner, MINI USA wanted to ensure that everyone could share in the experience, thus Facebook, Twitter and YouTube were cornerstones of the promotion,” stated Tom Salkowsky, Manager, MINI Marketing.

The cinema buy will reach millions of movie-goers during the key movie week between Christmas and New Years. Additional details are as follows:

2,707 total theaters
23,268 total screens running PG 13 and R-rated films
Timing: 12/23/11 – 1/1/12

Talk about making someone an instant celebrity as well :)

MINI is an independent brand of the BMW Group. In the United States, MINI USA operates as a business unit of BMW of North America, LLC which has been present in the United States since 1975.  There’s 110 MINI passenger car dealers, and BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey (as if you didn’t already know all that).

Mini Clubs Plan Statue Of Liberty Run

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Via Amber of PitStop Mini’s:

This is a multi-club weekend trip to the Statue Of Liberty. Involved clubs include the Central MINI Motorists, PhillyMINI, DC Metro MINIs, NEMINI, Hampton Roads MINI, Carlisle MINI and this year they’ve invited PittStopMINI!

If anyone is interested, we could meet up early Saturday morning and drive out to Philly to have cheesesteaks (of course!) with the MD and VA clubs. After that, PhillyMINI will plan a fun twisty route up to New Jersey where we would stay over night. Sunday morning we’d meet up with the NJ and NY clubs and drive over to the Statue of Liberty for a day of sight seeing & driving home.

Let us know if you’re interested in going and we’ll plan from there.

Note: if you’re interested in getting crown ticket, they are now available.

Here is what to get: reserve ferry/crown ticket(s), departs from Liberty State Park, NJ. for Sunday, Aug 14th @ 11am.

http://www.statuecruises.com/ferry-service/welcome.aspx

Meetup event link from Central Maryland MINI Motorists: http://www.meetup.com/Central-Maryland-MINI-Motorists/events/16572372/

Oooh La La! Laura LaRue Is Our Babe Z Month!

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Singer, Songwriter, talented and lovely! Laura is our new obsession at Miniology, and from the fresh pix here, you can plainly see why! Click on any pic to see the larger version.

A clean Mini is a happy Mini!

We asked Laura some questions, and here are her replies:

What year is your Mini?
2009

What is your Mini’s name?
Petit Chou (Little cutie).

Is it a boy or a girl?
Well to make a long story longer… born a boy, but she’s trans gender and I support her ALL Z WAY.

What mods or other special things have you done with your Mini?
No mods, she’s just as nature made her.

Yep, that windshield looks very clean!

Custom paint/graphics, etc.?
My next Mini will be custom I think, if I can ever find a 2 car garage in S.F. Incidentally, don’t mention my desire to adopt another Mini to Petit Chou. She doesn’t play well with others.

Is your Mini your daily driver?
Yes, she gets me all over town FAST and with her I can ALWAYS find parking -which is no small feat in San Francisco! The fact that Petit Chou’s a PLEASURE to drive is the icing on the petit four. Oh and btw, don’t tell P.C. but I’m currently lusting over the mini scooter E. I want, I WANT!

The arrow points to happiness.

Have you ever been to any Mini events like AMVIV or Mini’s On The Dragon?
Not yet -let’s go!

Are you a member of any Mini clubs?
No but I’m sure you can recommend some right? Hook a sister up Rob.

Tell us about you and your music!
Hopefully my music is fun and speaks for itself. I adore what I get to do and I’m grateful that I’ve found playmates who like to play with me! Z playmates being my talented producers. In a nutshell we’re interested in releasing joy and beauty into the air waves and pleasing ourselves in the process. At the end of the day we want to look back and say “That was so much fun, let’s do it again tomorrow.”

A girl and her guitar! And her Mini! It's magic!

Single?
Personality? Why yes just the one thank you, I’m no Sybil. Although Sally Field was great in the movie!

Kids?
I approve of them. As long as they don’t smudge the windows on my Mini with their little chocolate fingers.

Day job?
To survive a day in the life of Laura LaRue IS a full time job. Just ask my friends.

Age?
I’ll pretend you didn’t ask me that Rob!

How long have you been writing/performing?
Define performing? I knew from a young age that I wanted to entertain and that I LOVED music. When I was 15 I taught myself how to play guitar by listening to records in my room. I joined my first band at 16 and I’ve never looked back. I’ve been writing and performing ever since and I’ll “practice” my craft as long as I live.

All of the cool chicks drive Minis! Fast!

Any upcoming live shows?
My manager’s working on a few things, when I get the skinny Miniology will be z first to know.

What got you into the music scene?
When I first heard bands like The Patti Smith Group, Blondie & The Ramones they made me think “I can do that!” That’s the beauty of Rock n Roll, it the “Peoples” music, like Jazz and blues -it’s not just for some, it’s for everyone.

Who are your musical influences?
I have so many. Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield, David Bowie, Devo, ELO, Joao Gilberto, The Smiths, Frank Sinatra. I listen to a lot of international artists too -I love it all.

Any other interesting facts you can think of!
I eat mosty vegan but once in a while I’m tempted to eat fish -so I guess pesco-vegan is more accurate. Otherwise, I’m not very interesting I’m afraid. However, I surround myself the most interesting and intelligent people I can find! I learn so much from my friends, they are so entertaining and they keep me in the know. Quite frankly, if it were up to me I’d hide myself away in my studio all day and night just song writing/recording reading and sewing home made dresses on my brother sewing machine. That and joyriding with Petit Chou are my loves. My total comfort zone.

MINI ROCKS!

Laura’s new album “Beautifique” drops SPRING 2011. Look for it at Amazon, iTunes and all of the other usual places. Laura’s single from the album, “San Francisco Is My Disco”, is available NOW at iTunes as well.

Laura’s songs are also in the rotation at Miniology Live, so click that link above to hear the stream.

You can follow Laura on Twitter: @LaLaRueFrench75

Of course, every respectable artist has a web site: lauralarue.com

We would like to thank photographer Vinny Cancelliere for the awesome pix!