OK for those MINI folks out there- you know I’m poking fun and getting rid of some frustration about MINI Takes The States 2010.  I know it will be fantastic, I know it will be THE MINI experience of the summer… That said, like many MINI owners out there I am still waiting on details.  I know it is a monumental endeavor and I don’t know exactly when MINI started planning this (I would have started right after MTTS 2008 and had 75% of everything locked down before January 2010 so I could make the BIG announcement). Right now I know virtually nothing, even after the big announcement this week of (finally) where in Denver the main event will be and some of the events at “Launch Cities” Not all of them, almost… just be patient.

Unfortunately, there are too many fanatic MINI owners (some of them I know) who are saying “If I had the details sooner I’d be able to go.”  MINI is shooting itself in the foot by not having had the plan out earlier.  I’m a teacher the worse thing would be having it during the school year which they miss by 24 hours… some people actually have to arrange time off months in advance.  Here is what we needed in the initial announcement- The exact dates… just as important the exact location in Denver.  Denver is a big enough city that it could be a 30 – 45 minute drive to get to the venue if you picked the wrong hotel.  This holds true for each city along the rally route… while MINI may not know what is going on they could at least say In the morning we will be leaving from here… so if I want to sleep in I can pick a hotel close by.

I know I’m complaining, but when I was the events coordinator for the local MINI club I remember contacting MINI over and over again about MTTS 2008 and getting nothing.  The “Chicago” event actually took place in Wisconsin after “rallying” through hours of bumper to bumper (or is that bonnet to boot?) expressway traffic.  (What would have happened if I had gotten a hotel in Chicago for the weekend… ouch!) Once we got there it was great, it was the getting there and getting back part that lacked that certain something- especially when the route we were given to head back was… Let’s just say I was glad Sue had spent some time in area and knew how to get back to Schaumberg.

Again, I know it takes a lot of work to put on something like this… and getting grief from people like me doesn’t make it easier.  I have heard (but have no conclusive evidence at this time) that a suggestion from 2008 about planning with (or is that actually listening to) local MINI groups has been happening in some cities which could be part of what is taking so long (too many cooks).  I know I even suggested a stop on the Chicago to Indy portion, so who knows? My little idea could be the one thing that is holding everything up (it wasn’t me it was Cecil and his love of grilled cheese sandwiches).  Right now… I only have one real important question- Can you give me details about MINI United 2011? 😉  Actually I need to figure out if I will need to save a few personal days this year so I can attend like in 2009.

Oh, and if you want owner representation in planning of MTTS 2012 just let me know…

On a side note- A lot of local groups have some great events so if you are a MINI enthusiast.  I would consider checking out MINIs in the Mountains (Denver- same time as MTTS), MINIs on Top (New Hampshire), AMVIV (Las Vegas), & MINIs on the Dragon (North Carolina) information (dates) for most of these events are available years ahead of time so you can get the time off.  One of my favorites (Mickey & MINI– in Orlando, FL) already has dates, and hotel information… I just need a MINI when I’m down there since it is in October & motoring down is not going to be an option this time out.