June 21, 2006:

MINI Takes The States

The MINI Takes The States event is taking shape … just now a major update has been put on the official website, detailing all the special events that will be occurring - go to the website and click on Special Events:

In other news, I plan to drive the complete MINI Takes The States run, hopefully meeting loads of new MINI friends on the way! I booked all my hotel nights today …

I will be driving in the yet-to-be-built GPMINI, which will be delivered to me at the Monterey pre-MTTS event.

I have been collecting GP information onto a new website I’ve created: GPMINI.net. If you’re interested in the new GP, or in MTTS, check out the new site …

I’ve put up “place marker” pages for each day of MTTS, to assist with the inter-club communications:
2006/08/21: Monterey, CA to Santa Barbara, CA (SCMM)
2006/08/22: Santa Barbara, CA to Las Vegas, NV (SCMM)
2006/08/23: Las Vegas, NV to Flagstaff, AZ (SCMM, Sin City MINI Club)
2006/08/24: Flagstaff, AZ to Albuquerque, NM
2006/08/25: Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX
2006/08/26: MTTS #6: Amarillo, TX to Dallas, TX (Metroplex MINI)
2006/08/27: Dallas, TX to Memphis, TN (Metroplex MINI)
2006/08/28: Memphis, TN to Nashville, TN (Sunshine MINIs)
2006/08/29: Nashville, TN to St. Louis, MO (Chicago MINI Motoring Club)
2006/08/30: St. Louis, MO to Indianapolis, IN (MINICCI, Milwaukee MINIs, Chicago MINI Motoring Club)
2006/08/31: Indianapolis, IN to Charleston, WV (MINICCI)
2006/09/01: Charleston, WV to Charlottesville, VA
2006/09/02: Charlottesville, VA to Washington, DC (DC Metro MINIs)
2006/09/03: Washington, DC to Jersey City, NJ
2006/09/04: Jersey City, NJ to Lakeville, CT (Ocean State MINI)

Posted by GBMINI at 08:53 pm | GBMINI meets, GBMINI#4 (GPMINI)
Comments: 16 (post new comment)

  1. usaaus (2006/06/21 @ 9:59 pm)

    Congratulations Ian - Oh to be in a position to A: get a GP and B: Drive it across the US.

    I’m thrilled you are doing it and I hope to enjoy it through your great new website.

  2. MickyD (2006/06/22 @ 12:34 am)

    Am I right in thinking you’ve ordered a GP? or have I missed something? :)

  3. jordan (2006/06/22 @ 4:38 am)

    great GP site have you bought one?????

  4. Aqualung (2006/06/22 @ 6:31 am)

    You lucky guy! Sounds like an awesome time, what were you telling Josh, “no trade in plans (for GBMINI)”…..:-)

    I will look forward to seeing you document the route, better get your iPod setup, that’s a looong ride.

    Will Margaret accompany you?

    Chris

  5. Ian C. (2006/06/22 @ 7:40 am)

    Chris,
    I plan for now to keep GBMINI#3 for everyday driving - I don’t think a GP will be successful in a New England winter. But time will tell.

    Margaret will attend the Monterey presentation, but not do the drive - that’s one concern, doing all that MTTS activity with no co-driver …

  6. Aqualung (2006/06/22 @ 9:29 am)

    Sigh, now I’m even more envious, two MINIs in the driveway! ;-)
    If the MINI schedule of events doesn’t include it, you should try to get over to Santa Cruz when you’re out there, kind of a “flashback to the 60’s” surfer dude town, very quaint area with the classic California arcade/boardwalk.

    Also, hopefully the route will take you out of the peninsula up Rte. 17 over the mountains, unless you’re heading down Rte. 1. That road would be a blast in your new GP!

  7. mdsbrain (2006/06/22 @ 9:39 am)

    Sorry Ian, I am the jealous (wishing so bad I could afford a hot JCW GP car). You and Todd…lucky guys!

    But, I should see you on the leg of the MTTS from Wasington, DC to NJ. Heck yah!

  8. Josh Wardell (2006/06/22 @ 9:56 am)

    All the puzzle pieces finally together. :)
    Have you designed your new roof yet?

  9. Ian C. (2006/06/22 @ 10:43 am)

    No plans currently to change the exterior looks of the GP, Josh …

    Mark, hopefully among the 1000+ faces, I’ll be able to say “hi” to you in person!

  10. Aqualung (2006/06/22 @ 12:19 pm)

    ho ho, no wonder you’re traveling alone, LOL!

    AT EVERY STOP

    MAXIM magazine models are joining the journey! Two female MAXIM models will drive along in a MINI awaiting MTTS motorists at the end of each day’s drive. They’ll be on hand to help MTTS participants relax and unwind with chair styled massages. Look for them throughout the trip.

  11. todd (2006/06/22 @ 2:30 pm)

    Glad to have you aboard Ian. Looks like we’ll both have two MINIs in the driveway as I have no plans to sell my ‘03 MCS anytime soon either.

    We plan on peeling off MTTS in Amarillo. The wife’s gotta get back to work.

    The drives should be nice on MTTS as it looks like no leg is longer than six hours which means GP drivers should make them in four - LOL!

    In addition to an aux. adapter for the iPod I’ll be bringing a new Valentine One just in case. ; )

  12. LTZMTOR (2006/06/22 @ 8:09 pm)

    I tried the Valentine out and sent it back. I found my Escort a better all around unit. One of my neighbors swears by his Valentine so who knows.

    Todd, hope to meet you in Monterey.

  13. todd (2006/06/23 @ 1:17 am)

    Todd, hope to meet you in Monterey

    I’ll be the one in the new GP! : )

  14. drew (2006/06/23 @ 2:57 am)

    i’ve been loving my v1 for the last month todd - way to go!

  15. LTZMTOR (2006/06/23 @ 5:26 am)

    Todd,

    I wish it was me instead!… ;¬)

  16. J/C (2006/06/23 @ 9:51 am)

    I thought this was why you had signed up for the entire MTTS trip. Congratulations Ian.

    Hopefully we’ll meet up in Monterey.

    -Juan

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