Hot off the presses: While at the Detroit Auto Show Todd and Matt managed to tease out a few details about MTTS 2012. According to the best sources possible, we’ve confirmed that MINI Takes the States will begin July 4th and eventually end in Chicago. Route details, events and other information is not yet available. MINI Takes the States is a giant, bi-annual, road trip put on by MINIUSA. It started in 2006 as a way to celebrate the MINI Cooper JCW GP. It was such a huge hit that it has been repeated in 2008 and 2010, both of which were great events. Look for photos and interviews soon. MotoringFile
Just listening to an interview with Dr. Kay Segler and Jim McDowell and this little tidbiut was dropped. MTTS will start July 4th, be a cross country drive and start in the East. Thats not confirmed and may be just to throw people off right now, so stay tuned for details.
MTTS 2012 It's official, July 4 thru July 15. From the east to the west coast. More info at Mini USA. Go here for info and to sign up for e-mails: MINIUSA.com Hope this helps...
Worst timing possible for me, and anyone impacted by quarterly close stuff...guess I'm doing MOTD this year
This just in, dates and places for Minis takes the states: Here are the dates and locations for MINI Takes The States 2012 New York 7/4 Washington, DC 7/4 Charlotte, NC 7/5 Nashville, TN 7/6 Louisville, KY 7/7 Chicago, IL 7/8 Omaha, NE 7/9 Denver, CO 7/10 Santa Fe, NM 7/11 Phoenix, AZ 7/12 San Diego, CA 7/13 Los Angeles, CA 7/14-7/15 Bill
MINIs own FB page was updated today.. They show one place so far, Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, CO. @ cooprss ...Where did you find that list? From MotoringFile FB page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/slumley/6790444220 Here's the route.... NYC Washington, DC Charlotte Nashville Louisville Chicago DesMoines Lincoln Denver Albuquerque Phoenix LA Doin' the whole thing. 8000 miles round trip.
I might join up with the Rally somewhere around Lafayette, Indiana when they are running up I-65 and go on into Chicago for the night.
Planning on doing the WHOLE rally too. Just finished booking the hotels. Now looking through the Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins and Man vs. Food spots to include an eating tour too. Texas to NJ - Rally Route - LA back Home.
Now, THAT sounds like an adventure! Would be gr8 if u ran in2 Guy Fieri (sp?) somewhere along your route! If u do, take pics & share! :wink:
I sure will. Just way TOO many days between now and MTTS. I'm finding it hard to think of anything else right now.
Just be advised that as of today (5/22) the primary route advertised on the MINI USA site may be a generic representation for some legs and subject to further definition by the MTTS folks. For example, we've had a keen interest in our neck of the woods (western IL and eastern IA) from the beginning given the fact that MTTS '12 passes right through our neighborhood. Recognizing that a direct transit from Chicago to Des Moines on I-80 would be incredibly unimaginative and boring, a local cadre of folk have been helping the MTTS planners come up with more interesting alternative routes and potential stops. A rep from MINI USA was just out this past week pre-driving some of our recommended roads and making decisions on candidate off-the-beaten-path, "surprise and delight" stops along the way. I believe their final decision on the primary route will end up being a compromise between the best possible scenic/twisty roads and a bit more direct route for transit time efficiency (to facilitate arrivals at the next destination in time for evening events). The final primary route may include side trips to some unique attractions as potential alternative, secondary routes for folks who can budget the additional time. While I think I have a fairly good idea of what the route between Chicago and Des Moines will be (which is primarily NOT along I-80), since it's as yet unofficial I'd be doing a disservice by advertising it here and then seeing it change again. I am aware, though, that they've expressed an interest in Galena and the Amana Colonies, both of which might be along the primary route if they eventually work out in the final MTTS analysis. Hopefully we'll soon be seeing these sorts of details come up on their site.
I am very fortunate that I have the luxury of doing this at all. I would DEFINITELY prefer a route that was not just Interstate. For me, this trip is going to be one of pure enjoyment. Driving my Coupe more than the average 5 miles I do on a daily basis. The opportunity to take her on the MINICROSS and not have to look over my shoulders for the POPO. I'll pop into the night events to get my points, then rest for the next leg. I look forward to visiting your neck of the woods, and thank you for getting MINI to come and doing their Due Diligence.