Todd and I had the opportunity to speak with Caryn Grun, MINI Events Manager for MINI USA along with Michael Johnston, a Para-Triathlon athlete competing in the 2016 Para Olympics, live from the New York Auto Show. Details like an update to the route through Colorado and conformation that there will be an autoX component at 3 stops during MINI Takes the States. We also found out where MTTS will be kicking off from; MINI USA Headquarters in New Jersey! Registration opens tomorrow at minitakesthestates.com. Make sure to get yourself registered and keep yourself tuned in to White Roof Radio and Motoringfile for all of your MTTS details as they become available! We are seeing requests for more information to help with planning your time with MTTS. We have a route and dates. What more are you looking for? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to find out. Go Forth. Go West. Go MINI MTTS Update 04/04/12: Download audio file (mtts12-1.mp3) Download | WRR @ iTunes More...
If Mini USA or TPG obtain any hotel price deals or have preferred hotels where activities will be happening that information would be good to get out as soon as possible so we can start making hotel reservations. It is nice to be at or near the hotel where the day's adventure ends or starts.
Hotels and Venues at stops are still being worked out. As soon as any info is seen you can be assured we'll post it here too.
On my 2nd attempt I was successful at getting registered. When I came back all my details were saved in the various cookies or whatever. Reg for 2, Boulder Party, Boulder to Albuquerque, Albuquerque Party. Should be fun. Don We will do something with MINI5280 folks to be sure.
MINI has a history of waiting until the last moment to announce things. It drives me crazy. Thank God our events at HR MINI have the details published WAY before the event! With 2 months to go, I'd like to know what venues we'll be at in each of the cities I'm heading to!
This should do it if you still need any MTTS info as far as locations. Well, at least the ones they have locked in at this point. MINI TAKES THE STATES 2012
There may be other reasons why (location?). Some folks I know that did MTTS 2010 picked pet-friendly hotels as close to the host hotel they could get (usually La Quinta). If you go to Google Maps and search for "hotels near <host hotel address>" you'll get a nice listing of other places nearby. While we're staying at some of the host hotels, in some cases we opted for nearby ones instead. Your mileage may vary, of course. -Jim
We're doing Chicago and Des Moines as well. I'd initially booked at the Chicago host hotel, but then noticed the evening event is at the Autobahn track place in Joliet, after the autocross etc. So...that seemed like a long trek into downtown just to sleep over and maybe bfast the next morning. I cancelled / rebooked today near Joliet, there are any number of typical interstate-exit-caliber hotels (Comfort, Hampton, Holiday, etc.) nearby. Jump on I-80W to get started the next morning, and then hopefully I'll have some intel courtesy of the Iowa MINI club(s) for a day of two-lane adventures of some type on the way to Des Moines. :fingerscrossed:
MINI Takes the States 2012 There has been talk about shipping cars to the east coast for MTTS. I'm driving but for those that didn't want to rack up the miles or have the time here's an option to think about. I got this from the event organizers: We are thrilled that you plan to join the MINI TAKES THE STATES rally from coast to coast. Some of you have expressed interest in trucking your MINI one way. We’ve put together the following information should you wish to pursue this option. Reliable Trucking Dave Mesack (800) 521-6393 x 6209 (hubs throughout the country) The quotes are for closed transportation, per unit if a truck is filled with 6 units. Drop off can be at MINI headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. 6 car rates as follows: LA to NJ $1,500 per unit GA to NJ $800.00 per unit TX to NJ $1,000.00 per unit IL to NJ $700.00 per unit MI to NJ $500.00 per unit AZ to NJ $1,400.00 per unit FL to NJ $900.00 Horseless Carriage Carriers Terence 1 (800) 631 7796 (based in NJ) The quote is for closed transportation. Price is for one unit and not based on filling a truck. Drop off is 20 miles from MINI headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ at the trucking company. LA to NJ $1,850 GO FORTH. GO WEST. GO MINI. Hope this helps...
isnt the rise/shine at soldier field- off lakeshore drive? anyways----- I think Des Moines has a similar lodging opportunity: a) DT Des Moines Hosts (Marriott) and Embassy -- Under Renno b) Night event is at the Park Zoo 5miles so c) Rise and shine is west approx 7 miles west - church parking/ firefighter breakfast so deciding West Des Moines vs DT and the hassle...