Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 16, 2013… Mark your calendar, put in your vacation request and get ready to unleash your MINI! The popular MINI Takes the States (MTTS) rally will kick off on Saturday, July 26, 2014, in San Francisco and will make a “NOT NORMAL†journey to Boston by weaving through 18 states and 15 cities over 14 days. The cross-country rally for MINI owners and enthusiasts will conclude in Boston on Sunday, August 10. “MTTS is a unique motoring experience and a celebration of the MINI community that everyone, including myself, eagerly anticipates,†said Jim McDowell, Vice President MINI USA. “The most enjoyable part of MTTS is the opportunity to personally engage with our owner community and their families out on the open road and in cities across the U.S.†MTTS will make the now legendary cross-country trip for the fifth time in 2014, with thousands of MINI owners and enthusiasts expected to join the rally, or a leg of it, as the caravan of MINIs motor from west to east. The not normal route leaves San Francisco, dips through the South, and maneuvers up through the Midwest before turning toward the Northeast for its final destination in Boston. Along the way, MINI USA will provide its loyal owners and enthusiasts with genuine, once-in-a-lifetime motoring experiences including daily activities. During the event, media will have the opportunity for: Sneak peeks and early test drives of all-new MINI vehicles and technologies Interviews with MINI executives and owners for unique feature stories Autocross experiences demonstrating MINI’s performance and handling Immersion in the festive, cheeky MINI culture and the lifestyle the brand offers MTTS 2014 details including a route map showing stops and dates can be found at MINITAKESTHESTATES.com. Owners and enthusiasts can sign up to receive updates from MINI USA on MTTS 2014. Media with questions about the event or interested in participating should contact the MINI USA Communications Team directly through the contacts below. Unique rallying experiences are nothing new to MINI owners and members of the MINI USA Team. Earlier this year, 848.5 MINIs crossed the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges, in an event called MINI on the Mack. Although they did not break the Guinness Book record for longest parade of MINIs, the group of enthusiastic motorers set a new Guinness record for the largest ensemble of car horns. Some MINI owners motored from as far away as California, Nevada, Texas, Florida, the Carolinas, and Montana to participate in the event.