MINIsOnTop – the spring update

I expect that most readers of GBMINIs weblog will already know about MINIsOnTop but just in case you don’t …
Steve, supreme organizer of MINIsOnTop, sent out an email update tonight – excerpts follow:
Deadline for t-shirt orders is May 15th
Deadline for registrations without t-shirts must be postmarked by June 8th. Early registration is preferred
There are [only] two or three rooms remaining of the 50 blocked out for us at the Town and Country in Gorham
The Primrose Inn of Bar Harbor has decided to put together a special Fall package at the Inn for MINIs and their owners only. It will be the weekend of Oct 22 and 23. Please check their web site if you would like an additional taste of Bar Harbor and Acadia in the fall. The proprietors are MINI owners and enthusiasts.
The MOT sponsor list keeps growing in leaps and bounds

(this is the complete email)
Hi Fellow MINIacs!!,
Spring is in the air, snow tires are off and we can finally wash our beloved MINIs without hat and gloves! This means that MINIs On Top is just around the corner!!
When I started this email it was meant to be short and sweet. Ok, so it ended up being long winded and sweet instead. Please read on. Pay attention, there will be a quiz.
A lengthy update and reminders:
1. Deadline for t-shirt orders is May 15th. That is four (4) short weeks away! If you want a MINIs On Top super duper exceptional t-shirt please send me your registration ASAP.
2. Deadline for registrations without t-shirts must be postmarked by June 8th. Early registration is preferred but please respect the deadline.
3. There are two or three rooms remaining of the 50 blocked out for us at the Town and Country in Gorham, NH. There will still be rooms, just none in the
special MOT block. Remember, rooms fill quickly for the upcoming summer season. If you haven’t booked your lodging please do so ASAP. See the
lodging link at http://www.minisontop.com If you procrastinate you may be very sorry.
4. The Primrose Inn of Bar Harbor has decided to put together a special Fall package at the Inn for MINIs and their owners only.
It will be the weekend of Oct 22 and 23. Please check their web site if you would like an additional taste of Bar Harbor and Acadia in the fall.
The proprietors are MINI owners and enthusiasts. They will be joining us for Friday evening MOT gathering at the Wonder View Inn, Bar Harbor.
If you want more luxurious or romantic accommodations for MOT in Bar Harbor you can visit them at http://www.primroseinn.com Please mention that you are
a MINIs On Top participant.
5. Special arrangements have been made by MOT member Pete Basiliere for a guided tour of the Mt. Washington Observatory on the summit.
There is a small charge of $2- for this tour. The tour includes the observatory, the tower and the crew living quarters. The Observatory’s museum will also
be open to people on the tour. Your donation will go directly to the support of the Observatory. Weather buffs will definitely want to
take advantage of this opportunity. Please email Pete directly at NHRef@aol.com if you want to do this 30 minute tour. Limited to 30 people, first
come first served.
7. There is a “Pre-MINIs On Top” gathering being organized in Western Massachusetts on Friday, June 18th. If you are not attending the Maine leg of MOT and
are driving in from the south and west you may want to make this part of your adventure. Please email twmatthias@earthlink.net if you are interested, or
check this link at mot.com http://www.minisontop.com/mot2004/MOT04PreGath.htm for more information.
8. There is a MINI caravan being organized for people coming from points south and through the NY Hudson Valley on Friday June 18th. Please link through
here if you are interested: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54802
9. Get your five (5) songs together that you think best represent MINIs On Top and the MINI driving experience, burn them to a cd and send them to John
Secco, P.O. Box 371, Stoddard, NH 02464. The winner of this year’s MOTY Award will receive something that they consider fabulous up there off a
dirt road somewhere in NH. More information is here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52647
10. Do you want your MOT vinyl cling rally stickers early? For $4- postage I will priority mail you three clings. You must already be registered and have paid
for the clings to have them mailed ahead of schedule. Checks to Steve Barnatt, 183 Center St., So. Dennis, MA 02660. Or Paypal at
sbarnatt@comcast.net Priority mail is $3.85 and the .15 cents is pure profit that I will squander recklessly.
11. The MOT sponsor list keeps growing in leaps and bounds. Please take a minute to visit http://www.minisontop.com for sponsor links. Please remember our
generous sponsors when you are shopping for related products.
Sponsors to date:
* AutoWeek Magazine- the premier monthly automotive magazine in the USA. 100 copies of the most recent issue to be distributed at MOT
AmD Technik USA – offers high-tech engine conversions for the MINI. A One-Click ECU flash unit $459-
Bavarian Autosport – the world’s largest mail-order cataloger of BMW parts and accessories. A $100- gift certificate.
Bentley Publishers – Publishes a wide variety of automotive enthusiast’s books and automotive repair manuals. The MINI shop/service manual $100-
Classic MINI – A MINI dealer in Ohio. A MINI Cuckoo clock.
GoMINI Magazine – The new magazine catering to owners and drivers of the New MINI. One year overseas subscription $75-
Helix MINISports – Specializes in New Mini (Cooper and Cooper S) tuning. TBD
Idle Gear – Provider of MINI related clothing, graphics and merchandise. Three sets of bonnet stripes and one roof decal.
John Cooper Works – The premier MINI and Mini tuner with a racing heritage. The exclusive signed print being auctioned for children’s charities.
It is currently in the $1,200- range. Checks will be made out directly to the charities so it will be tax deductible to the winner.
Want to bid on this rare piece of motoring history? Check here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=53529
Keeler MINI – A MINI dealer in New York. TBD
Mercedes-Benz of Westwood – A Benz dealer in the Boston area. Two Exclusive Auto Detailing kits. $100 each.
MINI of Peabody – A popular MINI dealer in the Boston area. TBD
MINI Solutions – Provider of MINI Cooper Accessories. MINI stone guards, magnetic door guards and Stoner products.
MINIUSA – The source of all our fun. T-shirts, hats, and ?
Mt Washington Auto Road – “Home” of MOT 2004. A free pass for you, your guests and your MINI to MOT 2005.
New Country MINI – A MINI dealer in Connecticut. MINI hats and cup holders.
Prestige MINI – An extremely popular MINI dealer in New Jersey. A $1,000- gift certificate for accessories/labor. THANK YOU, PRESTIGE MINI!
Stoddard Stained Glass – Stained glass designer. A custom made 30″ x 20″ wings logo glass window.
Town and Country Inn – The place to be on the evening of June 19th, 2004. A free night’s lodging for MOT 2005.
The TireRack- Online tire and performance parts distributor. TBD
Turner Motorsports – A leading source of high performance MINI parts and accessories. Five sets of MINI high performance silicone plug wires.
Yankee Candle Company – The leading designer, manufacturer, retailer and wholesaler of premium scented candles in the U.S. TBD
ZOINKS! – A wicked cool toy store. TBD
Personal Contributions:
Beth and Louis Cassorla: A Super Slick radio controlled MINI
Ian Cull: TBD
Randolph Lee: MINI glove box organizer and magnetic stripes.
Paul and Mona Poitras: Applebee’s gift certificate.
Robyn Resch: dba “The Bag Lady”. A custom made MOT MINI spare tire bag.
Maureen McCann: Stoddard Stained Glass. A custom 30″ x 20″ wings logo glass window.
Steve Barnatt: A limited edition die cast 1:16 scale MCS.
***If I missed your donation please contact me so I can correct it. It is not my intention to leave anyone out. Special thanks to those
volunteers who approached MINI Dealerships, Vendors and Businesses for these donations. You have done a fantastic job.***
An questionnaire email will be sent soon for the Maine leg participants. We will be looking for your opinions regarding activities/get togethers on Friday 6/18 in Bar Harbor.
Detailed emails will be sent in about 3-4 weeks with directions, routes, meeting times, rules of the road, etc.
As always, please feel free to contact me with suggestions or concerns at sbarnatt@comcast.net
Motor On!,
-Steve
Some links to keep you busy until next time:
http://www.whitemountaincider.com wicked good donuts and cider after we drive the Kancamagus.
http://www.conwayscenic.com Scenic rail ride through the valley
http://www.pollyspancakeparlor.com mmmm. The best. Good Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast.
http://www.storylandnh.com Have children or perhaps you still act like one?
http://www.attitash.com/summer02/welcome.html Need to work on your road rash? The Alpine Slides are calling.
http://www.minisontop.com/stories/index.htm Interesting MOT, Mt. Washington Valley and Acadia Area Facts.
The MOT CD Exchange : Start searching for those loser music cd’s now. There will be a music CD exchange again this year. It will be held during the cook out. Bring the CD’s that you can’t believe you own and are dieing to throw out. Leave them on the CD abandonment table to pass on to some other sucker.
p.s. We have registrants from as far west as Ohio and far south as Georgia! We also have one MINIac from California bidding in the MOT Charity Auction. If he wins, one of the rules to collect the prize is to be present! Currently the following states are represented: VT, NH, ME, MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, MD, VI, OH, PA.