MINIsOnTop

With MINIsOnTop now less than a month away, it’s time to send out thanks to our sponsors, that have donated various items that will be used to raise money for our 2008 charities.

Thanks to Bavarian Autosport, who have donated $100 of gift certificates.
Thanks also to Concord Motorsport, for the donation of a Dinan strut brace.
MC2 Magazine have donated several T-shirts and some magazine subscription.
And don’t forget TwistyBitzwho have donated various items including a UNIQUE custom MINIsOnTop clock!

From our favourite MINI dealerships, in addition to the major raffle prize of a two year MINI Cooper Clubman lease from Herb Chambers MINI of Boston, we have New Country MINI to thank for satisfying our sweet tooth with “Sundaes on Friday” – free ice cream for all during the Friday night get-together and Trivia night – New Country MINI will also donate $6.288 to Make A Wish for every person that attends the event that night.
And let’s not forget MINI of Peabody who will provide buffet snacks to re-fuel us after our drive to the top of Mount Washington, on Saturday evening, while we have our final get-together of the weekend.

Personal donations include a signed photo of Rauno Aaltonen from MINIsOnTop master organizer Theo, and a JCW air intake from yours truly, GBMINI / Ian (installation not included)

See this weblog entry for earlier donations (including Red Sox skybox tickets!)

MINIsOnTop this year is a couple of weeks late, at the end of June – and I’m late getting this sponsor shout-out up too! Sorry.

Top of the list is once again the wondrous support of Herb Chambers MINI of Boston with the donation of a two year lease of a brand new MINI Cooper Clubman (see MINIsOnTop for details) – this prize is being raffled ($25 tickets) with the draw occurring on June 28th. You do not need to attend MINIsOnTop to have a chance to win this great prize.

MINIdoMore has again offered one of their trailer hitch kits (value $325) and a cargo carrier ($200) for 2008.

Texas SpeedWerks has offered a special carbon fiber engine damper (and maybe more – check back later).

American MINI Mates have sent several MINI-themed t-shirts and sweatshirts.

Asthetic Creations are offering several gift certificates. Their MINI roof graphics are well known for creativity and high quality.

Detailers Paradise has offered one of their Prima Car Care Kits.

Whalen Shift Machine will be sending two custom shift knobs — get that quick, smooth, and snappy feeling when you shift, without the hassle of installing a short shift kit!

Hamilton Brook Smith & Reynolds has agreed to donate two luxury sky box tickets to the Boston Red Sox game against the Anahiem Angels on Wednesday evening, July 30th. With the included parking passes and free food and drink, the value is about $400.
My special thanks to David (LePew) for his work collecting sponsorship for MINIsOnTop 2008 – and also for arranging this excellent prize!

Finally, an unusual but much appreciated sponsorship this year from MINI of Peabody:
Last year, after the drive up / back down Mount Washington, MINIsOnTop arranged a room and $10/head buffet for participants to get together and “recover” from the drive – this popular option returns this year, but MINI of Peabody are covering the cost of the food … we expect this will make the Saturday night buffet even more popular 🙂

Herb Chambers MINI of Boston will once again support MINIsOnTop and our charity fund-raising, with another donated two year MINI lease (previous years support: 2005 – pickup, 2006 – pickup, 2007 – pickup).
To celebrate the launch of the MINI Cooper Clubman, Herb Chambers MINI will be providing a MINI Cooper Clubman lease (two years, 10,000 miles per year):

The car is well spec’ed in Lightning Blue with Silver roof/mirrors/C-pillars, Pacific Blue colorline / Piano Black interior, equipped with Cold Weather Package, Multi-Function Steering Wheel, Sunroof – a beautiful car with a sticker price of almost $23,500; maybe yours with the purchase of a $25 raffle ticket!

Raffle tickets are available at Herb Chambers MINI of Boston, or by mail from MINIsOnTop, PO Box 617, Essex, MA 01929 (please include your email address!); tickets will also be sold at MINIsOnTop (June 27/28) and you don’t have to be present to win (see MINIsOnTop for more details)

MINIsOnTop has chosen to support two charities in 2008: The Mt Washington Observatory will receive 6.288% (honoring the mountain’s elevation) of the total raised with the rest going to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of New Hampshire. See the MINIsOnTop website for more details.

I also want to take the opportunity to welcome Herb Chambers MINI new Motoring Manager Giovanni Tosti, replacing the wonderful Kerry Masone (who will now spend more family time at home!); I met Giovanni today and he seems to be the perfect replacement – very enthusiastic about MINI, just like Kerry, having worked at Prestige MINI from the MINI launch back in 2002 (although he took a non-MINI sabbatical for a while!)
I’m sure Giovanni and many of the Herb Chambers MINI team will again attend MINIsOnTop this summer – look out for them and say “thanks” for their support of MINIsOnTop 🙂