MINI Meets

Back from an exhausting weekend, and back online (hope Site5 lets me stay online too!)
I’ve pared my camera contents down to “only” 108 pictures!

MINIsOnTop 2007 in my opinion worked extremely well; we had the largest number of attendees (257 cars and 520 people registered), amazing support from three MINI dealerships (Herb Chambers MINI, MINI of Peabody and New Country MINI) as well as huge support from MINI aftermarket companies … we didn’t manage to match last years incredible fund raising, but we did well (more later, once I have all the final numbers).

Once again, MINIsOnTop was based in Gorham, New Hampshire, at the Town & Country Inn (as well as the Royalty Inn, Top Notch Inn and other local places to stay); as a “feeder” event, Theo leads a group of up to 50 MINIs from Yankee Candle in Western Massachusetts, via “Area 51” (a rest stop on I-93), but was still ready to meet & greet when he arrived at the T&C:

Friday evening we again staged a Trivia Contest, created by Libby & Bill from Cape Cod MINIs – ever popular both for those in teams, and people who just hang out and join in the fun …

New for this year, we staged some “caravans” on Saturday morning to drive from Gorham to Loon Mountain – they were well attended. I led a group, followed by one of George’s GPs and some other MINIs:

Over at Loon Mountain, we had lots of questions to answer, and LOADS of MINIs! Once again, Red Bull attended to keep us fed with energy drinks, and entertain with their MINIs and “The Mobile Energy Team”. New events this year included a “concours” with prizes for cleanest MINI, dirtiest MINI, and “most ducks” – easily won by Steve recently returned from the BABE rally!

This year as always, Richards “driver speech” before everyone heads out on their drive before re-gathering at the base of Mount Washington:

I headed over to fabulous Pollys Pancakes, with Margaret and George & Jayne – so no drive pics from me! But back at the base of Mount Washington, we all collected under the tent for food and prize draws, MC’ed once again by Michael …

The winners of the Herb Chambers MINI Cooper Lease – Meg & Jeff:

The winner of the MINI of Peabody Trip To England – Ivan (hopefully he’ll take Norine with him!):

Nobody managed to roll “COOPER” and win a MINI from New Country MINI, but they presented an electric toy convertible MINI to the closest – Richard:

And now, the drive to the top of Mount Washington. For the first time since 2003 we didn’t have rain, high winds or thick fog on top – instead we had wonderful views 🙂

 

Also new this year, we staged an “Over The Top” get-together back at the Town & Country after everyone drove down from the top (sorry to all attendees – we got the time a bit wrong! Hopefully you’ll forgive us …)
By now however, the organizers (including me!) were exhausted! But again, people seemed to enjoy the final gathering:

 

And by Sunday morning, time to leave, it got lonely once more – but with my wonderful wife, I won’t be lonely – many thanks Margaret for all your help!

 

Many thanks also to all the “Yellow Hat” organizers: Theo & Carol, Michael & Pam, Mike & Ariane, Beth & Louis, Libby & Bill, Ivan & Norine, Richard, Aaron, Pete, Ricardo, Angus, Chip … thanks too to the volunteer parking coordinators Brian & Diana, Jason, Harvey & Terry … I bet I missed some!
Of course, thanks also to everyone that attended – the hard work wouldn’t be much fun if we didn’t have you all come and join in 😉

Thank you everyone, from Ian / GBMINI …

(previous years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 … also see the MINI2 thread)