mini adventure. 850 mile road trip from end to end

[matt21]

I am currently organising a roads run for all UK MINI owners from Lands End to John O’Groats. It will be an excellent opportunity to meet people, try your car out over the Scottish highlands and enjoy four days of solid driving in your MINI (home to Lands End, Land End to Blackpool, Blackpool to John O’Groats then John O’Groats home again). I hope to get at least 50 cars on this adventure . The more the merrier.

After close consideration I have changed the plan slightly. Due to the varied degrees of experience (me included, I’m 18) then I propose we make an overnight stop about half way. After working out where this would be I have decided to stop for the night in Blackpool. Having considered various opinions that July is a very busy month then I am considering the possibility of moving it to August. I would appreciate opinions on this.

We could all meet on a Friday night in a designated site at Land’s End where we could spend the night. We would then depart there about 8am on the Saturday morning and arrive in Blackpool early evening after a leisurely drive and spend the night here. We would then depart Blackpool 8am Sunday morning and all being well reach John O’Groats early evening again. This would stop the long 24 hour drive and make it more a more fun and relaxing.

We would see if we could get a hotel at all the overnight destinations and whether BMW UK would make a donation towards this (thanks Harpo) for all the cars as it would be good publicity. I will put in all the effort to ensure maps, sites of interest, hotel rooms being reserved and areas where we can meet at both ends is there ready for us when we arrive. Therefore if every car could pay £30 to me to help organise all this.

Regarding a charity donation this would have to be carefully considered. One way to do this is separate from the £30 entry fee each person entering could get friends and families to donate a small amount in sponsorship for the completion of the event to go to Whizz-Kids the official BMW/MINI and MINI2 charity. This would not only promote the brand but this web-site and if we get 50 cars plus all donating then we may get media attention. After asking my friends and family I have already got a provisional £100 in sponsors, if the event goes ahead, in the past day.

I was wondering if somebody experienced in MINI2 organisation would be able to help. All I need is advice on past events and to possibly help share the work load. If interested can you e-mail me at matthew@cartwright656.fsnet.co.uk and explain what you have previously done.

This event would be an excellent opportunity to do this famous UK drive and it would be excellent fun getting everyone to meet up and socialise.

Whoever is interested could they please post their name and how many people would be coming. When we reach sufficient numbers then I’d need confirmation and sort out payment.

Thanks for your co-operation and I hope to here from you all in due course.

Matthew.

[Johnny225]

Sounds really cool, but too bad I'm on the other side of the pond!

[matt21]

pity mate.

you should ship the car over!

anyone else interested in helping organise please contact me.

[Nameless]

Good run idea

But - Why do you need £30 * 50 cars = £1500 from the members to organise it?

The Northern Gang have managed to organise 2 day long runs with 2 overnight stays and parking, hotels etc without a penny being charged in entry fee's. ( Apart from a few quid for a rally-plate, which was optional ). And we had maps etc.