Only 1 horsepower? No Drive-by-Wire electronic throttle control? Obviously a COUNTERFEIT (... despite that spiffy driving lamp).
...aspiring to one day become a Clubman.
Longwood Gardens...in the heart of Penn. Dutch Country
Now and then...it's time to turn off the ignition and reflect on the travels of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Yeah Philadelphia !! We made it !!
MINI USA VP Jim McDowell with opening remarks and the introduction of “The Flying Finn,” Rauno Aaltonen.
“The Flying Finn”, Rauno Aaltonen, explaining various techniques for a driver to employ to make a MINI...well... go fast !!
Betsy Ross helping a few visitors feel at home.
Philadelphia Museum of Art
MINI USA Rep "Jan" keeping everything on schedule
Sharing one of those "Rocky" moments. Priceless !!
The Official MTTS 2008 MINI USA Photographer
Stella Singleton (Philly MINI Club's "Prime MINIster") showing off the newest member of PhillyMINI.ORG !!
"Ughhhh, dear....everyone else is starting to pull out, so can you kinda get moving here ??"
"Well, don't just stand there and stare -- we need you behind the wheel, Mr. Camera Man !!"
"Dick Cheney? Sit up and take notice -- here's one Vice-President who actually pumps his own gas !!"
Enjoying a pit stop at New Hope, Pennsylvania
"The Flying Finn" demonstrating how to make the MINI go like the wind ....
"OK, are you getting this? I don't want to have to repeat myself !! "
"I see you...do you see me ??"
Always nice to see a familiar face....
We made it to Prestige MINI in Mahwah, New Jersey !!
MINI USA Vice-President Jim McDowell addressing the crowd at Prestige MINI's festivities
The "Flying Finn" patiently answering all questions.
Look at that line !! All waiting for a chance to get the "Flying Finn's" autograph...and perhaps a quick story !!
A COUNTERFEIT 2009 JCW Coupe...caught on film attempting to crash MTTS at Prestige MINI !! The nerve...!!
Ouch !! Nobody said quality comes cheap !!
Jim and Kathleen...beaming over their pride and joy !!
MINI USA Vice-President Jim McDowell going the extra mile to keep these MINI owners smiling !!
MINI USA Regional Rep "George" ("you can call me AL") showing off a new member of the family !!
MINI USA Regional Rep "Paul" with his lovely wife "Marilyn" and Mr. Happy Puppet ("gotta love that Slash") enjoying time together with fellow MINI owners !!
Breakfast send-off at the Sheraton Mahwah
Lor, Roz, Kathleen and Jim discussing strategy before motoring from Mahwah to Boston.
MINI USA Rep "Steve" (far left) and colleagues candidly sharing with the group all internal company product development and design secrets scheduled for the next 12 months !! :)
"Are you ready to Rock and Roll ??"
Let's Motor !!
And I thought $4.09 a gallon in Kentucky was steep !! In a few months, am I going to be happy to pay this price per gallon ?? Golly Gosh Ohh My !!
The Big Guy...looking down on the F1 festivities...with a Smile.
Arriving at Pier 4 at Boston Harbor for a light breakfast and the rally into UMASS.
"Hey Frank...you thinking what I'm thinking?" "Yep...what are we doing up here when all the fun's happening down there...."
Something tells me this MINI owner is not a Yankees fan....
There's usually one shy type in every crowd....
"Shy ?? That would be my little brother. Me ?? I'm lovin' all this 'tention !!"
"Look, Mom....no shift lever !!"
Black Lab ----> "Clubman, you ask? Now we're talking !! Let's Motor !!"
"I really mean it !! No parking -- LET'S MOTOR !!"
"Have you guys heard the one where the Honda, the Mazda and the MINI drive up to a bar...?"
"I dream of a world in which all of us will be happy, healthy, and own lots of MINIs...."
Me again !! We just arrived at MTTS on the UMASS campus for 2 days of smiles, laughs and a funtastic great time !!
Official MTTS 2008 Boston Registration Desk. "Step Right Up !!"
I won this beauty as a door prize !! ("Yeah...right....")
The line waiting for a chance to test drive a new MINI on the official autocourse.
Experiencing that age-old phenomenon of always feeling liberated when behind the wheel of a convertible.
"It doesn't get much better than this. Thanks for the driving lessons, Rauno... and for the friendship."
"We've learned that the world can best be understood in terms of...well...black and white !!"
"You've heard of the "The Flying Finn?" Well, let me introduce you to "The Flying Frog" !!
Awards Ceremony Time !!
"Yep -- all this in our MINI...for 10 days and 2,207 miles !!"
What a wonderful location for MTTS 2008 Boston. Thank you, MINI !!
Looking forward to other events...hoping to capture more wonderful moments with the MINI community.
Ready to fly to Chicago for the next leg of MTTS 2008 !!
