MINI United

The first MINI United festival due to take place 28-30 October has had a truly international response; 2500 MINI fans are set to descend on Italy, setting off from 32 countries including as far a field as Australia, Japan, Canada and America. So far 200 MINIsters from the UK are planning to make the 1000-mile journey to the Misano racetrack and see the grand final of the John Cooper Challenge (JCC).

The 20 top drivers from the national JCC championships will compete against each other in fully-kitted out John Cooper Works MINI Cooper S’s. The UK has four of the spaces on the grid, and will be competing against drivers from 10 other countries including the US, Germany, Australia, Switzerland and Bahrain.

As well as MINI racing, entertainment will include live music, film shows, sport competitions, helicopter rides and design workshops. Plus racing legends Alex Zanardi, Rauno Aaltonen and Mike Cooper will be on hand to give the JCC drivers a few tips and speak to fans.

The event is open to all MINI aficionados and the forum on the miniunited.com website has enabled liftshares and convoys from major European cities to be organised.