Mini Takes the States 2008

In an event that was part customer appreciation, part promotional stunt, automobile manufacturer Mini-maker of the famous Mini Coopers-spent the summer months visiting four U.S. cities celebrating the Cooper culture and raising money for its namesake charity, Motoring Hearts, which aids in placing volunteers with charities of interest.

The festivities began on Friday evening, as more than 500 Mini Cooper drivers from all over the Southeast flooded the streets of the Magic City. Downtown's Bicentennial Park, in conjunction with Fade In magazine, hosted the meet-and-greet, which featured an outdoor screening of the film National Treasure 2. Mini owners and enthusiasts met up again in the morning at Homestead Miami Speedway, where the event kicked into full gear."While Nascar's Ford Championship Weekend is the calendar highlight each November, it's the year-round use of the speedway facility that generates nearly $250 million annually to the South Florida economy," said Curtis Gray, president of Homestead Miami Speedway.

Individually sponsored family-friendly activities-such as aggressive autocross courses, parade laps, and motoring tales told by racing legend Rauno "The Flying Finn" Aaltonen-took place across the 600-acre speedway on Saturday and Sunday, with a special performance by singer-songwriter Michelle Branch on Saturday.

"The facility's versatility was evident during the festival, with on-track driving, a shopping and food-and-drink bazaar, a live go-karting track, media broadcasts, and one heck of a party with Michelle Branch," Gray said.

As the weekend wrapped up on Sunday evening, participating Mini owners got behind the wheel and embarked on the Flying Finn Miami to Boston Rally, a choreographed road trip north to the next city on the Mini Takes the States 2008 Tour. Other cities on the summer tour include Chicago (from July 25 to 27) and Los Angeles (from August 1 to 3).