Fans of Britain’s favorite small car have a lot to look forward to at this year’s Mini in the Park, which will take place at Santa Pod, Beds, in the UK, on Sunday August 13th. Apart from live action, including the Adrenaline Tour live action stunt show, live demonstrations from the famous ‘Turbonator’ Jet Mini and a Mini-only ‘Run what Ya Brung’ on Santa Pod’s famous drag strip, one of the highlights of this year’s show will be the MITP Pride of Ownership display, which is accessible to all owners of the British car, as it’s more laid back than more traditional Show & Shine and concours events.
The organizers of the event are currently looking for owners to submit their star Minis for consideration in this year’s display – if it’s unusual, clean and well-presented, then it’s welcome. Simply email miniinthepark@kelsey.co.uk for more details. The top 40 Pride of Ownership Minis will be asked to exhibit on the day, and of those the top 20 will be invited to take part in the Pride of Ownership parade in the Live Action Arena.
As well as the displays, which will also include individual entries and some fantastic contributions from the UK’s many clubs for the popular small car, one of the more entertaining features of the day will be the ‘Club Mini Push’, with representatives of some of the country’s more competitive clubs competing head-to-head in a battle to push a classic Mini around an obstacle course in the fastest possible time. Clubs that want to compete in a more sedate manner will also have the chance to compete in a Mini-themed ‘Bake Off’, with a tent full of cakes being entered for the chance to win up to £100 – participating clubs can bring their cakes along and enter on the day.
Visitors will also have the chance to enter a competition to win a classic Mini, sponsored by specialist insurers Carole Nash. The 1996 Mini Equinox is one of only 750 ever made, and has a distinctive ‘Moon and Stars’ interior theme. Non-club members will also be able to enjoy the show, with a special Mini-only parking area reserved for their prized cars, a special award for the best ‘non-club’ Mini attending the event and the famous drag strip open to non-club members as well.
Each year, over 1,000 fans choose to start their MITP experience early, with a festival feel family friendly campsite, plus live music and Santa Pod’s famous funfair. Gates open at 2 PM on the Saturday, with entertainment from 7:30 PM. To ensure you don’t miss out on any of the live entertainment, a weekend ticket – which includes camping on site – costs just £20 and is available from the event website.
