Days 12-14 - MINI United Festival in Amsterdam.

A while back I got an email from MINI USA saying that they would offer VIP treatment to all American MINI owners who would make the trip to the Netherlands for the event. Since I was thinking of going anyway this clinched it. The event takes place at the Zandvoort racetrack located on the North Sea shore about half hour from the city. US participants pay for their own hotel room at the Moevenpick hotel next to central station - a very nice place that I stayed at earlier in the trip. MINI provides a reception, a canal cruise, free shuttle service to and from the hotel throughout the day, a track drive in a MINI, Sunday night dinner and some goodies. Very cool. Also, since many of the top people at MINI USA are in attendance it is a good opportunity to meet them and talk about the car and the brand. Definitely a lot of enthusiasm here :)

Friday evening after the initial introductions at the reception (and very tasty snacks and drinks) the canal cruise departed from the hotel. It rained rather heavily but having cruised the canals twice already on this trip it was just as well for me so we mostly talked cars and MINI over more drinks until the cruise returned to the hotel. Next day we were on the first shuttle to the track. After signing some wavers and waiting around a bit it's time for the track drive.

The format is pretty straightforward - two groups of 5 cars each, led by a pace car, two drivers per car. Each driver gets two laps then we switch. The pace is surprisingly brisk for taking a bunch of unknown amateurs out on the track, I'd say 6/10ths. Quick enough to not be boring. The track itself is quite nice with a few elevation changes and a couple blind turns so overall a very fun experience. Would have loved to do some laps unrestricted but that just wasn't realistic and I wasn't expecting it. We ended up doing two sessions, one in a Cabrio (the previous generation chassis) and one in a new S so it was a good opportunity for a comparison. Predictably if somewhat disappointingly the new S is softer and more 'mainstream' than the old basic Cooper, even with the 'sport' mode engaged and DSC off. Of course there's more power and the delivery is very smooth and linear but the 'go kart' feeling is quite diminished. I can understand the reasons for wanting to broaden the car's audience but I wonder if this will dilute the cult status it now enjoys. Time will tell. I did mention to MINI USA folks that an enthusiast/club racer model might be a good idea to help maintain that. Ferrari does the Challenge Stradale version of their one-make racecar and since there is a MINI Challenge car already.... Unlikely but doesn't hurt to ask :)

As expected, a lot of different MINIs and Minis are in attendance with a wide variety of paint schemes and accessories.

The festival itself is a very well organized event and everything, including the restaurant and bar tents, are top-notch design and exectution. Food is good and prices tolerable for this type of venue.

After a couple sessions of go-karting (at no cost) and a stroll on the nearby beach, it's back to the hotel for a break and then again to the track to see what's going on in the evening. There is music, dancing, drinking and people-watching. Well, ok, I myself don't dance but the rest I do plenty of. Overall, a very good time.

Sunday the events continue but for me it's onward to the Nurburgring. Many thanks to the folks at MINI USA for making the festival a great experience for the American MINI owners. Well done.