Are you passionate about your MINI?  Just can’t get enough of it and hate to leave it in the garage or on the street at night?  Would you even sleep in it if you could?

If you’re seeking the dream locale where you can lay your die-hard MINIac head to rest, there is a room out there for you.  If you happen to be in the area of Munster, Germany, the “Mini Cooper Room” is just a hop, skip and a jump away (or around a 25-minute drive on the Autobahn). Decked out in MINI memorabilia and dedicated entirely to the beloved British heritage brand, you can slumber in a black Classic Mini, retrofitted to host a comfy bed rather than its famed leather seats (which are now used as chairs in the room itself). Ah, luxury. Drop the top of this classic cabrio and get ready to dream sweetly of your most memorable road trips.

Oh and if you’re afraid of the dark, switch on the pair of built-in nightlights. Just reach behind the three-spoke wooden racing wheel and find a bedtime buddy in the still-functioning headlights.

Are you a collector; do you collect model cars or model Train Sets?  What about both?  In the model train community, Herpa has become more than just the world‘s market leader for car and truck models. Since the International Toy Fair 2003, Herpa has surprised the collector’s community time and again with its lavishly designed train sets.They have become gems, providing new impulses to the model train business as a whole. In the 1/87 scale (HO), a number of very special train sets have already been produced in close cooperation with Märklin/Trix – all sold out within almost no time, and gone down in history as rare and popular collector’s items. The successful “Mercedes Silver Arrow” set was followed by the“Hochtief building site transport train”, and Herpa “Maybach – a classic of the future” train set. Thanks to the great partnership between BMW and Herpa, another classic was created – and a MINI one in all respects: a complete car transport train set in the 1/160 scale (N track). The Taurus locomotive carries the promotional design that was used when the MINI Cooper S™ was first introduced. Herpa was licensed to produce this special locomotive in the 1/160 scale. The locomotive and the transport cars were made by Märklin/Trix, while Herpa contributed the N-scale MINI Cooper S™, which was a new type in the 1/160 scale. The twenty-four miniature car models were designed with loving care, and came in six exclusive colors, and made the MINI Cooper S™ car transport train a real highlight of every diorama or glass cabinet. The MINI Cooper S™ car transport train came as an exclusive limited edition of 750, and was available through toy and hobby shops around the globe in November/December 2004.

MINI USA announced today (April 2, 2013) that it’s official: MINI has sold its 500,000th vehicle in America.  Just a few days after the 11-year anniversary of MINI’s launch in the USA, and the introduction of the all-new MINI Paceman (the seventh model in the lineup), MINI USA welcomes its 500,000th new car owner.  Way to go USA and welcome #500,000!

In a world first, three dogs have put some humans to shame, driving safely down a race track and negotiating hairpin turns.      The  trio of misfit mutts from the Auckland SPCA  successfully put their  paws in the 10 and two position and drove a Mini Countryman solo down a  race track in Auckland live on national television this evening.

The stunt, aired on Campbell Live, was part of a months-long campaign  to show that dogs don’t have to be pure bred to be intelligent and  encourage the adoption of dogs in SPCA care.  Monty, a giant  schnauzer cross, Ginny, a beardie whippet cross and Porter, a beardie  cross, have been featured in media across the world, even providing  inspiration for the Top 10 on the Late Show with David Letterman.  The dogs have also made headlines  with the BBC, the New York Daily News and New York Times, as well as the  Guardian and the Daily Mail, and science blogs from international  journals Live Science and the Smithsonian.

Monty was the first to  successfully complete the task, starting the car, putting it in gear  and then driving it 70 metres before bringing it to a stop.   Porter then drove a reporter around a 180 degree hairpin turn, although it wasn’t without a bit of drifting.  The  camera crew may have proven to be a little too much for Porter who  veered slightly off the track and required a small amount of assistance,  although trainer Mark Vette assured viewers he had “done it  beautifully” in the past.

Vette and his team have been training  the dogs for the past 12 weeks. Vette has trained animals on a number of  major movies including Lord of the Rings and The Last Samurai.  The  dogs were carefully selected and underwent five weeks of simulated  training to teach them to how to brake, shift gear and steer – being  plied doggy treats along the way.  After just seven weeks the dogs were ready for a real car.

A SPCA spokeswoman said there had been “considerable interest” in adopting the dogs.  “There  have been many applications and the team are assessing those because  the point is not to just find them a home, but find them the right  home.”  She said there still 44 more other “smart dogs” who were all waiting for adoption as well.

Have you been waiting breathlessly to find our if Porter from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) drove his MINI Cooper in New Zealand today?  So what you say to someone named Porter driving a MINI.  Not so fast; Porter just happens to be a dog.  The SPCA in Auckland decided to teach three shelter dogs how to drive to dispel the idea that abandoned pets are second-rate.

Dogs work as shepherds, lead the blind, and conduct search and rescue missions. And now it looks like they could be grabbing chauffeur jobs as well.  To prove the value of the abandoned mutts it takes in, New Zealand’s SPCA taught three of them to drive a car. The site drivingdogs.co.nz redirects to a Facebook page showing the dogs behind the wheel, and explaining how they were trained. It also suggests adopting these smart companions.

The car, a Mini Cooper Countryman, has been modified for hand, or rather, paw, control. The brake and accelerator are up high, just off the steering wheel. The shifter and steering wheel have been padded to make it easier for the dogs to control the vehicle.  Videos on the Facebook page show how the SPCA modified the car and how it trained the dogs, first using a stationary rig.

Video of a dog named Porter, shot on a closed course, shows the dog successfully driving the car up the straight, around one corner, then bringing it to a stop. A trainer walks alongside the car, giving directions, and it is clear the dog is following the commands it has been taught. But it is impressive that Porter manages to distinguish directions for using the shifter, turning the wheel, and hitting the brake.

And as soon as Porter and his co-drivers develop an independent sense of the cause and effect of the car’s controls, the cats and postmen of New Zealand better keep on their toes.

Check out the videos, and consider adopting a dog, at drivingdogs.co.nz.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(SPCA) has teamed up with MINI Cooper in New Zealand to teach three dogs how to drive. The Auckland SPCA hopes to dispel idea that abandoned pets are second-rate with the social campaign. “Obviously, we think dogs are pretty smart and amazing. And we reckon, if more people thought the same, more of our dogs would find happy homes,” the official Facebook page states. The interactive marketing campaign lives on the Driving Dogs Facebook page where visitors can learn about adopting a smart dog and about the MINI Cooper.

The chosen pooches — Porter, Monty and Ginny — are learning to drive in rigs with paw-activated accelerators and brakes. Trainers chose the canine trio based on their size, look and attitude from dozens of dogs at the shelter. After just a few weeks of training with head driving coach Mark Vette and his team of experts, the playful pups learned to sit facing forward with their paws on the steering wheels.

The rescue dogs will be put to the test in front of Campbell Live’s national TV audience — under the supervision of trainers, of course. To find out if these talented pups learn how to drive, tune in on Dec. 10. In case you were wondering all three of the canine drivers are still up for adoption.

They’re really putting the fur in chauffeur. For the past two months, animal trainer Mark Vette has been teaching dogs to drive, New Zealand TV station Campbell Live reported. The lessons are part of a campaign by the New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), meant to clear up “common misconceptions” about rescue dogs. “Sometimes people think because they’re getting an animal that’s been abandoned, that somehow it’s a second-class animal,” SPCA Auckland CEO Christine Kalin told the New Zealand Herald. “Driving a car actively demonstrates to potential rescue dog adopters that you can teach an old dog new tricks.” Kalin added that the canines’ achievements behind the wheel shows “just how much potential all dogs from the SPCA have as family pets.”

All the new drivers are shelter dogs: Monty, an 18-month Giant Schnauzer, was given to the SPCA when he became too much for his owner to handle. Ginny, a 1-year-old whippets cross, was rescued from an abusive home. Porter, a 10-month old Beardie cross, was abandoned on the streets. The dogs trained for several weeks before hopping into a real car, modified to accommodate the unique needs of a canine driver. So far, the animals have driven only with some human guidance, in the form of verbal commands and the occasional steering wheel readjustment.

On Monday, December 10, star pupil Porter will take the Mini Countryman for a spin — completely unassisted — on Campbell Live, the Fraser Coast Chronicle reports. That’s not to say the other two dogs haven’t made great strides in their driving as well. “The way all three SPCA rescue dogs have taken to training really does prove that intelligent creatures adapt to the situation they’re in,” Vette told the paper. “It really is remarkable.”

Probably best to keep off the roads on that day.

I recently spent a week in the lovely state capitol of California and was rather surprised by how few MINIs I saw particularly since Nello MINI is so close by.  Admittedly I was locked away in class from nine to five each day but I would have thought that I would have seen more MINIs amongst the throngs of government workers fleeing from the city.  My hotel was directly across from Capitol Park and by the time I hit the sidewalks for my evening walks, the City was nearly deserted.  I saw a few MINIs scattered here and there but mostly SUVs.  Maybe I just missed my MINI tucked away at home in her room (garage) but by the end of the week I was most definitely going into MINI withdrawal.

I have not  been  to Sacramento in more than 15 years and was truly shocked by how hard hit the Capitol appears to be.  Since it has been so long since my last visit I cannot specifically attribute the decline to the current economic condition of the nation as well as the State, but the decline appears more lengthy than just the last few years.  The heart of the State Capitol literally shuts down at 4:30 each afternoon.  Old Town Sacramento, not too far away, once a thriving redevelopment area, opened each day at 10:00 and shut down by 5:00 pm.  Everywhere I looked the association with history and the State’s storied past is slowly disappearing.  Buildings are in disrepair, once lush gardens and fountains are neglected and not functioning.

On Saturday I took the opportunity to revisit the Victorian governor’s mansion, a building which I last visited when I was a pre-teen.  Let’s just say that Brown was the governor at the time; Pat Brown, Jerry’s father!  I love Victorian architecture and marvel at the craftmanship that is present in these beautiful buildings, particularly since much of the ornate woodworking was done by hand.  It nearly broke my heart when I was told that the mansion was almost not opened to the public this year due to budget cuts and that donations are nearly non-existent.  Had it not been for the kind and generous donations of neighboring businesses, the mansion would have been closed.  When that happens, these wonderful living legacies deteriorate and ultimately disappear.

Now don’t get me wrong, I truly understand the need to cut the State budget and to focus limited resources on items that are less frivolous than the former home of the State’s past governors, but how sad it is to think that the day could come when we lose all connection with our past.  Just like numerous new MINI owners also own Classic Minis so as to ensure that we never lose touch with the history of our great little cars, we need to take the opportunity to support the history of the community’s, and the states in which we live.  These vestiges of the past are part of our history and in the process of saving them, they too can help to provide much-needed jobs.  The California governor’s mansion is in need of repair, our state parks  need maintenance as do many of our local community parks.  MINIs need trees and flowers too as do their owners and future generations.  So when planning your next MINI run, why not plan one to a State Park or a federal or locally owned historical landmark or park?

For those who would like to give back even more to their communities, MINIUSA has Motoring Hearts.  Building on its good driver/good neighbor image, MINIUSA launched the Motoring Hearts program. Through their MINI Motoring Hearts web site you can be matched up with organizations that need volunteer help.  Using their Volunteer Match database, you can search for groups in your area that need your help. Participate in a walk for MS, grant a wish for Make-A-Wish, become a VITA volunteer or work with your local community hospice – these are just a few examples of the volunteer opportunities available.

 Sunday, July 15 – Day 12 of MTTS.  The last Rise & Shine Rally of MINI Takes The States 2012 started out just a bit overcast as Bitzie and I awoke to pack Bridget and say goodbye to the Sunset Strip and our overnight home at the Chamberlain.  After checking out we made our way to the parking garage and looked around for our sweet little silver “foster” Cabrio.  Oddly enough while there were MINIs everywhere we did not see Bridget.  Upon handing our valet tag to the attendant, he proceeded to walk across the interior driveway and pull back some curtains.  I kid you not, Bridget had been tucked in behind curtains for a night of restful undisturbed sleep.  While I know that the purpose of the curtains was to make the valet parking area a lovely extension of the well-appointed lobby, I like to think that it was really VIP parking and Bridget most certainly deserved it!  She was after all originally from Royal Motors in Beverly Hills

We packed our ever-expanding luggage, goodie bags and MINI shopping loot into the boot and headed down Sunset Boulevard to where it meets the (PCH) Pacific Coast Highway and our ultimate destination, Gladstones in Pacific Palisades.  Along the way we drove past the very well-known Beverly Hills Hotel sign,  the infamous corner of Bundy Drive and Sunset in Brentwood, one of numerous shield-shaped brown Hollywood signs and of course various other iconic symbols of the area.  The drive was quite enjoyable with lush greenery and nicely landscaped yards but I must say, I was rather surprised to see how bad the pavement was even in Beverly Hills!  Goes to show how broke the State really is.  Bridget was quite adept at the dodge and weave manuever since she was from Beverly Hills after all.  Who knows, it may have been like going home for her.

We arrived at Gladstones and was motioned into the very large parking lot.  The first thing we noticed was that the “regular” valet guys were sitting in the key shack and staff dressed in MTTS Event shirts were coordinating parking.  As they waved us into position, we noticed that parking angles were really strange.  The MINI in front of us was in straight alignment but the one in front of that was at a strange curvilinear angle.  I was wondering just how long the MTTS guys had stayed at the Wrap Party the night before?  After parking we noticed that shopping was once again offered and one simply cannot pass up MINI swag.  As we walked towards the MINI tables, people just started shoving stuff at us as they did not want to pack it up and carry it home.  It was fantastic!

As more MINIs and Motorers began arriving we wandered around the parking lot checking out the various cars.  Walking forward from where we had parked, we noticed that only the middle section of the parking seemed to be in disarray.  Upon reaching the top of the parking area we then noticed that the cars had not been parked straight across in a line, but rather dropped a car as the rows progressed; and then it hit me – it was the MINI wings!  We were being parking in the MINI wing formation.  I could not see the full effect from the ground but just knowing that were we “sending a sign” to those viewing from the hillside across from Gladstones gave me goosebumps.

As we walked back towards Gladstones we saw a really cute sight; all of the little MINIs coming down Sunset Boulevard.  Only MINI owners understand the excitement of seeing a gaggle of MINIs flying together.  Even now it nearly brings a tear to my eye.  And then, we actually saw “THE CAR”.  The little Black MINI driven by The Man himself, Jim McDowell.

Several months back, I had read an article about him (Jim) and even shared it here on MidCal MINIs.  And there he was, not more than 10 feet away from me.  I remember reading about how much he enjoyed his job and that was no more so evident than when I saw him wheel up in the MINI at Gladstones.  No job is stress free but imagine getting paid to drive a fabulous little car across the country and meeting up with people who share the same excitement, love and devotion for that car.  He is the Piped Piper, the Johnny Apple Seed, the Walt Disney of the car world; the maker of magic.

It was then time to head into Gladstones for fresh fruits, breads, muffins, juices, and coffee and to say goodbye to new and old MINI friends.  There were large MTTS badges given away as raffle prizes and the award of the big trip to the London Olympics  and Paralympics, all of which was enhanced with the assistance of the California Beach cuties…. ok just say it, Eye Candy.  And then, there was the water event.

I had read stories about how Jim McDowell loves water guns and very much enjoys catching folks off guard.  I had heard several from the cross-country drive talk about how during the trip Jim would pop out of nowhere and the water would fly.  At one point I was walking around the impromptu stage area at Gladstones and nearly walked into a young man wearing what appeared to be a buffalo hat complete with horns and a very large water blaster!  I immediately knew that Jim was about to get really wet.  I momentarily thought about giving him a heads up but then I thought better and knew that he would enjoy it most of all.  Needless to say he did not stay unarmed for long and revenge was swift.

After the complete water soaking it was time for the 100 or so Motorers who had driven all of the way across the country to pose for a picture on the sandy beach of sunny California.  And sunny it was.  The high fog lifted and the sun came out just in time for the grand picture.  I can only imagine that this group of MINI friends will stay in touch for numerous years to come.  They had endured what has to be the hottest summer on record as they motored from coast to coast and yet they prevailed and made it all-the-way.  Not only are they bonded by the love for a very special brand of car, they are connected through shared experiences.  Yep, two years from now, the Sis and I need to make sure that we join in for more of MTTS.  Note to self: To “H” with work, you only live once, it’s MTTS 2014 or bust!

As they wrapped up the beach picture, we wandered back toward the parking lot.  The little black MINI driven by Jim McDowell was parked next to the MINI bus with the gold and silver pens laid out for those who had not already signed the car, to do so.  Not wasting any time, I grabbed one of the gold pens and left our mark, “KIKImowse and Bitzie” right next to the Waukee Fire Department of Iowa, the guys in uniform from Day Seven of the trip.

Upon completion of the beach picture, it was time for all to head to the parking lot where we were told to stand next to our cars.  While Bridget may have been adopted for the weekend, Bitzie and I will always have a soft spot in our hearts for our little silver minx.  We hope that she remembers us as fondly as we do her and truly hope that she enjoyed being able to “rub fenders” with so many other MINIs.  She even got to park next to the red Roadster wrapped with the American Flag.  While we were waiting for the MINI wings overhead photo-op to be set up, I suddenly felt light sprinkles on my left arm.  I looked up but did not see any clouds (no seagulls either thank goodness) and then I felt it again; on my legs this time.  When I turned around, guess who was behind me?  Yep, Jim McDowell with a water gun!  I had just been shot by THE MAN, and it was a privilege.  Even Bridget got her tyre wet!

Well that is the end of our MTTS adventure.  We drove Bridget down the PCH and dropped her off in Newport Beach, just in time to be detailed for her next adventure.  Happy Motoring little Bridget.  Oh and Jim, if you happen to ever see this post, we hope to see you in 2014; it’s at the top of our Bucket List!

MTTS 2012 Recap Video

MTTS 2012 The Car has a sole