Fans of Britain’s favourite small car came together to celebrate yet another iconic year for Britain’s favourite small car at the equally well-known Santa Pod drag strip last weekend.
And for one young Mini fan, Jack Pemberton, it was certainly a day to remember, after he drove away in a classic Mini Equinox, given away in a raffle by the show promoters and 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.
The show also featured a Live Action Arena, with Jason Smyth – one of the UK’s leading quad bike and motorbike stunt riders – showcasing his best stunts. The stunt show included everything from motorbike stunts with wheelies and stoppies to quad stunts and 30ft mid-air jumps.
To top it all off was the Mini-only ‘Run what Ya Brung’ which saw the best of the quarter-milers on Santa Pod’s famous drag strip, as well as the new MITP ‘Pride of Ownership’ display, which is accessible to all Mini owners as it’s much more laid back than more traditional Show & Shine and concours events.
This year’s winners were:
Original New Mini
1st Place – Sammie Watts
2nd Place – John Hammond
Original Classic Mini
1st Place – Tom Knight
2nd Place – Stuart Underwood
Modified New Mini
1st Place – Ben Abdee
2nd Place – Peter Jerons
Modified Classic Mini
1st Place – Ashley Davies
2nd Place – Harry Orridge
Wildcard
1st – Daniel Osborn
2nd – Cameron Block
Best in Show Standard
Brendea Roberts
Best in Show modified
Harry Orridge
As well as the club and individual displays, the now traditional ‘Club Mini Push’ saw the Ipswich and Suffolk Mini Club beating off all comers, pushing a classic Mini around an obstacle course in the fastest possible time, and the mini ‘Bake-Off’ competition winner was Nichola Miles. The Best Club Display award went to the Mini Forum.
Throw in a thriving retail village, packed with Mini goodies from the shiny to the oily and the show was every Mini fans dream event.
Yet again, then, Mini in the Park was the must-attend date in the Mini calendar – and we’re all set to go again next year.
