Behind the Scenes Action Exclusive

By Tamara Warren

A MINI rally wouldn't be complete without MINI gear and accessories to commemorate the journey. The look and feel of MINI extends to caps, memory sticks and even a stuffed bulldog. Of course, there's the next level of coveted John Cooperworks performance parts for the owners who crave a little extra verve. Luckily, MTTS gear is available at almost every possible stop along the route. And for those who wait until after all is said and done, the new MINI gear website is up and running.




Catherine, Chi and Melissa are three of the hundreds of staff that seem to be constantly on the move behind the scenes for MINI. In St. Louis they were in their usual spots – at a table helping out the MINI customers. For MTTS participants, they've become familiar faces on the circuit. Nearly halfway into MTTS, they were cheerily showing off the MINI merchandise to customers who clustered around the table. “Even though they've bought it and they’ve seen it all, they’re still coming back. They don’t want to miss anything,” Chi said. MTTS pins and the badges are the hottest items at the tables sellers thus far, according to both Chi and Catherine.



The MINI event staff are always two steps ahead of the rally drivers, which is no small feat. To make MTTS happen is a massive undertaking by a coordinated group of people, who get to experience life on the road along with the MINI drivers. They go where the MINIs go. They typically arrive to set up for the groups two hours prior, making for a very busy driving schedule from state to state. “I kind of freaked out at first with no cell phone reception, but this has made me want to do another roadtrip,” Chi said, whose journey originated in Atlanta. “I never knew Georgia was so beautiful.”