I've been seeing references here and there to a 2007 Mini Challenge series being held. I saw some dates (20-22 April) for the weekend at Hockenheim Ring, but I've been waiting for the official word.

Well, apparently, it snuck out. TSRennsport published a note today about the whole series, and cites the dates and locations. Their source? A BMW announcement.

MINI CHALLENGE 2007 - dates.
20. - 22. April Hockenheim ring, (DTM)
07. - 09. June Nürburgring, 24-Stunden-Rennen
22. - 24. June Zandvoort/the Netherlands, MINI United
20. - 22. July Nürburgring, GP of Germany (Formula 1)
10. - 12. August Nürburgring, old timer Grand Prix
24. - 26. August Oschersleben, route car world championship (WTCC)
14. - 16. Sept. Spa Francorchamps/Belgium, GP of Belgium (formula 1)
28. - 30. Sept. Salzburg Ring/Austria, MINI CHALLENGE final

Good enough for me.

So, who's up for a weekend of seeing other folks thrash their MCS's?

loesches and I have been talking about this for a while offline, and are willing to serve as your cruise directors for this thing.

Here's kind of how we see it unfolding.

20 April, a few of the more psychotic / local folks start the weekend off right by playing hookie, er, I mean, conducting an off-site team building sessions at the Hockenheim Ring. I suspect that some of us will break down and buy the super-whammy-ninja-all-inclusive-with-free-swag 3 day pass.

21 April. The big day. Folks interested in a day at the races, this is the one. Those up for it, loesches and I can put together a local curvey drive up through the mountains in the area -- set the mood, as it were. Mid day, we meet some place locally and then all together hit the Hockenheim Ring, and blow the day there. Dinner locally a Hermann's Biergarten (awesome food) before parting company and heading our seperate ways.

22 April. Make up day, and end of the psychosis. One last day at the races for those who throw down the money for the weekend pass. We'd look for a mid day link up time and place, outside of Hockenheim Ring, so tha we can zip on over together, park together, etc.

Think of this as a warm-up for Mini United.

Next things to happen are:

-- loesches checking at the ring, on tickets, pricing, etc.;

Sound good?

So far for the time at the race track, it's:

abuzavi
loesches
bart5467

Saturday morning drive:
abuzavi
FlyingSmiley
loesches
Poppa Bear

Dinner Saturday night:
abuzavi (x4)
loesches (x4)
Smiley

 

Sounds good to me! Personally I think I may be trying to go for the super ninja whammy ticket deal. Supposed to come with some pretty good swag and an all access pass for the weekend to the drivers areas and the VIP lounge. More info to follow as I get it!

BTW, the Hockenheim Ring is pretty cool. Since I live here I get a chance to go by every once in a awhile. Check out my gallery for some pics of my Mini I took when I first got it. The building in the background is the main grandstand in front of the pits. Pretty cool!

For those guys that have a ways to drive, I may be able to put some people up at my place. I have to get "permission" from the spousal unit first, so those that are interested, shoot me an email and let me know so I can get some idea of the numbers.

I hope everyone can make it down for this. It should be a great time.

 

You know I'm in! Put me down for both the Hockenhiem Ring track time and the MINI Challenge 20-22 April. Just give me the super whammy package deal all the way.

Scott... Email on its way

Let me know if you need help with anything.

 

Just so everyone knows, this is what was offered last year for Mini Challenge races in Germany. I imagine that this year it will be close or even better!

The Fan Package:
- Admission tickets to the entire race event
- MINI CHALLENGE shoulder bag and cap

The admission tickets provide access to the entire race event, including grandstand and MINI Drivers’ Club admission. Depending on availability, there may also be a chance to drive with the race taxi.

The Event Package contains the following: (AKA the super whammy ninja tickets!)
- Admission tickets to the race event, including paddock and
grandstand admission.
- Admission to the MINI CHALLENGE Paddock Lounge including all-day
hospitality service and free drinks
- "Be part of it" package fan equipment includes shoulder bag,
MINI CHALLENGE disposable camera, ear protection, refill cup, umbrella,
notebook, pen, mint dispenser, keychain
- Depending on availability, there may also be a chance to drive with the
race taxi.

I have emailed Mini Challenge DE to find out pricing info and will pass it along when I get it.

 

Oh, snap! A mint dispenser? Awesome!

 

If i'm not Workin i am so there

 

Apparently, it's not about racing, but about wrecking.

I threw this open on MINI2.info also.

 

HOLY COW ! Ummm I don't drive my 07 that way at all. but, I might go. Apr 21 is my 20th anniversary in the Navy (: GO NAVY

 

prices yet??

 

No word on pricing yet for the tickets. We are still waiting on words back from USO so we should be able to get them discounted a bit.

We should hear something this week on the tickets and a tentative schedule for the weekend.

Happy Easter!

 

I heard back from them on Friday. Nothing other than they would be willing to swing by and buy them, if I could tell them what I wanted.

According to the website, there are no tickets available. This could really, really suck.

 

Damn ! !

Have fun you guys.

Is this series televised? If so any chance someone could upload a torrent of the races so us Stateside folks could enjoy a bit of European MINI racing?

 

No idea. Could check. If nothing else, I'll be slinging my own video camera -- easy to share that, too.

 

Anyone up for a drive through the woods on 21 April, in the morning? I thought we could hit the twisties in the morning, before going to the track for the day.

07PepperS and I made a nice drive today -- I've posted details here.

Let me know. We could meet out at CP 6 and / or at CP 2, but I've gotta admit, if you miss the drive from CP 6 to CP 2, you've missed half of the good stuff.

 

Ill be up for this if work doesnt get in the way.

Put me on the list Ill be doing what I can to get out of work if it comes up.

 

Any word on the tickets?

 

Hey guys! I am back from TDY!

Abuzavi, any words from the USO on the tickets?

 

I hate the USO.

Okay, well, just the local guys.

Let's talk tomorrow.

 

I sent an email this morning off to the Hockenheim Ring on pricing and where to buy the tickets at. At this point, we will probably end up buying the tickets at the gate and not get any discounts. I did check a ticket site for the DTM weekend races and they are all sold out except for the upper level of the Sud Tribune. Those tickets are selling for 53 euro per person for the weekend. So we will see if we will be able to get the tickets or not.

I sure hope so!

 

Ok guys, here we are a week out from the race so I figured I better put some details down for everyone so they can make some plans.

Saturday:

Meet in Hockenheim at the ring and buy our tickets for Sunday's MINI Challenge race. Figure on the cost being about 50 euro or so per person. After no help from the USO and from the Ring itself, we figured (Abuzavi and I) that we would just buy the tickets at the gate the day prior.

After we get all of the tickets bought, then we will have a nice, twisty drive somewhere between Manheim and K-Town. Abuzavi has the details on the route.

When we get back from the drive, we can either eat at a place here in Hockenheim or we can BBQ at my place. Need to know in advance so we can either make some reservations or get some more food bought.

Whoever needs a place to stay, we have two places that are FREE! First is my place in Hockenheim or Abuzavi will have his bed and breakfast open also.

Sunday:

The race tentatively will start at 1300. So we can probably get up early enough to make a local, twisty drive and make it back in time for the race. Again, Abuzavi has the details for the runs.

Once again, eating plans are either BBQ at my place or eat out.


So, with all that being said, I will need some approximate numbers of people coming down for the race and if you need a place to stay. Either PM me or shoot me an email and let me know.

Really looking forward to the race weekend! See you all soon!

 

Me and my peeps (3 total) are in for the drive and races; probably 4 for dinner. BBQ is fine -- if the weather is like today, especially.

Flying Smiley had previously said that he'd be in on the run, and I think PB was considering coming down from the NL for this.

 

Definately Count me in on the runs and the race. Probably just me on sat and then James and Jen are wanting to tag along to the races on sun. If we go for a drive sun he might try to keep up in his Golf Ill talk to them this week and find out for sure.

 

Fellas, count me in for Saturday; gotta do (penitence) chores on Sunday. Where/when is the link up?

Cheers!

 

Dinner, too? Just the bear, or will you hve cubs with you?

 

Any one going to go on friday for the qualifications?
Reminded the boss that I needed the weekend off and I got friday too

I am definately in for the runs and dinner sat night, it will just be me though.