Originally Posted by MINI story

Once upon a time there was this little classic MINI that didn’t quiet fit in, in the world of giant SUV’s and luxury sedans. But one day the little classic saw something that was confusing yet comforting. It was another MINI, but it was slightly different, it was bigger, it had a third door, and it wasn’t a traditional hatchback, it was a clubman. Overwhelmed by the sight of a fellow MINI the little classic immediately drove over to say hello. The clubman was very friendly and told the little classic that he was just passing through on his way to THE DRAGON!! At first the little classic was a little frightened by the sound of this ominous place, but the clubman assured the little classic that the dragon was nothing to be afraid of. The dragon is a marvelous place were hundreds of MINIs from all over the country gather, mix, mingle, and go out on group drives together. And most importantly drive the DRAGON! Nothing but 11 miles of 318 curves and breathe taking scenery. The little classic was so excited by the story of this marvelous place she decided she had to go with the clubman and see for her self if this place really existed. So the little classic and the clubman started their journey together to the dragon, as they passed through different towns and cities, more and more MINIs joined them on their journey. Until finally as the caravan passed the foothills, there it was, the tail of the dragon right in front of them. The clubman gave a few encouraging words, “BEND THE RULES, RULE THE BENDS”, and they were off. Twisting and turning up the spin of the dragon, all the while smiling for the cameras as they passed killboy and several other photo jockeys on their way to the top. And then they reached Fontana, the land of MINIs, everywhere the little classic looked all she saw was MINIs, JustACooper MINIs, Cooper S MINIs, GPs, Checkmates, JCW Coopers and Cooper S’, cabrios, clubmans, and even other classic MINIs too. The little classic was so taken back at how many MINIs there were that all she could do was stare at them all, not another car in sight, nothing but MINIs. But she finally snaps out of it when she smells the delicious aroma of BBQ coming from the adventure center for the Welcome Dinner. After filling up on delicious BBQ, the little classic wondered around through all the different vendors looking around and making new friends. For the rest of the week the little classic attended several events like, BINGO, movie night, the annual brewswap, the parade on the dragon, the car show and the panoramic photo. As well as joining in on several of the day drives like the zip line excursion, the rib run, and the ice cream run. And as the week came to an end and the little classic attended the farewell dinner, she was sad to think she would have to return back to the real world where there weren’t MINIs everywhere you looked and there weren’t awesome group drives. But there was still one more event left before it was time to pack up and head home, and that was MIDNIGHT ON THE DRAGON!! The little classic caught back up with her fellow clubman friend and they joined the line as everyone was getting ready to take one last drive down the dragon together. And then they were off, into the night, twisting and turning down the dragon. Once at the bottom everyone pulled off, popped the hood and shined their lights into the midnight sky. It was a truly magical sight. But like all great adventures, it all had to come to an end, and as the sun came up Sunday morning all the MINIs that had gathered from near and far said their goodbyes, as they slowly faded away down the dragon. On the long drive home, the little classic couldn’t help but think about all the amazing things she had done and all the lifelong friends she had made, and how she couldn’t wait until next year!