Last I saw on KAES MC website is that there are a few openings with their group (2-3). You might want to check with them if you want to try going on Thursday.

 

I'm going, too! I've just started working on it. (Better late than never!) Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get from London to Silverstone? Train? Car rental? And places to stay? Having never been to Great Britain before any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm going. I still don't know what "thousands" will attend means. I see Silverstone isn't too far away from London so I wonder where most attendees will be staying. I just downloaded all the paperwork for my passport and need to get that. Also, round trip for me from far West Texas is around $500.00. Sounds like a deal to me.

 

J3, I'll check with the Brits I work with tomorrow and get back to you. I would rent a car for the trip but I'm comfortable driving in England >AND< have a navigation system. As for places to stay, their Motel 6 is called Travelodge, which is all that I need: a place to sleep, clean up and store my loot!!

Cheers!!

 

Thanks, Poppa Bear. Travelodge sounds good to me, too. I have a GPS, also. Will have to check to see if it includes Europe. I'm thinking not, but I'm good at maps. I appreciate your help. ...Janet

 

J3,

I'm talked to the Brits here and they recommended a hire car (rental). As Silverstone is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, they weren't sure there was suitable train/bus coverage for timely travel. As for the GPS, I only really need it once I'm in a city, trying to navigate the narrow streets isn't the same as driving them! Hope this helps.

Cheers!!

 

Thank you so much, Poppa Bear. Yes, it does help. I will look into rentals. I appreciate your help. Hope to see you there.

 

Hi - I'm late in booking reservations too, though I've been thinking of this trip for the last year ! Anyone know of any rental (hire) companies that rent automatic MINIs (vs. the manual) in London?

 

Looks like carla99 and I seem to be in a similar boat, the last piece in my puzzle is finding a place to hire a MINI (auto or manual, Classic or new) from Heathrow. I'll be there for 3 weeks (staying outside of Banbury). Have sent an enquiry to one place, but haven't heard back. Anyone have some suggestions?

Thanks!

 

Here are some links:

I am renting (hire) my MINI through Kendall Cars. They had the best price.

http://www.expressrent.co.uk/
http://www.kendallcars.com/
http://www.coolcars4hire.co.uk/
http://www.luxury-carservices.co.uk/..._hire/mini.htm

 

Thanks for the links! I just submitted my enquiry to Kendall Cars so here's hoping they don't run out of MINIs. Woo Hoo! Is it May yet?

 

Sweet! So is mine... at 15:00hrs. Same time as yours?

I was supposed to come over with my boyfriend, who is Blue_Cooper on NAM, but we're not sure if he can get away... so if I'm on my own, I could use some company... and a MINI to copilot

 

Woo Hoo! Flights & hotel have now been finalized! azminiman and I are in!

Cannot wait!

 

I'm so bummed that I won't be able to attend due to an exercise I can't get out of...I had a blast a couple years ago at Mini United up in Zandvoort, Holland. This one will be even more special w/the 50th anniversary...

Poppa Bear: Got your e-mail. Thanking you! I'll reply w/more contact info and we'll figre out how I can get you some $$ (or Euro!)...I'd like to get a t-shirt and any other swag that looks cool to you. Fridge/tool chest magnets/stickers,etc. are always good.

 

Yes we are... we are staying at a Hilton Hotel off the M1 in Northampton. About 11 miles from Silverstone.. Trying to get the rental MINI at the Airport from Kendall Cars , but havent heard back yet on availiblity.. Gonna upgrade the Garmin this week to the Euromaps

 

I got all my ducks in a row!! MU registration, flights, MINI rental, hotels, Factory tour reservation, everything is reserved! Woohoo!!! I can't wait.

 

Is it May yet?

Well... is it?

 

Yay...us toooooo!!! Cant wait!!

 

My Clubman is ready for the MINI United...



See you there...

 

That is cool!

 

I have learned that some are staying at the Hilton in Northampton(about 12 mi from Silverstone. were we are staying. MINIUSA sent out a US people info outline for those registered. It appears that they will have a shuttle of some sort from a Mariott in Northampton, and there is apparently a train that runs from Northampton to Silverstone.

We too rented a MINI from Kendall. Picking up at airport.

 

I never got anything from MINI USA. I was wondering how they were going to determine where everyone was staying. I know of 4 of us who will be at the Marriott, but we've rented a couple of MINIs.

 

Jesse & I are packing now for our trip to the UK. We leave on Thursday 14 May and arrive London Heathrow on Friday AM. Will have enough time to get some rest, grab some brauts, bangers, and a pint of brew. Then its off to Kendall Cars to pick up our rental MCS. From there we will meet at Crystal Palace for the London to Brighton Run on Friday morning (early) 17 May (figure on 2500+ classic Minis). We are grabbing a room on the beach in Brighton Sunday night and will return to London on Monday. From there its up to Whales, Scotland, and Ireland before returning to England where we will be taking the MINI Addicts tour of the MINI plant in Oxford on Thursday (May 21), and then off to Silverstone for MINI United May 22-24.

We will be reporting back to the US daily via www.miniology.com with live interviews, photos, video and podcasts. Visit www.miniology.com to keep up with what's going on in the UK for MINIs 50th Birthday celebration.

We will be flying the REME (Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts) & KAES (Kent & East Sussex) colors and trading club window stickers with everyone we can find.

MINI USA is hosting a Friday night dinner & pub-crawl and a track session at Silverstone with Mike Cooper for all the US attendees. They will be providing a shuttle bus from the Northampton Marriott. To get signed up call RA Events @ 888-439-3344 or direct 415-869-6539 or email MINIUnited2009@raevents.com

 

I'm going to be carless for the entire time I'm there. I'm hoping there is some type of transportation(bus/train/etc) from the event area to Oxford for the plant tour. My tour is at 2:00 on the 22nd. Anyone attending that one? I'm still busy adding points of interest into my GPS. I need to convert a few bucks to quid and I guess I'm ready for my flight out on the 19th. Hope to see everyone there.

 

Here is the agenda for the MINI USA registrants:
USA program you have access to these additional exclusive events.

Friday

6:30 PM Transfer to Pub Crawl from Northampton Train Station - Northampton Marriott

7:00 - 9:30 PM Welcome Pub Crawl Reception for MINI USA participants

Saturday
All day MINI UNITED Festival in Silverstone

9:30 AM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Marriott

10:00 AM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Train Station

12:00 AM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Marriott

12:30 PM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Train Station

4:00 PM Return shuttle to Northampton Train Station and Marriott

8:00 PM Return shuttle to Northampton Train Station and Marriott

Sunday
All day MINI UNITED Festival in Silverstone

10:00 AM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Marriott

10:30 AM Shuttle pick-up from the Northampton Train Station

11:30 AM Guided Tour of MINI Challenge Drivers Club with Mike Cooper

12:00 PM Q&A with Mike Cooper

12:45 PM LUNCH in the MINI Paddock Lounge

3:00 PM Return shuttle to Northampton Train Station and Marriott

4:00 PM Track Drives Registration(Meet at the Paddock Lounge)

5:00 PM Track Drives

6:00 PM Return shuttle to Northampton Train Station and Marriott