Ive always wanted to take my car to a track but ive never gotten around to doing it. but a performance mini on a track thats a dream come true.Mini is my life! Iwas lucky to grow in my fathers mini from the day i was born.Nowadays I am participating in races as a safety marshall but always wanted to see the other side the one behind the wheel.The best for last...........driving a racing mini?...simple.....THE DREAM OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Driving a performance mini?.............THE DREAM OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!Iwas born and grew up in my father's mini and simple MINI IS MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why should I win? I'm sure that there are people here who deserve to win much more than I; but ever since before I can remember, I've always wanted a mini. I don't even know why originally, but through the years I've come to love the mini for it's racing heritage, reputation for being one of the most fun cars to drive ever, and just the fact that it's the ultimate underdog. In 2005, I finally fulfilled my dream of buying a mini. Six years later, I still haven't driven the thing. I'm making progress, but I just haven't gotten to the point where I can stick the key in and go. I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I've never even ridden in a classic that runs! If I could do this arrive & drive event, it would flip my world upside down! The experience would last...well.....long enough to light a serious fire under my a@! to get my own car on the road!

I used to Slalom race, what we know know as Autocross, for about 10 years. Then kids came along and the vehicles I needed to be driving weren't exactly suited for for that type of driving, so it's been about 30 years. Now that I have my 09 Clubman, I'm getting the itch to get back into it again. I've driven many parking lot courses, Blackhawk Farms, and The Milwaukee Mile road course. To be able to drive Nashville under the instruction of 2 great MINI drivers would really give me the kickstart to go at it again. Plus it would make me a better driver on the road and help me get more out of my MINI. I'm ready to Arrive and Drive.

This would be a dream for me, Phil Wicks and Mini driving. They just go together. We did have Phil as a speaker at Mini Meet 09 in Winona, Minnesota. I played a part in putting that event on. I would love to get driving tips from Phil and Don. I have both a Classic and a New Mini in my garage. I think though, that if I were to be chosen, I would choose the Classic for the driving course. This way when I return I could start autocrossing the classic a bit. Both cars are fun enough to drive but with some training under my belt I could have maximum fun.

As long as I can remember, Peter Collinson's "The Italian Job" has been one of my favorite films and I have always had a passion for the classic MINI. I was only 14 when the "New" MINI came to the States in 2002 and I fell in love immediately. Then I saw F. Gary Gray's remake of "The Italian Job" and at that moment is when the "New" MINI became my dream car. I knew that one day I would be able to own my very own MINI Cooper. I used to build MINIs on their website to see how I would order one if I could. I even had the one I wanted printed out as a poster in my bedroom. My mother and I would drive to the MINI dealership once or twice a month in hopes that one of the Salesmen would let us drive one just to get our MINI fix.

Financially I wasn't able to purchase a MINI until I was 22, even though I dreamed of owning one since 2003. So on May 14, 2009 I purchased my first MINI Cooper, a 2004 Dark Silver MINI Cooper S, which happed to be almost exactly equipped like the one I had on my bedroom wall in high school. I absolutely loved that MINI and would try to AutoX as often as I could. I then got the performance bug and began adding performance parts to have more fun on the track. I am now on my second MINI; a 2008 JCW convertible number 86 of 100 of the Last of the Supercharged! I would love to be able to get the most out of racing it and feel that Don Racine and Phil Wicks would be able to greatly improve my skill and fun level I would have at the track in my MINI. This would be an opportunity of a lifetime and would only heighten my passion for MINIs!

Video of me AutoXing: http://youtu.be/h1eK1KCUUFY

I'm 5,3 feet tall. Not too big, but to much MINI! As you can imagine, my beautiful wife is as MINI as me (she’s just 5,1 feet tall). I live in a MINI apartment of just 249 square feet. I have been dreaming with my MINI eight years ago. It was love at first sight. I drew it in every single piece of paper, I talked about it to anyone you can imagine, I dreamed it every single moment, I waited it, I worked so hard to get it… I saved some money because MINIS are very expensive here in Colombia, and finally… just two weeks ago, my dream came true! I got my red/black MINI Cooper S as figured. Have been two beautiful weeks smiling every time I feel it, every time I listen it. My blood is now a MINI infusion to share with the world. I used to race karts, but now I smile more often. I will love to learn how to drive my MINI as I dreamed it before. I am ready to travel, set to enjoy and waiting the green light to start this adventure.

Good luck to all. As the 2010 winner, I can attest to the fact that the Arrive & Drive experience made a lasting impression on me. Every time I drive a car, I have the experience in the back of my mind. I really enjoyed it, and thanks again to Don Racine for that opportunity. Again, Good luck to all!

My name is Steve Cooper and I drive a Cooper S. That's S Cooper in a Cooper S. I am the owner and chief instructor of Cooper Karate and Jujutsu Center in Nashville. And my granddaughter's first name is Cooper. You can't get much more Cooper than that!

Hi ...My name is Perry. I am a touring musician with a country act here in nashville. Growing up in the south, naturally my dad would take me to nascar events when i was very young. This got me very interested in racing and driving at a young age. Then the music bug hit me and the rest is history! I've always wanted to get my mini on the track...it's been a dream ever since i bought my mc40, and the Arrive and Drive event is in my back yard!!! Hope i'm not on the road at that time.....matbe i'll call in sick!!!

There seems to be a power that prevents me from driving a classic blue Mini. I originally went looking for a new car in 2003 and finally decided on a MINI. The sales rep and I could not come to a conclusion on the Run-Flat tires, so I bought a 71 Austin 1000. It needed some work, so I hired a mechanic, who never finished the Job. I eventually had to sell it for parts, and from that seed money bought a 75 Innocenti Cooper when I could afford it 8 years later. The third time I drove my Mini, It had a blow-out. The new tires I bought took six weeks to get here, and then within 10 miles of installing them, the car ended up in an accident (new minilites and A008s and all). I am now going through the painstaking process of a complete restoration. With all the research involved, my nightly dreams are now clouded with color schemes and visions of driving a fully restored Mini. I finally have chosen MINI “Lighting Blue” as the color with custom white stripes. I plan to always use my Mini as a daily-driver as it does not snow here in Florida. It seems reasonable that the world would want a driver that is a safe one.

I stumbled on the driving school opportunity while searching the internet for performance parts for my 2006 MINI Cooper S. Last year I participated in a DE (Driver’s Education) at Mid-Ohio put on by a Porsche club and was it a ball! I had no idea what these Mini Coopers could do on the track. I pressed the other guys in their high dollar Porsches waiting for them to swallow their pride and signal to pass. Last month after some suspension work and track tires I went to Putman Park and pushed them and my MINI Cooper a little harder. I would love the opportunity to learn more about high speed driving and refining my skills. I am ordering the parts to up the HP of my MINI but I know without the skills the horsepower is just something for the straightaways. I am looking forward to running again this fall at Mid-Ohio and showing the Porsche guys again what a cute little Mini can do. I hope to see you in Nashville! Thanks Craig

As a young boy, I was on a pit crew for a friend of my father's race car, a Mini Cooper 1275S in SCCA GT5 class. I wasn't much of a help except for wiping the car down on occasion, but I did what I could. I grew to love that Mini and marveled at how much fun it was to see them around the track. I have wanted a Mini ever since. I joined the military, and couldn't make that happen due to frequent transfers, but I never lost the dream. When the new MINIs came out, it was like throwing gasoline on a fire, and I had to have one. It took me a few years, but I finally bought one and have been smiles ever since. The car is wonderful, and I would appreciate the opportunity to hone my skills to match those of my car. Paddy Hopkirk set the bar pretty high!

Tengo una pasión por los Mini clasicos, ¡ claro despues de mi esposa! desde los 15 años. Es el mejor carro, soy un fanático, a los 15 años juré, que cuando llegara a ser adulto me compraria uno, ya he comprado tres, en mi país Venezuela, el carro es de fibra es muy pesado quisieron ensamblarlo pero no dio resultado, no tuve suerte con los que compré, todos tenian problemas con los repuestos, aqui los repuestos en su mayoria son usados y los venden como nuevos, se hace dificil mantenerlos. Uno de mis sueños es ver una exibición de Minis, algún dia se hará realidad, soy comprador de articulos de Mini, como franelas, llaveros, gorras,juguetes,etc, estoy muy pendiente de todo el correo que llega de Minimania.

"El Mini Clasico, la mejor y más grande pasión del mundo "

I truly am a MINI maniac! I always knew I wanted a MINI, since before I could even drive. Anytime I would see one on the road, I would yell “MINI” and gawk at it until it was out of view. When I turned 15, I was constantly scouring all the MINI websites and dreaming of my first MINI. I finally found the perfect MINI for me, an ‘02 electric blue manual Cooper S. The dealership was 2.5 hours away, but I begged my parents to take me to see it. I was doubtful that I’d be able to take it home with me, but I had to see it and drive it! It was parked right in front waiting on me when we got there. My parents were inside talking with the salesman while I was outside ogling my first love. To my surprise, my parents signed for it with the promise that I would work hard to pay for it. I was more than overjoyed and in pure bliss on the drive home. It was my very first car at age 17 and I gladly worked almost every afternoon through high school to pay it off.

Every time someone I know sees my car, they always say “That is so you!” And it is. I am truly passionate for all things MINI. I am now on my 2nd MINI and have vowed to never own anything but a MINI. Someday I wish to have a Classic Mini as well! I participated in the MINIcrosses at the Atlanta Motor Speedway and on Denver’s streets last year during MTTS. I also had the pleasure of driving a lap on the Indy Motor Speedway in MY MINI. It was sublime to be on the track even though I was just “driving” with my stock car and hundreds of other MINIs. It would be such a treat to drive on a track under the guidance of these great race drivers. I would absolutely love to be chosen for this honor; it would exceed my previous experiences by far. I hope to improve my motoring skills and be mentored by Don Racine and Phil Wicks!

soy un amante de los minis tengo varioas mini cooper modelo 74 cooper s modelo 64 picup modelo 75 mini cooperS 2003 austin haley sprite ojos de sapo a 35 modelo 60 todo mis carros estan en optimas consicioes

Hi, my name is J.R. I bought my 2004 Mini Cooper S about two years ago and I love it! After driving various types of cars, SUV's, pickups (15 and counting) and motorcycles (2 so far), this has been my favorite car. I'll be sad to say goodbye to it. I just got married and we are moving to Johannesburg for a year in the fall so I am sad to sell my Mini but when I saw this event I thought it would be great as a last minute testament before we leave to why I love the car so much. I am 6'7" by the way so I get a lot of funny comments when stepping in or out of the car and kids always marvel at the car when I drive by them...all kids! I have driven a classic Mini and loved it as well but I think it might be a little too small for my every day vehicle.

If Mr Phil and Mr Don Racine wants to teach, its OK. i am sure people will learn from them. question is, does these guys have what it takes to beat me????? this is a open challenge to Mr Phil and Mr Don and their crew. Any mini they want and in front of every mini owners or if they want in private against my mini, my skills. race what you bring, ANYTHING UNDER THE HOOD!!! no if buts about a car, no pit stops, any mini you bring, you race....30 laps just me and them!! if they beats me i buy them a set of tires, if I win i don't want ANYTHING. no disrespect attend it.

Being the only child, and female for that matter, I have always been into cars because of my dad. When I was in high school we owned a 1976 Chevy Malibu drag strip car (500+ BHP) that he taught me how to drive in a quarter mile. I have always loved to drive and I miss the thrill of 'being free for that 10 seconds' (gotta love The Fast and the Furious for sweet quotes). Now I own a 2006 MCS and I love the rally car heritage that it brings when I'm behind the wheel. Just to have the opportunity to be taught by some of the world's greatest MINI drivers would be amazing! Being able to bring the game with the attitude that is seen in The Italian Job would be fantastic. Driving a MINI is like nothing else and to be able to experience it at it's fullest..............priceless.

I am ready to Arrive and Drive under the superb guidance of Don Racine and Phil Wicks. I used to Slalom or Autocross, both parking lot events and road courses, but then family and family type vehicles came along. Now that I am back in a driving machine, my 09 Clubman, I'm ready for some expert instruction to make me a better driver, both on the track and on the street. I always felt that Slalom racing made me a safer driver on the street and now I am ready to sharpen up my skills once again.

I am actually entering this contest as a gift (hopefully) for my beautiful wife. She is the MINI Freak. (I’m the Corvette Freak). But we are both avid race fans. However, we have never gotten any further than being spectators in the wonderful world of racing. It would be the thrill of a life time for my wife if she were to have the opportunity to gain some experience in performance driving. Plus I would then be her hero and I may get some thrills too. :)

My name is Caitlin West, I’m 23 and in a nutshell I would bleed for Mini. I am the spawn of an extreme car enthusiast and have spent a large portion of my life at car events in most variations. My first car was a 04’ electric blue S. I tracked her for at least four years with PCA Reisentoter at Watkins Glenn, Thunderbolt, VIR (VERY wet – didn’t really get the chance to get moving), Summit, and Jefferson. I was also fortunate enough to drive the special edition GP at the Glenn and Jefferson. We never gave those whale butts an inch! Unfortunately I was in an accident last year, which totaled my dear friend. My dad is currently racing his 914-6 in most of the vintage races in the PA vicinity. My dream is to do the same in a classic Mini. While I have experience with new MINIs I have only driven a classic Mini once on the street (RHD). Even though I have a substantial amount of track time in comparison to some of the other contestants, learning to drive a race-prepared classic mini with THE experts would change my life. I want to go as fast a possible and I am not timid. I am a serious and attentive student and I will not disappoint! I cannot imagine tracking anything other than a Mini. Please choose me and help me to potentially launch a new life in vintage racing!

Doesn't anyone know about Hooked on Driving. I regularly do "Track Days" at Thunder Hill by the town of Willows, CA. HOD also runs at Laguna Seca, Infeon Racewy, Button Willow CA off of interstate 5, ten miles south of hwy. 41 and ten miles north of hwy 158 close to Bakersfield CA. I have a 2010 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works. I also had a 2007 Mini Cooper S that I sold to buy the 2010 John Cooper Works. I also do "Track Days" with Northen Californa Racing Club (NCRC). I DO NOT RACE, because it can get real expencive and I can not afford to have some one take me out and mabe total my Mini. If one is a begenner you will have a coach ride with you until you can advance to the next higer class. You also will be taught how to hit the apex of the turn and much more. It will make you a much better driver on the streets and highways Just GOOGLE Hooked on Driving.com and Northen Californa Racing Club.com Have fun and enjoy.

I'm writing this for my girlfriend who doesn't think she could win anything. I know she can an believe she should.

Her dream car is the Mini Cooper S. Since she was 13 she has dreamed of owning one. Everyone told she couldn't do it, their too expensive to own, to expensive to insure, to expensive for her to be able to buy one. But he yearning for that supercharger whine and the happy point and go handling was still there. We started dating two years ago. When I found out the MINI was her dream car my mission was to make it happen. We searched high and low near and far and finally found the one. 2006 hyper blue S that we named Stella.

She should win becauase she loves that car more than anything, and while some people say they love their mini, its their favorite car etc, it isn't their dream car. My girlfriend would buy another Stella even if she had an unlimited budget. Very few can say that. *BLEEP* , she's even convinced me to get a countryman next year. Our goal is to be a mini family from now through the end of time. We plan on handing down used minis to our kids, and wrenching on classic minis in the garage.

Because of these reasons and more, she deserves to win.

I should be chosen to win just to make my son proud of his dad; my son is good at school, sports and pretty much any thing he works on; he is only 11 years old. On one of the conversations we had he said to me: "Dad I can't imagine how would it feels to be the son of a famous person."

You guys are big enugh to make my son feels like he has a famous dad.

P.S. We have a MINI S

I should be chosen to win because I owe it to my son, we where having a conversation and my son said to me "dad i can't imagine to have a famous dad". My son is 11 years old and very good in school, sports and on every thing else; he is a very polite kid, love the country, loves God; I can't ask for a verer kid .

Well I have to make my son to feel proud of his dad and I know that you guys are big enough to make this happen.

P.S. We have a MINI S .

I should be chosen to win because I owe it to my son, we were having a conversation and my son said to me "dad I can't imagine to have a famous dad". My son is 11 years old and he is very good in school, sports and pretty much every thing else; He is very polite, loves the USA, loves God; I can't ask for a better kid.

Well I have to make my son proud of his dad and I know that you guys are big enough to make it happen. We will be there in our MINI S.

I have always loved to drive fast and have imagined myself as a rally road racer. When I was younger, I had always wanted a smaller classic car, i.e. a classic mini. I didn’t know much about them, but on occasion I would see one and would immediately fall in love. Over the years I had migrated towards Volkswagens, which were easier to find, and have had several classic bugs and a few newer jettas and bettles. I do love German engineering. The first time I saw the movie The Italian Job, the new Minis mesmerized me once again. I told my wife that I just HAD to have one of those cars! Who cares if I have a family of four and the space might be a little tight, I NEEDED one of those cars!! Well, this past year (2010) I finally acquired a 2005 Mini Cooper S. A immaculately maintained Black on Black, with black interior car! Totally Awesome!!! It has been everything that I expected and more, Small, Fast, Nimble, Unique and Eye Catching. With two kids in school, the odds of being able to save up enough money, just for me, to go to a driving school and learn from the best, well, not very good. What better way to enjoy the potential of my dream car than to attend the Phil Wicks Driving Academy at the Nashville Superspeedway and learn from the best? That would be most awesome! A gift of a lifetime!!!