Mini Mania Crosses America
(Click here to see a photo log of their trip)
Don Racine, owner and founder of Mini Mania, is traveling across the US, towing his infamous 1960 Mini to take part in three exciting races: Glenora Wine Cellars US Vintage Grand Prix in Watkins Glen, NY, the Historic Festival at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT and the Vintage Grand Prix Au Grattan XXVII in Grattan, MI. The Mini is the featured marque at the 2013 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival and Mini Mania is pleased to represent the marque in a single piece of Mini history. Don acquired the Mini in 2009 from racing champion John Unsbee.
Here is more information about each race:
Glenora Wine Cellars US Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen
Historic Festival at Lime Rock Park
Vintage Grand Prix Au Grattan XXVII at Grattan Raceway Park
Don, his partner Shirley and their lively pup Bella departed from Mini Mania headquarters in Nevada City, California on August 8th. They are driving a 30-foot RV pulling a 20-foot trailer containing a 1960 Mini Don acquired from racing champion John Unsbee in 2009. The Mini did not come in racing condition, so Don worked for months rebuilding and improving its performance. Read about the rebuild here.
Throughout their trip, the trio will be stopping at numerous RV camps across America! We invite YOU to come out and see the 1960 Mini, meet Don and other Mini enthusiasts, get a free t-shirt and even pick up your Mini Mania order, avoiding shipping fees!* You can do this by joining Don, Shirley and Bella at the race paddocks or by visiting the group right at their campsite! As campgrounds are added to the itinerary we will update this article.
Mini Mania Across America is currently planning on making stops in the following cities:
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- Salt Lake City, UT - KOA Campsite on Thursday, August 8
- Avon, CO - Campsite TBA on Friday Aug. 9 and Saturday Aug. 10
- Denver, CO - Campsite TBD on Sunday, August 11 and Monday, August 12
- Des Moines IA - Des Moines West KOA, Tuesday 13
- Riverside, MI - Coloma/St Joseph KOA Campground on Wednesday August 14
- Belding, MI - Grattan Raceway on Aug. 15 through Sunday, August 18 and at the Alice Springs CG August 18
- Belleville, IL - Cahokia RV on Parque Monday, Aug. 19 and Tuesday, August 20
- Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh KOA on Thursday, Aug. 22
- Coatesville, PA - Coatesville KOA on Friday, Aug. 23
- Coatesville, PA - Stargazers Winery from Saturday, Aug. 24 through Tuesday, Aug. 27
* Sunday, Aug. 25 we will be joining Philly MINI for A TASTE OF BRITAIN event.
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- Limerock, CT - Racing Thursday, Aug. 29 through August 31, at KOA Copake Monday, Sept. 2
- Watkins Glen, NY - Campsite TBA - Racing September 3 through Sunday, Sept. 8
As we add more stops on our trip we will update this article! Here is a current map of the trip. We would love to have any Mini clubs come out and celebrate not only this epic trip but an iconic symbol of the beloved classic Mini! We are also contacting MINI dealerships across America in hopes they might like to have the 1960 Mini on display for a day. Please feel free to contact us at 1-800-946-2642 for more details.
* To pick up a Mini Mania order and avoid shipping fees please contact us at 1-800-946-2642.
Read More About the 1960 Mini
MY RECOLLECTIONS OF 1971 RACING THE MINI COOPER - by John Unsbee
First Race on the Unsbee Mini Cooper Motor - by Don Racine