Happenings

Minifestation Of Fun

BY Keegan Gan

The 2010 MINIFESTO is Singapore's very own official MINI festival. Now let's celebrate all things MINI with a Hidey Hidey Hidey Ho!

Held over a weekend from 15th to 16th May, MINI gave Singaporeans their very own official MINI festival at the F1 Pit Building. Dubbed as 'MINIFESTO 2010', the event provided an exciting weekend for the members of the media, invited guests and members of the public with loads of fun filled activities.

The MINIFESTO 2010 also saw the debut of two new special edition MINIs, namely the Stratford and the Loft. Just like the Camden and the Mayfair, both the Stratford and Loft have special characteristic designs and features.

The MINI Loft is essentially a 1.6-litre Mini Cooper but with a new four-cylinder engine that develops 122bhp, with a slew of customisation options available.

The MINI Stratford, on the other hand, is a Mini One derivative, but the difference lies in the engine capacity as the Stratford has a 98bhp 1.6 litre engine instead of the standard 1.4 litre in a normal Mini One.

Apart from showcasing the two new MINIs, visitors to MINIFESTO 2010 also had the opportunity to participate in activities like a miniature 'gymkhana circuit' Driving Challenge, remote controlled car challenge, go karting as well as seeing the legendary MINI rally champion Rauno Aaltonen perform in a MINI which he did with gusto on the handling course demo runs despite his age.

Now an official MINI ambassador, the Finnish gramps made his mark in rallying with a MINI back in the 60s and has also won the Monte Carlo Rally before.

The highlight of the event however was the Driving Challenge that required the participants to put various MINI models through a slalom course to experience the famed 'go kart' handling and agility of the MINIs, after which they were tested on their mental discipline to keep their eyes and hands in check from the MINI babes wiping the cars dry right after a 'car wash'.

The MINIFESTO 2010 is definitely a celebration of all things MINI, proving that small packages can also provide heaps of fun!