Coopers, Clubmans, and Countrymans, Lend Me Your Ears

You won’t ever get me up on a cold morning for a run. Never. So, when I drag myself out of bed at 7 AM on a Sunday, you better know it’s for good reason. It might have gotten off on a chilly start, but the MINI Breakfast Run that took place on the 26^th of May was an experience I would wake up early for again and again.

When I walked into the dealership, there were dozens of custom MINIs lined up outside, but their drivers weren’t impatiently waiting to get the show on the road. Instead, they were all clustered around the steaming coffee station set up in the back of a black MINI. Cupocafe's Theo and Melissa greeted me with warm smiles and strong coffee, while Zambesi manager, Zeus Smit, made sure to welcome everyone who came through the door. Despite being there alone, I instantly felt at home in this group of friendly strangers and their little (and some not-so-little) cars. After everyone had said their hellos, grabbed a coffee and a rusk or two, it was back into the cold to see what was in store for us.

I hopped into a Cooper and off we went. MINI enthusiast and my skilled driver for day, Braden, wasn’t shy behind the wheel. Whereas I tend to see driving as a means of getting from A to B, Braden (and the rest of MiniClubSA) sees it as a chance to let loose and have as much fun as you possibly can before you get to your destination.

A pace car took the lead and while the Zambesi team made it clear that everyone was welcome to go their own way, it was much more fun to do it together. It was a sight to behold.  The colourful MINI convoy made heads turn and jaws drop as it weaved through the sparse Pretoria traffic. 

Don’t be fooled by the MINIs small sizes as I was. These little cars pack a massive punch and make zipping through traffic an absolute breeze and a ton of fun. Every MINIs interior is a marriage of gorgeous design and ultimate comfort, and I would be a liar if I said I didn’t consider becoming a part of the MINI family that day. With their high-quality performance and genuinely beautiful interiors, these MINIs are luxury cars through and through. “Small” cars are generally meant to be low cost, but unfortunately that means that you also get a low-cost feeling in terms of comfort, quality and performance. This couldn’t be further from the truth for MINIs. These cars are built to perform and they don’t disappoint. That being said, after spending a day with the MINI crowd, it was clear that it’s not just about the cars - it's about being part of a small community of people who love having fun together on the road.

We arrived at the Anton Smit sculpture park much too soon for my liking, but I was soon cheered by the awe-inspiring sculptures around us. The wonderfully unique MINIs blended in seamlessly and instantly became part of the art around us.

After marvelling at the sculptures, everyone sat down for a much-needed coffee and breakfast at the Imagine Café. I sat down with a small group of strangers and instantly felt like I had known them for years. It might be a coincidence that all these warm and welcoming people just happen to drive MINIs, but I’d like to think that there’s just something about these cars that make people want to get together and have a great time.

After brunch, some drivers took the chance to explore the park, while others chose to head home again. They wonderful thing was that you had the freedom to decide what happened next. On our way back, everyone went their own way, but they still made sure to toot their horns and wave as they drove off. More than a week later, I still smile when I think of the breakfast run. I genuinely recommend that you (MINI driver or not) attend at least one MINI event in your lifetime. If you weren’t able to attend this breakfast run, or you’d like to experience the excitement first-hand, join in for the next MINI event! We can guarantee you that you won’t find a more welcoming, friendly and downright fun crowd of MINI enthusiasts anywhere else. Drivers and passengers of all ages, genders and walks of life are welcome. Contact your nearest MINI dealership today to find out more about upcoming events or drives.