LUXEMINI @ Cooper Reading MINI

WORD & PHOTOS: David Fuller

A glorious sunny October morning greeted the 60 MINIs and one classic Mini that arrived at Cooper Reading MINI for the first LUXEMINI event, I'm sure the first of many going by the comments made.

Cooper Reading MINI is the largest MINI dealership in Europe spread over 3 floors with 1 floor dedicated to just JCWs and displaying a Challenge race car. The showrooms have 34 new MINIs on display and outside some 30 used MINIs.

LUXEMINI was originally just an Instagram page for reposting photos of MINIs then on the 5th March this year a Facebook group was set up by owner Kieran Ross who is supported by his family and friends. They have 972 members on Facebook and 14500 followers on Instagram.

So far LUXEMINI have won best club stand at Mini Action Day at Castle Combe in September then the following week at TRAX at Silverstand they won best club stand again, TRAX is major meeting of cars of many different makes.

After parking up we were served pastries & coffee/tea which gave us all the chance to chat amongst friends and make new friends.

There were 2 stalls there, one displaying and selling LUXEMINI merchandise with music playing and the second was a display for the chosen charity "Brake the road safety charity". There was 4 competitions going on during the the morning, "Best car in show" with judging during the morning by several judges, "Hunt the LUXEMINI sticker" stickers were placed around the inside of the dealership which gave a good change to have a good look round at the many new MINIs on display, "Guess how many balloons in a MINI", lastly "Guess the name of the Challenger race car".

A fine spread of bacon rolls, sausage rolls, egg rolls & a selection of sandwiches were provided for lunch just before the drive out into the Berkshire countryside. This was enjoyable in the sunshine albeit the very heavy Reading traffic caused the convoy to be split into several small groups, some getting lost! But a MINI run isn't a run if someone doesn't get lost!!

When the last of the MINIs returned back from the run it was time to announce the winners of the competitions....

Cakes & tea/coffee were then served before it was time to depart and head our separate ways, some had travelled many miles. We had been throughly spoilt by LUXEMINI & Cooper Reading MINI.

Full credit must be given to Kieran, his family and friends and to Elliott Birkett and the management of Cooper Reading MINI for arranging and putting on this very successful meeting.

Some of the quotes I was given for people attending...

"Excellent/friendly/MINItastic"

"Well organised, fantastic day"

"Well organised, lost during of friendly people and great fun"

"A friendly gathering bathed in sunshine"

"Welcoming/Fun/Well organised! A sign of things to come from LUXEMINI"

"One of the friendliest, well organised MINI meets that I have attended"

"Refreshing, different, organised, friendly"

"Unique atmosphere"

"A great day, with great cars, great people and great hosts, well organised and a fun atmosphere, how meets should be"

Elliot, who is a John Cooper Specialist said "Overall I felt it went really well, good fun, good vibe, nice people and a good way of interacting with fellow MINI enthusiasts, except for mucking up the drive for people"

The last word from Kieran himself "I fully enjoyed the day and it had a great atmosphere, my plan was to bring together some groups and create a friendly day which was totally free with food and drinks complementary to complete the LUXE feel the same as we give complementary drinks on our club stands for members"

FULL PHOTO GALLERY

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