BEST OUR PICK OF THE YEAR’S MINI CELEBRATIONS

Don’t worry if you missed the Wirral to Llandudno Mini Run – the Mini will be in the spotlight all year long, with plenty of events dedicated solely to the car’s anniversary. Here’s our pick of the ones that you’ll want to attend…

JANUARY

Saturday 12 Historic Rally Car Register Open Day British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0BJ. 9.30am-4pm. The Mini’s 60th anniversary is the event’s main theme, with the six Minis that have won the HRCR’s Mini Sport Cup among the cars taking part. ■ britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/ hrcr-open-day

FEBRUARY

Thursday 14-Sunday 17 The London Classic Car Show Includes a Mini parade and tribute to 50 years of The Italian Job. ■ thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk

MARCH

Sunday 24 Brooklands Mini Day Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0SL. 9am-5pm. Open to both classic and BMW-era models, with Test Hill runs. ■ brooklandsmuseum.com/whats-on/ brooklands-mini-day

APRIL

Saturday 6-Sunday 7 Goodwood Members’ Meeting Goodwood Motor Circuit, nr Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0PX. 7.30am-6pm. Worth checking out for the race dedicated to pre-1966 Minis, with 30 cars expected to take part. ■ goodwood.com Sunday 14 Lincoln Big Mini Day Brayford Wharf Waterfront, Lincoln LN1 1YX. 10am-4pm. This event, organised by Trent Valley Mini Owners’ Club and now in its 12th year, normally sees more than 200 Minis taking over the city’s waterfront. ■ trentvalleymoc.co.uk/ lincoln-big-mini-day

MAY

Sunday 12 British Mini Day Himley Hall, Dudley, West Mildands DY3 4DF. 10am-4pm. The British Mini Club’s flagship celebration of the car’s anniversary, with hundreds of cars expected. ■ britishminiclub.co.uk/ events/himley-hall

JUNE

Sunday 9 Mini Cooper Register National Rally National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire SO42 7ZN. 9am-5pm. Now in its 36th year, this event includes displays dedicated to works Coopers. ■ beaulieu.co.uk/events/ mini-cooper-register-rally Sunday 23 Mini & VW Bus Meet DK Rugby Club, Kingswinford, West Midlands DY6 0AW. 10am-4pm, with overnight Saturday camping available. Celebrate anniversaries for both the Mini and Volkswagen’s Type 2 at this weekend event. ■ britishminiclub.co.uk/events/minivw-bus-meet

JULY

Saturday 20-Sunday 21

Mini Festival Brands Hatch, Fawkham, Longfield, Kent DA3 8NG. 8am onwards. Includes Mini historic races, concours, club display and a track parade for Mini owners on the Sunday. ■ mini-festival.co.uk

AUGUST

Sunday 4 Classic Mini Mosaic World Record Attempt British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0BJ. 8am-3pm. An attempt to bring more than 600 cars together to break a Guinness World Record (only open to pre-2001 Minis). Valid only with tickets to the National Metro & Mini Show (see below). ■ britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/ national-metro-and-mini-show Sunday 4 National Metro & Mini Show British Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire CV35 0BJ. 10am-4pm. Open to Mini, Metro and BMW-era MINI owners. This event also marks the 25th anniversary of the Rover 100. ■ britishmotormuseum.co.uk/events/ national-metro-and-mini-show Thursday 8-Monday 12 International Mini Meeting Washingpool Farm, Easter Compton, Bristol BS35 5RE. Mini owners from across the globe will be taking part in this event, which includes celebrations of the Mini Clubman’s 50th anniversary and 55 years of the Mini Moke. ■ imm2019.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Sunday 15 Mini Fest Stanford Hall, Lutterworth, Leicestershire LE17 6DH. 10am-4pm. The British Mini Club’s biggest gathering of cars. ■ britishminiclub.co.uk/ events/mini-fest