Cebuanos get first-ever MINI track day

MANILA, Philippines – It was a dose of adrenaline for eager drivers in the heart of Cebu as about a hundred of them got a first-hand experience of how it is to pilot a MINI.

MINI’s Cebu dealership staged the first-ever MINI Driving Experience at the SM Cebu’s open parking area — conscripting four vehicles, including three-door and five-door Cooper units, to give participants an eye-opening, thrilling ride. Principals of MINI Cebu — Lyndon Go, Brian Chua, and January Go — were on hand to witness the exercises held under the supervision of motoring veteran Georges Ramirez.

Participants were safely able to push the MINIs through a controlled and safe makeshift course that highlighted the iconic UK vehicle’s agility, speed, and undeniable go-kart feel. The three-door hatch was enlisted for a gymkhana-type activity where drivers got to savor the taut handling and point-and-shoot preciseness of the MINI — that vaunted go-kart characteristic that the brand is known for. The quickest and most accurate motorist of the day attained not only bragging rights, but an iPad Mini 3 as well.

On the other hand, the five-door MINI was the weapon of choice to demonstrate the British carmaker’s state-of-the-art safety technologies. Drivers were shown the role of features like elec-tronic brake distribution (EBD), dynamic traction and stability control, and anti-lock braking system (ABS) in promising both safety and convenience even under adverse situations and conditions.

Pilipinas Shell co-sponsored the event, which further underscored the earnest efforts of British United Automobiles, Inc. (MINI distributor in the Philippines) to let more people experience the benefits of MINI ownership.

MINI Philippines also winding down on its “Next Stop: UK”  promotion, a “generous, one-of-a-kind offer that gifts every buyer of a MINI three-door hatch, five-door hatch, or MINI Countryman with a roundtrip ticket to where MINI vehicles are born — the legendary Oxford Plant in England. With each purchase from July 2 to October 15 this year, car buyers will be flown by MINI Philip-pines to the UK for a much-coveted tour of the Plant Oxford facility. Plane transfers and three days, two nights hotel accommodation will also be shouldered by the company,” it said in a release.

The famous factory tour usually has a three-month wait period, but MINI Philippines ensures slots for those qualified to join the exciting trip.

For more information, log on to www.mini.com.ph or visit official dealerships at MINI Global City (5th Avenue cor. 26th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig); MINI Roadshow Greenhills (324 Ortigas Ave., North Greenhills , San Juan), and MINI Cebu (AS Fortuna Street, Bakilid, Mandaue City).