Massive Mini Day

Marbella Minis at Mini Challenge in Jerez. Photography by www.GaryEdwards.es and www.JohnnyGates.com

A convoy of around forty Minis from Malaga and Marbella - classics and modern among them, converged on Guarnieri Concesionario, the Marbella BMW/ Mini dealership at 8.30am on Sunday 18 october to set out on an exhilarating drive to Jerez to cheer on the drivers in the 1st  Mini Challenge to be staged at the famous Circuito de Jerez.

 

Sponsored by Guarnieri Concesionarios, Starz Café, Mini Club Marbella and marbellas.com, the day was the first Mini meeting in the area since 2007 and with Mario Guanieri was organised by Hans Moller of the Mini Club Marbella and Gary Edwards, photographer and co-founder of marbellas.com

Taking the curvaceous road to Ronda and beyond on a stunningly sunny morning, the Mini drivers enjoyed every evocative bend and straight as they whizzed on mass towards Jerez, a town famous around the world for its horse-power, both in its equestrian stables and on the motor racing track which has held Formula One Grand Prix races as well as many other  prestigious motoring events over the years. The journey, which took less than two hours turned many heads as the stream of Minis went flying by. 

 

Minis arrive at Guarnieri Showrooms 8.30am ----------Mini Team in the Paddocks

Jerez Circuit
VIP parking had been organised by Mario and the Mini Espana and the cars were lined up in front of the famous Jerez Circuit Tower with its 'Tio Pepe' man on top looking over the track. All the drivers from Marbella and Malaga were given race day shirts with Sponsors logos and once at the circuit quickly found the Mini Challenge Hospitality Suite and Mini Shop. There was little time before the racing was under way and the pit lane was filled with excitement and the familiar smells of engine oil and hot rubber.

 

Guarnieri Minis on the move

50 Years of Cool British Style
In this year, in which the ever popular Mini celebrates 50 years as a much-loved design icon, support for the brand is running higher than ever, and Mini lovers from around Spain turned out to spur on the small but mighty customized cars that were featuring in the day's racing agenda. 

 

Hans from Starz Cafe with Mini Fans----------Gary Edwards, young Lloyd and Mario Guarnieri

Racing Ahead
Guarnieri Concesionarios was behind several races, with a Porsche GT running in the Campeonato de España de GT. Driver Miguel Amaral and Miguel A. de Castro took their Porsche 997 to third  place, just a few seconds off the lead. Meanwhile, Marbella-based racing driver Peter Sundberg, came 2nd in a Ferrari 430 GT2. 

 

Mini Challenge Race winner-Car 7---New Mini Cooper S at the Mini Challenge Hospitality Suite

Only a  clutch of customized Minis took part in the 1st Mini Challenge in Andalucía, two representing the Guarnieri dealerships in the Mini Team Guanieri. Drivers Robinson and Fontes put the No 17 Mini through its paces in the 40 minute race, coming in at 6th place and Marta Suria and Reyes in the No 9 Mini coming in 7th. Both cars we held up for a large part of the race by the Silver No 77 car drives by Gomez and his partner.

 

Mini Challenge Chicas -----------Karl and Forkie from Guarnieri

Parade Laps
Following the Mini Challenge race the cars from Marbella and Malaga were given the opportunity of driving two laps of the famous circuit and then a photograph was taken in the pit lane before the various Mini lovers made their way back along the coast. The day was completed by the fact that many who were speedy behind the wheel, were back home in time to watch the Brazilian F1 GP from Interlagos. Congratulations to Jenson Button - 2009 F1 World Champion and 10th Briton to claim the title since Mike Hawthorn in 1958. 

 

Gonzalo from MiniPerformance.es and Gary Edwards in 'Oso Rosso' on owner Parade Lap

Join the Club
If you are the owner of a Mini and would like information about future Mini events please contact Hans (607540377) or Gary (610713334). If you would like attend future events but don't own a Mini yet, contact Mario or Karl who will be pleased to sell you a Mini of your choice at the Ronda Road BMW / Mini dealership (951 775 575). 

Many thanks to Mario Guanieri, Juan José Solis of Mini Espana, Hans Moller ('see you at Starz') and Gary Edwards from all the Mini owners who participated in the day.

 

Owners Line up in the Pit Lane after the Parade Lap

www.guarnieri.es
www.mini.es
www.mini.com
www.minichallenge.co.uk
www.minimarbella.com
www.telegraph.co.uk Motor Sport

 

 Photography by www.GaryEdwards.es