More than 25,000 people from 40 countries made the trip to a sun-drenched Silverstone Circuit for MINI United 2009. In addition to top draw live entertainment provided by headliners Paul Weller and Calvin Harris, fans indulged in MINI Challenge racing, stunt driving, fascinating car displays and were treated to the unveiling of three new special edition models to mark the iconic brand’s 50th birthday. The MINI 50 Camden, MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI John Cooper Works World Championship 50 editions made their public debuts at MINI United 2009.
Ten thousand classic and new MINIs assembled at the legendary British race circuit for the bank holiday party. To mark the 50th anniversary, MINI took the wraps off a reinterpretation of a unique classic Mini owned by George Harrison. This one-off, presented to Olivia Harrison on Saturday night, was developed from a design brief produced by The Beatles star’s widow. Olivia Harrison accepted the MINI on behalf of the Material World Charitable Foundation, a charity which George Harrison founded in 1973. The car will be auctioned this year to raise funds for the foundation.
Olivia said: “George was a huge MINI fan and he would have loved this new version. The fact that the 50th anniversary celebrations for MINI will also benefit our foundation has made it an enjoyable as well as meaningful collaboration.”
There were many more unique models to get pulses racing among the fans. British fashion designer Paul Smith presented the model created by him in 1997, while designs by David Bowie, Kate Moss, Missoni and the acclaimed illustrator and graphic designer Alan Aldridge were also on display. Similar attention-grabbers were the original cars from “The Italian Job” and “Austin Powers” films.