Bank holiday sees massive MINI party

MINI officially celebrates its 50th birthday this weekend. It starts today (Friday 22nd May 2009), and the party won't stop until Sunday night (24th May). There's no excuse not to be there the entire time either because, mercifully, it coincides with the Spring Bank Holiday.

It's been half a century since the very first Mini rolled off the Cowley production line back in 1959, so what better way to mark that fact than with a massive party at Silverstone racetrack? And fans of the marque (old version or new) really shouldn't miss it, because there's a myriad of Mini-themed stuff happening at an event set to provide some of the most memorable moments of Mini mania ever.

There's a '50 years of Mini' exhibition; a stunt show; 'drive your own' racing track sessions; go-kart racing; passenger rides in a MINI Challenge car; shops galore, and, of course, a deluge of classic Minis courtesy of the owners who will descend on the event. Superstar Scot Calvin Harris will appear onstage, as well as former The Jam legend Weller.

And we'll be there soaking it all up too, so we'll report back on Tuesday with a load of exclusive pictures and gossip from the event. Don't miss it.

Mark Nichol