They might be small in stature, but the Mini certainly has a big following and their owners like to celebrate this fact.
In Tasmania this weekend, Mini drivers from around the country will congregate in Claremont for the annual Minifest - which will commemorate the 60th birthday of the iconic car.
Proudly supported by Hobart MINI Garage & Shannons Insurance, the event will have a range of activities throughout the day, on top of the enormous show and shine displaying Minis from all eras.
Some of the activations outside of the display for the whole family to enjoy include food stalls, show bags, face painting, ice cream, a chalk life-size Mini to decorate and a post-event convoy drive.
The Minifest first took place in 2004 with an impressive 125 cars part of the inaugural display in Montrose, before it expanded to 180 cars two years later, making it the largest single-brand car gathering in all of Tasmania.
The display continued to grow as the years went by with more than 200 cars part of the show in 2008, putting it on par with its sister events on the mainland, most of which had been running for many years previous.
With the Minifest reaching its 16th year, there will be a number of the state’s big Mini names in attendance to show of their pride and joys with former WRC & APRC Co-driver Daniel Willson headlining the show.
Other notable members to be part of the celebration will be local racing prodigy Jeremy Bennett with his uncle’s Kit Ellis Group N Mini and Huon Valley Rally Team driver Casey Price.
Price heads into the display fresh from a sponsored drive in this year’s Targa Tasmania, where she was the only female to race and behind the wheel of the brand new JCW GP. Price, an avid supporter of the Minifest, will be in attendance with the same Mini she used in Targa Tasmania.
“Nearly everyone has a Mini story of some kind in their life– and those who don’t, wish they did," Price said.
“The event is an opportunity for people to show off their Minis if they have one, or to rekindle your love affair of these wonderful little cars if they were one of the unfortunate ones who parted with it.
“Whether you have a Classic Mini, a new MINI, a Moke, Racing Mini, a Leyland or an ‘earthy project’, or you simply want to remember fun times in small cars, MiniFest 2019 has something for everyone.
“Members of the public are most welcome to come admire and dream. There will be fun for all ages, but most of all, Mini enthusiasts should bring their Minis and a friend to help us make 60 Years of Mini, one to remember.”
The Minifest takes place in Claremont on 3 November.