MINI Test Drive with a Difference (AU)

Press Release

MINI cuts to the CHASE

MINI motors to a different beat during October 2006 as the dynamic, young brand offers Sydneysiders a test-drive treat with an exciting difference.

MINI CHASE, a four-day seat-of-the-pants skilled driving exhibition will enthral all visitors to King St Wharf, Sydney, beginning Saturday 21 October, then reprising Saturday 28 October through Monday 30 October.

MINI CHASE takes over the WHARF 8 passenger terminal at Darling Harbour, turning it into a fantasy-meets-reality street circuit. MINI CHASE guests will be part of the action as they are taken on film-set style thrill ride around the purpose-built MINI CHASE track.

A trio of high-performance MINI Cooper S hardtops with the potent 154 kW John Cooper Works Tuning Kit - similar to the Team MINI motorsport cars currently being raced and rallied around Australia - will be pressed into service.

MINI has chased down highly-skilled professional drivers to chauffeur passengers around the circuit, but the driving will be anything but chaste.

MINI CHASE has been designed to show off MINI’s legendary go-kart handling, explosive off-the-line acceleration and cheeky city style. The course has been designed to highlight the MINI’s leech-like grip and pin-sharp steering, in a max revs, max fun setting.

Based at the very fashionable and popular Bungalow 8 bar and restaurant within the King Street Wharf precinct, the MINI CHASE course will be set up at the end of Wharf 8.

The idea is to bring a new level of automotive dynamism to downtown Sydney at a time when the Harbour city is focussed on four-wheel fun.

On arrival at MINI CHASE, guests make a quick pit-stop to change into special event overalls. They will be given a full safety briefing, including a warning to beware of contracting a condition known as “Helmet hair”.

Crash helmets will prevent hair-raising driving crippling coifs as pulses are raced.

Then it’s out for a “Lap with the Gods of Driving” through the MINI CHASE course, which includes a super-twisty slalom section, a blast through wall of sheer delight, and a crafty dodge through the switchback chicanes.

MINI expects to welcome around 250 guests a day during the course of the event.

And although the trick driving will remain firmly in the hands of the gifted drivers, guests enthused by the MINI CHASE experience will be able to sign up for a test drive on the spot.