Every other year Mini USA organizes a cross-country rally for its owners. This year there are more than 350 Mini Cooper owners who have committed to go the whole way, but around 2,000 will take part along the way total.
The group will get rolling July 26 from San Francisco and wend its way to Boston over 15 days. One city per day. So it's 14 cities in 15 days through 18 states. Activities are planned in each city, and the group is averaging about 750 owners participating per day. As of this week, there are more than 700 expected to attend the drive-off event and about 800 participants are expected each day.
And if it isn't enough to build that warm and fuzzy feeling with its owners, Mini USA has partnered with Best Friends Animal Society. Along the route, funds will be raised for animal rescue and there will be pet adoptions. There are about 90 dogs, four cats and one bird registered for the event.
And this wouldn't be a Mini USA event if there wasn't some fanfare, such as a big-time kickoff in San Francisco, with a surprise headliner. Some Mini owners have rallied together and will hand off a cardboard cutout of a fellow owner who has fallen ill so she or he can experience the rally through social media. And joining the rally will be a 99-year-old woman who will drive the last two stops with her grandson, going from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Boston.
This will be the fifth biennial rally and the biggest so far, organizers say, tripling the number in 2012. Owners and future owners from all over the country are invited to participate, however, you have to use a Mini in the rally. Owners can drive one or multiple legs of the route, or go all the way. There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $45 per person, some of which goes to the dog charity. Children 12 and younger and pets are free when riding with their owner. Registered participants will get a goodie bag and access to all events.
But participants are on their own for hotels, gas, food and incidentals. There are a number of hotels in each market that participants can choose from that Mini has partnerships with for room rates and loyalty points deals. They are all centrally located near the meeting places, organizers say. The hotels are listed on the website and participants can click through to register for a room.
Rally registration never closes, so for those who may get a zany Mini notion to join, register the day you feel like showing up. That's how Mini USA rolls.
Info: MiniTakesTheStates.com.
Road-Trip Savvy Kits, Conveniences
If you are planning a summer road trip, don't overlook the emergency kit.
While packing the car with snacks and kids, be sure the family is safe and prepared for anything that may come along. Pep Boys can outfit road trippers with essential kits such as the Bell emergency roadside kit, $30. It features 100 items, including booster cables, 2 in 1 screwdriver, cable ties, flashlight and D batteries, "Help" sign, 24-inch tie down and rain poncho.
Here are a few more travel essentials from Pep Boys:
—First-aid kit, with 53 pieces; $12
—Booster pack to jump a dead battery, $50
—Seat back organizers for the kids' (and your) stuff; $13
—Tire gauge to maintain fuel-saving air pressure; $12, electronic with light.
—Power inverter to charge or power household items; $12 with six ports.
Info: www.pepboys.com
2015 Subaru Outback Starts at $25,895
The re-engineered, fifth generation of the Subaru Outback goes on sale soon with its roomiest interior, most capable chassis and highest fuel-efficiency in the model's 20-year history. Starting prices range from $25,895 for the entry 2.5-liter four-cylinder models (with PZEV engine) to $34,695 for the flagship 3.6R Limited. With all-wheel drive included for all models, new standard off-roading technologies include X-Mode, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.
The 175-horsepower four-cylinder Outback 2.5i has estimated fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. The Active Grille Shutter system that helps to improve fuel economy by reducing wind resistance is standard on 4-cylinder models.
The new Outback is built at Subaru of Indiana Automotive. This year, the assembly facility celebrates 10 years as a Zero Landfill Facility and continues to be the only U.S. automotive plant designated as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.
Mazda Donates $500,000 to American Red Cross
Mazda North American has made a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross, making it the first automotive manufacturer to be involved in the organization's Annual Disaster Giving Program. Mazda has a long-standing relationship with the Red Cross and has made previous donations on a disaster-needs basis.
Members of the Annual Disaster Giving Program donate in advance of a major disaster, which provides the Red Cross with a reliable funding base to immediately respond in times of disaster.
Mazda's donation was the result of the funds raised from last year's Mazda Drive for Good program. For every new Mazda sold between Nov. 25 and Jan. 2, 2014, the automaker donated $100. The donations benefited one of four national or 32 local charities based on the customer's choice.
"Our Mazda Drive for Good program has enabled all of us at Mazda to focus on giving back to our local communities and our nation as a whole," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, MNAO. "It was a natural fit for us to partner with a great organization like American Red Cross."
Veloster RE:FLEX Special Edition
Hyundai has just released the special edition Veloster RE:FLEX in a limited production run of 3,000 cars. Pricing for the three-door coupe starts at $22,460 (including the $810 freight charge) and includes such features as black or red full leather upholstery, projector headlights with LED headlight accents, LED taillights, LED illuminated door sills, 18-inch alloy chrome finish wheels, chrome hood and door handle accents, and RE:FLEX badging. Paint colors are white, Vitamin C, black and red. All models use the 135-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Chip Fix Won't Shatter the Wallet
It's a sickening sound that a tire-flung stone makes when it hits your vehicle's windshield and you just know it's going to leave a mark. But a stone chip doesn't have to be a headache to get repaired.
If it's small enough, cover it with tape or an adhesive bandage and make an appointment with a reputable glass service.
"The longer the break has been exposed, the more vulnerable it is to dirt and even salt air in coastal San Diego," said Safelite glass repair technician Mark Clerici, 21. This company uses a patented GlassHealer resin to seal and smooth over chips. It is a three-stage process, Clerici explained. The first stage cleans the break. The second vacuums out the air and injects the resin. The third cures the resin and polishes the surface to a shiny finish.
Factory windshields that are integrated with defrosters or complex safety devices can cost more than $1,500 to replace. And when an insurance deductible is commonly $1,000, it makes sense to fix the break. If it's small enough, a well-trained technician can make the chip nearly disappear — and it restores the structural integrity of the windshield.
Each stage of the repair takes about one minute, depending on the size of the chip, for a total of 10 to 12 minutes per chip. Safelite has a lifetime guarantee on all chip repairs.
Safelite technicians have completed what it calls a SafeTech certification, which is about a week of training that is divided between classroom and hands-on experience.
To fix two small but noticeable chips in the windshield of a late-model sport sedan, it costs $79 in San Diego. And as the TV advertisements promote, the installer called to update when he would be arriving. Clerici is professional, had all the needed materials at hand and was communicative and courteous throughout the repair.
And if the chip is too large to repair, Safelite can offer windshield replacement, whether original equipment or a quality aftermarket brand.
Customers can call the 800 number 24/7 or go online to get an estimate and schedule an appointment. Safelite also will email prior to the appointment a photo of the technician, his credentials and evidence that he's completed a background check.
Info: Safelite.com/stores
Mark Maynard is online at mark.maynard@utsandiego.com. Find photo galleries and more news at Facebook.com/MaynardsGarage. To find out more about Mark Maynard and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.
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