Open Streets Pittsburgh

It’s not often Pittsburgh closes down a city street, but it’s happening not once, not twice, but three times this year! Open Streets Pittsburgh is all about healthy family fun with no cars allowed. Attendees can bike, skateboard, rollerblade, walk, and run through the street. Free group classes of salsa and yoga are also available.

Open Streets Pittsburgh is part of a much larger movement called Ciclovia. Ciclovia includes hundreds of cities from around the globe. During the events, everyone, businesses, neighbors, non-profits, and everyone in between, comes together to create what can be compared to the happiest city on Earth.

This year, Open Streets Pittsburgh takes place from Market Square to Penn Avenue. Covering the Strip and Lawrenceville’s business district, this is one massive event! Best of all, we here at MINI of Pittsburgh are located one block over on Baum Boulevard!

There will be plenty to do. Even if you aren’t into yoga or salsa, you can always exercise in your own way. Take advantage of the lack of motor vehicles and use the space around you. Travel in ways you never would have considered before. If you can do it without a car, you can do it at Open Streets Pittsburgh which takes place on the last Sunday in May, June, and July!

We can’t wait to see you there!

2016 MINI Takes the States

MINI is taking the United States by storm and to celebrate, the automaker is putting on an event that literally celebrates the idea. MINI Takes the States is a customer-based event that will depart from Atlanta, Georgia on July 9, 2016. By July 23, 2016, drivers will arrive in Palm Springs, California. The two-week event is sure to be an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience so if you own a MINI, be sure to attend!

Held once every two years, this year’s MINI Takes the States leaves from the Atlanta Motor Speedway and heads north to Charlotte, North Carolina. Attendees will hit plenty of major cities along the way, including our very own Pittsburgh before heading to the furthest northern point on their trip, St. Ignace, Michigan.

In 2014, MINI Takes the States traversed 5,142 miles, starting in San Francisco and ending up at Boston. On that cross country adventure, drivers motored through Texas, the Rocky Mountains, and even Canada.

MINI owners from around the country are invited to attend but must drive a MINI vehicle in the rally. Rallies will be held in each designated city along the way. We hope that even if you don’t have the time to take two weeks getting to know your MINI and fellow motoring enthusiasts as you drive cross country that you will at least stop by the Pittsburgh, PA rally point on Tuesday, July 12^th.

We here at MINI of Pittsburgh can’t wait to see all of the attendees at the 2016 MINI Takes the States and hope that you make it out there to take part in this awesome drive!

MINI Motoring Extravaganza

On Sunday November 8th, we are hosting a MINI Motoring Extravaganza, and yes, the event will be as fun as it sounds.

First, you will get the chance to take your MINI or one of our John Cooper Works MINIs out on the track to see what it can really do, and as we all know, MINI handling and performance is legendary. Don’t want to drive? That’s okay, you can also just be a passenger and let someone else take the wheel.

Then, you have the chance to talk to our service team to discuss how to best take care of your MINI, gather some MINI maintenance tips, talk about DIY MINI care, and get some winter driving tips straight from the experts.

You’ll also get the chance to talk to some local MINI designers who can give you some great fun ideas on how to customize your MINI, or help you figure out how your MINI design can come to life.

Cap this all off with breakfast and lunch provided by us at MINI of Pittsburgh and you have one of the best Sunday Fundays we could imagine.

This fun event takes place from 8AM-4PM at the Pittsburgh International Racetrack. Sign up for this fun event here. We hope to see you there!

MINI On The MACK Nearly Sets World Record

All of the MINI assembling before starting their drive across the Mackinac Bridge.

For some people, just owning a MINI is fun enough in and of itself. For most of us, it gives usaccess to a lot of cool events and a seriously cool subculture. For instance, take the recent attempt we supported by MINI owners to break the world’s record for largest parade of MINIs.

The current record was set back in 2009 in London. That record-setting event involved 1,450 MINIs. The most recent attempt to break this record was part of the MINI on the MACK, a rally-celebration that occurs every other year in August and features a horde of MINIs traversing the Straits of Mackinac. We helped fund mulitple MINI motorers as they ventured up to Michigan for this fun event.

Ultimately, the MINI on the MACK saw 1,319 different MINI cars traveling together on the beautiful Mackinac Bridge connecting the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan. Unfortunately the world record was not broken. We were short by a mere 132 MINIs.

The good news is that a US record was set! So, the event was still meaningful, but not just for setting records. For participants, it was just another memorable way to celebrate the style and fun of MINI.

MINI of Pittsburgh Winter Driving Refresher

Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was lucky that it didn’t find Nemo last weekend.

However, here at MINI of Pittsburgh, we like to be prepared.

The winter is not over yet, so we wanted to refresh our local drivers’ winter driving skills.

This past Sunday, on February 10, 2013, many MINIs circled the Pittsburgh International Race Complex from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

MINI drivers learned more about winter driving in a safe and pressure-free environment.

We asked some of those who attended the event about their most valuable lessons learned.

Here is what they had to say.

“Don’t try to take that first set of gates out wide or you’ll end up head first in the wall.” – Justin

“Know your limits and test them only in the most ideal of controlled environments. I also learned Pitt Stop drivers know their way around a track!” – Wayman

“Taking ice on in a straight line rather than at a turn will give you more control over the car – so maybe go a little wide in the turn instead of sliding off the road. Also, my MINI is a beast.” – Tiffany

“That a Justa on snow tires can perform well on the north track!” – Melissa

Oh, and the most valuable lesson we learned: “Oh My Grill has the best specialty grilled cheese sandwiches around!”

2013 Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Qualifiers Kickoff with MINI of Pittsburgh

MINI is just NOT NORMAL.

And, that is why your local Pennsylvania dealership, MINI of Pittsburgh, has seen way more than just MINIs in its showroom.

Not too long ago, the MINI of Pittsburgh showroom served as the tasteful venue for a cocktail party featuring the best cuisine of the local Pennsylvania area to kick off the 2013 Pittsburgh Restaurant Week.

And, now?

On January 31, 2013 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., The Burton Team will share hot chocolate and marshmallows at the MINI of Pittsburgh showroom to kick off the 2013 Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Qualifiers Event.

There will be plenty of Burton gear available for purchase to flaunt at the Inaugural Burton U.S. Open Snowboarding Qualifiers Event that will be held in neighboring city, Seven Springs Pennsylvania, from February 1, 2013 to February 3, 2013.

The top ten men and top five women in each discipline, Halfpipe and Slopestyle, will earn a spot to compete in the U.S. Open Snowboarding Semi Finals.

The U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships, sponsored by MINI, will be hosted in Vail Colorado from February 25, 2013 to March 2, 2013.

MINI of Pittsburgh Says Give A Little, Get A Lot

Give and you shall receive.

At least that is what we are saying at MINI of Pittsburgh this holiday season.

This is a great time of year to volunteer and help spread some holiday cheer to the less fortunate.

We also realize that, at the same time, it is one of the busiest times of year between gift-shopping, cookie-baking, and party-going. It can be difficult to spare an hour here or a couple of dollars there when your time and money are directed toward the ones you hold most near and dear.

So, we are making it easy on you.

All you have to do is bring in five non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

Better yet, to express our gratitude for your generosity, you will receive one of two gifts.

1. 15% Off a Service Bill or a $100 Maximum Discount
2. $25 Off Any MINI Collection Items, excluding Tires, State Inspections, and State Emissions Tests

It’s as easy as 1-2-3…4-5!

Show Some MINI LOVE at MINI of Pittsburgh’s Blood Drive

MINI of Pittsburgh is proud to host the “Drive for Patients” Blood Drive at our MINI Showroom on Baum Boulevard. The Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, May 15, 2012 from 2:00-7:00 pm.

To schedule your life-saving donation, contact Jason Karpa at Jason.karpa@miniofpittsburgh.com or 412-682-0788. Please bring ID with you on the day of the blood drive. Proper ID is required to donate blood. Approved forms of ID include a Central Blood Bank or military ID, driver’s license, or passport. A birth certificate along with a picture ID that includes the donor’s full name is also acceptable.

The Central Blood Bank strives to advance transfusion science and help patients with clinical expertise. MINI of Pittsburgh is proud to sponsor this amazing event. Show a little MINI love and stop by the MINI Showroom at 4900 Baum Boulevard. Thank you for your continued support of our community events.

Join MINI of Pittsburgh in the Fight Against Cystic Fibrosis

MINI of Pittsburgh is joining in the fight against Cystic Fibrois, a hereditary chronic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive system.

The two organizations have teamed up with the foundation to help raise funds in hopes of finding a cure for the disease and extending patients’ lives as well as easing their daily struggles.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has been the driving force behind finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis since 1955.

The disease affects nearly 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. today. The disease causes shortness of breath, constant lung infections, and other issues. Patients suffer through many treatment procedures on a constant basis throughout their lives.

How do you get involved? MINI of Pittsburgh will be selling the MINI Bulldog plush animal through August 31, 2012. All profits from the stuffed animal sales will be donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To order your MINI bulldog, visit our Fundraising Facebook Page and fill out the order form. Make sure to share the page with all of your friends and family on Facebook and email!

We appreciate your involvement in helping to improve the lives of so many affected patients in America.