I traveled to Charlotte to meet up with Mini Takes The States, the 3,900-mile cross-country rally that brings together thousands of Mini owners, drivers and enthusiasts. We partied in Charlotte, drove on Charlotte Motor Speedway, slayed The Dragon at Deal’s Gap and autocrossed in Nashville. Then the rally went west, I headed back home to Atlanta. Last weekend the group arrived in California after what I’m certain was one fantastic journey. Here are some of my photos from the trip in totally random order. Enjoy!
![Passed by a Girl](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01371-20120706-0659-1024x768.jpg)
She can pass you because she drives a GP!
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - tailgating](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01367-20120706-0650-1024x768.jpg)
Tailgating Mini style.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - JCW Coupe](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01341-20120703-2003-1024x768.jpg)
My ride: AutoTrader.com’s long-term 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Coupe.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Charlotte party](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9997-1024x682.jpg)
A nice looking Hardtop at the Charlotte party.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - dude](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9995-1024x682.jpg)
Dude rocking Mini fashion.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - shirt](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9990-1024x682.jpg)
MTTS route shirt T-shirt.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Charlotte party](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9989-1024x682.jpg)
Charlotte party people.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - GP](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9986-1024x682.jpg)
Hot John Cooper Works GP.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - stuck](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9979-1024x682.jpg)
Stuck on Minis Clubman.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - signing](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9977-1024x682.jpg)
Signing a hood… in Korean?
![Mini Takes the States 2012 -](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9976-1024x682.jpg)
Writing on cars is fun.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - topless fun](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9974-1024x682.jpg)
Blondes in Minis have more fun.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - father son](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9962-e1342465767413-682x1024.jpg)
Father and son – it’s a family affair.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - B-Spec](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9953-1024x682.jpg)
B-Spec Racer signs on.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Aussies](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9939-1024x682.jpg)
Mini enthusiasts from Down Under in attendance.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - signed](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9938-1024x682.jpg)
Signatures from all over, all over this Mini.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - kid](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9931-1024x682.jpg)
Teach ’em young.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - built](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9921-1024x682.jpg)
Built Mini Cooper.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - pink](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_9918-1024x682.jpg)
Pink Mini Cooper.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Merch](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0050-1024x682.jpg)
Mini Merch for sale.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Dragon](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0025-1024x682.jpg)
Mini JCW Coupe at a scenic overlook on The Dragon.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - speedway](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0024-1024x682.jpg)
Inside Charlotte Motor Speedway.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - lined up](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0022-1024x682.jpg)
Lined up and ready at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Speedway](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0021-1024x682.jpg)
A great way to start the day.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - noses](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0015-1024x682.jpg)
No two looked quite alike.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - friends](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0014-1024x682.jpg)
Actual quote: “Is it sad that I wish I had a fake ID just so I could Autocross?”
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - lover](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0013-1024x682.jpg)
Mini lovers everywhere.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - pins](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0012-1024x682.jpg)
Gotta have those pins on your lanyard.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - rock](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG_0004-1024x682.jpg)
Minis ROCK!
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - homeward](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01416-20120707-1443-1024x768.jpg)
Homeward bound.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - LP Field](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01408-20120707-1149-1024x768.jpg)
Minis at LP Field.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - minicross](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01405-20120707-0959-1024x768.jpg)
Autocross in Nashville.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - Nashville](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01398-20120707-0819-1024x768.jpg)
Good morning, Nashville.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - survivor](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01394-20120706-1456-1024x768.jpg)
One of many proud survivors.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - NJ2LA](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01391-20120706-1203-1024x768.jpg)
A great personalized plate that makes sense only two weeks per year.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - banked](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01377-20120706-0755-1024x768.jpg)
High-banked Charlotte Motor Speedway throws a warning. A restart cleared it.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - many](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01376-20120706-0750-1024x768.jpg)
Many Minis.
![Mini Takes the States 2012 - mission](http://livingvroom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/IMG01374-20120706-0749-1024x768.jpg)
Mission accomplished.
Author: Nick Palermo
Nick Palermo is an automotive writer and lifelong car nut. He follows new and late-model used vehicles for AutoTrader.com, edits the NAPA blog and writes about all things automotive at LivingVroom. He lives in Atlanta with his wife and twins. Connect with Nick on Google+
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