How JCW National Day Began
An Idea!
JCW National Day was conceived through the pandemic lockdown of 2020 and came to fruition in 2021. In the MINI scene all events and shows so far are geared towards the iconic classic Mini pre 2000 whilst none feature the modern MINI post 2000. Well that changes now, way too many classic Mini owners show utter disdain to the modern variants which is a real shame so rather than feeling hard done by, Steve Gamblen decided to be pro active and create this annual event aimed at modern MINIs of all types but showcasing the JCW. The number of modern MINIs around simply meant an event of this nature was long overdue. True Mini enthusiasts tend to own or like both classic & modern variants so they don't understand where the bias has come from. At the end of the day it's a MINI Llike it or lump it. The launch of JCW National Day has proved to be a great success and pays homage to the Cooper name when it made the transition from John Cooper Garages into John Cooper Works. This with Mike Cooper leading the way. Part of the team that helped bring this show to you were originally key staff from John Cooper garages such as Chris Dawson, Tony Franks & Kevin Fulbrook, who all fully support the event. In 2021 the first ever JCW National Day was born and hosted at the British Motor Museum Gaydon in Warwickshire on Sunday 5th September. VIP Guest of Honour was Frank Stephenson, the car designing legend of countless iconic cars including the modern MINI. Gaydon is a special place for Frank and the MINI, as it was where so many meetings took place over the car and its design/future. Also, on the day many former MINI John Cooper challenge race drivers attended using the gathering as a reunion and long may this continue. The event is now up and running and was attended by many hundreds in 2021 so with raised spirits, the 2022 now annual event is set to be another spectacle. See Performance Mini Magazine Dec/Jan issue for a full highlighted two page feature. No MINI will be excluded from this event so if you don't own a JCW or if you have a classic Mini, you are all still welcome to attend and exhibit your car and fully join in the day‘s event, We will have JCW stands at many shows and events throughout 2022 in order to raise awareness of the 2022 main event held on July 24th at the British Motor Museum. The museum itself now hosts the Big Mini Show which is showcased by JCW National Day as the main feature of the event. The event has attracted great support from MINI related businesses such as Areeve, Adrian Flux, Kill All Chrome, Scalextric, Corbeau, Chameleon LED and Mini Motorsport Centre. SG
