In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his trusty sidekick Producer Kodi Monster(who still doesn’t have a speaking role) take on one of the trickiest challenges every MINI event organizer faces — Route Planning.

If plotting a great drive for your club feels like herding cats with a GPS, don’t worry — we’ve got help. Dale reveals a simple mapping resource filled with pre-planned routes that’ll save you hours of frustration and get your next run rolling in no time. Oner this episode, and another next episode.

Then, we shift gears to recap a recent charity event in Pennsylvania that reminded us what makes the MINI community so special — heart, horsepower, and a few twisties.

And finally, we dive back into the wild world of Facebook MINI groups, where the drama is fresh, the advice is questionable, and the entertainment never stops. Some things never change — and we’ll never stop having fun with them.

So buckle up, grab your map, and motor on with Episode 97 of The Cooper Cast Podcast!

Freeman maps

https://freemanmapstore.com/

MINIs Take Bucks County 11

https://www.facebook.com/events/2094815854262160/?active_tab=discussion

 
Host: Dale Blankenship | Producer: Kodi Monster (silent but deadly… cute)

This week on The Cooper Cast, Dale dives headfirst into MINI’s latest attempt at fashion-forward motoring… and let’s just say the results are about as exciting as a beige wall in a blackout.

First up: the new Paul Smith Edition MINI Cooper — the long-anticipated, high-fashion collab with the legendary British designer himself. Sounds colorful, right? Well… not so much. Turns out when you think “Paul Smith,” you might expect bold, bright stripes and high-impact flair. But MINI (or Paul?) said, “Nah, how about white, grey, or black… with a hint of army Jeep green?” Because apparently, camouflage and fashion week are the new power couple. Dale has thoughts. Oh, he has thoughts.

Then we take a trip to Thailand — figuratively, of course — to check out the Black Edition E-Challenge, MINI’s all-electric, blacked-out, mystery-spec limited edition. No performance numbers. No details. Just a whole lot of black paint and a name that sounds like a CrossFit competition for goths. Dale wonders aloud: is MINI just having fun, or are they slapping stickers on everything that moves to keep interest up in the 2-door hatch? Either way, it's a cool car, just shrouded in more secrecy than the Colonel’s chicken recipe.

And of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without the Cooper Cast Question of the Week, with some spooky straggler submissions left over from Halloween. We’ll just say the ghosts of MINI owners past may or may not make an appearance — along with a few comments that’ll make you laugh louder than a cold start on a JCW in a quiet neighborhood.

So whether you're into designer decals or black-on-black stealth mode, grab your favorite beverage, settle into that Recaro seat, and join us for Episode 96.

As always, Motor Safely… and don’t forget to wave!

The Cooper Cast Facebook group

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555704866826

First up Paul Smith Edition:

https://www.carscoops.com/2025/10/mini-plays-fashionista-with-new-paul-smith-edition/

And another article:

https://www.brandsuntapped.com/mini-and-paul-smith-to-launch-the-mini-paul-smith-edition-in-2026/

And the Black Edition E-Challenge for Thailand. 

If. you can read Thai writing, great. If not, just look at the pics. Sharp Car!

https://thailandinsidenew.com/2025/10/31/mini-black-edition-e-challenge-68/

 Host: Dale Blankenship | Producer: Kodi (silent but scruffy) 

This week on The Cooper Cast, we hit the brakes (briefly) to wrap up Hampton Roads club MINI’s 22nd Annual Fall Colors Run — 436 miles, 4 states, 49 MINIs, and not a single drop of rain. (We’re not saying Dale has a deal with the weather gods, but we’re not not saying it either.)

Then we hop on a virtual flight to South Korea, where MINI is celebrating 20 years in the Korean market with a full spread of special editions:

• Four dealer-designed MINIs with names like “Beginning,” “Breeze,” and “Haeundae” (pronounced hey-oon-deh, for you non-K-drama fans).
• And one slick, limited-run JCW Authentix Edition straight from MINI HQ — only 60 will be made, and it looks ready to hit the runway or the track.

We wrap things up with the Cooper Cast Question of the Week, Always entertaining, and sometimes Dale even makes it through without a major flub-up. But not this week, either. 

Motor safely — and don’t forget to wave! 👋🎃🚗

Special models headed to South Korea: 

The Dealer Designed MINIs: https://autopostglobal.com/latest-scoops/article/55473/

And the Cool JCW Authentix: https://www.bmwblog.com/2025/10/28/mini-jcw-authentix-special-edition/

In Episode 94 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and everyone’s favorite silent sidekick, Producer Kodi, take a quick pit stop in Austin, Texas, where MINI USA joined forces with Sports Illustrated for an electrifying display at the U.S. Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. From the Club SI lounge to MINI’s motorsport roots, it’s a fun look at how MINI continues to show up in style at the world’s biggest racing events.

Then Dale shifts gears with a few ramblings from the Facebook groups — proving, once again, that not everyone online is quite the mechanical genius they think they are. (You know who you are.) And, as always, things wrap up with the Cooper Cast Question of the Week, where the answers are as unpredictable as a turbo spooling in the rain.

In Episode 93 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and trusty sidekick Producer Kodi (who finally gets a speaking part!) dive into what might’ve been the coolest, neatest, most sought-after MINI ever — the one that sadly never made it past the concept stage.

Then, the duo shifts gears to the MINI Domination Car Show in Georgia — a big event with an even bigger question: why don’t we have more MINI-only shows here in the States?

Finally, Dale wraps things up with a few bits of Cooper Cast housekeeping — updates, teasers, and maybe even a hint or two about what’s coming next.

It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s everything MINI — with a side of Kodi commentary.

Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave!

MINI GP Coupe

https://www.motoringfile.com/2025/07/27/the-mini-gp-coupe-the-race-bred-mini-that-never-was/

Paul Smith & MINI Collaboration 

https://www.bmwblog.com/2025/10/14/mini-paul-smith-collaboration-japan-mobility-show-2025/

The Cooper Cast Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555704866826

In Episode 92 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship and his world-famous producer, Kodi (who’s still holding out for a kibble sponsorship), tackle another round of MINI mayhem and feel-good moments.

First up, the latest Cooper Cast Question of the Week — and this one had the MINI community absolutely cracking up. Let’s just say, if you thought you’d heard every possible answer by now… you haven’t.

Then, Dale shares a heartwarming, tail-wagging, faith-in-humanity-restoring story straight out of the MINI world. It’s the kind of story that reminds you good people — and good dealerships — still exist. Spoiler: it involves a lost key, a football game, and a happy ending that would make Disney jealous.

It’s a shorter episode this week, but it packs more smiles per minute than a MINI on a mountain pass.

Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave!

YouTube video of the MINIs getting pulled over leaving the Dragon. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch? 

Tampa Bay MINI

https://www.minioftampabay.com/

The Cooper Cast Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555704866826

In this episode of The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship (with Producer Kodi Monster loyally standing by) takes aim at the chaos that gave the car scene a big black eye in Gatlinburg — and why the rest of us are not impressed. Then we shine a well-deserved spotlight on a MINI club doing it right, earning praise straight from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

From there, Dale breaks down MINI’s Q3 sales surge — with most models skyrocketing while the beloved two-door Hardtop quietly nurses its bruised ego. And to wrap it all up, we look ahead to a brand-new MINI-only car show in Georgia that’s already revving up excitement.

It’s equal parts accountability, community, and celebration — with the usual Cooper Cast charm.

Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave!

Mayhem in Gatlinburg.

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/sevierville-sevier/pigeon-forge-police-chief-addresses-large-gathering-that-led-to-cancellation-of-car-shows-last-day/51-d2f473ba-6207-4d67-897b-953a722ffd26? 

MINI Sales Numbers

https://www.motoringfile.com/2025/10/02/mini-u-s-sales-surge-in-q3-driven-by-fresh-product-lineup/#google_vignette

MINI Domination Car show at Mall of Georgia MINI

https://www.facebook.com/events/1248960576965274? 

In this week’s episode of The Cooper Cast, host Dale Blankenship and trusty sidekick Producer Kodi Monster dig into some big shifts that could shape MINI’s future. First, BMW has announced a brand-new direct sales model rolling out in Europe for 2027 — will MINI follow suit, and could this model eventually cross the pond to the U.S.? Then we turn to the European Union, which has quietly relaxed its strict EV mandates, meaning the internal combustion engine (ICE) will be sticking around longer than many expected. What does that mean for MINI and for you as an owner? And to wrap things up, we share a clever parking method that might just make you an expert parker — or at least keep your bumper intact.

Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave! 👋🚘

BMW's new sales model

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/article/detail/T0437788EN/bmw-group-to-launch-direct-sales-model-across-europe-starting-from-1-january-2024-with-mini-in-three-countries

EU lessens EV Mandates

https://www.archyde.com/eu-2035-ev-target-rollback-on-the-horizon/#google_vignette

🎙️ The Cooper Cast – Episode 89

Host: Dale Blankenship
Producer: Kodi Monster (faithful sidekick, still no speaking role 🐾)

In Episode 89 of The Cooper Cast, Dale kicks things off with the ever-popular Cooper Cast Question of the Week — and this week’s question doesn’t disappoint. The answers from the MINI community are as fun and quirky as the cars themselves.

From there, we head into the world of Facebook MINI groups. Dale shares his own investigations into how and why scammers set up fake groups, what they’re really after, and how to spot the red flags. Then it’s a quick snapshot tour of what’s trending across the legit MINI groups — from lively debates to helpful tips.

And stick around, because Dale teases a brand-new event coming your way at the 2026 edition of MINIs on the Dragon. Trust us, this one’s going to be a hit.

🔑 In this episode:

• This week’s Cooper Cast Question of the Week
• Inside look at how Facebook scammers operate
• A snapshot of what’s buzzing across MINI groups
• Sneak peek at a new MOTD 2026 event

👉 Don’t forget to like & subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating and review, and share the podcast with your friends — MINI owners or not. Every share helps us grow the community and keep the fun rolling!

Welcome to Episode 88 of The Cooper Cast Podcast, Hosted by Dale Blankenship with Producer Kodi Monster on guard duty 🐾

In this episode, we take a look back at MINI’s short-lived Countryman Hybrid — a neat little stepping-stone into electrification that just didn’t stick around very long. Then we turn our attention to MINI’s new adaptive headlightsrolling out overseas. They’re impressive, but of course, U.S. drivers will have to wait a little longer before we see them here.

Next up, Dale shares a conversation with a new used MINI owner about all the little things you should do and check when you first bring a MINI home. It’s a great refresher — and a reminder of the advice and habits Dale personally recommends to keep your MINI happy and healthy.

And for the detail-obsessed out there, we dive into Paint Protection Film (PPF). We cover the pros (rock chip defense, self-healing film, and resale value) and the cons (cost, lifespan, and tricky removal) so you can decide if this clear armor is worth it for your MINI.

As always, we wrap things up with our community spirit: Motor safely… and don’t forget to wave! 👋🚗💨