The Cooper Cast Podcast

Welcome to episode 58 with your host Dale Blankenship (and background moral support from Producer Kodi Monster)

This week on The Cooper Cast, we're fueling your brain and your MINI. First up: Octane ratings—what are they, what do they really mean, and most importantly, what should you be putting in your MINI’s tank? We bring in MINI tuning wizard Chad Miller from Detroit Tuned to help break it all down and explain why the right octane isn’t just a number—it’s a performance decision.

Then we roll into Day Two of MINIs On The Dragon, where Thursday is jam-packed with action. We're talking 14separate runs, plus some non-driving events, including the can't-miss, possibly-a-little-hazy Dragon Cabin Crawl. If you're going, pace yourself—it’s a marathon, not a sprint (unless you're chasing a cabin with cookies).

Whether you’re a first-time Dragon slayer or just wondering if premium fuel is worth the price, this episode’s got the goods.

Special thanks to Chad Miller from Detroit Tuned. 

https://www.detroittuned.com/

MINIs On the Dragon

https://www.minisonthedragon.com/

Cooper Cast Facebook Page

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

 So You’re Headed to the Dragon, Huh? Here’s What You Need to Know!
with your host, Dale Blankenship (and silent-but-opinionated Producer Kodi Monster)

It’s that time again—MINIs On The Dragon is almost here! And if you’re a first-timer or just need a refresher, Dale’s breaking down what to pack, what to expect, and what not to do unless you want to be “that guy” on the Tail. From two-way radios to tire pressures, we’re covering all the things you’ll be glad you knew before hitting the twisties. Spoiler: comfy shoes and a sense of humor are highly encouraged.

Then it’s time for this week’s Cooper Cast Question of the Week:
👉 “What is the one thing you wish all new MINI owners knew?”
Dale reads your answers—uncut, unfiltered, and with only mild pronunciation regrets. If you like hearing your name mispronounced in front of a global audience, you know what to do: head over to The Cooper Cast Facebook Page and drop your answer for next time!

It’s another episode filled with laughs, love for the MINI community, and helpful info to make your next MINI adventure unforgettable.

MINIs On The Dragon:

https://www.minisonthedragon.com/

Buy Two-Way Radios

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/consumer.html

This week, Dale and Producer Kodi talk about an awesome MINI Run organized by FLOW MINI dealerships in North Carolina—because when a dealership gets involved, it’s always a great time! Then, we discuss why your local MINI club is way more valuable than those massive worldwide Facebook groups (trust us on this one).

Next up: gas. Not all fuel is created equal! We break down what “Top Tier” gas really means and why your MINI deserves the good stuff—don’t feed it junk!

And with MINIs on the Dragon right around the corner, we chat about Dragon prep. A little maintenance at home saves you from being the sad MINI on the sidelines while your friends are carving up the curves. Get your MINI ready now—your future self will thank you! 🚗💨🐉

Top Tier Fuel info:

https://www.toptiergas.com/

MINIs On The Dragon:

https://www.minisonthedragon.com/

The Cooper Cast Podcast – Episode 55
Hosted by Dale Blankenship, with mascots Producer Kodi and HR Manager Chassie

This week, we’re diving into some MINI shenanigans, starting with our Question of the Week from the Cooper Cast Facebook page: What’s the best (or worst) reaction you’ve gotten from a stranger about your MINI? As always, I read these unfiltered, so buckle up—it’s a crapshoot, but a hilarious one.

Next, we bring fantastic news for those who love the sound of a good ol’ internal combustion engine. MINI had once declared they’d be all electric by 2030, but guess what? They’ve had a change of heart! Gas-powered MINIs aren’t going anywhere for at least a few more decades. That’s right, folks—our beloved burbling exhaust notes live on!

But it’s not all good news—EV MINI owners, listen up. There’s a scary recall on some electric MINIs due to a potential battery defect. Apparently, under the wrong circumstances, your MINI could decide to spontaneously audition as a Roman candle. Not exactly the kind of hot hatch experience we want. We break down what you need to know and how to stay safe.

And finally, a little celebration—Cooper Cast hit #158 out of over 6,000 automotive podcasts on Apple’s rankings last week! Not too shabby! Huge thanks to all the Cooper Casters out there for listening, sharing, and keeping this show rolling.

Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave!

MINI Recall website:

https://www.miniusa.com/owners/tools-support/recall.html

This week, Dale dives into MINI’s struggling sales—things are looking bright in the UK, but here in the US? Not so much. We’ll break down the reasons behind the slowdown. Then, we shift gears to MINIs on the Dragon, the legendary four-day MINI gathering in Fontana Village, NC. With 500+ attendees and over 350 MINIs already registered, it’s shaping up to be another epic year! We’ll start previewing the daily schedules in upcoming episodes. And of course, Producer Kodi reminds us all that when nature calls, even podcasting must pause! 🚗💨🐉

This week, Dale dives into why getting your MINI serviced at the dealership or a MINI specialist is the smart move—because saving money doesn’t always save you money. Then, he somehow starts a Facebook firestorm (again) over people not having an Owner’s Manual. Seriously, folks, it’s a handy little book! We also check in on the latest Cooper Cast Question of the Week and take a quick look at MINI’s slowing U.S. sales (more on that next episode). Plus, we tease the opening day plans for MINIs on the Dragon! Buckle up—this one’s a ride!  Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave! 

In this episode, we dive into some of the latest chatter from the wild world of Facebook MINI groups—where the advice is free, but the entertainment is priceless.

Then, we kick off a brand-new Car Care Series to help you wash away that winter grime and get your MINI looking its best. Whether it's road salt, mystery gunk, or just the regret of not washing it sooner, we’ve got tips on keeping your MINI’s paint and interior fresh and clean.

Next, we roll into some exciting club news! We’ve launched a couple of new casual meet-ups:
☕ Second Saturday/Sunday Coffee Runs—because MINIs and caffeine go together like twisty roads and sport mode.
🍦 Third Thursday Ice Cream Runs—because any excuse to drive our MINIs is a good one (and ice cream is a bonus).

We also gear up for MINIs On The Dragon (April 30 - May 4), the legendary event where MINIs take on 318 curves in 11 miles. We’ll break down the daily activities in the next few episodes, so stay tuned for all the details on the best drives, meetups, and events.

And finally, we share a heartwarming story of a new MINI owner who didn’t exactly get her car under the best circumstances but had an unforgettable first MINI event experience. Spoiler: The MINI community showed up in a big way, and she left feeling like part of the family.

So buckle up, hit play, and let’s motor into spring together!

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

Welcome to Episode 51 of the Cooper Cast podcast, hosted by Dale Blankenship, with Producer Kodi Monster (who remains silent but ever-watchful) and surprise studio guest, Program Director Chassie (who may or may not have been bribed with treats).

This week, we’re tackling the big news that MINI USA has decided to play the ultimate waiting game with electric MINIs—pushing their arrival to the U.S. all the way to 2026 or later. So if you were hoping for a shiny new electric MINI soon, well... you’ve got time to start a whole new hobby while you wait. Meanwhile, 2025 will bring new colors for hardtops, convertibles, and the Countryman, so at least our beloved MINIs will stay fresh while we bide our time. Speaking of the Countryman—rumors are swirling about an off-road version. Intriguing? Yes. Necessary? Debatable. We’re just wondering which brave soul is taking their MINI rock-crawling...

In other news, HelenBlitz wrapped up, and from the looks of the photos, it was an absolute blast! MINIs, Sunshine, and good times—what more could we ask for? We also welcome a new MINI owner who got her first taste of the MINI community and was completely blindsided by the sheer joy (and possibly the amount of MINI waves and honks). Welcome to the madness!

Finally, we take a moment to say goodbye to a longtime Sunshine MINI owner from Florida—a fellow enthusiast who made the community a brighter place. Her MINI spirit will live on in every twisty road and every impromptu MINI parade.

So buckle up, grab your favorite beverage (preferably in a cupholder that actually fits), and join us for another round of MINI madness.

💨 Motor safely, and don’t forget to wave!

It's the big 5-0! No, not miles per hour in a school zone—Episode 50 of The Cooper Cast Podcast! This week, host Dale Blankenship (and maybe Producer Kodi, if he ever decides to show up for work) dives into some Facebook group frustrations. If you're asking for MINI advice, at least tell us which MINI you drive! There's nothing worse than playing 20 questions just to figure out what car someone is talking about. And speaking of Facebook groups, say hello to MINI Owners United! It’s the newest, scammer-free, strictly moderated MINI group—finally, a safe haven from the nonsense. If you can’t find it (because Facebook loves to make things difficult), we’ll have the link at The Cooper Cast PodcastFacebook page.

Next up, a MINI convertible owner from the Northeast Ohio MINIacs shared a pic, and spoiler alert—it looks fantastic with those classic-style tail lights. Go check it out on our Facebook page!

Then we roll into event season! Helenblitz is happening right now in Helen, Georgia, and judging by the photos, folks are having an absolute blast. Then there's MINI On The Mack—way up north, but always a crowd-pleaser. And of course, the main event (at least in Dale’s book), MINIs On The Dragon! We chat about plans for podcast coverage and all the fun coming up in Fontana.

And finally, we put the spotlight on this week's Question of the Week: "What are your top THREE favorite MINI motoring songs?" There were some solid picks! (And no, "Who Let the Dogs Out?" did not make the list, despite Producer Kodi’s absence again.)

Tune in, turn it up, and as always—Motor safely and don’t forget to wave!

This week on The Cooper Cast Podcast, host Dale Blankenship is flying solo again because Producer Kodi is—yep, you guessed it—AWOL. Probably off chasing squirrels instead of MINI news.

First up, are MINI sales really that bad, or is this just another case of "the sky is falling" panic? Then we dive into MINI’s decision to delay converting Plant Oxford to EV production. Turns out, MINI isn’t the only automaker struggling to convince people that electric is the future—at least, not right now.

Speaking of shocking developments—did you ever think you’d hear about a rear-wheel-drive MINI? Yeah, us neither. But apparently, BMW has other ideas, and let’s just say, not all MINI purists are thrilled.

And if that’s not enough automotive chaos for one episode, guess who’s making a comeback? YUGO. Yes, the tiny, often-mocked Eastern European car is set for a revival—just not in the U.S. (which is probably for the best).

Finally, we wrap things up with some East Coast MINI event news, because let’s be honest—you’d rather be out driving than worrying about RWD MINIs or resuscitated Yugos. 

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