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I am happy to help with introductions to some of the drivers, although I'm sure Greg has contacted most of them, but I don't have the time to put into any organisational role.
I would suggest that getting MINI Australia on board would be good for two things - firstly, supplying some much needed financial support. Whatever you propose is going to cost a fair packet - especially with the V8 lot involved. Secondly, to get Rauno Aaltonen over. I would think that this is a must for any 50th Anniversary of that Bathurst race - reunite Bob and Rauno at the event (they are good mates and have fairly regularly visited each other anyway). Rauno still has a close commercial association with BMW/MINI, being the head of the advanced driver programme in Europe. Getting in good with MINI might help get him over here. If it means MINI would want to have some sort of inclusion in publicity and display, then that would be a small price to pay - although I didn't like what happened in 2006 when they effectively took over the event and had Bob driving a new MINI, and two other new MINIs, leading the parade around the track.
If an event is already being looked at, then rather than trying to come up with something else, and risking both, get together and coordinate one event. If they can get some sort of race arranged, and can guarantee track time for a race on Saturday and parade on Sunday - and nothing is ever guaranteed in motorsport, especially at Bathurst (and I well remember the on-track debacle in 2006 and we very nearly didn't get our parade lap either) - and get MINI behind it financially to offset the cost for entrants, then perhaps look at a special anniversary display marquee in the outside public area - like they did some years ago with the Peter Brock tribute where they had most of his Bathurst-winning cars and a couple of others, all sponsored by Holden.
In the marquee you could have a display of genuine Mini ex-Bathurst cars (there are at least four or five around from different years), a mock-up of the Holden/Aaltonen 1966 race-winner, a meet and greet area where people can meet and get autographs from Bob and Rauno, and others like Brian Foley. MINI could then have some of their new cars in and around the marquee for some advertising value (they have to get something for their money). To be honest, I don't think you could afford to do anything like this without getting support from MINI.
Then for the parade lap of the track, the 13C mock-up, all genuine ex-Bathurst race cars (regardless of which year they raced, because, let's face it, the trackside crowd and even the TV audience is not going to say, "hey that Mini raced in 1974, it shouldn't be there" - they will all universally just say, "hey, check out the old Minis" and maybe even think it is pretty cool) followed by as many Minis, preferably Cooper S, as the track organisers will permit. I think it is all about celebrating the anniversary of the greatest one-brand win in the history of the race - the first nine places, which has never been equalled. That is more important in my mind, and I think in the general public's, than being too pedantic about only having Mk1 Cooper Ss. If you want to go down that track, why not only 1966 Cooper Ss?
If MINI will organise to get Rauno out here, maybe they could get Paddy Hopkirk as well. You could then get John French from Brisbane, Gus Staunton, John Cotter (mechanic on winning car), Terry Douglas and one or two others (is Steve Harvey still around?) and basically reunite the whole BMC Works team (obviously without Evan Green). Then of course as many of the other Mini drivers from the day.
Then to add value to the event, have a dinner on the Saturday night, with these and other past drivers in attendance. Maybe a Q&A forum like we tried to do at the Mini50 (but needs to be a bit better planned).
I am happy to provide advertising space for the event in The BMC Experience as part of my sponsorship - but whatever is decided upon, get something nailed down as soon as possible and get me the details asap so we can get some good publicity happening in the magazine. It would be pointless getting in contact with me in August next year hoping to get something in the September issue of the mag. For any successful advertising you will need to give it at least two issues of the mag (4 months) prior to the event, which would mean finalising the ad NO LATER than July next year. April would be even better to get it in three magazines before the event (particularly as with the event in October the September mag is too close to have any real impact other than reinforcing the previous ads).
Just my 25c worth.
_________________ Watto .  Photojournalist Mini historian and enthusiast http://www.theminiexperience.com.au
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