R.A. Meets the legendary R.A.As the saying goes:"There is a reason and a time for everything"Early morning of May 12, 2010, i received a message fromDoc Joey Luat of PINOYMINI CLUB. It said: "Good news!Mr. Rauno Aaltonen, Monte Carlo Rallye Champ of 1967 arrived today. We are invited to join him for photo-op andsnacks at the MINI Showroom. A chance of a lifetime to bewith an icon and a legend.Indeed an exhilarating news but unfortunately for me, I wason the job and was not able to squeeze a time out from awhole day photoshoot. It was a sad day. I missed what maybe my only chance of meeting the Monte Carlo Mini CooperRally Driver and Winner.
The next day, though I was still recovering from that depressing moment, I went to work. I proceeded to Heaven and Eggs G4for a work meeting. Right after, I was with some colleaguesin the Glorietta 4 driveway when a white BMW Mini Cooper drovein. Naturally. my heart skipped a beat at the sight of my favorite car.The funny thing was I knew the lady who was driving it so i wavedat her. It was Ms. Cielo of MINI Global City. To my surprise, she invited me to ride with her to the parking area and asked me to join her because she was on her way to the Ascott Hotel to meetMr. Aaltonen!And so it happened. It was a MINI miracle to have a second chanceon that once in a lifetime opportunity and honor to meet, shake handsand have the autograph of the 1967 Monte Carlo MINI Marvel.It was priceless! What i thought was a missed opportunity suddenly became a reality.This may be a very emotional manner of narrating a simple event inonce life. But for someone who is so passionate with the MINI, a single chance of being with or being this close to any part or personalityof the MINI's history - will always be a very overwhelming experience. =) And so i share with you how R.A. meets The R.A.Rachelle Aquilizan of Manila meetsRauno Aaltonen, the Monte Carlo Champion!
"For Rachelle / Binimini, with best regards and real MINI wishes - Rauno Aaltonen"