About SMOC
The Southern Mini Owners Club is a friendly, popular Mini Club based in the South East of England.
Mini History
The Mini was invented by Sir Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis, CBE, FRS (18 November 1906 – 2 October 1988). There were over 5.3 million Minis made between 26th August 1959 and 4th October 2000. The Southern Mini Owners Club (SMOC) shared 4th October 2000, the fateful day by encouraging thousands of Minis to form funeral processions around the world. Our club headed for the city with 100 Mini’s actually parking on Trafalgar Square! In 2001 the Renaissance era started with SMOC members getting a VIP invited to the pre-press new MINI’s premier in Oxford. Today both classic Mini owners and new BMW MINI owners share the same philosophy, a Mini is not just a car, it is a way of life!
SMOC History
The Southern Mini Owners Club was created in July 1986 by devoted Mini enthusiast Miss Lee Pegrum from Sevenoaks.
After 23 years SMOC has led the race in the Mini scene, achieving award-winning status with its ‘dare to be different’ motto, one that Sir Alec Issigonis (the Minis inventor) would have been proud of. Our club is an extended family, with many members being part of it for over 10 years, we have had even had couples meet through the club. With 5 weddings, we are more successful than Cilla Black.
After 25 years of Mini driving, founder Lee Pegrum says “my favourite times have been the celebratory years, Mini 25, Mini 30, Mini 35, Mini 40, Mini 45 and now Mini 50, inter-spursed with loads of other Mini shows in both the UK and Europe.” During the club’s 23 years we have had some mad-capped Mini adventures, including floating 3 Mini rafts down the River Medway at the Maidstone River Festival and producing “Sump” a Mini Musical that premiered at Sandown Park at Mini 45. I sincerely hope to enjoy another 25 years of Mini motoring and I am sure the club will do too, with the dedication of the hard working committee, anything is possible. We have members of just a few months old to aged 80+ so we are sure to see you in 2059!”
Southern Mini Days History
Southern Mini Days started in 1991 in a farmers’ field in Edenbridge. SMD has been held at Kent’s top venues; The Kent County Showground; The Hop Farm Country Park and now Bewl Water. Mini Days is well respected in the Mini scene. It is THE show of the year, attracting 1000’s of Minis from far and wide. With a base of ‘standard’ event ingredients and a combination of wild innovative ideas the show attracts a mix of Miniacs of all ages, and even converts non-Mini lovers into the Mini religion!
Over the years we have had cars being crushed by tanks, team games car flattening finalie, engine thrashes, musical Minis, the first ever glow show (light show), a hoot off (loudest and most musical hooters), the ever popular loudest exhaust competition.
Our Mini ‘way of life’ is celebrated by a massive evening party where Miniacs dress their cars, themselves and even their pets in the show theme. Australian, Medieval, Skool Days and Hollywood are some of the themes have generated some amazing outfits, with some past prizes from the designer and mini devotee Paul Smith.