#lataman

David Lata loves MINIs.  Having never done a road rally before, he talked his three roommates into going All the Way for MTTS 2014. The “Four Guys in a MINI” left NYC, drove cross-country and met the rally in San Francisco in time for the big kickoff.  During David’s two-week jaunt to Boston he made countless friends, had an overwhelmingly positive experience and was determined to do it again in 2016.

Fast forward a few weeks and David is back in New York, with a new job at MINI of Manhattan. He’s still there today working as a Motoring Advisor on 11th Avenue.  When he first approached his boss about taking time off to do MINI TAKES THE STATES 2016, the response was less than enthusiastic.  After all, it was fall of 2014 and MTTS 2016 was a long way away. As the rally schedule and route were announced, David kicked into high gear.  He was determined to participate in MINI TAKES THE STATES again, but still needed to secure his boss’ blessing.  

David took an analytical approach to the situation.  He prepared a six-page proposal for his manager.  He outlined the costs and benefits of his participation in the event.  He mentioned the invaluable exposure it would give the dealership and the MINI brand as a whole.  After a lot of patience and persistence, David got his wish.  

Not only did MINI of Manhattan agree to give him the time off, they backed his efforts 100%.  The customized wrap design on David’s own MINI was the result of collaboration between David’s Manager, the Marketing team and the VYNI Company.  As the target date approached, the whole dealership (Parts, Sales, Service and Marketing) jumped in to help manage details.  

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the amazing people I work with,” David said.  While on the trip, he and his friends have made a conscious effort to utilize his time away from the dealership in creative ways to tie-in the dealership and involve customers.  “We have been creating daily videos, Facebook and Instagram posts as well as filming drone footage.  MINI TAKES THE STATES is such an amazing event.  You don’t really understand it until your attend.  I hope that our posts show the world why it is so cool to own a MINI and become a part of a community with a great heritage.”

Being the charitable soul that he is, David is not only utilizing MTTS 2016 as a vehicle to have fun and increase exposure for MINI of Manhattan, but to also draw attention to Feeding America’s fight to end hunger.  (Check out #Lataman and #MINInyc on social media.)  MINI of Manhattan generously donated T-shirts and stickers for David to sell while on the rally.  All proceeds are going towards Feeding America.  Each morning, you can find David hawking MINI merchandise out of the back of his car.  Shamless plug:  T-shirts are $25.  Stickers are $5.  They just got a new shipment of shirts overnighted to them so they’ve got a replenished supply!   #DefyHunger

David has had a rotating cadre of traveling companions on his track-to-track adventure.  In for the long haul is his fiancé’s brother, Ed Danglacruz.  Friend (and MINI intern) Nic Nelson jumped on in the middle for a few stops. Nic was born in Nebraska, but raised in North Carolina (#It’sASmallWorld, #GoBigRed #IKnewILikedThatGuy).  David’s fiancé, Allan Danglacruz jumped on an early morning plane to Detroit after working a 12-hour shift and is staying through the end in Palm Springs.  

Undoubtedly the thing that David is most looking forward to on the rally is his and Allan’s wedding on July 21.  That’s right! Congratulations to the happy couple! They’re tying the knot on Thursday evening while we’re in Las Vegas.  The ceremony is taking place at “A Little White Wedding Chapel” on the Strip and is being streamed so that friends and family can witness the ceremony.  This isn’t the first wedding that’s taken place during MINI TAKES THE STATES, but I believe it’s probably the first same-sex wedding that we’ve had during the route.  

“Allan and I are so happy to be sharing our story and our wedding with these loving and accepting people.  I feel as though I’ve had to fight to be who I am.  Have fought to love whom I love.  I hope this wedding can help to serve others who are struggling or fighting to be themselves and give them encouragement.”