05:15 PM EDT on Wednesday, June 28, 2006

BY GRETCHEN ERTL
Journal Staff Photographer

Annual migration of Mini Coopers raises money for Mass. Make-a-Wish chapter With engines blaring and racing stripes reflecting the last rays of sun, the convoy of Mini Coopers attacked the final slopes of New Hampshire's Mount Washington.

Journal Photo / Gretchen Ertl

Angela Perruzzi and Pat McNally of Warren, in the blue Mini Cooper above, and nine other cars from the Ocean State MINI Club were among nearly 200 climbing Mount Washington June 17 during the fourth annual "Minis On Top" rally.

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What compelled them, all 194, to navigate switchback after switchback?

At first glance you would think they were hardened sports car enthusiasts. But without exception, as each retro grill came in view, every driver and passenger to a person smiled broadly and waved to every other Mini Cooper and passers-by alike.

What began as an idea on an online chat room has evolved into an annual weekend event for Mini owners and their co-pilots, in a Massachusetts Make-a-Wish Foundation fundraiser known as MINIs on Top (or MOT for short). The Governor of New Hampshire, John Lynch, declared the day, June 17, Mini Cooper day.

It was the fourth time since its inception that the pint-size vehicles, with such varying paint jobs and decals that it seems no two are alike, made it up New England's highest peak.

Online: www.minisontop.com