The iconic mini is fifty this year and organisers of the Dunlop Great & British Motorsport Festival are appealing to owners of classic and new generation minis to bring their cars along to their first event of the season. They are particularly looking for a mini from each decade from the 1960s onwards to be put on display at Rockingham race circuit, where the event is taking place on 18th and 19th April. Pride of place will be given to an original 1959 mini.

Dunlop Great & British Motosport Festivals take place at racetracks right across the UK throughout the season and the Rockingham event will feature some nostalgia for racing fans with the Mini Se7en Championship, the modified 1300 Mini Migla Championship and MINI Cooper Challenge. Also on the weekend race card is the BARC Dunlop Sport Maxx Cup, exciting racing which provides a stepping stone to the British Touring Car Championship, plus the fantastic Westfields, TVRs, production saloons and Radicals.

James Bailey, Dunlop's communications manager said: "We're planning to celebrate mini in a big way at Rockingham. We're as delighted to be taking part in mini's golden anniversary as we were to be involved at its inception 50 years ago. Mini fans coming to the Dunlop Great & British Motorsport Festival  will not only have some exciting racing to watch, but will also be able to participate in a parade of minis around the track. Naturally, they'll have to have a mini.  We're hoping that there are enough minis there to make it a world record!

"Many great mini motorsport moments have happened and are still happening on Dunlop tyres, although the tyre technology has developed considerably since Dunlop originally worked with Alec Issigonis' team, creating a special tyre to fit a ten inch wheel - absolute state of the art for the 1950s. The minis racing at Rockingham will be on Dunlop rubber, and I suspect that many on the car park will be too. It's great to have such a long and successful association.

Anyone wanting to participate in the parade should just turn up in their mini on the day. Those who would like their classic minis considered for display should contact the track directly at mini@rockingham.co.uk with some details and pictures of their car. The six owners of the cars selected will each receive a free pair of weekend passes to the event.

There will be plenty of family entertainment off-track with face painting, children's entertainers and trade stands. Fans will also have the opportunity to get close to the action as general admission includes access to an open paddock.