MINI Before Christmas
by Larry LaBel

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the North.
Nothing was stirring, not even a Porsche.

A blizzard was raging with new fallen snow.
Building up into drifts up over your elbow.

The forecast was not promising with several days of the same.
Everybody said El Nino was to blame.

At the North Pole, there were long faces, the show looked a nogo.
Even Santa was loosing his usual cheery glow.

How would he get through on Christmas Day.
With only 8 reindeer and one tiny sleigh.

Rudolph could help if fog blocked the way.
But what could they do with 5 feet of snow.

With things getting worse minute by minute.
They noticed a glow through the hard driving snow.

What could be out on such a bad night?
But soon the glow became a pair of head lights.

A car in this storm? Nothing could be more absurd.
But through a lull in the wind, the wine of straight-cut drop gears could be heard.

In a matter of minutes, a rally MINI came out of the snow.
And slid to a stop in the front of the door.

Out popped a figure who casually asked.
Is this the Col du Turini control, by any chance?

When he noticed Santa and elves and a cluttered workshop.
He knew in a moment that he was lost.

He glanced at his pace notes aware of his plight.
"We must have made a left at Chamonis instead of a right"

His name was Henry, the driver was Paddy.
We invited them in for a spot of hot toddy.

They said they were on the Rally's last stages.
And hadn't been this lost in ages and ages.

When we explained our problem, they said "Follow us".
"This time we won't make the same mistake twice".

To make a long story short, Santa followed them south.
And made it on time to deliver his goods.

Although Henry and Paddy the race they did lose with a DNF.
They were more than happy to help the jolly old elf.