Just wanted to thank everyone who had anything to do with putting on "The Dragon". What a fantastic event, We can't wait till next year. Great job!!!!!
More MINIs than one could count, great roads, great events, and great new friends.................Life is good.
Thanks again for all your hard work.

Motoring down life's ever changing road, with a big smile on my face,

 

Yes, no doubt. I was very impressed with how Minzilla pulled off the Skyway drive in spite of the pressure to keep things moving.

 

Thank you very much to all the individuals and clubs who worked hard to organize the events this year! I had a total blast and am already dreaming about MOTD '06.

 

just wanted to reiterate our thanks to everyone who put in the legwork to make this work! great job . we left prior to the skyway drive as we wanted to spend a day in savannah, what happened on the drive ?

also wanted to thank all of the drivers that did not prepay($170.00 for us) for the picture but still lied (talked to one or two, that laughingly filled us in) , and resulted in prepayers being way back in the picture! we were quite suprised by this! otherwise it was a fantastic trip and we met a lot of great people:smile:

 

I want to thank Ric, Chad and Phil for their help in the planning (until 2:30AM),and leading groups on the Cherohala Drive, you know it would have been impossible to have done it as a single caravan.

Also thanks guys for your assistance in getting me and the Chili to the cookoff, and Chad for eating 3 bowls full
and to Mark and MKO for a great Dragon event

And Congrats to the Frog Leg Chili Man( I hope this is right) His Chili Is the Best!
I am happy, and tired, and need to unpack my MINI

 

I have to second jonoanddee's comments regarding the panoramic photo pre-pay process.

Simply relying on the honor system, or putting a marked "P" on the cards isn't the best way to ensure that those who pay are in first. Anyone can get a black marker and add their own P once they realize that's all you need.

There really should have been some kind of separate "token", not easily faked (at least not from the limited resources available in that area), which you actually handed in to the person doing the parking.

Anyway, I'll quit bitching, it's all very well to say after the fact what "should" have been done... I prepaid, and I was in the second row, so I can't complain too much I guess. But it does irk me to get confirmation that this actually happened.

 

We (my wife and I) wholeheartedly congratulate ALL who had a hand in the planning and execution of this year's Dragon. I will mention a few names, but my list is no way totally inclusive, so if I don't specifically mention a name you think should be, then feel free to add your own thanks.


First of all, thanks to Mark for NAM and for taking up a sponsorship and central-clearing-house for information role that was needed. Way to go!

Thanks to Sherri from Florida for leading the parade -- great pace! She also did a marvelous job with the tour to Cades Cove -- a most pleasant trip and spectacular views.

Thanks to Steve, Ric, Chad and Phil for the planning and tightly meshed and masterful leading of the Skyway tour.

Thanks to the Atlanta MINI group for the farewell dinner at Tapoco -- well done! The magic you folks did with getting support from the sponsors and the local visitors' bureau was something like we've never seen before!

Thanks to Tennessee and North Carolina for putting up with all of us having fun.

The Chilli cook off went smoothly as did the welcome dinner. If you had anything to do with that, pat yourself on the back for a great job.

Thanks to all the sponsors who donated door prizes, although we didn't win any of the really nice ones.

Thanks to Spinner for doing brake light mods.

Thanks to Ryan for growing some hair and thus reducing glare over the event.

Thanks to everyone for making this a memorable weekend!

A special thanks to those who readily volunteered water to help an ailing Classic Mini that had taken a rock through his radiator. We would not have made it down off the Skyway and back to the hotels without your freely offered and generously given aid. Special thanks to Dave Kimble of Knoxville for getting to his house early on Sunday so we could drop in on him and change the holed radiator, and hence get back to Ohio without further troubles.

You are all heros!

Thanks

Paul, Sue and KERMEE

 

TO ALL THAT HELPED PUT THIS ALL TO GTHER A RESONDING THANK YOU. I had an absoule ball!!!! :smile:

I had the time of my life running up and down that stretch of road. I cant wat for the Dragon 2006

MOTOR ON!
MIKE!!!

 

Thanks to the Dayton members of Ohio Mini Owners [DW, KERMEE, and Tim--Classic Clubby] for joining me at the Dragon this year. Next year, we'll concentrate on getting more down there, right?

Minzilla deserves a gold medal for his masterful planning of the Cherohala Skyway Drive , but especially the jaunt thru the Joyce Kilmer Reserve What a fun day!!!

Clo, sweety, thank you ever-so-much for getting the ball rolling on the Cigar Salon. I sure hope we can parlay that into an annual get together.

Ryan and Chad...how can I EVER repay you for that UniChip install? NOW, I don't need those "go fast" stickers anymore. I got great mileage on the way home [39 mpg---4 mpg better than my previous best], as well as really fantastic performance right after the install. Still would like a t-shirt, though [XXL...hint , hint]

I just cannot believe the weekend has passed already. Talk about Dragon withdrawal... I am ANXIOUSLY waiting to get back this Fall...or before!! Thanks to all who organized this special time and to all who attended!

 

Thank you Mark and others for planning a wonderful event. As a first timer to the dragon I had a blast. I met so many people and now have friendships that will last fro a lifetime.
Zinful & St Louis Friends: I must come to St. Louis to motor with you all. Thanks for the Saturday drive.
Welshmenwillnotyeild: Its always good to see a neighbor far from home.
Jonoanddee & Edge: I did not prepay and figured I would lend a hand. I showed up early with Octaneguy for the dam picture and was recruited to help. How hard could it be. P = drive up front; Nothing = Sit and hold. Sorry things got out of hand. Damn you Pepper White, you know who you are. Teling me you had paperwork with out a "P" on your card. I plan on helping out next year and will make sure I have a prepaid list of cars.
Indiana Club: Thanks for letting me celebrate Sinco De Mayo with all of you.
Detroit Tuned: Great job on the caravan down and back. Thank you.
NOCLWNS: You guys are wicked bad. Back to Back rally wins. Go for 3 in a row next year.
Octaneguy: Enjoyed your company and driving. The vacucam rules...
Jonathan: I owe you man. Thank you friend and HI HO SILVER!

 

we had a greeat time and i am not really mad at anyone , especially people who helped out(DW AND OCTANE GUY)!!! i was just trying to shame a few people ! and yes you do know who you are you cheap bathplugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

What an insult!!! I am going to have to remember that one. I have never, ever in my life thought to call someone a bathplug but for some reason it sounds perfect!

 

THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONETH ANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYON
THANKYOUEVERYONETHANKYOUEVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't say it enough, so I'll stop now

 

I can't say anything about the people who sneaked in anyway other than we're sorry. Working out the logistics for this was one of the most difficult pieces of this event, so difficult that negotiations continued with TVA up until that very morning to insure that it went off as we had been expecting it to... (TVA changed the rules on us that morning, and we almost couldn't get the bucket truck on the field like we had been expecting)

We did our best to catch those who had not prepaid and get the prepaid people upfront.

However, those who snuck in ahead of those who prepaid will have to pay for it in the end... They have to pay more to purchase the picture than those who prepaid...

This was the first year that such a photo was attempted at MOTD, and if somebody puts one together next year, there were several lessons learned for them to consider.

 

As everyone else said, huge thanks to those who planned the event. This was my first trip to the Dragon and I had a phenomenal time. I wish we could have stayed longer.

Big thanks also to those who donated prizes for the raffles. I won an oil filter the very first night. My MINI hit 25K on the way home and is in desperate need of an oil change, so it was perfect timing!

Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon

 

Man, I was wondering what happened at the photo! That really ticks me off because I wound up as the last one of the "pre-paid" people! Does that tell you how far back I was? When you all get your photo I will be the one next to "Sprog"! He should not be hard to sopt!:smile: I did give him one of my dragons, and thank him for hosting the creeper race(even if I did NOT win!) I still had a ball and will be back next year.

Maybe everyone should bring their receipts of where they bought everything! I did and was more that glad to tote it around and show it where needed!

But again, THANK YOU ALL, who helped organize everything. It was GREAT!

 

I ended up waaaay at the back in the photo... but its because I was late (oops! sorry!). Luckily my oh so bright Chili Red ended up nearly dead center in the last row. Perhpas it'll be easy to spot. I'm not too concerned with my placement. I'm excited to see that many MINIs in one picture... it doesn't matter where I am in the lineup.

 

The Atlanta MINIs should be singled out for special recognition; the Farewell Dinner was easily the most organized and best event of '05.

aside to Sweetwater BBQ: Was this your first catering job? next time bring an adequate amount of help and food!

 

Also want to thank all those who put MOTD 2005 together. First time and my son and I had a great time - caravan, driving, dinners, raffles (didn't win but we were one number off multiple times! ) and rallys. Really impressed with whomever ordered the weather.

Greatbear - thanks for the rear light mod to SMURFETTE, diodes, and instructions. The other set went into GUVNA first try.

Minzilla - thanks and really enjoyed talking. If you could only tow that BBQ grill down behind your MINI we could slow cook a couple hundred chickens! Agree with others - great job with the Cherohala! (FYI - no frogs were injured in the making of the chili!)

Others who I got to talk to - looking forward to seeing you again either at a local rally or at MOTD 2006.

Marty

 

Can I personally thank you for helping park cars with me. In fact, I giant PB Hug goes to you, a sweet lady from Atlanta (who loaned me her radio and never gave me her name); and Richard for helping me with organizing the cars before they got to the photo!!

Oh, and in case you were wondering --- yep, still no voice! I lost it during the chili cook-off and it has yet to return to me.

Hugs,
PB

 

I will add to the many thanks being given to everyone who made MOTD05 an awesome event. With so many people and cars in attendance and people from all over the country working together to pull this off this event worked out very well I think. There are things that will be done next year the same as this, plus countless ideas for new stuff as well as lessons learned to make the next event even better.

I know I'll be there.

 

Is there any way to make this post anonymous? I am at fault for at least a little of the problems with the parking at the dam photo shoot. I "helped" out with the registration and know I failed to put the "P" that signified photo prepayment on a couple of the "damn" registration cards . Sorry for any confusion caused by my goofs. I guess the job was above my pay grade. Good help is hard to find nowadays. My Momma always told me to stay away from responsibility and sharp objects.

 

Impulse, don't worry. I don't even remember anyone looking at my registration card when we pulled up. Considering that where I had it stuck in the dash and people were lifting my wiper just to read the big numbers, I don't think anyone ever looked for the little P in the bottom corner. But then again, when we stopped in the grass when they were telling people where to go, my Bruno was catching the ground on fire (lowered car after a hot Dragon run! ) so they might have hurried us along But we got there just as they were finishing up the first row and we wound up in the beginning of the second, so I have nothing to complain about :smile:

 

We had a wonderful time, thanks to all who helped coordinate this fun event. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone next year.

 

Some one posted above, "Thanks to whoever was responsible for all the sunshine",,,,,




Oh OH someone actually got a shot of Minzila doin the Sun dance nekked(almost) in the back yard at Midnite!
I know it hurts your eyes, but dang it it worked