I found the overcrowding rumors to be way, WAY overblown.

I had several, clean runs at the Dragon (nobody in front of me or maybe only 1 or 2 cars, but the MINIs generally pulled over and were cool about it). I didn't go flashing my lights and honking my horn if they didnt pull over... I just pulled over myself, took a few minutes to cool the brakes and got started again after a good wait with nobody going by.

My best runs were right at sun-up. Sure you have to get up early, but you are rewarded with a clear road that dries out fairly quickly. I'd bet that a 3pm run would have been more crowded, but it was easy to break away from the mass on the alternative roads (Hellbender, Cherohala, Little River Road, Foothills Parkway) or to get out at less popular times. Next year, I hope to arrive a day early to get check-in over with and get some extra runs in on the Dragon before everyone arrives.

A lot of the fun is seeing the huge number of MINI enthusiasts in one place. MINIs as far as the eye can see from the porch of the Fontana Rec Center. The event was a blast!

 

Same as anything though... Concerts, a day at the beach, or even a trip to the grocery store... Anytime you get people together, there's going to be some sort of drama. More people = more drama.

But, most people have a good time anyways. People who let it slide off, and who enjoy the purpose of the event, a social gathering of Mini Owners at a nice resort in the mountains, near the driving enthusiast road of the USA.

One more point... Most people who enjoyed themselves, probably didn't post it here. 612 registered attendees, and plenty more unregistered... You can be sure there's healthy chunk of people who were plenty pleased overall, regardless of being tagged or not.

 

i understand that people have differing opinions. all *i* hope is that whomever doesn't want to be tagged can work that out somehow [sign on their car or something] without the tagging being ruined for everybody else.

i understand some people not liking it, but i hope we that do can still partake!


hey, everybody be happy; you drive the most awesome car ever!

 

[NO WAY]


Driving is a Privilege, not a right

US 129 is a federally funded highway ... everyone who pays federal taxes has the right to drive it

 

230 posts? More than 5,000 views? What a hot button topic!

 

Some of us have been instigators and agitators.

 

232 posts!

 

Somebody got chocolate in my peanut butter!

 

Somebody got peanut butter in my chocolate!

 

Mmmmmm....peanut M&Ms!

 

I like plain M&M's.

 

Well, kinda...

Driving is definately a privilege. There's nothing that says that you HAVE to be granted a license. Heck, there's signs all over the local DMV here that state specifically "Driving is a Privilege, Not a Right." Which means if you hassle a DMV employee, they can and will deny you a license...

The more accurate statement is everyone who is a licensed driver... has the right to drive it...

 

Everyone but the illegal’s, for some reason they are the only ones with rights, but they don’t need no stink’in license.

 

True. But only through the good graces of those who pay into the federal coffers, whether via federal gasoline tax or the General fund. Even the illegal aliens, if they buy gas, has the right to drive that highway.

Driving is a privilege that is taken away by many states for those that chose not to follow the rules

 

Hey...no straying from the topic.

Everyone knows Reese's Pieces are way better than nutted or nutless M&M's.

 

Back on topic - some self-vandilism. I fell in love with the red dragon accents

 

Here is what I believe is a very rare picture of the infamous 'Actual Size' sticker bandit from years past. Could this actual size sticker bandit also be the Dragon sticker bandit?

Guess I'll have to go next year so I can get 'vandalized'!

 

OMG, you put it on the paint

Wow is that Owner going to get mad

 

A razor knife and some paint remover and no one will be the wiser!

 

Peanut butter & crispy M&M's for the win!

 

I like the sticker. It adds to my window collection.

 

Paint smaint (and three coats of wax). The decal protects the boot from all the grit and grime that collects anyway. I was thinking maybe I should decoupage them (there are 3) into the paint with some clearcoat. Then I won't have to pick the MF lint off of the sharp points.

 

Might as well just get a giant Dragon Body Wrap

Hmm, I bet somebody would make one ... custom made. That would be really cool

 

A pair of Tin snips would to the Trick !
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yo dude like I said I didn't start this thread it was the others so I'm letting it go for them they posted their feelings yousing my sig~name