Although first national/regional event is just 90 days away w/ no official plans or details from MINIUSA ( shades of MTTS 2006), unofficial word from MotoringFile and MC2 is that MINITAKESTHESTATES 2008 will consist of four, regional events:
http://www.motoringfile.com/2008/03/...dates-updated/

That said, anybody making preliminary plans to attend?

C & I may be up for a mid-summer trip to (closest) Chicago event.

 

Very possible, but still too far out to tell. If we could get a large AMOK contingent, it would be WAY cool. I'd go for sure then.

 

Got the official registration e-mail from MINIUSA tonight. MINUSA is now accepting registration online (incl. $20 fee). Posting a link and the preliminary schedule of events for Chicago event below (actually, event ranges between Chicago, and 2 1/2 or 3 hours away at Road America in WI). I've got preliminary plans in the works for a drive up on Friday, 07/25, in time to make welcome party, and attending MTTS until time to head back sometime on Sunday, 07/27 (maybe staying until Monday).

Anyone else from AMOK thinking about attending Chicago, or other MTTS 2008 events?

----
http://blog.minitakesthestates.com/2...all-about.html

Chicago: July 25-27
MINI Takes the States heads to the heartland to keep the summer of fun rolling along. With a rally kick-off at the Lincoln Park Zoo and a weekend full of events at the famous Road America race track, there should be no shortage of good times and adrenaline.

Here’s the basic schedule of events for the weekend but we’ll be posting additional details soon.

Friday 7/25:
Evening:
Owners Welcome Party

Saturday 7/26
Morning:
"Owners Only" Rise And Shine Rally
"Future Owners" Test Drive at Festival site

Afternoon/Evening:
MINI Takes the States Festival Kick-Off at Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin)

Sunday 7/27
Morning/Afternoon:
MINI Takes the States Festival Conclusion at Road America (Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin)

Afternoon:
MINI Motoring Hearts™ Volunteer Activity (optional)

 

Dave,
I'm seriously considering doing this. I have looked at my schedule and it's pretty empty, HA. I asked Margie to check her work schedule and see if she can go along too. If you are really interested, let me know and I'll get the ball rolling on it. I think I will go to my old home town and possibly visit friends, if I can find any. Road America is one of the best road tracks in the country and I think it would be VERY fun to drive on it!!!!!

 

What are you thinking plans-wise?

Missus and I are definitely talking seriously about it. If we both go, it will definitely be a whirlwind trip (Fri-Sun) as we won't leave the girls with the grands for more than a couple nights. If I go solo, may leave with an extra day, Thurs-Sun or Fri - Mon, depending on work schedule. Will likely stay in Evanston overnight, where we have friends and a cheap but decent hotel. We should have some solid, preliminary plans this week and will let you know ASAP. Once we know dates of travel, we'll let other AMOKs and Mid-South MINIacs know, to try to get some others to join in.

 

Do let the MINIacs know about your plans. There might be a few people going, but as of right now, I haven't heard much interest from our group.

I think we have one person may be going to the L.A. event, but I haven't heard anyone mentioning the Chicago/WI. Alan P. had talked of stopping by Chicago on the way home from a trip he is planning, but the dates changed and messed up his plans. I just can't afford the event or the time off and still be able to join you guys at the mountain for Halloween!

 

I will - the more the merrier!

Definitely understand about all that - still in discussion with S.O. as to whether she will enjoy being dragged along for 30+ hours of driving over three days, and whether I'm crazy to think that will be fun - espec. in an '03 MCS w/the old school sports suspension.

 

More Chicago details were posted on MINIUSA's MTTS 2008 "blog" today (Miami and Boston details were posted earlier; LA will likely be posted next week).

http://blog.minitakesthestates.com/2...uly-25-27.html

It's going to be all over the place: Univ. Ill. - Chicago on Friday night; Lincoln Park Zoo on Saturday morning, then on north of Milwaukee, WI and halfway to Green Bay, WI for the main event at Race America.

We're still deciding here on whether both of us will go, just me or no one.