"Run", as in MINIs, driving as a group together.

How to define "a good run" (quality-wise)
What makes a run, a GOOD and memorable run.

Is it the event organizers, the routings, the swags, the speed or the runs, # of the MINIs that join the runs, or etc. ..... that dictate good runs ???

As an event coordination, I'd like to have your inputs to help me/us/everyone to understand about what a "good run" means in your perspective and to help us to get ideas of how to create better/more enjoyable events for everyone.

Everyone has their own idea and preferences, tell us what would you like to have, see or experience at the run. Please let us know, for our better future runs.

Thank you.

 

Small groups, no more than 6 cars in each group
Everybody about the same skill level within each group
Everybody about the same speed preference in each group
Everybody keeps a tight group, no stragglers
Good communication from group leader beforehand about goals for the run (speeds, etc.)
I prefer technical twisties for excitement, but also enjoy more open two-lane country roads for scenery
Love scenery breaks for photo shoots
Gotta have good food at one end or the other, maybe both
Not too long a wait to get started (30-60 minutes would be ideal) and gotta have a bathroom available before the run starts
Can't talk about specific speeds, but prefer to run faster than slower, within reason and safety
Love to see new roads, off the beaten path. Great way to get new members involved by letting them create their own runs

Thanks for asking!

 

You mean if it is a bigger group, seperate them into smaller group of 6 of same driving speed preference. Hmm.. good idea.

I like this the most.

 

LOTS OF FUN FAST TURNS!!!!

 

+1

and bathroom breaks on long runs...what can I say..I'm an old lady with a menopausal bladder.

 

Honestly, anytime you get mini owners together for conversation it is always a "good run".

The "run" could be sitting in the parking lot bench racing, and still be a good run.

 

Ideally for me lots of twisties with a run length of 75 - 100 miles. Speed
definitely is governed by the number of cars. Five to seven cars can
really haul the mail, fifteen or more you can probably deduct 25% from
the average speed.

 

I've only been on one run so far and had a great time, so I don't have too many thoughts.

• Break up into smaller groups of 5-6 cars.
• I like the idea of food at the end of the run. (before is good, too!)
• I'm happy with any type of road that isn't clogged with traffic, be it twisty, hilly or straight!

 

I think a large group of cars is alright on a less technical, more scenic run, but when the roads get more challenging, smaller, similarly experienced groups are better.

I like the food better at the end. It gives you something to look forward to after the ride and gives everyone a chance to talk about the ride.

It's always nice to discover new roads. I think having different people design runs allows everybody in the group to go somewhere that they may otherwise have never explored.

 

The problem with smaller groups is that you then need a larger number of group leaders, and unless those leaders have done the run several times before, they won't know it well enough to lead effectively.

Having a run sheet is great, but it's hard to follow it when you're concentrating on driving.

One possible workaround is to ensure that group leaders have a co-pilot (passenger) who can follow the run sheet and give directions to the driver in advance of each turn.

Organizing a run with many small groups is inherently more complicated than fewer, larger groups. It's not a bad idea... but it requires more commitment from more people than you generally can manage to find. This is all volunteer-based, after all... and most people just want to show up and have fun without the responsibility (and I don't blame them for feeling that way - I do sometimes!).

 

I agree with Katie, I'm not that all but my bladder is rather small.

Twsitees are good, straights are good, food is good; better at the end though.

I don't mind big groops, I agree with Edge that smaller one are a LOT more complicated to organize and I'm one of those that preferes to drive and not to lead.

 

Wow, great input indeed.
We have quite a few idea comimg in which is great.

So, big group or break down into several small groups, both have their advantage and disadvantage.

How about distance, any preferance. Minirab has mention 75 - 100 miles is the distance that he like (I like it too, 3 hours is my max ). Any other comment?

Do the length/duration of the run make a good or a bad run?

What is the best distance for your ideal run?
What is your comfort zone?

 

So, if we have 20 MINIs on a run and we brake it down to 4 groups of 5, than we will have to have 4 leaders and 4 sweepers. Each leader would have to have run the route prior to the event. IMO, this is not logical, but hey, if the organizer can get people to run with them prior to the event, than I don't see why this can't happen. Good luck on that though.

Now, we can split into 2 groups, ones that drive spiritedly, and ones that want to cruise. We talked about this at the meeting last week.

As for the topic on hand:

• An interesting route with fun things to see
• Not to long, perhaps a couple hours for the run and than have lunch
• Only have MINIs/Minis (That is my favorite one )
• A nice day and no traffic or bicyclists.

Oh, and cash always helps as well

 

I wrote this a long time ago...but give it here for everyone's information. Pretty much this is what I think makes a good run

Small runs are great - but Edge is right - without a HUGE committment of people to lead groups of 6-8 cars DCMM just cannot put on events like that. I think my favorite run ever was me and two other MINIs final testing a route. We ran it full out...and it was great. The day of the event the speed was lowered by 50% -- and it was still a great event.

Grouping folks of similar driving ability together is great- but again may be practically impossible unless you organize an event which is very small and hand pick the attendees.

We are a large club with a wide variety of members. For most events, we want to encourage all MINI owners to come.

 

Awesome.
Thank you so much.

 

Having been at the front of a run now, I can understand the complications of a large group (10+)

However,

1) I love the image that a large group of MINIs/Minis presents to the public, its really quite cute and really brings home the club spirit. 15 cars seems to be perfect for this. More than 15 are broken into seperate groups.

2) Runs should be kept at a reasonable pace, too fast may be viewed by the public as a "Hells Angels" type of group. Many people can be hypocrits, even though they speed when behind the wheel, when they're not, they get upset at speeders on their roads

3) Good communication to the group prior to the run. Newbies should be informed about the pace at the front and back before we go. On my run I got the feeling from some members that we were a bit too fast, trust me, up front I was running between the limit and 10 mph over. That's usually too slow when I'm just driving around our wonderful area as the cars line up on my bumper.

4) Twisting roads with lots of elevation changes, positive camber and speeds of 30-50 are right up the MINI's alley. Even better when accompanied by beautiful scenery.

5) Food at the end is a must along with adequete parking.

6) Multiple leaders and sweepers sounds like it might be difficult to arrange.

7) One hour to three hour durations average, longer runs can be nice but require more stops.

Hope that helps

Mike

 

 

The problem with "pace" is this, if multiple cars are running at a quick speed through a particular area it can be percieved as racing. That I would think would NOT be a good image to present to the public of our cars or club.

With so many people here liking speed, I don't see why this club doesn't do more track events. THAT is a good run for ME!

Check around, a lot of local clubs host track events. Most allow other makes to run with them ensuring a good turn out. Mazda Sports Car Club of Washington just did an event in October at Summit Point's Shenandoah track that was filmed by Motorweek. Mike Arata put one together last year on Summit's Jefferson circuit.


Come on speed freaks, if you really wanna have a good fast run, let's do it on a track!

Oh, they also have plenty of bathrooms.

 

My $0.02:

Really just agreeing mostly with what was already said. A group size of 15 is ideal. 20 is doable with a well organized group, and at least a few members that are familiar with the run.

Having a car around the middle of the group to relay messages from the lead (front) to the sweeper (back) is especially helpful when you have a group of about a dozen or more.

The leader and sweeper should definitely have radios. For everyone else, it's highly recommended, so you don't miss info on road hazards, upcoming turns, and witty (?) banter. Even if you don't feel comfortable driving and operating a radio, you can still have it on and clipped to somewhere where it can be easily heard.

The leader of the run should have the run memorized, or at a minimum, be familiar with the route and have a navigator. (Or a GPS preprogrammed with the route )

Having a route sheet is always good. If you want to keep the route a 'secret' until the day of, you can hand out route sheets at the event. It's a good idea for the leader to have some on hand anyways for folks without a printer or those who forgot.

Also, the leader should try and set the pace to about the speed limit on the run. If you go a bit faster on rural roads, it's not that much of a big deal, but remember that you're *not* on a race, and they are public roads. You *will* end up passing horses, bicycles, potholes, gi-normous trucks and SUVs hogging the road, etc, and you need to be ready to take evasive action and pass the info to the back of the group.

A note about speed though, when going through a residential area or town, *do not* do anything above the speed limit. You don't want to attract the attention of the local fuzz, plus it's a chance to show off! And also, since runs usually get repeated, you want the locals to think "oh, the MINIs are back! Yay!" not "damnit, the MINIs are back. Call the sheriff and get my gun".

Folks new to the runs and those that like taking a more leisurely pace should be near the front of the group. Those that like going a bit faster should stay near the back. It seems to always end up where the back of the run needs to play catch-up occasionally.

Everybody needs to try and keep a MINI in front of them and in their rearview mirror. If not, speak up on the radio, and the front can slow it down a bit (when possible) so the rest can catch up.

About 45 minutes into the run, try and have a bathroom break, especially if the run starts in the morning. Coffee and other beverages seem to run through folks in the morning!

And finally, ending at a food stop is always good. Get an estimate on how many folks are going to show up, and make sure the restaurant is willing and capable of handling the amount of people and MINIs that are expected. And keep an eye on price. Keeping it to $20 per person total is about right.


-Paul!

 

The more, the merrier ! Good run = 25 MINIs or more !! Nothing as fun as going through a small town and watching people's jaws drop as they see all our gorgeous little MINIs invading.

It's also cool to look ahead or in your rearview at the long line of MINIs.

And then when we make a stop and the crowds gather 'round asking questions like "what is that thing?" or "Is that one of them fancy EYEtalian thingies?". The more of us there are, the bigger the crowds get.

But, of course, what makes the run really great is being around all the other folks who have been bitten by the MINI bug just like you.

 

+1,

 

INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!

I'm not a DCMM... but this is a GREAT thread... just led my first run at MSSD and learned most of this stuff after-the-fact... wish this thread had happened a few weeks earlier and I woulda done a better job. I'm going to create a thread on the THMMC site about this with the great pointers you guys have offered up.

THANKS!

 

We totally agree with Mike and Chris. We've only been on one run but we loved being part of a large group of MINIs. The sight of it was awesome to a newbie and it made us feel all giddy to be part of it. Even better was the attention we got. People stopped what they were doing....flashed a smile and some even waved.

Does it get better than that?

 

I think for some who made the yesterday run (Baltimore county bridges n backroads blitz) will agree with me, that it was a "good" run.

Well organized, good communications, excellent routing @ really good, comfortable, safe and fun speed , and delicious food after the run (I missed that part though).

A brief before the run with information and a road sheet provided.

The group size is not too big nor too small, 13 MINIs to be exact. We do have leader (Bill), mid-pack (Katie) and sweeper (Ed).

Almost all of us has got radios, and 98% of the times we are within the range of the radio. There are a few times that the leader and the sweeper couldn't reach each other, the mid-pack came into play.

The distance is just right, ~60 miles / 2.5 hours. That was included a ~15 minutes break. Well arranged.

Perfect parking spaces: from starting point, half-way break and at the restaurant.

Routing is awesome. I really love the route, mixed with uphill-downhill, steep hill, some fun blind spot , very scenery view and some interesting location (covered bridge, iron bridges, Lake, etc.). Cross a lot of intersections, but with the group size that we had, it wasn't a big of a problem.

If we could have a spot to get a nice group pictures, it going to be a 100% perfect. But this was already great.

That's my 2 cents.

 

BiG
this is what ive been waiting for- meanwhile ive been joining bmwcca, audi club, the mazdas, VW Trackdaze, and any other club that does events at the track...i think this is the only car club i know of that doesnt have regular track events...
its really a great idea- you get to do some spirited driving at your level, and you learn tons of stuff that can be translated to the highway- skill and safety wise...
did i mention its just a great feeling when you (in a cooper) pass an S or even more powerful cars like M3s, Porsches, and vipers (not that they are really good cars to begin with)
oh yes- the track is a wonderful place!