Hey sranderle,

I've been away for a couple of days for some training classes. To get into The Minnie Challenge you will follow the road around the speedway, to the left and take the tunnel into the infield. There will be people you can ask. Once you are in the paddock area I will have a cone with a Mini Parking sign on it. I'll be in the Casper MINI, so look around for me. You can't miss it, pepper white with Caspers on the A panel.

Entries for the car show are slim at this moment, so I don't know who or how many will show for that. There are several Smoky Mountain MINIs members who instruct for the Academy who will be there.

You can do lunch time touring laps on the track for a $25 donation to the Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. I'm not sure what time it is all over with. Last year there was a concert at the end......hey, it's Nashville.

 

Sounds good. I'm not really sure when I'll get there, as I've never made the drive from The Dragon. But as of right now, I do plan on stopping by.

Mine should be easy to spot. Stinky will be the dirty DS/B MCS with a skunk on the sunroof.

 

I've been told some MINIs from Missouri are coming to our November event. Do you know if they are in your club? Can you find out? IF so, maybe they can bring it back with them? I wasn't given names.

 

Here is your update. The Midsouth Miniacs have the banner now. They will be passing it off to the AMOKs (Arkansas Mini Owners Klub) on October 27.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=116072

The Amoks are planning a, hopefully large, meet in Paris, Arkansas (at the base of Mt. Magazine) to run the famous Arkansas Pig Trail to Fayetteville on November 3rd. AMOKs are hoping this may become the DRAGONS little brother.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=114161

OKMINIs will be coming to the event and all others in the area are invited. So I am sure this banner his headed west.

 

Here is your update. The Midsouth Miniacs have the banner now. They will be passing it off to the AMOKs (Arkansas Mini Owners Klub) on October 27.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=116072

The Amoks are planning a, hopefully large, meet in Paris, Arkansas (at the base of Mt. Magazine) to run the famous Arkansas Pig Trail to Fayetteville on November 3rd. AMOKs are hoping this may become the DRAGONS little brother.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=114161

OKMINIs will be coming to the event and all others in the area are invited. So I am sure this banner his headed west.

 

---->>> Runs out to MINI and checks for banner!! (just kidding)

Nope, it's still here in Knoxville, east Tennessee. We have a banner signing gathering this Thursday night at Salsarita's on Kingston Pike and then I'm taking the banner with me to Nashville on Saturday for the Minnie Challenge at Nashville SuperSpeedway. At the Challenge you can:

Participate in an informal show and shine
Do lunch time touring laps on the speedway (boy howdee the banking is fun!)
Do the Safe Driving Academy in the morning with your MINI and then some Lapping time on the track in the afternoon
Do the MINI Driving Academy for the full day
Or just come out and sign the banner

All may be tax deductible and proceeds go to The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation. Phil Wicks and crew donate their day at Nashville SuperSpeedway for this event.

Then....I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) a classic Mini participant in the Minnie Challenge will be transporting the banner on to Memphis for their Walk on October 20th.

I have to say, the banner is very cool and I hope everyone will take the opportunity to participate.

 

My mistake, I assumed again!

 

Naw man, you just set me up to remind everyone about what's up this weekend.

By the way, here's another cool thing happening that those of you coming up might want to be prepared for............club stickers are now embellishing the box holding the banner.

 

AMOKs get it Saturday the 27th.

 

I don't know if anyone in my club is going but I'll check.

 

QueenB wrote " Then....I believe (correct me if I'm wrong) a classic Mini participant in the Minnie Challenge will be transporting the banner on to Memphis for their Walk on October 20th.

I have to say, the banner is very cool and I hope everyone will take the opportunity to participate.[/quote]"


That would be me picking up the banner. We'll have our classic there to drive during the touring laps. Classic will be towed by the "Counterfeit Mini" Van from Memphis cuz I-40 just ain't fun for the little guys. See you all tomorrow. Cheers, tom

 

Banner is in Memphis!!

We have the banner in Memphis now. Had a great time at the Minnie Challenge in Nashville. Got to drive the classic on the racetrack during the touring laps. For a fleeting moment I was about to win the Nextel Cup.....

 

Yes, that's exactly what you were about to do.
At least you won Best in Show Classic Mini.

Here's some banner signing/passing pictures.

Minimol, signing the banner on Casper's bonnet in Knoxville.



Phil Wicks signing the banner in Nashville.



The passing of the banner from East Tennessee to West Tennessee with queenB (that's me) on the left and womble on the right. Photo taken by sranderle who stopped in for the day on his way home to Minnesota from the Dragon.



And there's our 'Sota MINI visitor in the ever fashionable tie dye.



And finally, womble, trying to figure out if the banner box will fit in the classic Mini.



All in all, a great day at the track. Not many MINIs or Minis but a very successful fundraising day for The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation.

I've been thinking about the passing of the banner and the stories that are told as it moves. Ann from Chattanooga mentioned losing a friend from cancer, my mother and Tom's father-in-law as survivors, sranderle's young nephew passing away and his story about Uncle Stinky. I feel a bit awestruck at the thought of the emotional energy being attached to this banner as it moves. Don't miss the chance to sign it.

 

I just wanted to thank queenB for putting this event together. I heard that the event raised $23,500!! Outstanding

This was a fantastic diversion from my two days of interstate driving to get home. Can you say, banked straightaway?! 90 mph in Stinky, 140 mph in a race Corvette (ridealong, OMG!!).

It was great meeting some other MINI/Mini owners. Tom, Cindy, and Robert, good luck with your event in Memphis.

One last thing. I should probably reveal my secret for walking away with the trophy for Best MINI Shine.
Dragon Dust; every detailer should have some.

 

OUTSTANDING just OUTSTANDING!!!!! Hat's off to everyone involved!!!!

 

Well done folks!

Red Ryder - Just look at what you and the Tar Heel MINIs started!

 

I may have started this, but it has taken the entire "MINI Nation" to make it go as far as it has to date. The money raised is incredible. My goal is for the banner to make it around the country in time to return to the Dragon, next May. At that time, I'm sure there will be many people that have not had a chance.

And WOW, $23,500. That has to be a record, and the bar has been set really high!!!!

I particularly like the box that it is traveling in. That was a great idea.

Also, please be reminded that MC2 Magazine will publish articles that clubs submit. They are very interested in hearing more club news, (plus it is a great way to promote your club).

Thanks to evey one that has, and to those that will, sign the banner and pass it along.

 

 

Me and my time with the banner can't take credit for that. The Minnie Challenge is a 2nd year event that I have participated in. I added a bit with the banner signing. Although I don't have exact totals, I would say my little part was around 500 to 600 dollars.

BUT>>>the original event last year started with MINIs, Phil Wicks and the MINI Driving Academy, so it's still very much MINI related.

 

Congratulations go to MINIacs Sandra Anderson, Nathalie Fouque, and Joni and Alan Prouser for completing the American Cancer Society "Making Strides Against Cancer" 5 mile walk. Congratulations also go to Diana, a friend of Sandra, and also to Mildred & Tim, friends of Nathalie, and Charline and Curt, friends of Joni, that were dubbed honorary MINIacs for the day, and also completed the 5 mile walk! The banner was proudly displayed prior to the start of the walk. (pictures below)

 

Look'n good!!! Great job. Also thanks for passing this on "relay style". That way we get to see other MINI drivers and make a larger impression. Where after Arkansas?

Great idea, putting it in a dealership. Hopefully, they will attract a lot of donors, and show perspective owners that we do more than just drive cars. We actually care.

 

From what I understand, the banner will be going to Kansas City after it leaves Little Rock. I think I saw a post where members of AMOK, Arkansas MINI Owners Klub will be meeting up with members of the Kansas City club in Springfield Missouri which is a half way point to pass the banner on to them.
How about if you send me your e-mail address and I'll include a note in the banner box for each club to keep you updated as to the location of the banner. You can e-mail me at midsouthminiacs@aol.com

 

Alan Prouser, Founder of Mid-South MINIacs, on right, hands off the banner to Jim Baskin, member of AMOK, Arkansas MINI Owner's Klub

 

I've been away from the boards for a while, but I have to say that I am absolutely amazed and impressed with the efforts our MINI and Mini community have made to get this banner across the US. BIG kudos to Red Ryder and his mates at Tar Heel Minis for creating such a wonderful way to remember those who have won and lost the battle with cancer and help raise a little money along the way to help fuel the research to fight this disease.

I can't wait to hear more stories and see more pics as the banner crosses the U.S.!

 

So where is the banner now?