Not to hijack this thread, but I understand Mickey & MINI's might not happen this year. Any know anything?

 

Not going to make it. We've been thrown a few curve ***** this month. Death in the family (Terri's Dad) and a brand new puppy (Pebbles). Hope someone will post pictures like they did last year. Sorry that I cannot make it. I am such a loser when it comes to club events...

 

Sorry about Terri's dad. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers. Was his passing unexpected or had he been ill. You are never a looser. Once Madame secretary, always madame secretary

 

Bring your Ponchos and umbrellas...Saturday will be Wet!

 

That's what I was just looking at.

It was just going to be a day trip anyway for me.......may pass.

 

Family first! Never think you are a loser for putting your family's needs before everything else; that's the way it should be. I fully understand, I lost my dad in August of 2007. We will keep you and Terri in our prayers.

Shaun

 

May not be a total washout, only a 40% chance of rain. Weather will be in the 60s though.

Let's hope for the best!

 

I'M keeping my finger and toes crossed for NO RAIN!!!

 

Rain, Smain! What's a little precipitation between friends? Give me a buncha MINI's and I could care less what the weather is. Well, Rather not have cold, but a sprinkle or two ain't no big deal! We can always find something inside to do between the drops I'm sure.

Rain or not, I'm headed south Tomorrow after work.

See y'all there!

 

Right on!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow. I'll drive up from Gainesville, GA which is only about 40 minutes from Helen. Then on Saturday I'll be coming over with the ATLMINIS group...looking to be about 20 MINIs. Many of our members are coming up on Friday and staying the night so ATLMINIS should be well represented.

Call (KK)

 

I had fun, even in the rain. Cooper and I zipped down from Knoxville for Saturday. Well done.

 

Finally got home here in SE VA about 7PM. Out ran the snow but had to miss breakfast to do it. Did see a bunch of ide in the trees north of Charlotte though. Not to mention 9 or 10 accidents along the way. Most were pretty good ones, but none looked to involve any injuries.

Thanks to Shawn and crew for putting on a great event even though mother nature didn't cooperate at all. Good job of making adjustments on the fly and everyone seemed to work well together. Count on me next year!

 

Well had a lazy start this morning. Got some breakfast around 9. There was a group of us from Columbia and Charlotte chatted and left after 10. Drove thru some rain. I made it home after 4 and beat the incoming snow. I did have blast Iand I am glad I got to meet alot of new MINI people. I am glad so many people showed up!

Count on me next year!

Art

 

I arrived in Helen about 3 PM on Friday and shook every hand I could find and looked over all the beautiful MINIs in the parking lot of the Best Western. Then I just watched as MINI after MINI continued to arrive throughout the afternoon, some old friends and others that would become new friends within minutes.

Between rain showers Jim Steggars played in the parking lot with his RC Classic Mini like an eight year...some Brits never grow up A Pepper White was all blacked out...with carbon fiber. Lord what a beautiful MINI
An Electric Blue had more chrome than God but very well balanced...well, maybe over the top a little but you know the MINI folks, some say we all like to live on the edge I think we had three or four Clubman's strutting around looking like a MINI on Viagra...use it or lose it...and they were using it

The saddest sight were all the Cabrio's...with there tops up Trust me, if it wasn't raining my Paris was acting like "Girls Gone Wild" but the rain did tend to make the cabrios a little shy

Downtown Helen's Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant served some of the best Sauerbraten and WarSteiner this side of Bavaria itself. Many found The Troll
Tavern to their liking...I know I did

I'm not going to tell you everything about HelenBlitz...I have to leave some for others to share...but suffice it to say I had a wonderful time and have already placed it on the calendar of things to do next year. If things work out to where you can make it next year you won't regret it one minute.

Lawman and his group did an excellent job. I'm hoping ATLMINIS can be of assistance next year in whatever way to make it even bigger and better for all to enjoy.

Call

 

Shaun and his crew did a wonderful job. Great Friends, old and new. MINI people are the nicest people around. Thanks for some wonderful memories.

 

Just a couple more pics

 

I want to take a moment to thank all of those who made it out to Helenblitz despite the wet weather we had, but it didn't dampen any spirits and the MINIs kept on rolling in. I want to especially thank all of our sponsors for making the event a memorable one. Phil and Noree Wicks unexpectedly gave out a second certificate for a free day at a Phil Wicks Academy event, that was a real crowd pleaser and I thank them for their generosity and undying support for the MINI community. I also want to thank MC2, Texas Speed Werks, Mini Mania, and Out Motoring supporting us for a second year running! I also want to thank Moss Motors, Redline Goods, Davis Oil Company, Habersham Winery, and a huge thanks for our host hotel, Best Western. Best Western was great, they were extremely accomodating and were constantly asking us what more they could do to make our weekend better. I do not think I have ever stayed in a hotel that was so attentive...and I have stayed at a lot of fine hotels all over the globe.

The MINI Dealerships are the best! Global Imports MINI came through with the trophies for the car show and RC car race as well as providing a JCW Clubman for the event; the '09 Cabrio was still hung-up at the port so Dave and his crew improvised! Global also set up a tent and were giving away items and selling MINI accessories; given the rain and cold, Marquis did a great job and I want to thank him as well! Hendrick MINI provided the great looking dash plaques for the event, they too are a sponsor for the second year running! MINI of Charleston also contributed heavily for a second year in a row. Please send potential/future MINI owners their direction, we need to support our dealership sponsors too. It's a two-way street out there in MINI land!

I also want to thank the individuals who contributed to the auction and raffle, it just goes to show just how much we are a community and are able to see beyond ourselves. MINI owners are the best! I want to give a shout-out to Lilruffcat for selling all of those raffle tickets! She could sell Slurpees to Eskimos!

I appreciated all those who braved the weather to attend. I know many of you were concerned about the severe weather back home and about the possibility of driving through the snow on the way home. The event would have been nothing without those who took a chance and made it out, and for that I am forever in your debt. Thanks so much for taking that chance!

Finally, I want to thank those that helped in running the event, without you Helenblitz would never had been able to get off the ground. I was very blessed to have such great folks around me to pick up the slack and make this event what it was and kick-off the MINI/Mini 50th Anniversary with a bang!

Please patronize our sponsors, without their generosity the event would have been boring to say the least. Don Racine's book "Motoring" was a big hit and I am still speechless over the number of copies he provided, Thanks, Don! I think it is extremely important to support our sponsors as the economy tightens, they helped us, let's return the favor.

As a final tally, we were able to raise $857.00 for the Speedway Children's Charities!

Thanks again all, I look forward to seeing who takes the reigns next year and what they do; let's all pray the weather cooperates a bit more!

Cheers-

 

Shawn,
Well done!! The rain was nothing compared to the company shared this weekend. It was awesome to pull into the parking lot Friday and see all those awesome mini's and smiling faces. Hugs!!! Are the best.. even though it was raining saturday morning, people still smiled... and it was great to see the cars lined up outside. Stephanie!! Good job on winning best of show.. you are truly a trouper!!! David and I will more then likely be out of SC by this time next year.. but definitely as long as we are not overseas, will plan on next year.. I am sure this will become a longstanding event for years to come!!

 

Lawman - We will not be able to meet up with you in Madison today - we are still coming to Helen, but have keep my time flexiable today. Thanks for your kindness