The MINI OWNERS OF NEW JERSEY
Announce the 1st Annual
“Ockt-COOPER-Fest”
A Gathering of Nothing but Classic & New MINIs
Saturday, October 4th thru Sunday, October 5th, 2003

Highlights planned:
Car Show
Autocross & Driver’s Clinic
MINI Market (MINI Vendors welcome)
Slot Car Racing

Our Host Hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn, Bridgewater, NJ
Ask for the “Mini Owners of NJ” block
to get the special rate of just $69.00
Rate is good for rooms booked 10/3/03 thru 10/5/03
The hotel must be contacted directly at 732.271.9030 to make your reservations. Rooms must be booked on or before 9/15/03.

Contact us at OcktCOOPERfest@aol.com

 

While we wait for Hemmings to post the registration form on our website, you can request one via e-mail at OcktCooperFest@aol.com and we will be happy to forward one to you.

This site will not be monitored for form requests.

So far, only one person has expressed interest in the dyno.

 

The OcktCOOPER Fest registration Form has been posted at clubs.hemmings.com/miniownersofnj

Checks should be made payable to Mini Owners of NJ and mailed with completed form to:

Mini Owners of NJ
c/o Rich and Debbie Franks
24 Arrighi Drive
Warren, NJ 07059-5801

 

Tentative Schedule of Events:

Saturday: event begins at 8:30 with the Driver's Clinic. An overview of what an autocross is and the opportunity to run through the course with instructors. The actual autocross will begin late morning/early afternoon depending on how many people attend. The event will be held at the Somerset Patriot's Ballpark in the red lot.

Sunday: the car show begins at 9AM at the hotel. Only registered cars will be allowed to park at the hotel. Non-registered will park across the street. Mini vendors will be there, the hotel is supplying food, and we will have activities going on in a conference room that will open to the parking lot where the show is held and a Detailing Clinic on how detail you car.

If you haven't already registered, please do so so we have enough supplies on hand for everyone.

Regards,
Debbie Franks
Mini Owners of NJ

 

SO, I guess I am the only person that has expressed an interest in the dyno. Come on people!!

How many entrants in the car show?

How many entrants in the autocross?

 

I'm entered in the car show but I haven't heard anyone else mention that they are.

 

I'm in for both. It should be a good time. See you there. -Eric

 

I entered the autocross...it will be my first autocross. Should be fun. Hope the weather holds up -- calling for rain Saturday afternoon and tapering off Sunday morning...

Question: What does "tech inspection" entail? My MINI is completely stock - no mods. My tire pressure is 33 all around, is this ok for autocross or should it be higher? (OEM Dunlop 16" runflats).

See you there,

Joe

 

Directions to the ballpark:

Directions to Commerce Bank Ballpark

Directions from Route 287

Northbound – Exit 13 B: Somerville Route 28 West
Come off the exit to traffic light; bear right onto Route 28 West. Get over to left and make first left turn at traffic light onto Promenade Boulevard (McDonalds, Applebee’s, Home Depot, Target, etc.) Come to the end of the road to traffic light and the ballpark is directly in front of you. Make a left onto East Main Street and make the first right into Commerce Bank Ballpark’s parking lot.

Southbound – Exit 13: Somerville Route 28
As you bear onto the exit you will come to a traffic light. Go straight across the light onto Promenade Boulevard (McDonalds, Applebee’s, Home Depot, Target, etc.) Come to the end of the road to traffic light and the ballpark is directly in front of you. Make a left onto East Main Street and make the first right into Commerce Bank Ballpark’s parking lot.


Directions from Route 22

Eastbound
Make a right onto Chimney Rock Road (right over the railroad tracks). The UPS Depot will be on your right as you come down to the first traffic light. Go straight through the traffic light to Foothill Road; you will be crossing over Route 28. You will come to another traffic light. That is East Main Street. Make a left at the light and Commerce Bank Ballpark is on the right.

Westbound
Coming down Route 22 west, take the exit for Route 287 South, then follow directions from Route 287 South (best option).
OR
Take the Route 22 East jughandle on the left in Bridgewater. Merge onto Route 22 East and make the first right on Chimney Rock Road (right over the railroad tracks). UPS depot will be on your right as you come down to the first traffic light. Go straight at that traffic light, you will be crossing over Route 28. Come to another traffic light. That is East Main Street. Make a left at the light and Commerce Bank Ballpark is on the right.


Directions from Route 78

Eastbound/Westbound – Exit 29: 287 South towards Somerville
Follow directions from 287 South


Directions from New Jersey Turnpike

NJ Turnpike to Exit 10, Route 287 North. Follow directions from Route 287 North


Directions from Garden State Parkway

Northbound
Follow Garden State Parkway North to 287 North then Follow directions from Route 287 North

Southbound
Follow Garden State Parkway South, follow signs to Route 78 West then Follow directions from Route 78


Directions from Route 202 or Route 206 North

Follow Route 202 North or Route 206 North towards Somerville to the Somerville Circle (follow directions below)

Directions from Somerville Circle

Take Route 28 East to the 2nd Traffic Light, make a left onto Main Street Somerville, and take East Main Street all the way to Commerce Bank Ballpark on right. (Approximately 5 miles)
OR
Follow signs for Route 22 East and then follow Route 22 East Directions.

 

Andy -

Will you be autocrossing?

 

Yep, I'll be there tomorrow morning.

 

The autocross was a blast!! My first timed trials were pretty wimpy. Then I rode as a passenger in the car of the guy who ultimately had the best non-modified MCS time as well as the best overall time. Aha!! I saw the light. The rest of the time was burning rubber, squealing tires and ABS activation!! My first trial after riding shotgun with him was over 5 seconds better than my previous ones!!! By 3 more trials I had shaved another second off of my time. And guys, you definitely don't need an MCS for this stuff!!

See you tomorrow

 

I enjoyed the Autocross as well. Too bad I couldn't stay for longer. I definitely found the trick for the box turn in the far corner. Can you say E-Brake? It worked every time. Got me pointing in the right direction and had the fronts lit up on my way to the next turn. My best time was 35.3 seconds. Hw ow long did the event continue?

 

It's true. I took three spins in a Cooper with 15" wheels thanks to Eric of Helix. All three times were better than the 7 runs in my MCS with pulley and intake. Much better...What a MINI!

Dan from MINIPilo had the UUC exhaust on his MCS. All I can say is WOW!

I'm sold!

 

oh man i wish i could have gone. :???:
had a family gathering, i still haven't gone to one mini gathering yet. UUC seems very cool but wow, very expensive. Needs about 4 more hp to be worth that kind of money. when is the next NJ meet?

 

You know, those Azenis work in the rain too!!!!

 

>>oh man i wish i could have gone.

 

The show had a really nice turn-out, it's great to see so many awesome Minis and MINIs. Also great to re-connect with MINI and Mini friends.

 

I didn't make it to the auto-x but did make it to the show on Sunday, It was nice meeting all of you and here are some pics:

 

ThankYou

I would like to thank Debbie and her crew for a great weekend event. Also a big thank you to all the vendors that gave out tons of info on their products and the great discussions on how to get the most out of your car. I'm really amazed how great MINI people are.Thanks again Deb for a great weekend. Someone please post you pictures. The Classic Mini turnout at the Sundays show was awesome.But I forgot my camera. Thanks again.
Newbs49 Buffalo NY :smile:

Eric from Helix!!! I also Thank You for all the info.

 

Yes, I too would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who organized and attended this past weekend's OcktCOOPERfest.

I was only there for Saturday's auto cross event - it was a really GREAT time. Thanks Debbie (from NJ MINI Owner's), Thanks Jeff (from NASA) and thanks Eric (from Helix)for allowing a non-gearhead like myself to listen in on the Tech talk/mod info... I'm saving up my 'allowance' for your pulley and an air intake :smile:

Hope to see everyone at some of the upcoming auto cross events soon.

Thanks again - Cheers - - Michael