Hello all,

We just picked up a used 03 Cooper last weekend, all ready noticed several others waving (didn't know Mini's did that), we also own a Jeep and I ride a Motorcycle so I'm used to "the wave".

We got the Mini as a commuter but would still like to meetup with locals and check out what all is availible for us.

 

Were you over by the Fairgrounds last weekend? If so, I think I may have waved at you!

Hey there! I am VP of the MINIacs. You should check out our website for upcoming events - http://midsouthminiacs.org/. If you PM your email to me, I can send you an updated calendar since it looks like the website still has an old version.

We try to do at least one event per month. Also, we are also pretty close with the local BMW club and occasionally share events with them. Here is there website - http://www.rivercitybimmers.org/. Several members, including myself, plan to be regular participants in their autocross events.

We just had a road rally last weekend that started down by the Casinos and ended up in North MS. Our next event is June 7th - the Cars and Cycles against Cancer car show in Blytheville, AR. We are meeting with several other local car clubs and driving up early that morning. Here is all the info from an email the club recently recieved:

Let's motor up to Blytheville Arkansas (just 90 miles upriver) and show off our MINI's on Saturday June 7, 2008. Cars and Cycles against Cancer , which benefits The American Cancer Society, will be held in historic Walker Park with registration starting at 8:00am.

The Mid-South MINIacs will be given a police escort from the city limits to the park where we will receive a "Key to the City". In addition to individual awards, there is also a "Club Participation Award" so we need every MINIac to motor with us to Blytheville!

The first 300 cars to register gets a dash plaque and T-Shirt. Registration is $20. Two big raffles will be held with chances to win prizes including $2000 cash and $3000 cash. There will be GREAT food, Live entertainment and birthday cake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Austin Healey Sprite and MG Midget.

There will be a tail gate party at the Blytheville Holiday Inn Friday night for all participants arriving the night before and a British Car Owners party at the home of one of the organizers after the show featuring Fish and Chips, beer and wine!

Please RSVP to midsouthminiacs@aol.com no later than May 25 with a "Yes, I am going to Blytheville to show off my MINI and help the American Cancer Society!"

 

Yes i've already been to your site, didn't look to up to date.

We haven't been to the fairgrounds or anywhere near it, so it wasn't us.

We live up on the edge of Bartlett and were in the Wolfchase area last Sunday, other then that it's just been on the freeway back and forth to work.

We are also members of Mid South Jeeps and I think we have a trip planned on the 7th so we'll have to see on that.

Do you guy's ever do any Track events, like full road course, not just auto-x? Id really be interested in that since my car (not Mini) is setup for the track.

 

I got to really drive the Mini for the first time this weekend...

I am thoroghly impressed with the handeling, I had heard that they handled well but was still surprised. My wife had an 02 MR2 Spyder several years back and that thing also handled like a dream, it's hard to say for sure but the Mini actually seems better. We just have the base model with the 15" rims so I can't imagin how well these things must handle with all the typical upgrades.

I've done alot of work to my car and although I think it handles very well the damn Mini just puts it to shame, at least on the tight stuff. Mini is actually a couple hundred pounds heavier then my car but still has almost 0 body roll and extreamly tight responsive steering.

The Wife is already drooling over the Dragon, we've been there in the Spyder and she had a blast, she's wanted something to take back there ever since she traded it in. I've already started looking at trailers for the Mini to tow my bike cause I know I won't get to drive the car any.

 

Yeah the website is in a bit of transition. I am taking over from another member and I think we got a little behind with our recent trip to the Dragon. I hope to have the new site up and running by this weekend.

I think several of the other clubs have events out at the Motorsports Park besides autox. Try checking out the local Porsche and BMW club websites. I don't think anyone in our group has gotten into the track events yet, but I am pretty sure there are a few people in the BMW club that track their cars. I am just getting started with autoxing myself. I think I am going to stick with the BMW group's autox for now and probably start up with SCCA next year.

Too bad you missed our trip to the Dragon a few weeks ago. It was actually dry for a few days this year. You must go next year! Also, for towing your bike, check out MINI Do More hitches. I like that they are hidden behind the bumper. There should be a link to their website listed under the Nam Vendors.


So you are a Jeep guy too, eh? I used to know a guy who was big into the Jeep scene - I haven't talked to him in years though. Do you know Ian Watt?

 

I'm also on Memphisracingscene and I know they do 2 track events a year at MMP but I haven't been able to go to those yet. Hopefully I'll make the one this fall.

Just missed the Dragon huh, was that the gaint 400+ Mini run I've seen posted around here? Just one a year or are there any other smaller outings?

Yeah the MiniDoMore hitches were the ones I was looking at, I like them also since hitches usually look gay on anything but a truck.

Don't think I know Ian, he may be a member and I just don't know his name or haven't met him yet.

 

I think there is a smaller Dragon run in the fall. Look under the national events section on here. I am pretty sure it is listed.

Let me know how the hitch works out. I don't know if any of our members have one installed. I have seen some pretty cool trailers on here that people use for their autox tires. There is also a guy that pulls a custom teardrop with his. I think he calls it the Dragon Wagon. Apparently these cars can pull a pretty good bit. My uncle said he saw a Cooper pulling a 4 wheeler behind it down I-40 one day. He said the 4 wheeler looked bigger than the car.

You should swing by the autox Sunday if you have time. I know there are at least 2 other members running besides me.