Thanks to everyone for the kind comments on the Covered Bridge Cruise.

My wife brought up the idea of a scavenger hunt, and I'll get her working on that. Would someone please volunteer to work with her on that?

I think now is a good time to start planning a BAMA Beach Cruise 2004. I see this as more of a "progressive participation" event where someone (Stephen Jolly) would begin the cruise on Saturday morning in Hunstville (Nashville, please join in), would pick up participants in Cullman, Birmingham, and Mungumr'y along the way. The cruise would have a destination of Gulf Shores (got to keep it in 'bama!) for an overnight stay with a group dinner. We would then cruise back home sometime Sunday afternoon. If we get committments from enough people, we can reserve a block of rooms at preferential pricing. A cruise of this nature would probably draw a lot of out of towners. If it's big enough, we may could get MINI USA to send a rep for a dinner talk. The key to all of this would be advanced planning and early committment from participants.

On a smaller scale, we always have a Mt. Chehau (sp?) run, Moundville, Space & Rocket Museum, The Dismals, Little River Canyon & DeSoto Falls, Guntersville, and the list goes on.

Let me calm your anticipation now about renting the Barber Motorsports Track for a few hours. Way too expensive. We may be able to hitch a ride with SCCA, PCA, or BMWCCA to do a drive around during a lunch break. This would have to be at pace lap speed due to safety concerns. All of these groups also use Talladega Gran Prix Raceway a few times a year. It's much cheaper, but still prohibitive for a few laps just for entertainment purposes. Again, our best bet is to hitch a lunchtime ride on somebody else's coat tails.

On a related note, we may consider going as a group to the drag strip at Steele or Lassiter Mountain. We may could cut a deal to get 2 or 3 runs each and then head out. This would be one of those fun things to do just so you can say you've been there, done that.

I think we are beginning to define ourselves as a group that actually does things with their MINIs.

Later...............

Greg

 

I like the idea of the scavenger hunt and the ride to the coast. We have MINI folks in that area, Daphne and Dauphin Island, who could probably guide us to a nice place to eat and meet. The sooner the better I say after the first of the year. It does not have to be warm to go down. HC

 

I agree with you sounds like it will be fun, also there is the Jack Daniels Distillery in lynchburgh Tn.

 

That is EXACTLY how I want our club to be.

I am going to be going to the Tail of the Dragon MINI gathering on the last weekend of April.

Are any others planning on this event? Last year was fantastic with about 75 MINI's in attendance. This year it will probably be double the size and even more fun.

I am planning on going up a day early so I can get some fast runs in before the mob arrives

 

Is their a web site for the Tail of the Dragon event? Registration needed? Places to stay? I'll do this one for sure, just need some info.

Greg Lee

 

http://www.tailofthedragon.com has plenty of info about the area and many links to places to stay in the area.

 

i am also planning a first time assault on "the dragon". i have not made reservations yet. another local drive i have heard of but not been on is off lock 17 rd. called smith camp rd. that motorcyclists like to drive. i have been to a few atlanta mini events and they have a good and quite large group. maybe our group could hook up with theirs. TTFN.

 

If you go to http://www.mini2.com put dragon 2004 in the search space. look for the user name apirlwhine send her or him a message to put you and how many in your party on the list, so far 109 people and 68 minis. Their is also the list of places to stay. I think the meet and greet is on Apirl 29 and the first run on the next day.

 

^^^^^^^if you guys are going to the Dragon and make reservations at Fontana Village (link:Fontana) make sure that you tell them that "your with the kar club" and you'll get a discount on the stay (a nice discount) i think Topoco louge & others offer a discount, as well
btw: i was just checking in down South

_________________

 

Thanks koolmini for the advice on booking rooms at Fontana. We are definitely honored to have a guy like you pop into our little southern forum here!

After the Dragon, you might want to add a day or 2 and come down to Birmingham. You are welcome to stay with me and we have the awesome Barber Motorsports Park which includes the finest museum collection of motorcycles in the world. You really should see it and I'll treat for barbecue

 

^^^^ sounds like a plan, i'll swing wide on the way home (maybe even hit New Orleans)
btw: i think i'm gonna go down to the Dragon a day or two early (break in the new tires)