So here is the rest of our trip to PKI. Not really the best pics of the ride itself and lots of repeats of pics that are already out there, but it's still fun to see regardless:

Our group grabbed some breakfast and then immediately ate our food while we queued up the ride. By the time we got there, the line was already snaking around our roped off area. The ride was warming up and empty MINIs were making their way around the track, while fireballs erupted from behind steel sheds. Once the park was deemed OPEN, the roped off people were allowed into our section. Immediately they tried to cut into our line, but park workers were there to show them to the back of the long line. I wouldn't be suprised if a couple of us flashed our VIP badges and taunted people!

Once in the line, you were greeted with your usual maze of railings and tvs and coverings to keep the line out of the park. In typical MINI fashion, this was no regular line. Along the way we were shown great signage for the MINI and also some cute little Cincinnatti MINI facts. Here are some of the signs you see while you wait.








There are much better shots of this part of the ride. This was on a walkway that goes over the cars as they come out of the "sewer" system.


After this ride we did a couple others: The Beast, The Vortex, Son of Beast etc. By now it was lunch time - so my wife and I headed out to her cousins place while others in our tailgated in the lot and still others ate in the park. Here are a couple shots of the lot after all the MINIs have been parked.




Here's one that was one-of-a-kind!


This shot shows the MINIs, the scaled Eiffel Tower, Face-Off, the drop ride and The Son of Beast.


Great license plate!


After lunch we all met up and went to the top of the scaled Eiffel Tower. The day offered great views all around and the wind even managed to sway the tower ever so slightly. This shot shows the fountains that greet you when you enter the park (from the top of the picture). Today was special, as there was a small gang of MINIs in front of the fountains for people to gawk at. These were in addition to the gang of MINIs just outside the gate, but away from the Reserved Parking out in the lot. There were lots of photos taken in front of these MINIs by the fountains.


Here's the other side of the tower, facing The Italian Job coaster. You can also see The Vortex and The Racers - which are old and fun, as one car goes backwards and one goes forwards.



Here's a great shot of The Son of Beast. This ride is awesome because of the sheer size. But also because it has a loop. For a wooden coaster, that's unheard of. What's also unheard of is how bad this thing beats you up. It's so rough that I felt my insides shaking around and getting tangled up. Even so, it's great fun.


Here's a shot of Top Gun (the blue one). Despite being dated, is still a fun ride. The car is suspended so you get this sweeping sensation around the corners, while still sitting in the car. A great time. Plus - they play all sorts of cool 80's tunes while you're in line! BONUS.


Another shot of The Vortex with The Beast in the background. Both definate rides if you visit PKI.


The Racers again.


That's all I have! The drive home was pretty uneventful. One MINI from Chicago came back with us and at Indiannapolis my wife and I headed a different direction as we were going to Rockford to stay with some friends. The rest of our group was going to follow the Chicago MINI into town and get a driving tour of the area before spending the night. All of us spent the night and made the drive home the next day just fine. We hit some strong winds and heavy rain for a bit just north of Madison, but nothing that the MINI couldn't handle.
It was a great trip, with great people. For me, it was the most MINIs I've seen in one place at one time (no, I haven't been to the Dragon. Yet.). It was a real treat to meet people from different places and groups and to put some faces to names. I appreciate the effort of everyone involved and the patience of all of you who were looking at us for some info in the early stages. I can't wait for the next big MINI event! Thanks for looking - have a great day, and be sure to wave or flash your lights at fellow motorers.

Adam

 

Get pics! That was such a fun day!

My pics are posted in the Events section over at the OL... I really need to host those somewhere else.

But anyways... the rides were great, met lots of cool people, fabulous weather and of course hundreds of MINIs!

 

Great shots. I am sure sorry I did not go! I just thought it would be a long dtive, from Florida. Should have went and got away from the hurricanes!