I did a quick and nasty look at room rates for the 10/10-12 weekend (Columbus Day) and it looks like prices are kinda steep. My recommendation is for the weekend either side of that one, since mid-october seems to be a popular timeframe.

 

Here's what Tracy from SoCal Mini just sent me. It has some interesting information in it.

**EDIT**

"--Tracy's email content removed per Tracy's request--"

 

 

I'm wondering the same thing. I have plans on having a date set by the end of next week.
Here's my only criticisms at this point about Feb ( however they can be overruled by many good points )

*February...cooooold.
*February...snowy passes to get to Vegas
*February...day light is short (less time to motor and enjoy the desert scenery)

I'm still fairly well open to different dates other than Nov, Dec, and Jan as those are the most financially hard for my wife and I. I'm others feel the same way.

 

I think if weather is going to play a HUGE factor in this whole thing, then wait until late March or April. Weather in Vegas is perfect then.

Otherwise, unless you mind a bit of wind and/or cold (be prepard for either), October - February is ok too. October is actually the best of that particular lot. But, as Tracy said, there is a bunch going on here in SoCal in October. I would shoot for early November (before it starts getting real cold). Otherwise wait until February/March. Not that SoCal is the center of the universe or anything, but it would not be that great if this were to conflict with another event that has been planned for a few months.

my .02, not adjusted for inflation (tax not included)

 

I'm glad to see this idea has come back to life. I'm also in southern Nevada.

The So Cal MINI Maniacs club has a two day MINI track event already planned for Oct. 11-12th at the Spring Mountain track in Pahrump, NV which is not far from Las Vegas. It is a great track and should be a fun event. I'm sure they will be staying in LV as there is no hotel now in Pahrump.

It should be possible to coordinate even if you don't want to join their club. (I'm a member and they are very active with lots of fun events in the SoCal area.) SoCal MINI Maniacs club

 

I now see Tracy's email in this thread about the SCMM event. I really believe that most people will be going back and forth to the track from Las Vegas. The only large hotel in Pahrump, the Nugget Casino, burned down a couple of months ago. It is a nice four lane highway most of the way to the track. The drive from the west end of the strip (Mandalay Bay/Luxor area) to the track is about 40 min. on Hwy 160 off I-15.

 

I think the largest turn out will be from the west coast where the drive isn't a four day journey. I'm not saying some won't make the trek, but most won't. So I'd like to be as sensitive as possible to those who'll be more than likely to attend. But then again, if it's too far out in the future, people will think the event should be expertly coordinated with everything planned to the "T". Those who've motored with my in the past can attest to the fact I like to be spontaneous. In the Spirit of Motoring, I'd like to give an overview of events and see where it takes us. I hate to sound wishy washy to those who like things planned out to the minutest of detail. But, this isn't it. I'm not a member or leader of any car club, so this is clearly not a club sponsored event. But rather just a big fun-run to Vegas. A bunch of MINI and Mini owners getting together to share in the Sure, we'll get some motel to give us a discount package and we'll have some idea as to things we can do as a group (like fun runs to the Hoover Dam, cruises down the Strip, fun runs to some twisty roads, etc). But other than that, it's open season. Hang out, get to know each other, go off on your own fun runs with other MINI owners you only got to chat with online but never met in person, reaquint old friendships, gamble the night away, go to Vegas shows, etc. One big MINI party!

 

:smile:

Cheers!
Clover

 

>>I now see Tracy's email in this thread about the SCMM event.

That email has now been removed from this thread by Tracy's request.

 

Vegas in Feb is BEAUTIFUL! Great motoring weather. I think the objection was for people driving here through mountain passes that may get snowed out. I have my doubts about that being a major issue on the interstates you'd be taking tro get here though. Never heard of I15 being closed between here and Salt Lake City or LA, I wouldn't expect any probs between here and Phoenix.

 

>>I'm glad to see this idea has come back to life. I'm also in southern Nevada.
>>
>>The So Cal MINI Maniacs club has a two day MINI track event already planned for Oct. 11-12th at the Spring Mountain track in Pahrump, NV which is not far from Las Vegas. It is a great track and should be a fun event. I'm sure they will be staying in LV as there is no hotel now in Pahrump.
>>
odd, because I was just in Pahrump in March and the Pahrump Nugget looked to be pretty open, as did the charming Saddle West. Not to mention the new Wal-Mart and Albertsons. Did I miss something during the last 4 months?

 

So here's the latest on the Las Vegas idea. My wife doesn't want to go until next year. So I can't go this year. If anyone wants to do one this year, feel free to do so. However, I'm going to go ahead and start to plan the one for February 2004. I'm going to work on a date and have it posted soon.

 

Sorry DB, you DID miss something. A couple of months ago, the Pahrump Nugget burned to the ground. Threw 1/2 the town out of work.

 

On a lighter note, I talked to the reception desk at the Palms casino (as seen on MTV's The Real World) last night and they told me that group rates start at 10 rooms, and that they have the most comfortable beds in Las Vegas. I told him that my bed was more comfortable, but he insisted that theirs were the most comfy.
I assume that other properties will have similar sizes for their group rates to kick in.
Dominic, it sucks that your CFO wont be in a trip this year. Come and visit any time though.

 

Finally chiming in here.

I'm up for a fun run. I love going to Vegas and that drive would be great. February would be a great time of the year to do it too. I have some friends up there that I would love to stay with as I haven't seen them in a long time so I probably wouldn't get a room.

I'm just smiling at the thought of a possible 30+ minis all cruising the strip - and of course none of them would be identical :smile:

haf :smile:

 

Ok...I talked to Sunset Station (a "locals" casino that is pretty new and quite nice) and their group rates start at 10 rooms too. My guess is that that is going to be the standard starting number.

I also talked to Dominic this morning, and it looks like the big "organized" event may be the 1st weekend in Feb. Anyone who is coming to town prior to that is more than welcome to contact me for info or help with anything.

 

That 10 room minimum sounds good, but not enough.

What's everyone's budget like?

Let me contact some of Team MightyMiniZ's "Friends" and see what we can dig up!

 

If you'd Like I can get the Pahrump Track for us... Let me know when and where.
I can invite some of my Euro Pals and make it a HUGE deal... If anyone is interested.

Contact me...

Clo - Contact me about this...

Aquisition is nothing... and I might even invite some SPECIAL guests
and remember... I've got GoFast Sports on my side... you may recognize these fine folks from the Gumball 3000 and the Players Run... I suggest you check out their site to learn a little more about them

Lets GoFast!
-Doug

 

I thought this was going to be a Vegas event? ya know, hang out/cruise on the strip, swap war stories, gamble, blah blah blah, not a track event. and not in Pahrump. Pahrump is DEFINITELY not Vegas!

 

Pahrump has a GREAT Road Track and is merely miles from Vegas....

 

Pahrump would only be one days worth....

Oh yes, I forgot to add... We will aquisition one of the hot nightclubs or atop the Bellagio, for an all night party!

 

been there and have seen the facility. It is absolutely fantastic and I can't wait until I do get to actually drive it.

That said, Pahrump is 63 miles from Vegas. and it has got to be one of the most boring drives around, short of I40 from Barstow to Needles.

not fighting it, just trying to figure out if this is going to be the largest MINI track event in the west or a kick *** hang out weekend in Vegas.

Of course both would be cool. but I'm afraid that cost might drive others away. Track time isn't cheap, neither is a bad night at the craps table!

[ EDIT ]...Posted late....spliting it up would be great! but see comments above. [ /EDIT ]

 

My Goals are to reduce track fees PERIOD.... and group room rates will be reduced even more when my pals show up

The Pahrump Course is great and worth the 30 minute drive to it.

 

The way I see it, the more TYPES of activities there are, the more interest might be generated for a Las Vegas trip. That way, those who don't like cruising the Strip can always go out to the track event. Those who don't like to take their MINIs onto a track, can go out and motor on some beautiful Nevada roads, take a tour of Hoover Dam, etc, etc.

More coming soon on timeframes!!