I was also concerned when I heard that another event was being planned so close (in both time and distance) to The Dragon Run. I'd hate to see people have to choose between the two events.

My wife and I had such an incredible time at the Dragon Run this year, we're certainly going back in 2005. I agree with YuccaPatrol and MINIClo - The Dragon Run has quickly become an institution and shouldn't be messed with. If the other event were scheduled in the Fall it would be great; people would be able to satisfy their twistie cravings twice a year. Like MINIClo said, get with the primary organizers of the Dragon Run and coordinate rather than compete with them.

Just my 2¢

 

I agree with the concept of (2) separate ..events.

The Dragon in May...
and...
MINIpalooza in Oct....
IMHO...is a prudent approach and will broaden the scope and reach of these events. :smile:

Now all we need is something..... in the winter (MINI SKI VACATION) and the summer (MINI BEACH PARTY) :smile:


Peace,
D

 

I agree with the MINIPalooza in October, so to not conflict with MINI's at The Dragon

 

No desire to hijack or be rude. The seed for doing this began at the Mini Meet East 2002 when new MINI owners were unhappy. This is a different type of gathering than the Dragon Run with people together for more activities. After all, it is the driving, the car, and the people. Ideally this would be a roving event through different clubs and areas throughout the East, moving to a new area each year. The timing for the event would be as that area and organizers needed.

We have organized exactly this type of show for the classic Minis in 1986 and 1997. May was chosen for MINIpalooza, as tourist traffic abounds in the summer months. We have seasonal jobs that would not allow us to give the large amounts of time to do this well in the summer....and we won't do it if we can't do a good job. Fall is even more difficult with the leaf watchers, also many more festivals in the area.

As other MINI owners heard what we were planning they suggested the change due to limited lodging and the distance between the lodging in the Deal's Gap area. A few people had to get lodging quite far away. On the surface it seemed to make sense. There are over 300 hotel rooms in close proximity to each other in Townsend with many cabins and B&Bs close by and the Dragon is not much further than it was already for those at the Microtel.

With all that said, we have no wish to cause any type of rift in the new MINI community. We have enough of that between the new and old. Our love of the car spans 30 years and carries great memories of attendance at many fun events. If it is the desire of many we will bow out of this gathering. We have no dollars invested at this point, only scads of time. It would not be possible for us to organize this at another time of year. I feel that some MINI owners would have to make a choice between this event and the Dragon no matter what time of year it was scheduled. We felt the timing was an advantage because some people traveling long distance cold possibly do both events. All on this board feel free to comment either way. We will need to make a decision to continue before June 1st.

We would like to see the someone begin the roving national event, to bring the large gathering of MINIs to different areas each year and would be glad to assist someone else who can do this at a time of year not to conflict with the Dragon. We have no desire to work our tails of to do this event only to have half of the MINI community mad at us.



David & Donna Kimble

 

The problem is that MINIpalooza is close to (distance wise) to the Dragon, but not that close... From what I understand MINIpalooza is a good 60 to 90 minutes away fromt the Dragon, which isn't exactly convienent... The fact is people (especially those at the Fontana and Tapoco) enjoy the fact that if they want to run the Dragon they can do so without having to drive a long distance...

Combine that with the extremely close timing of the two events, and it spells disaster. Both events will suffer... even worse, holding both events so close together may even fracture the MINI community. If anything, I would suggest moving MINIPalooza to Deal's Gap, but make sure you leave enough room for the ATL welcome dinner, Chili Cookoff and Midnight Run...

 

I agree. Let's not mess with the Dragon event. MINIpalooza should be moved to the Dragon area.

 

>>I agree. Let's not mess with the Dragon event. MINIpalooza should be moved to the Dragon area.

...and to the Dragon weekend, if it can't be moved to October. If it is held as currently planned one weekend after the Dragon, it will be very difficult if not impossible for most people to attend both events, and surely will risk splitting the community. I think Hotelcalif and queenB are planning a great event, and appreciate all the time they've spent on it already, but it's just very bad timing. I hope the MINIpalooza date can be changed.

 

We are now looking at cjhanging the dates for palooza to early September. We will have to see what other events are going on in the area and may even have to change venue. Will keep you posted. Gives us more time to plan and make it a better event.

 

either the first or second weekend in Sept. in the Shades Car show in Pegon forge, and they take most of the rooms there and in Townsend. They are runing over 3,000 street rods. If you like I can get the dates. pm me

Motor on

 

what's a "palooza" ????????

sounds like a sandwich with extra cheese

 

>>either the first or second weekend in Sept. in the Shades Car show in Pegon forge, and they take most of the rooms there and in Townsend. They are runing over 3,000 street rods. If you like I can get the dates. pm me
>>
>>Motor on
Sounds great Tom. See what you can find out but remember 2005.

 

>>what's a "palooza" ????????
>>
>>sounds like a sandwich with extra cheese
Maybe in the north but in the south it is a party !!

 

>>>>what's a "palooza" ????????
>>>>
>>>>sounds like a sandwich with extra cheese
>> Maybe in the north but in the south it is a party !!
>>

i would of looked up "palooza" in the dictionary but it's not in there

 

A palooza is generally taken to be an extravaganza or event.

John Lithgow has a palooza (book related to children's activities), there is an Alpacapalooza if you are into those critters...and I hesitate to go here because I am not sure where this will end up but...Charmin has a Potty Palooza.

 

I think we will need a 'Potty Palooza' for those Dragon newbies riding shotgun with a seasoned pro....

Alpacapalooza? Not exactly the thing to try to say with a mouth fulla crackers!

 

>>>>>>what's a "palooza" ????????
>>>>>>
>>>>>>sounds like a sandwich with extra cheese
>>>> Maybe in the north but in the south it is a party !!
>>>>
>>
>>i would of looked up "palooza" in the dictionary but it's not in there
Yankees are not weird, just different. And talk funny too !!
As far as Websters you have to think how long it took us southern folk to get "ain't "in there.

 

>>Yankees are not weird, just different. And talk funny too !!
>> As far as Websters you have to think how long it took us southern folk to get "ain't "in there.
>>

I thought you southern folks talked funny!

 

So what's the verdict on this event? Is it a go or no? Inquiring minds would like to know.

 

This event is a definite GO. Updates and information coming in the next month with registration information following. The dates are September 8-11, 2005. Events are mostly as before with a little shifting on timing.

Glad you inquired and hope you will MTR ON down

 

You know we will be there! Glad to hear it's a GO. :smile:

 

Anymore updates on this event?

 

Sure. We have been working on the autocross venue and the insurance. It looks like we should be able to use a small round track in the area, and with the infield, should be some fun. A wee bit faster than most parking lot autocrosses maybe.

We took some time off to participate in some Phil Wicks schooling and to plan a haunted drive for our local group. The haunted drive involved music CDs timed for the back roads and so was a bit complex and time consuming but great fun.:smile: We will be on track with this shortly and hope to have registration available by January.

 

Northern California never has stuff this cool.

-mike

 

How about this? http://www.minimeetwest.com/2005/index.html

You would get to see lots of classic Minis

I have more fun playing MINIs than anything else I do.:smile:

 

Yeah that looks pretty cool, didn't know about that one. Thanks!

-mike