North American Motoring - R50/R53 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Greetings friends,

I thought I would give everyone a bit of a breather from my constant posting. Alas I can not keep quiet long. It is late at night nearly time to retire and here I am thinking about the MINI and all the fun it has been already for me.

As some of you may know I was at the AMVIV last weekend. I was the relatively quiet blonde guy wandering around asking a question or two of some of you. One fellow I met--Mark was especially kind to the newcomer and worked hard to include me in all the reindeer games. Me? I am a bit shy at first. I like to test the water and observe the group on the whole. Though I admit freely that it felt great to be welcomed by Mark and his wife with open arms. It just made my recon visit all the better.

I arrived early on Saturday missing the dinner the night before. I understand I missed a good meal and a chance to see the players in the MINI community that had taken over this garage at the Palace Station Casino.

It was around 10:30 in the morning when I arrived. The weather had been mixed. Rain followed me nearly all the way as I motored down the 15. I had to admit some concern that again the weather was foul and I was driving a new car down the road. It was only two weeks ago on a rainy day like this that I spun out my S2000 on CA-154.

The MINI felt sure though. I hit a few spots on the road that gave me pause but the MINI was secure. In fact if I had a complaint it would be that I seem to be very intimately involved with every rain groove as the run flats never saw an opportunity to move with the rain grooves that it didn't like! Perhaps this was its way of saying--I am here and I know there is a lot riding on these tires!

I parked my MINI on the top deck of the garage. I was shocked at the number of cars. I saw in one thread that someone counted 288 cars. I believe that completely. In fact the number could well be more. I was amazed that I didn't see another MINI there that was exactly like mine. Every car had its own look and while some were very close to my car none were identical. You certainly could not say that at any S2000 event I have seen!

I wandered around looking at each of the cars. I saw some really cool things. I loved the car that was pepper-white with the british stripe. I had to laugh when I saw the car "kills" on the side. It was clear that this community is about making a statement.

I then moved to the deck below. I registered and looked around at the vendor area. It wasn't quite open but there were still plenty of folks around. I saw cars being worked on--one car getting stripes and another car getting a super charger pulley reduction. Boy I was tempted to sign up. I wouldn't mind a little more umph in my git-a-long!

It was about then I met Mark. He had this cool blue MINI with "viper" stripes. We talked for a long while. He told me of his mission to go to each of the MINI dealers and collect a plate. He already had a Long Beach MINI plate or I would have gladly given up mine--though I think the point is to actually visit. I would have kept his secret had he needed the plate.

We talked and talked. I enjoyed getting his perspective on things. I enjoyed listening to his stories related to visiting dealers. It was at this point I started to feel like that I was no longer the outsider looking in--but just another MINI owner getting into a very exclusive and cool club.

I checked in finally and was able to get the cheaper hotel rate. Not sure why as I had not pre-registered but I didn't complain. I put my stuff in my room and took a nap. I was tired. I had gotten up so early to get to Vegas from Woodland Hills. Believe me I have to really want to do something to be up at 5am on a Saturday.

Mark suggested rather strongly that I didn't want to miss the drive around the strip that night. So I got up, showered and was back on the garage deck in time for launch.

Personally the launch was the most impressive. Imagine 100+ cars suddenly deciding that it was time to leave together. MINIs were going everywhere for a moment and eventually ended up in a 4-car wide line at the top. Horns were blowing. Music was playing. I pulled my sunroof open and made sure my windows were down. I fired up some AC/DC for the ocassion. It seemed to work.

The lines started to move -- one column then the next. Out on to the street we ran. Off we ran to the I-15 south for a brief jaunt. We all wanted to stay together. The Vegas folks around were not all amused by our follies. They tried to break our lines as we mushed forward.

At one point we had to pull a right lane into a left turn lane maneuver which no doubt cost some of the line. I really felt I was on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride now.

We mushed onward and around. The line splintered, people got lost, horns were honking. Mr. Toad would have been proud!

We regrouped at one point and I had managed to find Mark and the blue MINI. We were at the Star Dust. After most of the cars arrived we set out again.

The line immediately disappeared in just a few blocks. I think at this point a lot of people just decided to drive around town. I ended up following the white-pepper MINI into a gas station. She said "I think most have gone their own way now. I need go juice!". I waved and went back to the hotel. I had just finished my first drive with the MINI owners.

I went back into the casion and had a bite of dinner and hit the rack. No wild gambling for me. The GF unit also suggested it would be bad if I enjoyed any of the finer pleasures of Vegas. I did try the line "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" but I don't think I convinced her.

I slept the night.

I needed to get back home pretty early on Sunday so I didn't do the Valley of Fire drive. I bet I missed the best drive actually. Mr. Toad was not invited to that one I don't think.

Anyway I am glad to have met you folks. I look forward to further adventures.

-mark=