By the way, if you use Waze, go ahead and join the MTTS group I created. The intent is to send out alerts / chats regarding traffic, LEOs, etc as well as MTTS-specific info. Like if routes change, or if Jim McDowell flags down an ice cream truck again

My wife and I will be taking turns driving, while the co-pilot will monitor Waze, FRS radio, etc.

-Jim

 

Was wondering about this just this morning, and found this post. Gee, "all day" to drive from Chicago to Des Moines, surely there'd be oppty to do a little backroad / off-the-beaten-path sorta drive versus just cruise-control on I-80 for 5 hours.

I'll stay tuned for any localized advice!

 

I did that, and thanks to your post(s), got familiar with Waze...pretty cool, actually. Incredible how many different technology ideas get combined / shaped into a new, useful something!

 

There has been talk about shipping cars to the east coast for MTTS.
I'm driving but for those that didn't want to rack up the miles or have the time here's an option to think about.

I got this from the event organizers:

We are thrilled that you plan to join the MINI TAKES THE STATES rally from coast to coast.
Some of you have expressed interest in trucking your MINI one way.
We’ve put together the following information should you wish to pursue this option.

Reliable Trucking
Dave Mesack (800) 521-6393 x 6209 (hubs throughout the country)
The quotes are for closed transportation, per unit if a truck is filled with 6 units.
Drop off can be at MINI headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. 6 car rates as follows:
LA to NJ $1,500 per unit
GA to NJ $800.00 per unit
TX to NJ $1,000.00 per unit
IL to NJ $700.00 per unit
MI to NJ $500.00 per unit
AZ to NJ $1,400.00 per unit
FL to NJ $900.00

Horseless Carriage Carriers
Terence 1 (800) 631 7796 (based in NJ)
The quote is for closed transportation.
Price is for one unit and not based on filling a truck.
Drop off is 20 miles from MINI headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ at the trucking company.
LA to NJ $1,850

GO FORTH. GO WEST. GO MINI.

Hope this helps...

 

Just wondering if anyone doing MTTS this year is from the Boston area?
I'm going to be doing about half of the trip from NJ to IL and was wondering if anyone else was thinking about the same?

 

--- Kaze thanks for sharing this- as I was wondering about the same thing ...

 

I'm from Worcester and I'll be doing NJ to DC for sure, still trying to decide about Charlotte... Are you also doing MINIs on Top?

 

I'd like to do MOT, I've been wanting to do it for the last 4 years but never could. Have they started registration for that yet?

 

They started about 6 weeks ago and it will probably be up for another 2 weeks or so...

 

Whoa, thanks, I might have missed it if I didn't ask. I was waiting to see the announcement on the NAM front page, I could have sworn I've seen it there before.

 

Go to www.minisontop.com There's only about 4 weeks left until the event (but who's counting)

 

Thanks, I was checking it out earlier, I had not idea it got so expensive, it's $130 for two people to have dinner and go up to the top of Mt Washington +plus stickers and a shirt.

Anywho we should get this thread back on topic, Do you know anyone else going to MTTS? Me and my friend are planning on leaving on the evening/night of the 3th and getting a room so that we are down in NJ the morning of MTTS launch. Whats you're plan?

 

Driving down on the 3rd, sometime in the afternoon and staying at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton.

 

Nice, I need to get going on reserving some rooms for the trip. I just haven't gotten some of my final details down. Kinda waiting on hearing back about a job too which doesn't help but I'm hoping that the 4th being in the middle of the week it'd be a pretty lax one.

 

The Courtyard that MTTS suggest is completely sold out. The Hilton had some rooms when I booked, not sure of they still do...

 

Im not sure which I called on friday but they were sold out too, Budget is also a pretty large part of the trip for me, some of the MINI suggested hotels were pretty pricey. I've been looking at hotels within 5 miles or so of the Host hotel.

 

I shipped my MINI back to NYC (from Denver) after MTTS 2010. Highly recommended.

 

Isn't that "Field of Dreams" site somewhere along the way to Des Moines? Would love to see a swarm of MINIs coming out of the cornfield....

JZB

 

I have just one simple question.... Not that the $30.00 is going to break me, but why exactly are we paying for MINI to have the largest marketing event they can have. Shouldn't MINI pick up the entire tab? Aren't we giving them enough free advertising and marketing just driving our little go-carts around having a blast? I understand paying for all our club sponsored events, like MOTD, but free marketing, especially when they rape us at the stealerships? You would think that they would maybe have us go to the MINI dealers and pick up our passes or mail them to us as MINI owners, but pay cash money for their marketing their new cars. Sorry I don't get it.

 

Some of it may have to do with the planned evening events...some of the sites are listing food and live music. I don't see where they're charging extra for those, but I wasn't around for MTTS 2010 or earlier and don't know what to expect.

Another one, from running a few events myself: if they're "free", it's hard to get a good headcount. Folks will say, "Sure, I'll go", but then if it's raining that day, the cat needed it's claws trimmed, or someone had a long day at work the day before, it's easier to say "nah, I'll just stay home" versus take the trouble to go if you don't have a few $$ invested.

I'm used to paying a few dollars for most organized events, but admittedly those are volunteer things so it's easier to understand some $$ for organization, coordination, hosting a website, etc.

 

We've been working with the MTTS route planners from MINI USA who were out here pre-driving recommended routes a couple of weeks ago. Although still unofficial, here is a pretty firm reference to what we believe will be advertised by MINI USA as the "primary" route through eastern Iowa:

http://goo.gl/maps/tVRE

I'm not sure about the route from Chicago to Galena, although I am aware that Galena and the Amana Colonies will likely be the main "surprise and delight" stops along this leg.

We tried to get the Field of Dreams site along the primary route, but they were concerned about the additional transit time and some sharp, blind corners along the suggested route to get there (imagine that... ). We believe they will advertise this as an optional side trip for interested parties.

 

So me and my friend are getting ready for MTTS, and we have come up with a couple questions about the overall event for some of you that have done the MTTS cross country drives before.

Overall what will the days be like?

-Are we going to be driving all day?

-Are we going to have the time to do stuff in the city during the day or is it mostly going to be driving?
specific ex. get to DC in time to hit a museum?

-What time are we going to start each day?

-Will we be traveling and leaving each city as a big group, small groups, or is it go at your own pace?

 

From the FAQ on the MTTS 2012 website:

Paralympics Team Support
BMW Group as a Proud Partner of United States Olympic Committee announces MINI USA's partnership with the Paralympic Team for MINI TAKES THE STATES as the charitable recipient for the MINI TAKES THE STATES Road Rally. A portion of proceeds from each $30 participant registration fee will be donated to the U.S. Olympic Committee to support the Paralympics Movement and the 2012 athletes who will compete in the London Games and 2014 Paralympic hopefuls as they train.

Hope this helps...

 

Anyone know what time of day on July 5th when they'll be in Charlotte NC? I just want to be around to see the parade...

 

According to Google it's a 7 hour ride to Charlotte so I'm guessing around 4:30 or so because we're leaving D.C. at 8:30 am.

Bring a chair, get comfy, and we'll wave as we go by......
Bring a chair and a six pack and we'll stop and say hello!