Hampton Roads Club Mini

Hey Gang,
With 2009 coming to a close fast, I think it might be time to look forward to 2010. We had a pretty darn good year this year thanks to everyone here at HR MINI. Even if all you did was post some thoughts about a minor aspect of the club, thanks. You helped make this a better place for everyone here. Now, having said that, it's time to get our sleeves rolled up and get to work on planning activities for next year. I'd like to come up with a pretty aggressive agenda for 2010. I'd like to see at least 4 good sized events. Things along the lines of the Fall Colors Run or the Chincoteague/Eastern Shore Run. Basically overnight stuff. I'd like to see a good handful of Saturday or Sunday drives. Of course we can't stop our monthly dinners. I love seeing everyone at those and I like the diversity we have with those. They need to absolutely stay on the calendar. And the quick "hey, lets meet at Cold Stone for Ice Cream" gatherings are also a must!

So where does that leave us? Here are some thoughts. Let's look at what we did for 2009, at least what I can remember:

Cooper Vineyard Run
Chincoteague/Eastern Shore Run
Fall Colors Run
MINIween

All of those went great and if you missed them, you missed part of what being in HR MINI is all about. MINI's and their owners.

Don't forget, we ain't the only game in town either. We have some great MINI neighbors. Tar Heel MINI's in Carolina and, as some of us found out Sunday, DC Metro MINI's up north. They all have great events. I've done several runs with Tar Heel. Super great folks and they love their MINI's! And after making one run with DCMM, I'll be back up there. They have their stuff together.

So, Where do we go from here? Literally!
What's on the horizon? Got any ideas? Throw them out there. I'll still handle the Cooper Vineyard Run and I have a few more ideas for the Fall Color's Run.

So what do y'all think? Where do ya wanna go? What do ya wanna do? Post up your ideas here and remember our motto:

IF YOU PLAN IT, THEY WILL COME!!!!!

EVENTS WE SHOULD REPEAT IN 2010

Chincoteague/Eastern Shore Run
Cooper Vineyard
Fall Colors Run
MINIween


OUT OF TOWN EVENT SUGGESTIONS

Tar Heel MINI's:
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour

DC Metro MINI's:
MINI's take the beltway
Hanging the curves, Picking the Cherries

Central Maryland MINI Motorists events

MINI Motoring Club of the Carolinas:
HelenBlitz Helen GA.

All of these clubs, and many others, have events all throughout the year. We should make an effort to do more out of town events if possible. Most of these can be done in a day, as we proved with the Beltway run. If you think we have fun at our events, you should experience an event with outher MINI owners. They're all a blast to hang out with.

Perhaps a food theme drive.  Best BBQ in the south or such with multiple stops to out of the way BBQ joints via back roads. It could be an overnighter or weekend event.

All great points!

That's exactly what I was looking for.

First off, Adam is right on! The Dragon is a given. Period. If you own a MINI/Mini, you need to make at least a couple of days at the Dragon. Even if you don't drive the Dragon it self. Don said he liked the roads all around the area, and he was exactly right. So yea, the Dragon WILL be on our agenda.

Also, I had forgotten about Moss Motors in Petersburg. They want us up there. I kinda have an "in" with them apparently. Seems their shop manager is a former Maaco manager. And they made it pretty clear, they want us to set something up with them once they get fully stocked. So that too, will be added when they're ready.

Kathy has a great point with food. She always has our culinary side covered. I bet y'all didn't know Richmond has one of the biggest BBQ selections east of the Mississippi. They may not be Memphis or the like, but I bet we could do something with the Richmond group up there. And a joint trip to NC for BBQ with Tar Heel is highly anticipated as well. That could easily be an overnighter.

As for Kurt's suggestion, we will again be having our American Cancer Society/Relay for Life Gimmick road rally! This was a lot of fun last year and is looking to be again this year. Who knows, we might even have some special MINI trophies or something if we get a bunch of us to come out.

Still on my thoughts is a trip up to Michie's Tavern for dinner/lunch and I still wanna get the Richmond guys going and have a partnership with them up there.

Maybe we can get a group together for lunch after the holidays and do some activity planning.

Keep the ideas coming.

I think a MINI Detail Day would be fun in fair weather too.  I know how to use a clay bar and will share my knowledge!!  Mr. Zaino also answered my question about removing wax.  (You don't have to if you have good stuff.  Just keep layering it on for more protection and higher gloss.)  I know some new Cabrio owners have some rag top care questions.  Perhaps there is a professional among us?  And a place with a real long hose!!

Helenblitz was fun. Dang wet, but fun none the less. Would be good to be there in the dry next year.

I'll find out when it is and post up. Seems I heard it was the weekend after Valentine's Day.

Last year, after Tar Heels Blue Ridge Parkway Tour, the Great Ice Cream Run started in Staunton the next day and took 5 days to reach Maine. Stopping for ice cream twice a day, at least. Then MINI's on Top the weekend after the ice cream run. 3 major MINI events in 12 days. Pretty neat. Doubt anything like that will happen this year, but I hear MINI's on top rocks

And don't forget MINI Takes The States this year too! Kinda up in the air at the moment, but I have a slight connection that says a big central event in the heartland, A la MINI United does. Stay tuned. I'll pass what I know along.

Mid Atlantric Minis which is a classics only group is also planning a run up to Moss Motors in Petrsburg in 2010. I'd like to suggest that we coordinate dates and join forces to make the run togeher. We were on schedule to vist them for a soft opening last September but a couple of major complications got in the way of that taking place. Currently I'm putting our 2010 MAM activities calendar together and have the Moss visit penciled in, but with no firm date yet established.

fwiw, the THMMC Covered Bridge Run may have to be pushed up into sometime in March 2010.  I'm looking at probably doing the run up in the SW Virginia area (had originally planned to hit some bridges in the Floyd area, but LEO in the area may have impacted that during the Turkey Trot run we did).

Haven't heard anything yet, but I imagine the Bullfrog Run will be pushed to the weekend of April 10th/11th due to Easter being on the first weekend in April in 2010.

Not sure if you want to add it to the list, but MINIs Slay the Sleeping Dragon should be in late October (22 - 24 maybe?).