Hampton Roads Club Mini

Okay, hang on! Don't kill me yet! I just wanted everybody's attention. I still love Y'all

But I'm a little let down and I'll explain.

I've been going to other clubs events for many many years. Even well before my MINI days. I'd run up to the DC area, out to the Lynchburg area and down to the Carolina's for autocrosses. We used to kick butt, partly because we had such good competition locally. When the other guys would come to town for an autocross, we'd hand them their butts and send them home. We had some of the best autocrossers in the Mid Atlantic.

So now I'm into MINI's. We've had a few events with decent turnouts. Fall colors run had 24. Chincoteague had like 8. Spring Fling had 7. I've made a few runs with Tar Heel and DC. Finally got a few HR guys to tag along. Tar Heel had 39 cars at the Bull Frog Run. They had 24 MINI's for the Big Walker Run with crappy weather. DC had 60 MINI's at their One Lap of the Belt Way last year a few of us went up today they had 39 cars registered for their Spring Fling.

So..........WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET HR MINI MEMBERS OUT TO AN EVENT?????

We got a good turnout at the Pub last week, but that was unusual. Good to see some of the veteran HR gang show up too BTW!

How about drives? What's the deal?Ya got cool cars that are fun to drive. Why not get them out and drive the dang things?

It takes a lot of work and time planning a drive. We have some good ones, as attested to by the DC and Tar Heel members that come to our events. From Heather's run (which had a good turnout) to the Fall Colors Run (decent turnout, but we were almost outnumbered by other clubs members). But less than 10 each for the last few events. That needs to change soon. I really thank those that have shown up to the events. I think, or at least hope, everyone has had a good time at our events.

I know life get's in the way and there are other commitments that come along, but we have 5000+ registered members (I know, some have come and gone, some are/were probably spammers and some didn't have any clue as to what they were joining.) But hell, if we have 10% of that we'd have a ton of folks. Where the heck are Y'all?

Just let me know what we need to do to get Y'all out to an event. I'll do my best I promise!

And NO I don't really think HR MINI Sucks!

Events?   which events? I must be using the forum calendar wrong cause all I find is birthdays.   Tex will be moving to Chesapeake during the summer and will be looking for a little MINI social life.   ajm

Moe the actual event calendar is on the front page and the tab on the top menu bar in between the home & chat buttons will take you there.    

I feel for you Dale.  I had 3 cars turn up to go to Bottoms up Pizza and Scott had about the same for his Awesome Halloween festivity MINIween.  Both were partial day events.  It is quite a downer and makes a person not want to take the time to plan an event.

It is fustrating to put so many hours and in your case miles into planning a really spectacular event to have just a few of us attend.  But I have to say.  I enjoyed the intimacy of our group Spring Fling, tons over the large DC Metro groups event.  The DC drive was very nice but the radio was completely boring, "watch for truck, turn here" with no "hey check out the old cabin on the left or Stinky Acres hahahaha".  I get to know the people in our events, whereas the big events, I can't seem to remember a name let alone get a full 10 minutes of time with anyone.  Our events are famous for hanging out and talking and making lasting friendships.  I heard a few DC members complain that all their events were so far away for them.

One of the problems might be website related.  The only way to see what is going on is to come to the site.  Whereas, I get e-mails announcing events from other groups, when I haven't been to the site in months.  I think people tend to look every once in a while instead of daily or even weekly.  We have some people come to an event or two then never show up again.  I tend to see something on the calendar I want to do, then write it in my daytimer commiting myself to attending.  I can't tell you how many people sign up for dinners and do not come and do not cancel. 

Some things appeal to one and not another.  For instance the motocross lover will always do that over a drive.  But I think we try to offer a nice variety and the concept of any member offering up any plan is a good one, though not often used.

I share your fustration Dale.  All I can say is those that think about coming and do not miss a hell of a good time, every single time.   It is their loss, not ours.

Dale.... it's because I don't like you.    










Just kidding!!      I do agree with Laurie that the economy is not helping, but I also wanted to note that even TSCC has seen a drop in active autox'ers.  And yes I am one of the MIA TSCC members as well, hardly raced last year and taking this year completely off. 

Life is full of many things that keep me from being active, not having a MINI is just one..... driving a Land Cruiser like a MINI is fun, but a tank of gas is still just shy of a mortgage payment.  I also think that a lot of the past events that I attended were the ice cream meets vs the over night stays.  And the Ice Cream meets hurt the wallet a lot less.  Just saying!!

None the less.... I am an HRMINI member and I will do my best to post snarlky things on our page, welcome new members and continue to honk & wave at MINI drivers from high above their roof line in my old Land Cruiser!!

I also think the economy is partially to blame. Inexpensive events such as dinners, ice cream, and afternoon drives have  always been popular. Expenses for hotel rooms, baby sitters, pet sitters etc, might be too much for some. Also, as in my case, I certainly would have gone had I not spent the weekend preparing property for rental today. I could not defer it.

I can't blame any hidden evil forces.

Maybe a Facebook page for HRMINI would help to get the word out and get more people interacting with each other.

  
Peace and love, not suck.

Facebook page:  HRMINI Conquors The World

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