The MINI Club of Ireland

Posted elsewhere, but:

AMVIV was, as ever, an absolute blast. My sister brought her MINI, her family, some friends & their MINI along from San Francisco for her & their first MINI event. I got in late Thursday night, did not make the Death Valley / Track events on Friday, as we were waiting for Bridget's car to get out of Desert MINI's shop. Bridget managed to go through her brakes in 12000 miles. Something about being addicted to the long skinny pedal to the right, and having to use the brakes because people (and stop signs & lights & cops) get in her way: Did make it to Red Rocks & Mt. Charleston, on the latter run I found out exactly how stable the GP is at high speeds. The answer is rock steady, the speed is classified.

Got to see a bunch of folks that these days I only see at events, rather than on runs. All in all, a great time. Except for the dumb cluck (substitute your own consonant) who backed into Stanleys onside headlight with a Chevy Suburban at a gas station on the NV/CA border on my way home. Stupid me, I had just thought to myself "I've had a great time, and no damage except one small windshield chip." I never learn.

Phil Thearle (my good friend at the body shop ) will be replacing the front bumper & hood, and possibly the radiator &/or aux. cooler. Phil & I were talking, and I'm now on my 5th visit to his facility. Only one of which was because I did something stupid, all the rest were because someone else hit my MINI. I swear to god, I'm buying a bullseye graphic for the car.

I did spend the rest of my trip home caravanning with Donna & Mike, formerly of DC Metro MINIs, who send greetings eastward. Stanley goes into the shop at the end of next week for his face lift.

Pics Jim ???????? I am sure You must have lots of good pics .

Sounds like a blast Jim 8) , will we have a load of new members joining up here shortly so :?:

Whoops, left my MCOI cards at home--but will distribute them at the Dragon

Some pics taken, not many. I'm in the process of uploading to flickr right now, and will link them up when I figure out how.

Vegas is a hugely fun time. Close to 600 MINIs registered & 800 attending. The run to Red Rocks had 180 cars, the Vegas Strip run on Friday night 225, and the Mt Charleston run was north of 120 cars.

Vegas strip run !!!! Jim you know how to make us jealous, sound brilliant 8)

The strip run is amazing. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it this year. I was running on 3 hours sleep.....


Here's my few photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimskater/

DB from whiteroofradio.com has a great compendium of photos, videos & links over on his site. Be sure to click over to the photos from Lex at SCMM mentioned in the full article. Definitely be sure to see the interview with the Vegas Stig:

http://dbmini.us/amviv-wrap-up/#more-988

This is my favorite photo from the Red Rocks run--it very clearly illustrates that my sister has her priorities straight:

Jim - you no doubt enjoyed yourself, Nicky will be nattering for us to go sometime :roll:

Its an amazing weekend, Derek. Nattering won't begin to describe it. :P

Vegas is my fave place, and to drive a MINI down the strip would be the best thing ever 8)

It certainly is one of those things that HAVE to be done , We had the great pleasure of driving a Hot Orange S Cabriolet down the strip a few years ago and it was certainly one of the highlights of the trip , We really had some fun and mayhem on that trip .
G

You could say that!

PMSL thinkin about the SOFA Chicane again

The one I didn't get a pic of at 80 mph
G

You fool! :x :roll: