MINIs don't add up

Discussion in 'World Record Attempt! Largest Gathering of MINIs! ' started by Way Motor Works, Jul 17, 2013.

Tags:
  1. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

    May 4, 2009
    1,169
    206
    0
    MINI Tuner
    Atlanta
    Ratings:
    +206 / 0 / -0
    #1 Way Motor Works, Jul 17, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2013
    Starting by saying I'm not trying to be negative or against the event. But I've been doing the math and I don't see how they are going to break the record.
    For example we all plan a year in advance for the Dragon and we don't get 1000 MINIs there, how are they going to get 1450 with less than a year notice?
    Also out of my local clubs I don't know anyone going. And don't know more than a few hundred customers that are planning the trip.

    Now MINI has blown this event all over Facebook, but on their event page they only show 477 are going, 210 maybes, and 699 invited. Again it doesn't add up if ALL of those go that's still only 1386 cars IF that is cars and not people, and EVERYONE of them goes. Which we know never happens.
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    Way, I concur, and I'm usually quite the optimist. My thoughts are that the location, while interesting, is just to far from the major population centers to draw enough cars.

    However, I want to be wrong and see them make it happen.
     
  3. rum4

    rum4 Club Coordinator
    Lifetime Supporter

    Aug 17, 2011
    4,568
    1,475
    0
    SC
    Ratings:
    +1,478 / 0 / -0
    I'd like to see it happen too but it doesn't look good.
     
  4. Gil-galad

    Gil-galad Club Coordinator

    May 19, 2009
    1,178
    431
    83
    Male
    Decorah, IA
    Ratings:
    +435 / 0 / -0
    We have a bunch going from our club, probably a comparable number to the MTTS participants we produced when the route came through our state.

    MOTD is not really a good metric. It's a lot easier for a greater number of folks to get one day off at the end of the week in the middle of summer so they can participate in an event, in comparison to the multiple working days during the school year that MOTD dictates. I imagine that the distance to major population centers will be the largest constraint on numbers.

    Whether or not the record is set is secondary motivation for me. I'm mainly looking forward to the three-day weekend adventure, motoring and hanging out with my closest MINI enthusiast friends, exploring some new territory, seeing old and meeting new friends from other locales, enjoying the time behind the wheel, and just being a small part of the ~1000+ MINI "take-over" of St. Ignace/Mackinaw City. :arf:
     
  5. ljmattox

    ljmattox Active Member

    Dec 28, 2011
    223
    123
    43
    Male
    IT consultant
    St Louis metro USA
    Ratings:
    +123 / 0 / -0
    I'm going, and planning on a good time, record or not, a nice week-end trip from St. Louis. And it'll be great to get some relief from the early August STL weather :)

    W/r/t MOTD, yes, 1000 cars or so after a year's advertising and well-known-ness. But it's sort of self-limiting, right? The *nearby* accommodations are filled way in advance, and may only support about that number anyway. Just checking, Fontana Village is already sold out for May, 2014, for example, although I didn't call Tapoco Lodge or Microtel Robbinsville (no online reserverations checking at them).

    Were it hosted in, say, Chattanooga or Knoxville TN, or Greenville, SC with lots more lodging, with tours/drives to The Dragon, Cherahola Skyway, etc. you'd likely see attendance increases. That might change the conversation to, "gee, they draw a few thousand to MOTD each year, surely 1500 or so to The Mac in August shouldn't be a big deal".
     
  6. yodejt02

    yodejt02 Club Coordinator

    Mar 31, 2011
    34
    18
    8
    Male
    Technical Development Specialist
    Fort Wayne, Indiana
    Ratings:
    +18 / 0 / -0
    My wife and i are going, but I am really disappointed with the numbers coming from my home state. I am from Fort Wayne, Indiana there are a ton of MINIs being driven in this city, and can tell you first hand most of the owners could careless to participate in anything MINI related be it club activities or official MINI rallies. The same goes for Indy, they have a large club hosted by the states only MINI dealer, going by the lack of posts on their website and Facebook page it looks like maybe two MINIs will be attending.

    I feel as though there was not enough promotion and support from some of the dealers and clubs to get the word out. My wife and I have done our part with handing out flyers locally to MINI owners but most are very uninterested. This coming from an area that is only a few hours away from the event.

    We are excited to be going since we missed the dragon this year, and that this will be our first official MINI event we have attended.
     
  7. WolfGTI

    WolfGTI Active Member

    May 21, 2009
    387
    217
    43
    NJ
    Ratings:
    +217 / 0 / -0
    Don't take this the wrong way... but I prefer if there isn't over 1000 there - it will make it too crowded and driving the Dragon in any fun fashion becomes a pain in the ass.
     
  8. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    25,021
    13,497
    113
    Burbs of Philly, PA
    Ratings:
    +14,644 / 10 / -4
    Yup I agree, anything close to 1000 cars is way too many for the MOTD.

    It's also the reason why most people (non-Rookies) don't drive on Saturdays. :Thumbsup:
     
  9. maacodale

    maacodale Club Coordinator

    May 7, 2009
    546
    255
    63
    Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting Center owne
    Poquoson, VA
    Ratings:
    +265 / 0 / -0
    My sentiments exactly Way. I've posted before, if they break the record I'll wear a pink tutu at MOTD. Thinking I'm pretty safe. I doubt they'll break 500.

    I understand it's all about the MINI, but I think some people really think there's a chance. Still, a group of MINI owners getting together would be a good time.
     
  10. Ernesto

    Ernesto Club Coordinator

    May 16, 2009
    568
    511
    93
    Oracle DBA
    Skokie Ill
    Ratings:
    +646 / 0 / -0
    I agree, but looking for a good time no matter how many MINIs show up..
     
  11. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
    Lifetime Supporter

    May 4, 2009
    3,217
    1,542
    113
    Used to work making computers run fast!
    Louisville, Colorado
    Ratings:
    +1,731 / 5 / -0
    #11 old81, Jul 21, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2013
    It will be interesting, a lot of folks who could have come to MITM are probably doing the MAC.

    I know if I only had 3 days I might go North versus West for my heat break.

    I wish them luck, not sure if it was the Michigan MINI Dealer PR person who started this and then MINIUSA picked it up, it was pretty active for awhile, then went back to sleep.
     
  12. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

    Jun 4, 2009
    19,424
    10,031
    113
    Retired old fart
    Hooterville Ohio USA
    Ratings:
    +11,656 / 2 / -0
    This thread doesn't add up....

    I sure don't want to rain on anyone's parade. Hope they make it & all have big fun doing it.:Thumbsup: That is a wonderful part of the country. If I wasn't committed to going to the Indy-Car races at Mid-Ohio I'd be there too.
     
  13. zinvestor

    zinvestor Active Member

    Jan 4, 2010
    165
    30
    28
    Mfg Systems Consultant
    Chicagoland
    Ratings:
    +30 / 0 / -0
    The major problem for me was the lateness in setting the event up. I had already reserved for MITM the following week or I would for sure come to this. As it was I considered leaving for MITM 3 days early on Friday and going via the Mack, MIs U.P., Wisc. & Iowa, but the extra 900 miles would have been a killer. Trying again with more notice should be done
     
  14. Way Motor Works

    Way Motor Works New Member

    May 4, 2009
    1,169
    206
    0
    MINI Tuner
    Atlanta
    Ratings:
    +206 / 0 / -0
    Looks like MINI is actually listening to us by releasing the dates for MTTS 2014 early so we can all plan.
     
  15. j3kidford

    j3kidford Club Coordinator

    May 4, 2009
    44
    3
    0
    Pharmacist
    Jacksonville, Florida
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    They announced the other day that they won't be breaking the record. Based on current numbers they estimate they will have about 800 MINIs there. But that's still a HUGE MINI gathering and MINI is making it into a big party! I'm going because I'm all about any kind of MINI gathering!! Besides, I hear it's beautiful up there...and hopefully not as hot as Florida! Setting the record would have been nice, but that was never the reason I was going.
     
  16. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

    Mar 30, 2009
    25,144
    10,052
    113
    Writer
    Short North
    Ratings:
    +10,069 / 0 / -0
    800 is still quite a bit. I'm looking forward to seeing the pictures and hearing about the event. Please don't be shy in sharing on M/A.
     
  17. 10Nathan10

    10Nathan10 Member

    Mar 16, 2013
    151
    24
    18
    Michigan
    Ratings:
    +24 / 0 / -0
    I am new to Minis in general but when I say something about the dragon to people get confused stares. Just the other day I was in my drive way doing work on the Mini and random gentleman in a club blue just pulled in the drive and asked me if I was going to the Minis on the Mack. Yes my wife and I are going and we are really looking forward to it.
     
  18. Jillrnc

    Jillrnc New Member

    Feb 28, 2011
    14
    6
    0
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    You guys will have a blast in northern Michigan in the heat of August. Mac island in a site to see- no cars- imagine that !!
    The twisties are minimal in the area and I am on a hunt for some good roads for the group to try.
    Recommend the falls and Drummond island is cool also.
    For those trying out the traverse city area we have some great twists and turns there and fantastic wines.
    Look forward to sharing my neck of the woods- welcome :)
     
  19. agranger

    agranger MINI of the Month June 2009
    Supporting Member

    Apr 22, 2009
    2,188
    1,483
    113
    Project Manager
    Charlotte, NC
    Ratings:
    +1,863 / 2 / -0
    The Dragon is really a sports-car and motorcycle place. Talk to any biker and I'd bet they have been or wanna go. I was sitting in a Diner in Dallas, TX one Saturday and overheard 2 bikers talking about heading to NC to visit a friend (we were all sitting at one long community table). They had their map out and were plotting a route. I introduced myself and mentioned the Dragon and their eyes lit up.... they had heard but had no idea where it was. I helped them re-route about 1 hour out of their way and got an appreciative email w/ Killboy pics attached a few weeks later. :D
     
  20. zinvestor

    zinvestor Active Member

    Jan 4, 2010
    165
    30
    28
    Mfg Systems Consultant
    Chicagoland
    Ratings:
    +30 / 0 / -0
    Jill, SR 119 N from Harbor Springs was a blast for me.

     

Share This Page