Most liked posts in thread: MINIs don't add up

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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".

 

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.

 

I agree, but looking for a good time no matter how many MINIs show up..

 

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

 

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.

 

I'd like to see it happen too but it doesn't look good.

 

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:

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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. 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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Jill, SR 119 N from Harbor Springs was a blast for me.

 

You said it Ernesto! No matter how many MINI'S......
After talking with Don at the recent MITM event, you can count on one more to attend the Dragon next year. This will be a bucket list (unofficial) for me. 318 twisties!!! I am a coupe named "Rogue" traveling from Denver. Would love to travel in a group! Gilbert are you going? Teresa.