CMMC & MINI USA Chicago Auto Show Event

Auto Show Wrapup:

About 20 MINIs braved the cold cold Saturday weather for the drive down to the Auto Show. After fueling up on Donuts and Cupcakes we headed down a salty Sheridan road and Lakeshore drive and eventually made it to McCormick Place.

First stop was the MINI exhibit where we had our first chance to be up close and personel with the new 2007 MINI’s. MINIUSA provided a special VIP area on the 2nd floor of the exhibit where we had a chance to have a continental breakfast and drinks.

After that, people split up and went to check out lots of cars.

Check out Photos by Mark | Gabe | Francis | Dan | Video by Taylor | Dennis

Once again the CMMC will be partnering with MINI USA to bring you a unique way to see the Chicago Auto Show. And with the local debut of the next generation Cooper and Cooper S, this year promises to be one to remember.

For 2007 MINI’s Exhibit will feature an elevated second floor lounge and for the first two hours of the show on Saturday morning (02.10.07) it will be all ours. MINI USA will provide the usual excellent continental breakfast and a full line of refreshments for the club throughout the first two hours of the show.

Unfortunately since all of the MINI USA staff will be in Phoenix for the press debut of the 2007 MINI, we won’t have a MINI USA executive on hand. However we will have all the normal MINI auto-show staff available to answer questions.

You can buy tickets ($10) at the Drive Chicago website or at the door.

Since we won’t be getting into the show early this year (again due to all the MINI USA execs being out in Phoenix for the R56 launch) we do not have a cap on number of participants. However the MINI Lounge only holds 40 total people so we’re going to have to limit this event to only CMMC members and up to two guests. That will mean that not our entire group will be in the lounge at one time. So we’ll also have to ask for a CMMC member card before entering. If you’re a member and have misplaced your card, let us know and we’ll be sure to make a note on our final list. If you aren’t a member but would like to join, we’ll gladly accept a check and member application before and at the show.

  • Miguel Salgado

    I only have one question. Will my 1-1/2 yr old be exempt or not from paying. Other than that we are going to have some great fun now that he is aware of things around him.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    Checking the Drive Chicago site, kids under 7 are free..

  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago
    Checking the Drive Chicago site, kids under 7 are free..

    What if I am really immature, does that count? :)

    I will check my calendar for that day – in all likelihood, I’ll be in.

  • Dave Z

    I’m in.

  • The Seeker

    Me too.

  • http://paulr.us Paul

    I’ll be there.

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)

    Same here. In for one.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    Anyone up for a Northside drive in together?

    I was thinking the usual meetup at the south end of the Northwestern Campus, and a cruise down Sheridan road and Lake Shore Drive..

  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago
    Anyone up for a Northside drive in together? I was thinking the usual meetup at the south end of the Northwestern Campus, and a cruise down Sheridan road and Lake Shore Drive..

    I would probably be up for that. I’d have to drive up North from the city a few miles to get there and then head back South, but that’s just an excuse to drive twisties more. Let me know if you get other takers.

  • john & tommy

    Will try to make it, but I think Tommy has a game that day.

  • Marco

    count me in for 1, and im in for the north side drive.

  • Paul L

    Looks like I’ll be there with Co-commander.

  • http://dcmini.blogspot.com/ DanC

    I’m in too

  • cathy

    gary and i will be there. set aside 2 for us.

  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago

    This may be redundant for some, but it’s a new resource for me. My teammate for this Sunday sent me these two links:

    http://www.livewireracing.co.uk/karting_tips.htm

    and

    http://www.karting1.co.uk/karting-techniques.htm

    Now, you are not allowed to memorize any tips for the purposes of making me come in last mind you. Just being a friendly MINI friver/KARTER.

  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago

    Sorry, posted to wrong section. Oops.

  • Pat K

    Count me in. I hope to bring along one guest as well. I’d be interested in meeting up at Northwestern for the drive in to McCormick Place.

  • Adam

    I am in plus one. I am also in for the northside drive.

  • http://web.mac.com/shagz Tom (MiniShagz)

    I should be there. Not sure if I’ll have a co-pilot or not. I might be up for the Northside drive as well since I’m coming from the extreme Northside! :)

  • Ken

    It’s me and the “Little Man”. He loves to stand on nice new leater seats.

  • dennis

    I’ll be there with (possibly) 2 and “1/4″ others.. =) btw, some photos from the Detroit Auto Show here, including a few pics of the new generation MINIS: http://picasaweb.google.com/ucanhavmycake78/NAIAS07

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  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago
    The optional Northside drive down Sheridan Road and Lake Shore Drive will be departing at 9am from the Northwestern parking garage located at the south end of the campus near 1800 S. Campus drive

    I will be there – if I remember the last drive to the show, people arrived early and “mingled”. That said, I volunteer to bring some donuts and munchkins.

    Any must have donut flavors, speak up here.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve
    Any must have donut flavors, speak up here.

    I am a sucker for Boston Creme donuts..
    No powder sugar covered ones for me as they are way to messy to be eaten anywhere close to my MINI ;-)

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)

    Maybe if it’s not too cold, I’ll go top-down!!!

  • Roxana

    Hello, I have not had the Mini out this winter–My Bad-It loves the heat! If weather is nice (Ha! Ha!) I will be coming up from the south(way south Emington, Bean field / Corn Field area) to come very north to participate in the drive down–way cool! Can someone give me directions to the parking garage. I will be coming up Interstate 55. Thanks Roxana (New member)

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    The Parking garage is located near 1800 S. Campus Drive in Evanston http://www.google.com/maps?q=1800+S+Campus+Dr,+Evanston,+IL+60201&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title

    There is a small road that leads into Northwestern at the south end of the campus, and the parking garage is about 1/4 mile in. We will be huddled in our cars shivering on the top level (slightly above ground level).

  • http://2500M.com Jim Cowen

    Kacey and I want to come to the mini drive to the auto show. Confirm us. Thanks, Jim

  • Paul

    Is there room on the drive for ‘SotaMINIs?

    Ok, I’ll be our only representative, but if there’s room for one more, I’d love to join you guys on your drive down to the show (thanks MiniMac2005 for giving us the link to this event). If you see some idiot in a ’05 black MCS with loon license plates (yes I’m from Minnesota) driving aimlessly around Evanston Saturday morning, flag me down and let me follow you to the right parking lot.

    Actually, I used to live in Norwood Park and Mount Prospect, so I really have no excuse if I can’t find my way.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve
    Is there room on the drive for ‘SotaMINIs?

    Please do come along!!! It is always fun to have out-of-towners join us. I’ll be the guy in the really dirty CR/W MC with offset stripes

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)
    Is there room on the drive for ‘SotaMINIs?

    I’ll be on the lookout for you Paul! I couldn’t find it right away last year.. that’s why I arrived SOOOOO early. I’m in the BRG/G MCC. Can’t miss me.. unless I don’t get a carwash first. Then I might look like Steve! LOL!!!

  • Rob

    Anyone heading down from the north burbs (Gurnee)?

  • Mark

    Count me in!! (how is that for last minute? LOL!) I think i let my membership lapse (oops), so i will be needing to renew that. I’ll see you all in evanston!

  • Bruce

    We will be joining John in Green Oaks (E Libertyville area) before heading down 94…. 8:15 at his house! John.. U want to give the address?

  • john & tommy

    Gurnee Rob & Bruce, The Lake County contingent (John, Tommy, Bruce & Becky) will meet at the Harley Davidson dealership on 176 right near/just east of the Tollway and leave from there at 8:15 am, promptly.

    Rob, you’ll probably have to exit at 137 and go down Waukegan Rd. or St. Mary’s and double back to 176 as there is no southbound exit there, but you knew that, right?

    Hope this isn’t too late.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    Hey all, Thanks for braving the bitter cold and comming out for the drive.

    I had a great time. Thanks to Knauz for the auto show tickets, Greg for the Donuts, and Dan for Cupcakes!!

  • Paul L.

    Co-Commander and I had a really great time. Finally nice to see an ’07 with a big thanks to Knauz for the ticket and MINI for their lounge and refreshments.

    I look forward to seeing our first ’07 into the club soon.

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)

    Great to see everyone again! Can’t wait for the Spring Drive!

    Nice to meet ya Paul(MN), Rob and Renee! Hope you guys enjoyed the abbreviated Sheridan Rd run afterwards!!

  • http://www.taylorsmith.biz Taylor

    Hi folks. For those of you who like to see you Mini on tape there is a decent chance you can from yesterday’s footage. Enjoy it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y14KpZbNL68

  • Dustin

    Great Pics, Gabe yours really stand out, look like pro, love the details and close ups.

    Taylor, had hope to see you hit the Oak Beach St Corner on LSD hard on video, looks like traffic was tight.

    See You all at the March Drive. Dustin

  • http://gskchicago.blogspot.com GSKChicago

    I had a great time – thanks! This is my second evet in a few weeks – after a fairly long absence from participating. Too much fun to not join in on future events.

    Great pics all, great video Taylor – thanks!

    I still have a lot of fricken donuts left – WOO HOO! :)

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve
    I still have a lot of fricken donuts left

    If you need help with that, just let me know :)

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