MINI Takes the States (7/25-7/27)

MINIUSA has posted up details, and registration is now open for the Chicago stop of MINI Takes the States.

Chicago: July 25-27

MINI Takes the States heads to the heartland to keep the summer of fun rolling along. With a rally kick-off at the Lincoln Park Zoo and a weekend full of events at the famous Road America race track, there should be no shortage of good times and adrenaline.

Photos by: Francis | 

UPDATE 06/13/2008

Way from www.waymotorworks.com will be in town for MINI takes the States starting Thursday Jul 10th and all weekend. He will bring parts and do mods for anyone that wants. Things like Pullies, Intakes, Swaybars, brakes and a little more will be available. If you want to get something call Way and set up a time and he’ll bring the parts.

Way 317.201.8670

waylen@waymotorworks.com

UPDATE 5/14/2008 Hotel and event details and times Here

Update #2 04/18/2008

The registration page is located Here

Be sure to sign up for automatic MTTS updates. Here’s the basic schedule of events for the weekend but we’ll be posting additional details soon.

Friday, July 25:

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm MINI Owner “Meet and Greet” Party at University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago IL

Saturday, July 26:

8:00 am – 9:00 am Rise and Shine Rally (MINI Owners Only) at Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL
9:00 am – 12:00 pm “Future MINI Owners” Adrenaline Drive at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
MINI Takes the States Festival at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
12:00 pm Gates Open
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Festival Events and Activities (Partners)MINI Cross Course (Automobile / Autotrend / European Car) Go-Karting (Road & Track / Car and Driver) Festival Fun Zone Rock Climbing (National Geo Adventure) Mountain Bike Stunt Show (Outside Magazine) Free Massages (Best Life) Eurobungee MINI Market Car Wash (Good) Boot Sale Chak Talk with Grass Roots Motorsports Live Music on Rolling Stone Music Stage (Blender / Paste / Spin)
6:00 pm Parade Lap
8:00 pm Headline Attraction on the Rolling Stone Music stage (to be announced)
10:00 pm Goodnight. Or not. Chicago’s nightlife is world famous.
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
MINI Takes the States Festival Final Day at Road America, Elkhart Lake, WI
10:00 am Gates Open
10:00 am – 3:00 pm Festival Events and Activities (Partners)MINI Cross Course (Automobile / Autotrend / European Car) Go-Karting (Road & Track / Car and Driver) Festival Fun Zone Rock Climbing (National Geo Adventure) Mountain Bike Stunt Show (Outside Magazine) Free Massages (Best Life) Eurobungee MINI Market Car Wash (Good) Boot Sale Chak Talk with Grass Roots Motorsports Live Music on Rolling Stone Music Stage (Blender / Paste / Spin)
2:00 pm Festival Awards
3:00 pm Event wrap-up, Goodbye hugs, promises to email
Be sure to check out Motoringfile for details as well

  • Jeffrey

    If anyone is going up to Road America, reserve your hotel rooms for July 26 now. Rooms are filling up quickly.

  • Owen

    Too bad…won’t be in Chi-town over the summer…

  • LTL M CPE

    Jeffrey,

    Where did you book? I called Siebkens Tuesday morning and they require a two night minimum on summer weekends. I booked a room at 52 Stafford in Plymouth for Saturday. It’s a great Irish pub/inn.

    Jim

  • Jeffrey

    We booked in the LaQuinta in Sheboygan. They did not require a 2-night minimum.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    I’m signed up for the whole family. No hotel plans yet..

  • Arnie

    Really looking forward to this event. Made reservations for Saturday night @ The Osthoff. 2 night stay was NOT required, Very nice resort, VERY close, but expensive. If you have never been to Road America, YOU REALLY SHOULD GO. I have been there well over 100 times and I can’t wait to get back. The (Kohler) Redman International Challenge “the KIC” is the weekend before if you want a warmup event. We will be there too.

  • Cliff

    I made reservations last week at a small place north of the track. Road America is a great place and perfectly suited for an event like this. I can’t wait!

  • The Seeker

    Registered for MTTS. No hotel plans yet.

  • Mike

    Registered when the event was announced. I’ll be enjoying accommodations at La Quinta in Sheboygan. Are we gonna organize a drive up early Sat morning?

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)
    Are we gonna organize a drive up early Sat morning?

    Looks like MINIUSA already has a rally set-up to start at the Zoo Saturday morning… Unless you’re referring to an organized drive to the Zoo?

    Rise & Shine Rally (MINI Owners Only) – Chicago

    Saturday, July 26th, 8:00 – 9:00 am Lincoln Park Zoo – Great Cats Café, Chicago, IL

    Join lions, tigers, gorillas, monkeys and MINI owners for breakfast the Great Cats Café in Chicago’s historic Lincoln Park zoo. After breakfast, there’s no more time to monkey around…it’s time to zig, zag zug to the MTTS festival grounds at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

  • Mike

    Unless you’re referring to an organized drive to the Zoo?

    No, simply not paying attention to what I’m reading. I thought festivities started at 9, but looks like it is more like noon, allowing us time to get there. You and I will be Zagging!

  • Francis (MiniMac2005)

    Looks like we’re going to have to wait for the route to be added to the MTTS site. unless they take the highway/expressway all the way, it’s going to take at least 3 hours to get to Road America… wait and see again!!!

  • Arnie

    It almost has to be 94 to 43 to 57… Then? Some take 23 through town, but the better route is 57 to J (West) to 67 turn right and you’re there!

  • Les

    Found this Courtyard which I believe is close (south) of RA.

    It may be worth checking out for those who are still looking for a place to put a roof over their head for MTTS on Saturday evening.

    Courtyard by Marriott 5200 West Brown Deer Road Brown Deer, Wisconsin 53223 USA Phone: 1-414-355-7500

  • Sarah

    Hi All. It’s been too long… I signed up and am excited to see you all there. Not sure about a hotel yet.

    :)

  • Kevin

    I plan to go Friday night (not sure if I’ll do the drive or already be downtown; I’ll check for the latest details).

    I’m driving to the zoo Saturday morning from Northbrook, then taking the route up to Wisconsin.

    Not sure if I’m going Sunday; my buddy can’t make it both days. I may have to drive back down then back up if I go :-( .

    Should be fun!

  • Steve

    My wife and I will be there Fri and Sat events. Not sure when we are leaving on Sunday. I know of one other Mini +2 meeting up on Saturday for the drive up.

  • Ken

    We are planning to have the Cooper S and the Clubman S at the Friday night event. Road America is still a question mark.

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    I just booked a room at the Comfort Inn in Sheboygan.

    Current plan is to do the full deal (UIC, Lincoln park and Elkhart Lake Saturday and Sunday).

    I will be heading up with the whole family plus taking a few more vacation days to stay at a place past the Wisconsin Dells afterwards. The MINI will be packed to the gills…

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    There is a MINI owner from Germany flying in to participate in MTTS Chicago.

    If anyone has a spare seat and would like some company, check out This Post in our forum area.

  • Brent

    I may be able to help the MINI owner from Germany, but I am still a little unsure of my own schedule. Most likely I will be driving up Saturday morning and back Saturday night. I don’t know if that helps at all, but at least I can get him there Saturday if he can find a place to stay and a ride back Sunday. I don’t have a NAM account so can’t contact him directly on there. Does anyone know him or know how I can contact him?

  • Jason

    Hello.

    Has anyone noticed that about 2 weeks ago Mini changed the schedule on the website to change all of the times for Saturday and Sunday’s activities to read “TBA”?

    I’m driving in from NY and trying to plan a bit better to see whether it’s worth staying around for Sunday’s activities. Reading some of the postings about the Miami and Boston events, it sounds as though there was enough to do for a day–but not so much for two days.

    I’m trying to figure out the rest of my hotel accomodations–so I just wondered if anyone in Chicago has heard any more about the status of the schedule. There is no email on the MTTS website, so I didn’t know who or how to ask!

    Thanks,

    Jason

  • http://www.chicagominiclub.com Steve

    I was told more details would be out this week, and Sunday would be autocross and go karting from 10-12 and then a drive down to Ridemakerz in Schaumburg for more stuff..

  • Steve J

    Any new details and/or changes to anything?