Spring Drive 03/20

March 20th is the first official day of spring, so we will celebrate by taking a drive in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. This is a re-creation of a drive from almost 10 years ago, where club members Jim and Carrie first met. Ending destination will be the iconic Bristol 45 Diner for a late lunch.
WRAPUP: Perfect weather for a first day of spring drive!! We had about 40 MINIs participating from both Wisconsin and Illinois. Nice twisty roads and a tailgating parking lot lunch at the Bristol 45 Diner.
Huge thanks to Mark for setting up the Rallista app, and to Jim + Carrie for pre-driving the route (and for being together for 10 years, inspiring the idea to re-do the event in the first place)
Photos by: Steve |

UPDATE: 03/17/2021 We will additionally have the route available on the iPhone app called Rallista if you are interested in using that

WHAT: A fun multi-club get-together to celebrate the beginning of the MINI driving season

WHEN: Saturday March 20th

WHERE: We will have a Chicagoland and Wisconsin area start

Chicagoland Start:  Meetup at Raven Glen Forest Preserve Rt. 45 just south of Rt. 137. Address is 41080 North U.S. Highway 45 Antioch, IL 60002
Departure time will be 11am. Arrive earlier to hang around with MINI friends, get route sheets, sign a drive wavier and have a pre-drive meeting.

Wisconsin Start: Fox River Park Parking Lot A.. just off of Silver Lake Road. Address is 9521 304th Avenue Burlington, WI 53105
Departure time is estimated to be Noon

Final destination: Bristol 45 Diner 8321-200th Ave (Hwy 45) in Bristol, WI.

WHY: Just for fun

WHO: Members of Milwaukee MINIs, Chicago MINI Motoring Club and interested potential MINI Club Members

IMPORTANT COVID information: It is difficult to plan for what the Covid situation will be in March, but prepare for the now normal social distancing, and masks indoors or outside when social distancing is not possible. Bristol 45 Diner has the ability to order “to go” so people can eat outside if they choose not to eat indoors or if there are too many people to easily fit inside. Please be respectful of others.

Please add a comment below to help us plan the correct amount of route sheets and so the Bristol 45 Diner can plan for the right amount of people