There has been some interest on the MINI boards of having a Chicago area Pulley Party run by Randy Webb of Webb Motorsports.
I have also heard that the pulley parties are coming to an end, and there are only a few open dates remaining, likely 5/20-5/21..
Anyone interested in having their MCS upgraded with a different supercharger pulley or other work, please post here to see if we can do this!!
A new club, the Milwaukee MINIS has just started up. Check out their website at www.milwaukeeminis.com.
Their first event will be driving the Milwaukee Mile on Sunday May 7th.
Here are a few group driving tips.
Remember, the main goal of our group drives is to have a good time cruising with a bunch of other MINI’s over interesting roads
If anyone has additional tips, feel free to post them below!!
Headlights on: With the MINI’s distinctive headlights, it is easier for other cars in the group to see you when your headlights are on, even in the daytime.
There may be times when we ask to have just the last person in line have their headlights on to make it easier for the leader to see the whole group. Others can keep running lights on for visibility.
FRS Radios: We always have radios for the first and last cars in the group to help navigate through traffic lights and to try to keep everyone together. Bring along a radio to either listen in on the directions and progress, or help out as we get spread out on the drive. Our usual MINI channel is Main Channel 1, Sub Channel 1 (usually the setting out of the box.
Drive in formation: Our group drives are not races.. There is no prize for first place. Staying mostly in formation adds to the enjoyment of the drive and looks really cool to onlooking cars and pedestrians, rather than terrorizing traffic by dodging and weaving across multiple traffic lanes. Doubling up at stoplights can help get everyone through the quicker lights as long as everyone ducks back together when it is safe to do so.
Watch the car behind you: If everyone makes sure the car behind you makes the turn you just made, no one will get lost.. This can get difficult with heavy traffic and multiple stop lights, but if you notice the gap behind you getting larger, ease up a little bit, and hopefully the car ahead of you will do the same. This does not mean you need to come to a complete stop when someone behind you gets stuck at a light, just try to make sure the guy behind sees when you are making the next turn. If enough people have radios, we have a good idea when we are getting too spread out, and will wait up at an appropriate spot.
Drive your own ride: This is perhaps the most important tip. Don’t allow the group to override your best judgement. If the pace is too fast for your comfort, slow down. It is better to wave other people around you if you feel you are holding people up than to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.
Don’t tailgate: Nothing would spoil a fun drive more than a double MINI collision. Be sure to keep a reasonable following distance
Allow extra space in the twisty bits: Give a bit more room as we go ducking into the twistier sections of the drives. This gives you a chance to have a bit more fun through the turns, and allows for a safety margin for unexpected suprises.
Faster guys in the back: The back of the pack is actually best for the faster people. Due to stoplights, traffic, and the Yo-Yo effect of starting and stopping, the people in the tail end tend to run a bit higher speeds than the front.
Rules of the Road: Driving in a group does not suspend you from following the rules of the road. Speed limits, stop signs, red/yellow lights are YOUR responsibility. Some other drivers may wave us on at stop signs, or move over to allow us to continue as a group, but we do not get special rights as a MINI group.
10/04/2004 Update: If you are interested in hanging out for diner at Captains Cove, in nearby Ottawa please respond below so we can plan for reservations
Here are the details you have been waiting for about the Starved Rock Fall drive. Please add to the comments if you are planning on atending, so we can get a good headcount
What: A group MINI drive to Starved Rock State Park.
When: Sunday October 17th
Where: Starting at Patrick MINI, 696 Golf Road in Shaumburg, ending in Starved Rock. This will be a most of the day event
The Plan:We will meet at about 8:30, and hit the road at about 9:00. From there we will head to Euroquipe in St. Charles. They are a shop that works on BMW’s, Porsche’s and MINI’s. They have invited our club to stop by, check out the shop and have a light snack on our way. We should arrive around 9:45, and probably hit the road again 10:30-ish. From there, we will head to Minooka (about an hour drive) where we will start a nice little route to Utica. We will probably find a place for lunch near Morris, and then head into Starved Rock State Park. No real plans after that.. Everyone is free to explore the area and hang out as long as they please.
What to bring: A full tank of gas, FRS Radio (if you have one), comfortable clothes for the day (perhaps sunscreen, bug spray, etc), and a smile!
Info from the original post is here
If anyone has photos of the Starved Rock event that they would care to share, please forward them on to myself, or any of the club officers. We will try to put a few pics up afterwards.
The Chicago MINI Motoring Club has created a handout for members to download and pass on to other MINI owners that aren’t part of the club. It tells them about the club, our activities, and all that we do. It’s a great way to invite any local MINIs that we may see from time to time.