(This post replicates the email that was sent out to everyone recently)

Chicago MINI Motoring Club Update

I?m happy to report The Club now has almost 60 official members. ?Our website is up, our stickers are printed and club welcome packets are being sent out every couple of weeks to new members.

From this point on the vast majority of events the CMMC will sponsoring will be member only events. ?So get your membership applications in soon!

Upcoming Events: ?South Bend MINI AutoX and Rally
October 4th 9:00pm at Tirerack in South Bend IN.

Our friends in the South Bend area and Tire Rack are holding an Autocross event on October 4th. ?This is a great way to get your MINI out on the track for a minimal fee, check out the largest tire seller in the world, and meet ?MINI owners from all over the midwest. ?Our Chicago group will be tentatively leaving from the Planetarium at 7:00am – the same place we met for our July Rally.

You can check out all details at this geocities.com/southbendmini/

Cost to participate is only $20 per person! ?This covers all equipment, track and insurance for the autocross. ?To register, print the registration form, ( http://www.geocities.com/southbendmini/reg.html ) , and mail with your check to: South Bend Mini Club, 1501 Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, 46635. ?You must register by September 20. ?Don?t miss this chance to get out on the track for such a low price!

Upcoming Events: ?Fall Foilage Rally
October TBA

I also wanted to let everyone know that the CMMC will be sponsoring a Fall drive similar to what many of us participated in last year most likely in the latter half of October. ?The exact date and times haven?t been decided yet but all the info will be posted on our website very soon. ?Stay tuned!

Past Events: The CMMC Baseball Rally Wrap-up

I'd like to first thank everyone for coming out – what a great time! ?I'd also like to thank both Knauz and International MINI for donating our giveaways and for being great hosts. Photos have been posted on the club website here.

Past Events: Thoughts on the Midwest Driver Trackdays

For all those who missed Phil Wick's Driving Academy at Gateway International Speedway club member Maxwell Heathcott does a great job in his post on the CMMC website recaping the say and what was learned. ?You can read it here.

Future club email updates will be more geared towards club members rather than those simply on the email list. ?Again if you like to join the Chicago MINI Motoring Club and haven?t had a chance to fill out an official club application yet I?m attaching it to this email. ?

If you have any questions about it or regarding the club don?t hesitate to contact me at: gabe@chicagominiclub.com.

Happy Motoring!

You can now have your very own Chicago MINI Motoring Club signature in the MINI2 or MINI Cooper Online Forums. At this point we have two to choose from:

For information on how to add these to the end of your posts at MINI2 or MINI Cooper Online read on>>

Check them out: www.chicagominiclub.com/events/baseball_rally & vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1021870

For anyone who missed the Phil Wicks event in St. Louis, there is a smaller event at Putnam Park on Monday, September 15th. Four members of the St. Louis Area Lotus Lovers who had pre-reserved (and pre-paid!) are now unable to make it, so that opens up four spots for people who might be interested. Phil Wicks and a couple members of his regular crew will be there, and from what I understand it will be a bit more laid back than the regular Driving School that he does, but with all of the same fundamentals and ability to receive instruction from the pros.



Anyone interested to go should contact Mark Pfeffer at feffman@yahoo.com as soon as possible, and he will put you in touch with the right folks! Also, if you do end up joining up, please post here!



For a wee bit more info, check out:



http://www.lotuscarclub.org/trackday2003.htm

Our friends in the South Bend area and Tire Rack are holding an Autocross event on October 4th. This is a great way to get your MINI out on the track for a minimal fee, check out the largest tire seller in the world, and meet MINI owners from all over the midwest. Our Chicago group will be tentatively leaving from the Planetarium at 7:00am – the same place we met for our July Rally.

You can check out all details at this website and below:

When
October 4, 2003.? We will start signing in drivers for the autocross at 9:00AM.

Where
We will meet at The Tire Rack, 7101 Vorden Pkwy, South Bend, IN 46628, [for directions click here].

Autocross
This will be a laid back style race.? Most, if not all, drivers will not be experienced.? An autocross race is a chance to test your skills and your car’s abilities on a track with cones creating the twisty turns.? One car on the track at a time, each competes against the clock.? [click here to learn more about autocross racing]

Road Rally
In the afternoon, we will form a line with all of our Minis and take to the roads.? We will have planned route, taking us through the twisty-est roads we can find, (this is Indiana) on our way to the campus of Notre Dame.? There we will have many opportunities for pictures.

The Tire Rack
Our event will begin at this state-of-the-art world headquarters of this supplier of performance equipment.? Alex, as our host, will arrange informative tours.

Registration
Cost to participate is $20 per Mini.? This covers all equipment, track and insurance for the autocross.? To register, print the registration form, [go to registration], and mail with your check to: South Bend Mini Club, 1501 Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Indiana, 46635.? You must register by September 20. [In the unlikely event of an insufficient number of registrations,? the autocross will not be held and registration fees will be returned.]

T-shirts
We have had shirts professionally designed for this event.? They can be pre-ordered with your registration for $10 each.? The design features a retro look and is dated for this event. [t-shirt order form]

Food
Bring your picnic style lunch.? Some snacks and beverages will also be available.? Following the Road Rally, those who want, will gather for dinner at Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, at the historic 100 Center, for their famous Wet Burritos and Frozen Margaritas.

*You do not have to be a member of the Chicago MINI Motoring Club to attend this event.

I'd like to first thank everyone for coming out – what a great time! I'd also like to thank both Knauz and International MINI for donating our giveaways and for being great hosts. And finally on a personal note I'd also like to thank Robby for letting me use his grill 🙂

If anyone has photos that they'd like to share with the rest of the club please email them to gabe@chicagominiclub.com so we can get something online soon. Watch this space!