Hi Queensland MINI Fans,

Following clubMINI Victoria's lead, thought we should have a thread discussing any and all aspects of clubMINI Q's drives and social events.

We have a great new selection of runs, as well as many of your favorites planned. So don't forget to check them out at clubMINI - Events (http://www.clubmini.com.au/qld/events.html)

Hope to see you all soon.

Ken Henry
President & Event Coordinator
clubMINI Q

Thought I would start the ball rolling and offer my thanks to everyone who turned up yesterday for the Extended Play version of the ever favourite Murwillumbah run. Twenty-six MINIs and a million miles of windy mountain roads - what a combination.

I'd like to give a special thanks to Brisbane MINI Garage, in particular to Kassie and Alicia for coordinating such a wonderful breakfast and supplying us all a fantastic little goodies bag - to Jeff and Monique for making sure a a few of the brand new Cabrios were on the run, so we all had the chance to try one in their natural mountain habitat.

The run could not of progressed so smoothly without your Executive Committee - Gregg, Steve, Kate, Craig, and last by by no means least, your brand new Secretary Julie. Without them leading and tailing the groups, I don't think we would have had all 26 MINIs make it the 200 km to lunch - Thanks.

Finally, thanks to all the partners, friends and co-drivers that put up with us. I know some of you suffer almost terminal car sickness just to come along. Others don't understand our passion, but put up with us anyway, and some just wonder where the partner has disappeared to this time. This is to let you know - you are appreciated and are valued members of the clubMINI community.

Now over to you to tell us your experiences of the run.

Ken

Indeed thank you very much to Brisbane MINI Garage, brekkie was wonderful, once I finally managed to get my order before it being grabbed by someone hungrier than me ;)

clubMINI as per the going trend put on a fantastic run, I thoroughly enjoyed myself (particularly in the final section, but only the first group will know exactly why). I must say having finally given the car a 'proper' run the runflats actually impressed me so I can't wait to get some decent rubber on there.

Was nice to meet some new faces also, it was a top day all round. I now look forward to getting the Cooper out to the autocross and seeing what I can manage with it.

Trav

Great turn out Ken sounds like a good day :D

Great turn out Ken sounds like a good day :D
Cheers Mike. Sorry I haven't been around for a long, long time to say g'day. Back with a vengeance now, so should be around daily. Look forward to catching up some day.

Ken

26 Mini's is an incredible amount. Hope the numbers keep staying high! This thread is a great idea as well.

I will be coming for sure to the Drive in Movie Run. We don't happen to be seeing Fast and the Furious are we? Haha. Looks good.

Hi All,
Clubmini has been able to secure an Autocross event for Saturday the 23rd of May at Mt Cotton. It's a newly laid surface so that will fun to run around on. The actual event and training on the day will be run by Paul Stokell Motor-racing. Paul will be on hand with his usual troop of racing drivers for tips, training and co-ordination.
For those of you unfamiliar with these Autocross or Motokhana event, I have attached a link to a site that has some footage. As you can see its a fairly low speed technical event.
YouTube - autocross mini cooper S bmw event

So if you are going to enter please let me know ASAP and I will organise the payment with you. The cost will be $160 per entrant, I am planning on organising some prizes from one of the Brisbane Mini dealers for the podium finishers. If you know someone who hasn't got a Mini, but would like to attend, they are welcome. If you want to use the one Mini with several drivers, this is fine too. It will still cost per head though.

It should be excellent!

im in ! i miss unleashing the mini :'(

Hi MINI Fans,

Our next run is to the Yatala Drive-In on Saturday 18 April.

The plan at this stage is to do a mountain run up to Lower Beechmont for Pizza at Laurel Cottage Garden Café before heading to the drive-in. For those that were on the Murwillumbah run, this is the café were we stopped for morning tea. Below is the link to their pizza menu.

Laurel Cottage Garden Cafe & Restaurant - Pizza Menu (http://www.laurelcottage.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=49)

After an early dinner, it’s back down the mountain and on to Yatala. The first movie starts at 7:15pm, however the line to get into the drive-in starts early, so the plan is to be back at the drive-in by 6:00pm. It is better to get in early and unwind then to be stuck in a 1km queue out on the road. So bring something bring your dancing shoes or something to read to while away the time until it gets dark.

It is a twin screen drive-in with 2 double features. Screen 1 is showing “Monsters Vs Aliens” and “Race to Witch Mountain”. Screen 2 is showing the new “Fast & Furious” and a second ‘yet to be confirmed’ movie. Ticket prices are $10 pp for one movie or $14 for two movies.

Here’s the link to the drive-in: Yatala Twin Drive-In Theatre - www.drive-intheatre.com.au (http://www.drive-intheatre.com.au/index.htm)

If there are members who want to come along to the drive-in, but can’t make the run, we can arrange to meet somewhere like the Yatala Pie Shop before hand.

I will need numbers for the café a couple days before, so I will send out a reminder then. This is just to make sure you have the date in your diary.

If you are not a clubMINI member and would like to come along, PM me and we can chat.

Ken

Looking forward to it Ken

Hi ken, hope u dont mind i've cut and pasted this on www. total mini.com

cheers Brett

Hey guys, how would one join this little community?

application form is available on the clubMINI website -clubMINI - Join Up (http://clubmini.com.au/qld/join.html)

Hi Matt,

Welcome aboard. Feel free to pm me if you need any info on clubMINI.

Ken

So who is has paid up for autocross ?
i gotta know my competition sheesh

Hi MINI Fans,

Don't forget - our next run is to the Yatala Drive-In this Saturday (18 April).

We will be departing Brisbane at 2:30pm and heading down the M1 to Nerang. It's then up the mountains to Binna Burra and back down to Lower Beechmont arriving at the Laurel Cottage Garden Café at 4:30pm. We have an hour and a half set aside for an early dinner.

Below is the link to their pizza menu and I must say, the Tandoori Chicken Pizza that I had for lunch today was incredible - watch out though, it had a bit of a kick. For those who aren't into Wood-fired pizza, check out the other menus on their website.

To make sure things flow smoothly for dinner, I will hand out pre-fab pizza order forms when we leave Brisbane. I will collect them just before we get to Binna Burra.

Laurel Cottage Garden Cafe & Restaurant - Pizza Menu (http://www.laurelcottage.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=49)

At 6:00pm, it’s back down the mountain and on to Yatala. The first movie starts at 7:15pm, however the line to get into the drive-in starts early, so we need to be back at the drive-in by 6:30pm. It is better to get in early and unwind then to be stuck in a 1km queue out on the road. So bring your dancing shoes or something to read to while away the time until it gets dark.

It is a twin screen drive-in with 2 double features. Screen 1 is showing “Monsters Vs Aliens” and “Race to Witch Mountain”. Screen 2 is showing "Pink Pather 2" and the new “Fast & Furious”. Ticket prices are $10 per person for one movie or $14 for two movies.

If there are members who want to come along to the drive-in, but can’t make the run, let me know.

If you are not a clubMINI member and would like to come along, PM me and we can chat.

Just in case the weather turns ugly, the Management Committee is working on a contingency plan. This is likely to be movies at one of Brisbane's suburban theatres. If you want to come along to the drive-in, PM me with your name, mobile and email address. This way we can advise you of our starting location and if necessary, whether the contingency plan has kicked in.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Ken

Excellent, great minds think alike. :p Ill definitely be coming for the whole arvo/night.

So who is has paid up for autocross ?
i gotta know my competition sheesh

I was going but won't be able to pay now thanks to the local constabulary. Damn easter police blitz.......

Hipsi, are you coming on the drive this weekend? Lets hope this rain clears up.

should be there, will just have to see how I go with work over the next couple of days

i should be there for the movie, cant be having the R56 boys making all the noise ;)

Any estimates for numbers this weekend?

Ill be at Motorline at 2:30 ish and will rendezvous with the gang as you come down the highway (I presume).

looks like I'll only make it for the movie too.

Looks like we are not going to need that wet weather contingency plan after all. Bureau says fine all day.

We are departing Brisbane MINI Garage at 2.30pm and heading off down the M1.

Hope to see you there.

Ken

Hi MINI Fans,

Don't forget - our next run is to the Yatala Drive-In this Saturday (18 April).

We will be departing Brisbane at 2:30pm and heading down the M1 to Nerang. It's then up the mountains to Binna Burra and back down to Lower Beechmont arriving at the Laurel Cottage Garden Café at 4:30pm. We have an hour and a half set aside for an early dinner.

Below is the link to their pizza menu and I must say, the Tandoori Chicken Pizza that I had for lunch today was incredible - watch out though, it had a bit of a kick. For those who aren't into Wood-fired pizza, check out the other menus on their website.

To make sure things flow smoothly for dinner, I will hand out pre-fab pizza order forms when we leave Brisbane. I will collect them just before we get to Binna Burra.

Laurel Cottage Garden Cafe & Restaurant - Pizza Menu (http://www.laurelcottage.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=49)

At 6:00pm, it’s back down the mountain and on to Yatala. The first movie starts at 7:15pm, however the line to get into the drive-in starts early, so we need to be back at the drive-in by 6:30pm. It is better to get in early and unwind then to be stuck in a 1km queue out on the road. So bring your dancing shoes or something to read to while away the time until it gets dark.

It is a twin screen drive-in with 2 double features. Screen 1 is showing “Monsters Vs Aliens” and “Race to Witch Mountain”. Screen 2 is showing "Pink Pather 2" and the new “Fast & Furious”. Ticket prices are $10 per person for one movie or $14 for two movies.

If there are members who want to come along to the drive-in, but can’t make the run, let me know.

If you are not a clubMINI member and would like to come along, PM me and we can chat.

Just in case the weather turns ugly, the Management Committee is working on a contingency plan. This is likely to be movies at one of Brisbane's suburban theatres. If you want to come along to the drive-in, PM me with your name, mobile and email address. This way we can advise you of our starting location and if necessary, whether the contingency plan has kicked in.

Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

Ken

sorry I didn't make it. ended up spending the arvo down the coast with the family. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves.

Thanks for organizing the run Ken (and whoever else helped). It was a great way to spend a saturday arvo/night. Just have to remember to find a passenger to come along who doesn't cancel 3 days before hand. :p

Hi all,

The weekend away in Stanthorpe is now only 2 weeks away. If you haven't received my emails, PM me for detailed information.

Briefly, we will be leaving from the southside of Brisbane at 8:30 sharp on the Saturday morning and heading up over Mt Lindsey into Northern New South Wales before heading into Stanthorpe for lunch.

In the afternoon, we will be visiting a winery or two, a berry farm and an olive plantation where we will sample the local produce.

Dinner is at 7:30pm at Anna's -an award winning Italian restaurant with one of the best buffets you can imagine. It is $39.90 per person, but in my opinion, worth every cent. Check it out here: www.annas.com.au/menupdfs/SATURDAYBUFFET.pdf

After breakfast we do the foraging thing again, sampling the delights at the local cheesemaker, lavender farm, juice and cider factory and a 'castle' with an amazing range of liquers.

You can join us on any or all of these activities or simply enjoy the cool weather an sleep in. Either way, all that have been on this trip over the past 5 years have raved about it.

As mentioned in my emails, I have accomodation put aside at a couple of motels, but you need to reserve your room as a matter of urgency. Accomodation is in short supply in Stanthorpe at this time of year. Again, PM me if you need further details.

Similarly, if you are not a member, PM me to discuss joining and coming along.

Hope to see as many of you as possible on the run.

Ken

Stanthorpe Weekend 9-10 May

There are now only 2 rooms left at The Vines Motel in Stanthorpe.

If anyone who hasn't confirmed a booking with the motel still wants to come along, could you please call Marlene at The Vines on 46813844 and get her to allocate you one of the rooms set aside for clubMINI.

If you miss out on one of these 2 rooms, PM me urgently and I can arrange alternate accomodation very close by.

Stanthorpe Weekend Run - This Saturday & Sunday

Last chance folks.

There is one room left at The Vines. See last post for details.

It's a 8.00am start on Saturday. PM me if you haven't received details of the starting location.

Headed up to Stanthorpe last weekend to make sure we weren't in for any surprises like road closures or detours. All OK.

Also found a couple of new spots to visit.

Don't forget your winter woolies. It's likely to be single figure temps at night.

Stanthorpe Weekend Run - This Saturday & Sunday

Last chance folks.

There is one room left at The Vines. See last post for details.

It's a 8.00am start on Saturday. PM me if you haven't received details of the starting location.

Headed up to Stanthorpe last weekend to make sure we weren't in for any surprises like road closures or detours. All OK.

Also found a couple of new spots to visit.

Don't forget your winter woolies. It's likely to be single figure temps at night.

Should be good Ken. Looking forward to the run. Ah the wine seems to flow over the pallet more cleanly in the cooler climes