[daisygirl]

In the past the committee of clubMINI Queensland have talked about a national meet and I think the logical place is Canberra.

We went to AMVIV in America this year and they had lots of good ideas including show and shine, drives out into the countryside, etc.

I believe that MINI Australia does have money that they can give to clubMINI to support and organise these type of events as well. You just need to put a proposal to MINI Australia about what you would like to do and the more information you have obviously the better it will sound.

We are having a daytrip next weekend so will let the Queensland members know and to visit your posting.

[dsakko]

Firstly, SA owners tend to be great supporters of events, but there are very few here keen to organise, hence no clubMINI SA (I'm personally a member - once I get around to mailing in my renewal - of the Vic chapter).

Secondly, there is the long running Mini Nationals on the June long weekend in Hay, NSW. It involves a show & shine, street parade, and a motorkhana. There were something like 96 entries this year. I even had the opportunity of being the first clubMINI member to compete there, and was welcomed openly.

I'd hope that when considering a Mini Nationals that people also consider this event. It may be in Hay, with no tight, twisty roads, but it's established and there is no "Old Mini" / "New Mini" animosity. All are welcome.

[Mini2v]

Hi everyone

clubMINI has previously been asked to look at the possibility of an event of this kind, NSW/ACT clubMINI was asked to look into it, and being the Events Coordinator for that organisation I did so.

Initially we looked at hiring Wakefield Park and making Goulburn the centre piece of Australia for such an event. However, Wakefield Park could not guarantee holding a date for us whilst we sought to acquire member's interest and financers for the circuit hire.

It was then decided to look into using Canberra as the centre piece of action and make use of the facilities used by the Dutton Rally (is it the sutton training area?) anyway, I sent emails to the organisation and received no reply.

MA may consider some financial and marketting support, but we need to put together a reasonably professional proposal, MA has supprted clubMINI previoulsy in a financial and other ways in previous events (Tassie Touring event in Feb 07 and the High Country tour in Dec 05), so i think we could expect some assistance.

What is needed for an event of this kind to take off, is a guarantee of suitable accommodation for 2-3 nights, a location where we could conduct show and shine, motorkhana and for those interested a timed event such as a hill climb (insurance may be a huge issue) and of course local roads good for touring events. I think Canberra can offer all of this and even a venue for a dinner event.

To give interstate persons time to travel to and fro the event, Easter is one of the few times that provides sufficient time, If this is to be done in Easter '08 bookings for all of the above need to be made asap. Which means we need real numbers and real money from people, and this is where we always fall over.

What to do now if you want to move forward.
If someone in Canberra could provide contact details for a suitable circuit/skidpan/hill climb that would be useful
Then we can see if they are available and what they charge
Then we can do a budget for circuit hire, accommodation and dinner, plus trophies and maybe insurance etc
Then we set a figure payable by each MINI participant to cover the cost of the above based on a minimum number of participants (eg, if it costs say $10,000. for the above and we figure we can get 50 MINI's to attend the cost is $200 each, anything less and we either can the event or up the entry fee, if we only get 20 MINI's it will cost $500 each) so you see why it is important to get money up front.
Then we canvas like mad on MINI2 and through clubMINI to get entrants and make sure they book their accommodation and spot in the Event NOW!
Then we approach MINI Australia to see what help they will give us, don't expect a lot of money, which is why I havn't counted it here and you will not get an answer for several months. Anything would be bonus and may drop the final entry fee.
Then we establish a small group to organise the whole thing, which means commitment from a few so many can have a good time.

I'm happy to help, that is my role in clubMINI.

May I suggest that if you are a member of clubMINI in your respective state, canvas your members asap to establish if anyone is interested and post back here.
If we have enough interest ,it is worth doing. Other MINI enthusiasts should canvas their MINI friends as well and post interest here too.

Hope this helps

Vic
(Note I now drive a RED MINI)

[rellik666]

Let me know what I can do to help.

I will let our president know and canvas the club ASAP.

[dsakko]

Hi Vic,

The existing Hay Mini Nationals are already most of the way there. It has taken place every year for the last 40 years (this year was the 40th), and they have the following:
- suitable accommodation, ranging from camping to cabins to motels to hotels, depending on people's budget.
- a parade through the town on the Sat (all bitumen)
- a Show & Shine, along with activities for the kids, on the Sat afternoon (all bitumen)
- a dinner and get together on the Sat night
- a motorkhana (on dirt) on Sunday

All up it's a cheap weekend. Most motels are around $80 - $90 a night, and the motorkhana was around $30 to enter.

The only things missing are:
- good touring roads (it is Hay, after all)
- a speed event. This can be added quite easily. Making it another part of the same permit which covers the parade, show & shine and motorkhana means it's covered by insurance. The only problems are what type of event, venue and helpers. If you find a large piece of bitumen you could run an auto test (same as the US style Autocross).

Just somehing to think about. Chances are a lot of new MINI owners would prefer sealed surface competition, rather than dirt, but there aren't many suitable venues around the place.

The Hay Mini Nationals are well established and very well supported by Vic, NSW, Qld and SA Mini clubs, as well as the local Tourism Office and local buisiness. If anyone would like some contacts just let me know and I'll pass on your details / their details.

Dave.

PS - Vic, have you made the plunge into an R56????

[Babes]

I think it is a great idea and personally think canberra would be the spot. As for funding I would donate $1000 to see this happen. Im sure we could come up with the funds quite easily with a bit of organisation.

[Pom Down Under]

Rellik666.
I will certainly second your motion (ooh err!) at the Vic clubMINI AGM....I also believe Canberra is the place to go.
Hopefully we can get this idea off the groud.

[rellik666]

Yep, I have let this slip as I have been on holiday, but will get onto it this weekend!
We are going to send a flier out to all the members, but if other clubs want to do the same I will happily forward it on! We want feedback and interest! Roll on 2009!

[rozminiblack]

Wow a red Mini Vic!

[aceman]

I'm up for it if its in NSW

[dsakko]

Aceman, would you class Hay as being in NSW???

Actually it's not far from Bathurst. Drop in on the June long weekend next year. I'll be there.

[OzDave]

Quote: Originally Posted by dsakko (original)

Aceman, would you class Hay as being in NSW???

Actually it's not far from Bathurst. Drop in on the June long weekend next year. I'll be there.

Has Hay moved recently?
It's used to be more than 400km from Bathurst. I guess it's all relative.

[dsakko]

True. It's just down the road compared to the 675kms we travel!!!

[EDIT] You're right! 521km according to Whereis.com.au. It's closer to go to Sydney or ACT (only 204km to Sydney).

[aceman]

Its the first I have heard of it tbh. Not really a regular here, so wouldnt have known.

I'll definitely try for next year.