[minimotorin]

Just a comment on the FLAME issue.
One comment I've heard from FLAME members is, "Great, we're going to have a bunch of folks at the Spring Event talking about cup holders and what exhaust kit they have". This is not neccesarliy the opinions of everyone in FLAME but the point is, it's a different club. I've heard no one from FLAME ask for us to join their club, I'm pretty sure FLAME members read these boards so I would have expected to here from them if this was the case.

Second, I've tried to contact the folks that are getting MINICCA up and running. I've gotten no response from them, but if we get the club up and running before they are ready, what's the big deal. Once they open up we can slide right into their group with little or no effort.

Third, on just forming local chapters. Yes, this will probably be the final effort but right now we have about 5 or 6 people that are doing any of the research or work. It's going to be very hard to form a local group if only 1 person in the area is doing anything. Don't get me wrong, I think we will end up with local chapters ( I belonged to a local chapter with my Miata)but I think it might be to early in the process right now. Take a look at the responses to the threads on all 3 sites and you will see what I'm talking about. I think we only had like 12 votes total for the name, not to many people really active with this idea.

And finally, allyou lurkers on the 3 sites that are reading the posts about the Florida club but are not posting, add your two cents, let us know what you think.

[Nobull60]

Hey everyone. I made my reservations a couple of days ago. I pre registered for the event and sent my registration form to the FLAME people. My question is this...are these people going to welcome us as MINI owners or are they just wanting to add to their event and generate more revenue? I sure hope that we all don't feel like a bunch of out casts at this event. I know that we are expecting a good turn out of New MINI's but I am really getting tired of reading how the classic's are looking at us like we are not REAL MINI people. I beg to differ and would gladly debate this with anyone. I just want to go there and have a GREAT time with everyone and not get into a ****ing match with a few people. That will really upset me and quote from "Southern Comfort"My friends aren't nice like me". Lets all just have fun. I don't think that's asking to much.

[bobbiemartin]

As a FLAME "member" and new and classic Mini owner, I would like to add my thoughts on the club. FLAME, as I understand it, is more an informal group of Mini enthusiasts than a "official" club. That is, I have never known of them to hold elections for officers, write or publish a charter, have membership dues, etc. As such I don't think there are "official" FLAME memberships, rather being a member of FLAME is more a mind set and participating in the activities. This is probably why you have not received a formal invitation to join the club - nobody ever has! Although they may not have the trappings of a "real" club, they do a great job with Spring Thing and have put on a wonderful Mini Meet.

FLAME was started and is run by Mike & Joyce Priest. You will not find any nicer people or more rabid Mini enthusiasts. The Priest own (and have owned) more classic Mini's than they can probably count and have a new Mini as well.. In fact, they were among the first in the state to buy one. They both work at Downtown Mini on Orlando, so they are certainly not adverse to the new Mini. I think it is safe to say they started organized Mini events in Florida, and without their tireless efforts there would be not be a Spring Thing. I can tell you they probably have lost money on every Spring Thing and only do them "for the Mini's" and their owners. I'm sure they would be happy to have new Mini owners at Spring Thing and would have good ideas for a statewide club.

As far as "classic" Mini owners and their thoughts on the new Mini, it varies greatly. I have attended every Spring Thing and several Mini Meets over the years. If I recall correctly, there were 13 Minis at the first Spring Thing and about 100 at the last. This was just before the launch if the MINI, so this year will be the first with the new MINI. In my opinion, the typical Mini owner has changed over the years. When I first got my Mini over 20 years ago, almost all the cars were from the 60's and you were happy just to keep it from overheating! With the influx of newer (classic) Mini's into the states, the typical Mini owner changed and somewhere the focus shifted from modifying and keeping old cars going to more dress up and convenience items. I can say there was a camaraderie among Mini owners that existed 20 years ago that maybe isn't there today. You had to be pretty dedicated to own a Mini then as almost all were old (typical British) cars that needed constant tinkering to keep running and parts could be hard to come by. Mini's with electronic fuel injection and air conditioning were unheard of! You couldn't just go and plunk your money down and get a nice car that never needed work in those days. It wasn't uncommon to spend almost as much time working on the car as driving it! There are still Mini owners that think any Mini with roll up windows is not a "real" Mini, so it's not surprising they look at the BMW Mini with disdain. But, don't think all classic owners speak with one voice. I know of several classic Mini owners that, like myself, have new MINI's as well. On the other side, some say they will never have one. A few classic Mini owners are outspoken against BMW and the new MINI, but I would say they are in the minority. You have to remember they recall a day when just getting home in your Mini was a cause for celebration. I can see how worrying about things like cup holders or what exhaust tip to use is comical to them.

Having said that, I think most will welcome the new Mini owners and all will have a great time. See you there!

[Electrc109]

Hey, this is a time where technology has halted the mechanic/owner requirement of cool cars. Today we simply mod them with snazzy bolt on items! =)

[Nobull60]

Well said BobbieMartin I know I feel better after reading your post. And like I have always said" I don't care what people think , I'm still going, and I'm going to have a great time". See you all then.

[minimotorin]

Thanks for your insite Bobbie.

And please nobody get the wrong idea from my earlier post about FLAME. They do a great job with the Spring Thing and they have been just the group that the classic mini owners wanted. My main point was to say I don't think it is the vehicle that the new MINI owners will hook up with. As Bobbie said FLAME is a loose nit group of folks and thats the way they want it. I think with all the excitement around our new MINI's we need a new organization that will reflect our enthusiasm!

Having said that, I did finally hear from MINICCA and I will pass that info over to Holly or someone so they can have it at the Spring Thing.

And finally, don't worry about going to Spring Thing. The classic owners will love to add to a group of folks that are crazy about their MINIs as well as minis. Heck, it will give them a chance to educate a bunch of folks on all the quirks of a classic. Have fun you guys, wish I was going.

[wynnonna]

Here, here bobbiemartin! Great post!

In the long run, for new MINIs I think MINICCA will be able to offer things (perks, discounts, events) that an independent group will not be able to offer. However, before everyone points this out, I am aware MINICCA is not up and running. When I inquired of MINICCA about how to get involved, this was the response I got:
“Go out and establish yourself among all the South FL MINI crazies that you will be their fearless leader - have drives, have picnics, get together - meet your local dealership management and let them know you are going to be heading up the MINICCA local chapter in your area - use your best instincts to build interest.”

When I read about this new Florida group, I have to ask, why reinvent the wheel? FLAME already IS a statewide organization, albeit loosely knit. Why not focus our energy and time on getting LOCAL groups going – there is a group of Classic Minis and new MINIs that meets every Thursday night here in Miami – this could be the same for every city/metropolitan area of Florida. It will be easier to maintain interest in a local group over the long term than if the only meets that are available are a 4-hour drive away.

Sure I would like to be part of a MINI club/group – but not if it requires that I drive 300 miles one-way for a meet once every other month. I’m not averse to working on a local club either; I (along with 2 other MINI owners) organized a local event, where I garnered support from my local dealership and MINIUSA. It’s easier, too, to get support from your local dealer if they’ll be supporting a local club.

Of course, this is just my .02.