The British Invasion - Stowe, VT - Sept 15-18

[snid]

All the details on The British Invasion are here:
http://www.britishinvasion.com/

While it says it is Sept 15-18, the big day is Saturday the 17. If you want to do the Vermont tourist thing, their Champlain Islands Driving Tour on Thursday is a good introduction to that part of Vermont, and the lunch included in the price was pretty good and at a great setting (I did this last year).

The "new" MINI is in a seperate class from the "old" mini as of last year. If you want to enter your MINI in the show, go ahead. If you're thinking about it, you probably should... even if just to have a convenient parking spot / place to leave stuff you don't want to carry around / place to sit.

The vendor area has had a pretty good selection of mini / MINI die cast models and things like that, including stuff I hadn't seen elsewhere. So, bring some mad money if that kind of thing interests you.

The last two years, I've organized a drive for after the show on Saturday followed by dinner in Stowe. I'll do the same this year if people want me to. The first year we did a long drive, the second a shorter one. I'll take requests.

I'll not be able to be in Stowe on Sunday the 18th because there's an autocross in Burlington (45 minutes from Stowe) on Sunday. If people want to autocross with me on Sunday, that would be great! The autocross is organized by the sport car club of Vermont - http://www.sccv.org/ Autocross information is here: http://www.sccv.org/manual_pdf/downs...ition_2005.pdf

If the other northern Vermont MINI folks (vermini?) want to help plan something, feel free... that means you MGB Boy / boondox / lizl

Registered MINIs:

• GBMINI
• jocary
• snid
• MsDash
• MGB Boy

[MudBud]

Jason the first year was great for the long drive. I think I will make it this year again, but need to find the hotel that Ian stays in during his stay, the other one was a dump!!!

Will let you know but sounds good again, hopefully it won't rain as it usually does. Dinner will be good too. I think we went to the Chinese restaurant.

Jason, not much info on the site for the autocross....what is it exactly and how much?

Keith

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by MudBud

Jason, not much info on the site for the autocross....what is it exactly and how much?

Keith

Autocross info:

http://www.sccv.org/manual_pdf/downs...ition_2005.pdf

The general idea is they set up a bunch of cones in the parking lot, and one at a time people drive around them as fast as they can. You get 5 runs, maybe more, during the day. It's a good chance to make your tires get all squeally without getting in trouble.

It's in a tiny parking lot, so expect a slow course. Cost is $22. Gotta be there by 8:30am or so. The SCCV is a great bunch of car nuts.

[jwardell]

Hmm. Both sound good. I'll add it to my calendar and see when time gets closer. I may just do both.

[GBMINI]

Well done Jason for getting this thread started ... been on my "to do pile" for weeks now!

Is a helmet required for the auto-x ?

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Is a helmet required for the auto-x ?

Yes, helmets are required. The club has a couple of extras, and you can always borrow one from someone in the other run group (half the cars are in the driving group, the other half are in the course working group, so half the helmets should be free at any time).

Just to warn people, there's no pre-registering for the autocross, and they may have to cap the number of participants. The last one had 46 cars, and there was talk of implementing a cap somewhere around that...

[bungle77]

I usually go to The British Invasion but the Autox sounds good too. Gives me a reason to stick around on Sunday .

[MGB Boy]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

If the other northern Vermont MINI folks (vermini?) want to help plan something, feel free... that means you MGB Boy / boondox / lizl

Hey, who are you calling vermin?

I helped plan something last year, I took Gav and Ian to The Shed on Friday night. Does that count?

I know I'll be in Stowe on Friday and Saturday, not sure about Sunday (might have a game). Hopefully they won't put the MINIs in a mud puddle this year...

-Ricardo

[snid]

For pictures from the car show (pictures from Ian / GBMINI):
http://www.gbmini.net/gallery/BI2004

For an idea of the autocross (video of my Cooper):
http://vermontracing.com/videos/Brown_mini.MPG

[jwardell]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

For an idea of the autocross (video of my Cooper):
http://vermontracing.com/videos/Brown_mini.MPG

Wow...either the video is very smushed or that new JCW suspension is lowering you more than expected!

That is an extremely small course, you hardly get a chance to get on the gas, and must be confusing how much it crosses itself! But fun nonetheless I am sure. Must have been a nightmare for the larger cars.

[jocary]

Just a quick jump in. Looks like Deb and I are in for the weekend. We've been thinking about it for several years and the time has finally come. Add more soon when time permits. See you there.

[GBMINI]

Booked my room for Friday / Saturday, at the Innsbruck Inn; special $129/night (used Expedia because the Innsbruck booking does not seem to be secure).

Very tempted by the "MINI suite" at Grey Fox Inn/Resort but $60/night extra is too much when I am on my own, just to stay somewhere called "MINI"

I was going to mail my Registration too, but they want insurance info which I need to find first

[jocary]

So registration is ready to go. Couple of questions.
Are people registering for the car corral?
Shall we try to stay together at the same hotel?
Eastern Mass people, shall we coordinate and drive out together? Fri afternoon works for me.

[GBMINI]

Quote: Originally Posted by jocary

So registration is ready to go. Couple of questions.
Are people registering for the car corral?
Shall we try to stay together at the same hotel?
Eastern Mass people, shall we coordinate and drive out together? Fri afternoon works for me.

"Car Corral" is to put "For Sale" cars in. No, I am not going there
Just register for "British Classic Motorcar Show" ($50); this gives you field access - select class 4 and you get to park with the other 21st century MINIs
NOTE: if you park on the field you are not supposed to drive off till all the presentations are done on the Saturday - that rule never seems to be adhered to very strictly, but assume that you will be transport-less during the day.

The Innsbruck Inn is reasonably priced but I have never been there so it's not a personal recommendation; you are welcome to stay there too if you wish - probably would be cool to get everyone together and meet up for breakfast / whatever.

No idea about when I will head up; some time Friday of course. Let's plan a possible caravan nearer the time.


Jason: would you mind maintaining a "signed up" list on the first post? Although so far even I can only claim "check in the mail"

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by GBMINI

Jason: would you mind maintaining a "signed up" list on the first post? Although so far even I can only claim "check in the mail"

No problem...



Has anyone ever figured out (or asked) what the deal is with "display only" cars? Do you still pay the $50? Although, I do have this strange idea of actually getting my car all cleaned up for this year. Mainly so the autocross guys give me a hard time on Sunday for having my car all clean and shiny.