[dmcs]

Jerome Fun Run -- Sunday Sept 21st

I’ve got something special planned for this fun-run! Lots and lots of happy motoring miles! But before we get going on that Sunday, we’re going to be joining another local auto club for their monthly Breakfast Run. British Motor Enthusiasts will be starting out at a common meeting point at 7 AM at 32nd Street and Shea Blvd. The destination is held secret until that morning when at 7:30AM they take off on a short half-hour drive to the restaurant for breakfast. This usually wraps up by 10AM. This will be a great opportunity for some of us fun-run people to have a chance to meet and greet with owners of other British classics. Who knows, maybe some of them might tag along with us up to Jerome. If they choose to do so, they’ll be in for a great time! I know I’m going to enjoy hanging out with them on their breakfast run.

As an alternate meeting point for anyone who wont be able to make the breakfast run, we’ll be stopping by Denny’s in Youngtown (just up the 60,aka Grand Ave, from Sun City. Address is 11121 Grand Ave). I’m not sure what time we’ll get there, but let’s plan for leaving there around 11AM. It really all depends upon the location of the BME’s choice of breakfast location.

We’ll then take the US 60 thru Wickenburg to the 93. Turn north east on the 97. This is where the fun twisties begin. We'll head up to the 96 just near Baghdad. Then head east on the 96 to the 89. Take the 89 thru Prescott then head up all the way up to Jerome. The back road into Jerome has some of the nicest twisties I've been on.

Have lunch there in Jerome. With the later start time then we’ve done in the past, plan on a late lunch. Probably around 2:30PM or so. If time becomes an issue, we can always grab a bite to eat in Prescott instead of Jerome. Keep your options open I always say!

After lunch we’ll motor back along the 89 thru Prescott. Instead of turning back onto the 96, we'll continue on the twisty 89 thru Wilhoit and Yarnell. Then joining back onto the 93 back thru Wickenburg and then home. Lot's of twisties for everyone to enjoy!

This fun-run is being scheduled on a Sunday to accommodate people who haven't been able to participate as often as they'd like due to their work schedule. I hope to see you all there! No reservations required. Just show up and motor!

This is an Arizona Mini Owners (http://drive.to/amo) sponsored event. You do NOT have to be a club member to participate. Everyone is welcome to come out and motor!

Happy Motoring!
Dominic Tuso
dominicminicoopers@yahoo.com

[66cooper]

It has taken over a week for me to get registered and be able to post here. Seems like some problems with email, domain, other stuff.

Anyway, I may try to make the fun run, the three I have been on so far have been a blast!!

[binkydognose]

We plan to make it too.
Hope to have the new wheels/tires by then, fun run is perfect timing!

[dmcs]

Over the last weekend I had a chance to pre-run the fun-run route. I notices a couple of things I'd like report to you.

We'll need to be sure everyone that needs gasoline in Wickenburg because it will be the last services until Baghdad. This might be a good time for you to use a restroom and get a snack, because there's nothing again until at least Baghdad.

Just after we turn off Hwy 93 onto Hwy 97, there's a large gravel area on the right to park at to let people group up.

From that spot to the next spot is nothing but happy motoring road. About 12 miles later there's another spot to pull off just before Hwy 96.

However, there's many concrete lined washes along the Hwy 96, and one of them has a serious bump on it. It's just around mile post 162 or 161. So slow up for those concrete washes.

As a side note, I just spotted Santa Maria Rd on NavTech's map. I wonder if that's paved? Anyone know?

Going down the Hwy 97 from Baghdad to Kirkland is very scenic. And there's many twisties too. So pace yourself or you'll miss out on lots of cool stuff. Unfortunately there's not any turnouts to group up at along the 97, so we'll have to do that in Kirkland just across the railroad tracks is a large crushed granite parking lot. This is the intersection of the Hwy 10 and Hwy 97. We should arrive there around 2PM or so. We'll have a choice to go over to Kirkland Junction then up the 89, or we could take the more scenic Hwy 10 up thru Skull Valley (a very nice drive indeed).

If we do the Hwy 10, we'll climb up to about 6,000 feet and all of a sudden we'll be in pine trees just before Iron Springs.

We will need to do lunch a quick lunch (maybe fast food) in the Prescott area because we won't be getting to Jerome until mid to late afternoon. There's a great place to group up at just leaving Prescott on the Hwy 89. There's a small lake and a nice view of some wickedly rocky hills.

Just after we leave there, we'll turn off onto the 89A which will take us to Jerome. We'll climb the big hill and group up at Mingus rest stop. Be very careful going down the hill into Jerome. We'll cruise all the way thru Jerome and at the bottom of the hill is a road on the left we'll use as another grouping point. This will be one of the places where people can split off and head back to PHX on the I-17 if they so choose. Just take the 279/260 back

We'll then climb back up the hill thru Jerome and group up at Mingus rest stop. Continue down the hill into Prescott area where we'll have another place people can split off and head back to PHX. Just after the fairgrounds is Bain Road. It's a very sharp left hander that will take you to the Hwy 69 which goes to the I-17.

For those of us who're looking for more motoring time, we'll take the 89 back thru Prescott then down thru nice twisties near Glen Oaks and down thru Wilhoit, Kirkland Junction, and Yarnell. We'll drop quickly down the side of the hill which offers incredible vistas of the lower valley.

This route will definitely become one of the staples of our motoring diet. I foresee many of my fun-runs to use a very similar route if not the same one!

Here's some pix from my pre-run. Missed a few great opportunities for some great shots, but I was too busy having fun motoring! LOL

[dmcs]

As many of you may be aware, I recently joined the Arizona Mini Owners club and since I've joined they have been "sponsoring" my fun-runs I've put together. Every time we submit the fun-run idea to the insurance they send back a letter that shows liability coverage of the event. This time, the insurance letter came back with a waiver form attached. So starting with this fun-run, every participant will need to sign the waiver form before the event. Any of you who have gone to an event out at Arizona Motorsports Park on the West side of town to watch a race, knows you have to the sign club's waiver form. One day I went out there and two separate clubs were running. One at the Auto-X and one on the road course. I had to sign one for each club. So this is to give you a heads up on some of the changes happening with the fun-runs.

Happy Motoring!
Dominic

[dmcs]

I had an awesome time!! It was truly great to motor with you all. I told a few of you already...I just have to say this was the BEST fun-run event I've ever been on. The roads were perfect. The company was perfect. The weather a little warm, but not overly so. I loved having the 4 classic Minis along. Tom's red Mini screams! And Barney's green Mini is no slouch either. The sights were amazing! Too bad we hit Yarnell hill in the dark, the vista from up there are incredible, but motoring on twisty roads in the dark does have advantages...adrenaline bay-bee! Overall, I hope all of you had a great time like I did.

Happy Motoring!
Dominic

[RaSER X]

I miss my MINI... someday.

Sounds like you guys had fun. The Subaru crew is planning on doing a drive from Phoenix to Flagstaff on Oct 11. It's for anyone, not just Suby's. We'll be meeting at Speedworld at about 11am to start rolling. If you want more info check out www.nasioc.com 's local forum, or click the link in my sig.

Thanks,
-Brandon

[binkydognose]

(cross posted from MCO)
Here's one of a few coming out of the woopties mentioned. 12 miles of road back through those hills with many curvey roller coaster wash crossings. This is where it ends teeing off to either Bagdad or kirkland etc.

(click for big) While waiting for this shot there was total silence in the air except for the occasional insect, quite a contrast to Phoenix! Then... from in the distance... the sound of an approaching swarm of MINI/Minis! Very cool moment!

I should update my "@#$% I Love This Car" thread with a one year report!

[Pflashinaz]

This Fun Run was the best so far! Four Classic Minis joined the fun.