We arrived in Orlando Sunday night. Tired and unhitched the mini and took in bags and perishables. While unloading the folding chairs I  saw we had a hitchhiker ( field mouse ) in one of the bags . He ran under my compressor in the corner of the garage. I set traps,no mouse so far.

Mini 53 was great , fun to see friends and meet new ones. The location ( once we found it) was perfect. Weather was as expected.

Thanks to; Guido,Rhonnie,Rob,Gayle, Malcolm,Linda, and our cruise masters!!!! A well run event as usual. To all that did not make it we missed you and hope you will plan to go next time.

Regards

Joe & Karen   

AKA towjoe

I left Saturday morning after hearing of the BIG NOR/Easter that was going to hit W/VA/ PA and Buffalo NY-

All l needed was a snow storm on my way home, 788 miles pulling a trailer and getting 8-10 mpg is bad enough without natures hazzards-As it was , l laid over in Morganstown W VA and got home  @ 3:30 Sunday (  ahead of the snow)-Been looking at the CMU Rallye pics on Killboy of the Dragon , lots of mini shots, 4-5 for each car-Not quite the same effect as it does not translate the feeling of the constant twisties on your body with your wife screaming for you to slow down-Tough to do with 40 minis running wide open up your A$$-

When l first did the Dragon 3 years ago, l did it with a clubman estate,998cc and drum brakes (scary)/  this year did it with a 1275cc , full race disc brakes, roll bar , big tyres,etc- much better-

It was amazing to me how the only two mokes in the run, with 850cc enginges were able to run as fast as they did-Especially the orange/white circus moke with all the add ons-

BIG AL

I left a little after 5am Sun. morning, stopped a couple times, and had a nice trip through Downtown DC. ( thanks GPS) with my trailer and mini in tow. Very interesting going through downtown DC with a truck and trailer, got to see the Washington Monument, Penn. ave. and where the Cps were playing. An exciting ride over the Bay Bridge, WIND AND RAIN. Got home around 5pm. left the mini on the trailer. unloaded it today. I will tear into the right front to see what was making the weird sounds. A great time was had. I got to see alot of familiar faces, and met some new ones as well. I got to hang with the Pigg's !!!!  Video of the fun will be coming soon.

The Dragon is 318 curves in 11 miles. The vast majority of them are switchbacks and it wears my... butt... out. Even riding shotgun in the chase truck I was happy when it ended. The Rattler is 260-some curves spread out over a longer distance, with tight twisties and sweepers. Videos of both are on Youtube and www.209therattler.com.

Some people come from far enough away that they need to head out before Sunday morning. Others not rafting and seeing nothing to keep them 'til Sunday head out Saturday afternoon as well. Yet others saw the rain forecast for their trip and wanted to beat it.

Minimn and I left Sunday around 8:00 AM and took the loooong way home, stopping at an annual festival in Dahlonega, GA. and I got home around 4:30 PM (for a 4-hour straight through drive).

Great drives (if a bit long on Thursday). If I ever help plan a CMU drive, I'll try to route it like playing 18 holes of golf, coming back near the start, looping back out and then back again to give people options.

Well done CMU!!

Had a great time as well and kudos or Mike for pulling it off....next time I will plan better.  Had way too much fun at some of the local breweries as well as BBQ.  Was weird to see so many people leave by Sat - thought Sat would have been THE busy night.  Will make sure to hit it up earlier next time.

Thanks to all the folks that attended. It is the people that make the event, and being able to drive great roads!!!

Just got back in town about an hour ago, good event lots of Mini's/people, decent weather with terrific scenery, uneventful trip on the way home which is more than i can say for the way up (don't think the wifey will ever be talked into driving a Mini 600 plus miles again) lol. Thanks to Mike and everyone involved in making it a great event.

I'm on my  way back home, staying overnite in Morgantown W VA- Rainy, cold, crappy weather, bailed out early Saturday morning-

A great venue (KOA) a large turnout of classic minis, great road rallyes, the Dragon etc-

Sold lots of parts at the Friday nite swap meet but bought more- ?? Managed to lose a few bucks at the Cherokee Casino

Saw lots of old friends and even a few minis turned up that l had sold in the past- Oddly enough, quite a few V-techs running around as well-

Contrary to rumours, l was NOT in a NC jail cell over Thursday nite, it was all a mistake, l was innocent-

Ron Johnson had a nasty rear ender, wiped off the front of his beautiful Knightsbridge, but it is fixable and no one was hurt, only Rons' pride-

The Blazing saddles movie CMU style was funny, a good set up and a great turnout after a fantastic   catered meal by the KOA people-

All in all, another great CMU experience-

BIG AL

Well the sun came out and the drive through and around the Smokey Mountains was wonderful. There is nothing like this back home in Ontario. The Dragon tail is a wild ride even at a slower pace because of all of the cops and cameras. The corners come at you every 3 to 7 seconds, It is something like 138 corners in 13 miles. What fun!!!! Todays drive was 150 miles. There is two more days of great drives ,but for me it will be a long but beautiful drive home. Thanks for putting on such a great meet, and thanks to Mike and Erik for a really memorable day. Cheers

We'll be leaving early tomorrow AM and hope to catch up to the Fri Run somewhere in Sylva for lunch.

Well my first trip into the blue ridge mountains got scrubbed at about 4000 feet, way too much fog. Its a rain day,Big Al pulled in an hour ago,I,ll have to swim up stream to chat with him. From my motor home I can see at least ten minis waiting for tomorrows sun to come.Its a beautiful place ,I cant wait to see what the mountains look like.Cheers

Mini is packed full and ready head out Wednesday mid-morning. Get there in time to leave some of my money in the slots. Extra Rain-x applied but hoping for the best.

 See Y'all there.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd get away with it here !!

By the way, Alex, nice avatar on the TurboMinis forum!

Alex, yes I am. I designed the seat brackets, as well as a few other products. I also am in cahoots with a few other people. I found designing stuff and having it made is a lot easier then wrenching on cars all the time, and fabricating stuff with limited time. 

7:00 AM- expected time of departure,subject to rounding up 5 cats that know something is up and are being un-coperative-

Truck is gassed up, loaded, and ready to roll the short 750 miles to Cherokee NC and with gas at record prices expect to have to mortgage the farm just to get there

I wish everyone a safe trip- SYT-

BIG AL

anyone in need of a good bonnet???  I have a few extra and can bring a few down, I also have a later style grill if anyone is interested.

Hey Speakers, are you in cahoots with Jon Betts ?

//www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=471941

Just heard from the Dooder he wont be attending, so if you get a chance get to his web-site and order a couple shirts.