Anyone heard any info on this yet? Ken Lively has a mention on his Facebook page but I can't find it now.....anyone planning to go? It's supposed to be on the west side of the great plains this time instead of the east side.
Yes I saw it on Facebook and its going to be in Colorado but I can't remember where. I'll have to look again and see if I can find it.
I found it, looks like it might be in or near Aspen/Snowmass, a number of the runs are in that area (Maroon Bells etc) I'm going to have to go a few days early to get acclimated to the altitude again, last time I went I had altitude sickness really bad.....my doc says he can give me some pills for it, but you have to start taking them ahead of time.
for those with Facetube..... https://www.facebook.com/MiniMeetWest/videos/2167167700187570/ (https://www.facebook.com/MiniMeetWest/videos/2167167700187570/)
Have to get yourself one of those oxygen generators!
Have they ever had an East meets West in the actual middle? This feels more like East meets West in the West.
Where would you do that? Not much to do in the center of Kansas or Nebraska, roads are mostly just flat and based on a grid, etc. not to mention it's hot and humid as hell here in the summer. I'd much rather be in Colorado, but I do see your point.
The last time I was in Colorado I was only at 7500 ft and had terrible symptoms, but it didn't seem to be oxygen deprivation, the hospital checked and said I was well within normal limits, but I was sick as can be.
Arkansas, Texas hill country...even Oklahoma has a scenic bypass that's some 100 miles in hills and curvy roads. Last mini meet I dropped in at was in Milwaukee, and not exactly road country.
Altitude sickness is a form of hypoxia. All related to lack of oxygen which effects some people more than others. Symptoms vary.
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 10:14:03 AM
Have they ever had an East meets West in the actual middle? This feels more like East meets West in the West.
Yeah. Sure. You betcha.
I went to such a East meets West MiniMeet back in 1995 (or so). It was held in... .... ...Grand Island, Nebraska.
Surprisingly, I have not been back to revisit Grand Island since then.
And I bet it was neither grand nor an island.
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 11:40:25 AM
And I bet it was neither grand nor an island.
You are correct sir!
I do remember there was an inordinate number of feed lots near our hotel. I didn't see any of them, but I definitely knew they were nearby. Every day. That about sums it up.
I've been doing more midwest flying. Not a lot going on in Nebraska from what I'm seeing. Feed lots smell about right.
Very western Nebraska is hilly and forested and very pretty, the rest is just north Kansas.......of course, by then you're practically in Colorado.
My brother in law is an oxygen therapy specialist in Denver, I'm sure he can hook me up with whatever I need but it sounds like taking a few pills will minimize the effects. Funny, cause I used to live in Colorado Springs and for several years (2010-2014) we went to Minis in the Mountains held at Winter Park (10K ) and I never had a bit of problem, but in 2015 when we went to Pagosa Springs (7500) I was sick as a dog the whole time till we got back down - in fact we cut our trip short by 3 days I was so sick. Once home I was fine within a day......classic symptoms and results.
Nevertheless, I'm going to plan to be there, I really like Colorado and especially the Aspen/Snowmass/Western Slope areas.
Yeah not much of a rhyme or reason to who is effected. Young healthy people can get it while some 80 year old chain smoker is perfectly fine. Living there you'd acclimate.
Edit: Years of mountain flying in unpressurized airplanes I saw a lot of people effected. One particular spot was a run I'd make over some high mountains to the northwestern tip of New Mexico where I'd be pushing (probably breaking) oxygen requirements. Then of course now in a pressurized jet, where I'm a few thousand to maybe as high as 6000 cabin altitude, people will occasionally go comatose back there and create a diversion.
I would have to do like Dave is considering - been a low, flat-lander too many years now.
When I lived in Fort Collins (2000-2004), I had no problems. Not so sure about now.
I did go up to Denver for the 2007 "British Conclave" - an all British car show - held in early September with no ill effects. I flat towed a 1981 Aussie Moke and did the Saturday Drive as well as the Sunday show. The 998 struggled with going uphill in the mountains on the drive. That is also when I learned the tops with fixed rear windows become a drag-chute in high head and cross winds. Going 70 mph downhill when hit by a 3/4 head wind and instantly dropped to 55 mph (and slowing) while still holding the throttle to the floor.
Yeah, when you get up to those altitudes all engines struggle unless they have a super/turbo charger.
I can stay a couple of days in Denver with my sis to acclimate, then go up to Aspen/Snowmass a day early to acclimate to that altitude, but again they say if you take the pills you won't have any issues. Its funny how for a number of years I've had no problems going to even 10K and then boom, the next time I'm miserable.
However, I'm planning to go - I really like that part of Colorado and it's beautiful in the summer. Now I have a completion date for my hot rod! It will be perfect for this trip with the turbo and six speed gearbox!
The work I've done on Don's subframe will be a help when I build my own for the hot rod Mini.
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 11:30:41 AM
Arkansas, Texas hill country...even Oklahoma has a scenic bypass that's some 100 miles in hills and curvy roads. Last mini meet I dropped in at was in Milwaukee, and not exactly road country.
I was at Milwaukee too, it sucked big time (no offense to those who organized it, but the roads were absolute shit) - the event in Winona in 2009 tho was terrific!
Another advantage to Arkansas/Texas and OK are they are not at altitude - our cars will run normally there! But........hot and humid still apply - in spades!
Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year? When do I bring your shell up? ;D
I don't know about the hill areas of Arkansas or Oklahoma in June, but I can tell you the south Texas hill country gets hot - in the 95*+ type hot. Not many Mini folks like to drive much in that kind of heat + humidity.
The LBC groups down here have two "driving seasons": spring and fall. If our "winter" tends toward what used to be "normal", then it is cool-to-cold and wet. The LBC folks tend to not get out in that weather either (plus there are all the holidays). Very few of us are "crazy" enough to drive our LBC in the summer.
I'm guessing they only do mini meets in the dead of summer?
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 01:50:03 PM
I'm guessing they only do mini meets in the dead of summer?
From previous discussions on MM .. the premise longstanding has been the annual meet happens 'around' July 4th' because people have available extended vacation time AND yes this is summer vacation for Kids to be out of school and people be able to attend. also held more on the week - so people can 'travel' To and from on the weekend.
Im personally very biased for CMU events.. every 18 months, Spring or fall .. Cooler and nicer and also Held in my "backyard' ~ 3 hrs away in the mountains where we actually DRIVE our minis. No need for trophies or banquets to me! SORRY MME + MMW
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 01:44:16 PM
Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year? When do I bring your shell up? ;D
We need to talk about this actually.....I may need some additional haulage - if I can find a donor car at the OK Copart, I might ask you to pick it up and take it to your shop. From there either we bring it here or I strip it at your shop and do the basic layout there? Lots to talk about first - for example, until I sell the Jag I have NO room in my shop for a build like this. Also I need to sell either the Jag or the Racing Green (or both) for funds.
Quote from: MiniDave on July 02, 2018, 02:17:02 PM
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 01:44:16 PM
Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year? When do I bring your shell up? ;D
We need to talk about this actually.....I may need some additional haulage - if I can find a donor car at the OK Copart, I might ask you to pick it up and take it to your shop. From there either we bring it here or I strip it at your shop and do the basic layout there? Lots to talk about first - for example, until I sell the Jag I have NO room in my shop for a build like this. Also I need to sell either the Jag or the Racing Green (or both) for funds.
It would probably have to sit in the one side carport, as I'm at max capacity in the shop. I'm rolling around 5 minis in there playing musical chairs getting them in and out of each other's way. Having my blue mini out soon will help. Mark and the 66 aren't too far behind. The apartment section is full of parts. I'm overflowing!
Quote from: jedduh01 on July 02, 2018, 02:03:22 PM
Quote from: 94touring on July 02, 2018, 01:50:03 PM
I'm guessing they only do mini meets in the dead of summer?
Im personally very biased for CMU events.. every 18 months, Spring or fall .. Cooler and nicer and also Held in my "backyard' ~ 3 hrs away in the mountains where we actually DRIVE our minis. No need for trophies or banquets to me!
Amen to that. I spent a month of my life at the night of the award banquet at MM West in 2016 as they read off the winning tickets and waited for people to make their way up to the stage. Number 40063826253. Anybody? Anybody? Bueller?
;D ;D ;D ;D
I remember that - at least you won something.....I got the "is there anyone left who hasn't won?" consolation prize, I don't even remember what it was.....
So, we can do the CMU in October as well. I just like going to Colorado!
Lol. So to those that show up to our restoration mini bbq I shouldn't read off raffle ticket numbers? I may or may not go to this east meets west event, though it would be kind of nice to actually take a car to one. I also love that part of Colorado. In fact next week you won't see me on here for a week cause I'll be hiking mountains in the national park there. The flip side is I don't view these meets as all that exciting. I much prefer a smaller group where we tear up the roads, or spend time hanging out. I also don't like raffles. I'll just be giving shit away to everyone. Another idea I'm still highly considering, though pricey, is renting hallet for a day and we spend a day racing on the track. I'll need donations for that one.
Quote from: jedduh01 on July 02, 2018, 02:03:22 PM
From previous discussions on MM .. the premise longstanding has been the annual meet happens 'around' July 4th' because people have available extended vacation time AND yes this is summer vacation for Kids to be out of school and people be able to attend. also held more on the week - so people can 'travel' To and from on the weekend.
That is also why they are almost never held anywhere in the south where it may be hot.
Quote from: MPlayle on July 02, 2018, 03:23:34 PM
Quote from: jedduh01 on July 02, 2018, 02:03:22 PM
From previous discussions on MM .. the premise longstanding has been the annual meet happens 'around' July 4th' because people have available extended vacation time AND yes this is summer vacation for Kids to be out of school and people be able to attend. also held more on the week - so people can 'travel' To and from on the weekend.
That is also why they are almost never held anywhere in the south where it may be hot.
I attended a MiniMeet in Atlanta in 1991. I don't remember it being particularly hot that year.
But I get your point.
It can be over 100* in the summer in Kansas and Mo, and it can be 80% humidity to go along with it - not very classic Mini friendly on several accounts - no A/C, marginal cooling and so on.
Quote from: MiniDave on July 02, 2018, 04:36:21 PM
It can be over 100* in the summer in Kansas and Mo, and it can be 80% humidity to go along with it - not very classic Mini friendly on several accounts - no A/C, marginal cooling and so on.
And on Mini Mania RIGHT NOW ==== Mini Meet East is Underway .. Northern New York State.... and a comment of the day from ' Big Al'
Hot , Yes, hotter than Hell
- And i remember last year = Ohio...it was ... HOT
2016 and East ridge Tennessee = HOT
2015 And before that Chattanoogoa HOT HOT
Outdoor events in July = No thanks.. Ill go to the Caribbean, where there are Trade winds a blowin! and 88-90 Degrees every day!
the only MME i went was Charleston way back, boy I was a young buck == YES Charleston was HOT then too!
I guess thats why there are multiple few events + locations... Pick your poison. (but not in June 15 thru August 30th...)
Colarado sounds awesome
Tulsa meet would be great ...
It takes a collective effort in every way!
My last time there outside of attending a wedding in Vail two years ago was East Meets West Mini Meet in Colorado Springs back in '99, also hosted by M.O.T.R. The racing event was held at Pueblo Motorsports Park. See you there in '19.
Great! The Snowmass area is a terrific drivers area, and the scenery is beautiful. Could be some mountain showers in the afternoon but the days should be sunny and warm. I'm looking forward to it too!
Aspen has a racetrack but it's been privatised, don't know we'll be allowed to run there, but it's a perfect track for Minis!
Any chance of running some laps at Aspen Raceway Park?
Cool! Do they still do the Deaf Camp summer concerts? Be neat if they could tie that together with the show, be a real attendance boost.
Winter Park did a fun event for us when we did Minis in the Mountains, we did an early evening parade down the main drag from the Vintage Hotel at the top of the hill, then they had us all park along the main road and did a concert in the park. It was cool, they cleared a lane right down the middle of the road, police at all the intersections waving us thru all the reds lights etc. The people watching loved it!
I think when we invade a small town like Snowmass with a couple hundred Mini/MINIs t gets a lot of attention. Plenty of time for the organizers to get the word out to the media for this one......
Anyone here have a problem with the name of the event?
How so Dean?
I don't.
This just in!
My doc says the reason I was sick had nothing to do with the altitude, I was having a reaction to cortisone shots I took right before we left. I'd had two, one in my shoulder and a week later one in my knee......
Just to be safe I'm still going to take the pills, but I think I'm going to be fine for this trip. I really hope so as I love Colorado, my second favorite place right behind Sandy Eggo/ southern California. Now we just have to figure out whether it's just me going or me and the entourage (wife, dogs etc) ;D
I think if we still have it, it would be fun to take the Innocenti......
More good news, at least for me and high altitudes! I just got back from a 2 week trip to Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and California at altitudes of 6K and up and I had absolutely no issues!
I think I'm good to go on this one!
The wife has decided this is NOT the event for her, so I'll be carvaning up with Don (Ipock) and Don (Ruder). Both will be taking their Pups. Don R will tow while Don I will drive, now that we have his taller final drive ratio in and all his maintenance sorted. Ima flat tow behind my Clubman S, whichever car I take.
Now to get back to work on the Innocenti!
Not taking the inno out? I'll be in Estes the week before and may be around the 24th on the way back.
Yes, but I would flat tow it.....no A/C and it will be hot and humid driving across Kansas in the summer!
Yes, but you'll be in your BMW, right? No Mini for you on that trip......although you could tow it to someplace in Colorado on your way up to Estes and store it till your return, then pick it up for the last couple of days of the event.
OK, Don and I have sent in our registrations, and we're booked at the hotel!
I'll have my pickup truck, camping gear, and a few ladies with me.
A few? What are you - Mormon or something? ;D
I'm guessing the misses and the best man. Can already hear the Three's Company song!
I have a harem lol. Misses, the best "man", best mans girlfriend, and apparantly a 4th girl may go too.
Warning: this topic has not been posted in for at least 120 days.
I am ignoring the warning for the old thread.
My wife and I are off on our adventure which includes MMEW.
I was going to create a blog for this, but Wordpress let me down and my site got corrupted with some terrible scripts even though I thought I had it locked down.
I created this facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/travellerlucy/ (https://www.facebook.com/travellerlucy/)
I am not sure how much it will get updated, but we will see. We are doing a combo of camping/hotel.
See some of you in Colorado...
Terry
See you there, have a great drive and be safe! 77.gif
Hope you guys have a FANTASTIC time!!
We're going to try and meet up with the Golden group at 10:30 Monday....
Hitting the road from Virginia on Friday morning.
You going across on 64 to St. Louis?
If you come thru KC give a shout, you can caravan up to Denver with us if you like..... 77.gif
Yes, more than likely I-64 out to StL and then I-70 from there.
Not sure of the timing of it all so if I don't see you on the road, it'll be on the mountain.
Safe travels all !
913-948-3652 if you need it......
Got it, thanks Dave.
I saw Howard and Neil, but I seem to have missed Dave. I saw the two Minis hitched together in the lot. Hopefully tonight at the banquet.
And I must have talked to Whee, I guess I just need to seek out the black Moke.
PS: just said hello to Dave
Whee is Peter Kyte, one of the hosts of the event, I'll make sure you see him tonight.
It was a stellar job in organizing and hosting a fabulous event in a fantastic location. Hats off to the entire MOTR crew and especially to the hard working Whee (Peter Kyte). KUDOS !!
Just got home, other than my little adventure at the top of Loveland Pass my Racing Green performed perfectly. as did my 2009 Clubby - especially driving home in the 102* temps today.
Unfortunately Don's Pup didn't fare so well.....
I think it has a blown head gasket...at least I'm hopeful that's all it is.
On the trip out he was adding about a pint every 100 miles, the day before we were going to leave he took a test drive to Glenwood springs and it took a quart in 30 miles, I told him I didn't think we'd make it back to my sister's in Denver let alone the 800 miles to KC. So we made a deal with a guy from Knoxville to take it on his trailer and Don would follow along in the guy's cars (name escapes me - Mike with the purple equinox)
They got to KC about midnight with no issues save a broken tie down strap.
Sounds like it was Mike McMillan who came to Don's rescue.
Right, that's the guy!
I'm hoping that this time we'll get it cured once and for all and he can just drive it - he's probably going to tackle it in his own garage rather than bring it to my shop, but we'll see. The key will be if we can get the head off with the engine in the car or if we have to drop the motor again. If we don't find a blown head gasket ( I think Joakwin has had to replace a couple on his too)
his next choice might be to see if he can find another engine or send this one to the machine shop and rebuild it.
I also would like to compliment the entire MMEMW team on a job well done, it went off very well, with hardly a glitch, and even those were handled with humor and aplomb. The funkhana was unexpected and crazy fun! Well done MOTR!
Having been to three of these (MMEMW) and several MME and MMW now, I can't help but notice they and all the Mini Meets seem to follow the exact same formula - car show, gymkhana, funkhana, local tour/ride and rallye followed by the wrap up banquet.
Is this format set somewhere and must be followed (or expected)?
Also, I've noticed the only cars that win at the shows are those perfectly restored or in the case of the new MINIs those with lots of stickers and graphics all over them. Not much point of entering a car that doesn't hit those criteria.....
One thing they did at this meet that I really liked was the picture at the end of the car show - Eric did a fantastic job, and while it seemed to take forever to get the cars lined up just so, the results were SO worth the investment in time! However, I didn't find out they were selling them till after the show (can I buy one now, and if so how - and how much?)
Lastly - location, location, location! Snowmass was an inspired choice, both for the scenic-ness and local beauty but also proximity to such a variety of roads and access to other places that were fun to see (like Aspen, Independence pass etc.)
I think next time I'll take a page from Rick Higg's book and add a day or two to the end of the event to go spend a little more time sightseeing in the locale.....even tho I lived in Colorado for a number of years and have already travelled all over the state I would have gladly spent a few more days there.
For those on Facebook, here's a quick vid of the car show pic set up - I'm standing right next to the light pole, FWIW. You may have to watch several times to see it, but there's a surprise in the pic.....
https://www.facebook.com/oregonminisociety/videos/451334079001910/ (https://www.facebook.com/oregonminisociety/videos/451334079001910/)
Yes, it was Mike McMillan who came to Don's rescue. As one who moves a lot of Minis for folks, Dan gave Don my number to call. Don called and asked if I would be traveling that way anytime soon and if I could transport his PUP back to KC. No cross country runs scheduled but I told him I might get my friend Mike to haul it back and let Don drive the Equinox back. Phone calls were made and another Mini owner saves the day. Amazing how our Mini community is so closely connected. I guess instead of Six degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon, perhaps it's six degrees of separation from Dr Mini? Anyway, I love it when a plan comes together! Glad that Dan made the recommendation and a couple of calls got a solution to what would've been a major problem.
Yes, it could have been quite a headache for Don, I'm very happy Hugh was able to hook us up with Mike and a big thanks to Mike for hauling the Pup and letting Don drive his car.
A few pics from the event, I've noticed that a few guys have been posting photos of their trips home to Canada and the northwest on Facebook, if you have FB check them out!
A couple more....
We are still motoring along, in Yakima last night. Today Mount Ranier and on to The Dalles. Over 4000 miles and just afew minor issues.
The next one of these far away trips I do I'm going to budget in a few extra days for actual sight seeing in the area.....
After we checked out of the resort at Snowmass on Friday, a few of us took the high road and went up to the top of Pikes Peak (14,110) in Mini's. That little excursion was well worth the extra day.
That happened to be just a couple days before the annual Hillclimb, so race teams were in town, paddocks and hospitality tents were set up, and spectators had been camped out at the starting line for days catching practice and qualifying runs.
You drove the Moke up there? Quite the view going thru some of those blue sky turns isn't it? 77.gif
Just like it was throughout the Rockies all week, the view from the road up Pikes Peak was spectacular at every turn.
My 850 Moke would've been huffing and puffing at the higher elevations of that road. We did have Al Frost's Moke as a part of the group, but I rode in Larry Atkinson's Mini Sprint.
I am not sure this is working properly. There are alot of photos. It could take awhile to load. I may have to switch the way the gallery is configured.
With multiple drivers in the same car, they all started to look alike.
MMEW Auto-X photos
http://www.tmsmini.com/cooper/2019/MMEW/ (http://www.tmsmini.com/cooper/2019/MMEW/)
Great pic's.
Those sticky Hoosiers on Dan's yellow Mini from Florida look like they are giving the suspension and bearings a workout lol.
Something broke on that car. I never heard what the failure was.
Broke the diff housing right next to the shifter.....he thinks it's because his daughter (she was driving when it happened) was too harsh on and off the throttle, that combined with the sticky tires was too much for the trans, He said he's getting 140hp and it sure ran like it, I followed him back to the hotel the day before and that thing absolutely flys!
Cracked gearbox case where the diff bolts on is what I had heard, but Dave probably has more info & detail.
Days before, he was flagged down and turned around at the 13 mile mark by the National Park Service cops on his way up to the top of Pikes Peak. They indicated that a tour shuttle driver, whom he had passed on the way up the hill, had called ahead to alert the authorities and had him cited for "terrorizing" the place.
Yes it does fly and he uses every bit of the power.
I sold him the head and a supercharger which were removed from a factory convertible Mini that the shop it was it could not get to run right so the owner went back to a straight HIF 44 carb set up.
After rebuilding the supercharger i believe he had some issues with it and ended up using a BINI s/c instead.