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MINI Club Of WNY -> MINI Club of WNY Events -> Watkins Glen Opening Day, Sunday April 29 2007
Post Info TOPIC: Watkins Glen Opening Day, Sunday April 29 2007
yellowmininy


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Watkins Glen Opening Day, Sunday April 29 2007
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I am waiting to see what WGI has planned officially, since there is not much info on their website yet. They open the track for paced laps for anyone who would like to drive their car on the track.  I haven't seen any official word on the cost this year, but last year it was 3 paced laps for $20, and the racetrack does this as a charity fundraiser. We've been doing this since 2003, and it's been a lot of fun over the years..

The first entrance at Watkins Glen International is
the entrance used for this event.

So my plan is once again:
Meet at the 3rd entrance at 10 AM. Drive down to the
1st entrance, wind our way through the crowds to the
track (this takes time because there are a LOT of cars
there), pretend we are Mario Andretti, or Stirling
Moss if you are as old as I am, and then head out for
lunch somewhere.  Please post here or let me know if you are planning to come down, since there are a lot of cars at the track that day, and herding all the Minis together is a logistic challenge.  And then they let us drive together on the track.  biggrin

I'll have 2 way radios on channel 7, sub channel 21.

My choice for the lunch spot this year is Mr Chicken, on Franklin St in Watkins Glen.  Not too fancy, but close by and the food was good when I was there last. 


If there is interest in a caravan from Rochester &
west to Watkins Glen, let me know! (Would be leaving
the Rochester area around 8:30 AM)

Mapquest link for Watkins Glen Racetrack
Watkins Glen International
2790 County Route 16
Watkins Glen, NY 14891

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&addtohistory=&formtype=address&searchtype=address&cat=&address=2790%20County%20Road%2016&city=Watkins%20Glen&state=NY&zipcode=14891%2d9511



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ofergus


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Hi YellowMini,
I can't make Watkins Glen on the 29th since I was planning to attend the Syracuse Rally on the 29th. It is a shame to miss this because I live right up the road (Rt 414) in Lodi and Watkins Glen is a short distance from my place.
I'd like to make a suggestion for a late summer visit to the Glen. The Zippo US Vintage Grand Prix is Sept. 7-9 with BMW and Bugatti as the featured marques. I watched the re-enactment race last year and it was a blast standing along the road as the old cars roared by up the hill. I noticed quite a few Minis last year and I'm certain with BMW as the featured marque, there will be even more Minis this year. The main street is blocked to traffic and all the vintage race cars and concours vehicles are available for close inspection before the race. The local restaurants serve food on the sidewalk in a carnival-like atomsphere. Fun to be had by one and all. If this event is of interest, I might even be persuaded to lead a short rally around some of the twisty roads and scenic sights in the area.
Ofergus

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yellowmininy


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I'd be happier the WGI would go back to having Opening Day the first weekend in May, but it's their schedule. I'll also be doing an event in August (the weekend of 8/18-19) doing track laps & a picnic- the annual Finger Lakes Run.

The Vintage Grand Prix is a great event. I was there in 2005 but missed it last year since I was moving, but there are Mini owners who go every year, both from the Watkins area, and MINI2/MAMA folks from New Hampshire.

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jpavlo


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Had a great time last year.

I plan on attending w/ a couple of other local MINI owners and family members (driving a MGB & BMW Z4).

I like Mr. Chicken (have eaten there many times),but can I suggest an alternative for lunch, also in downtown Watkins Glen.

The Crooked Rooster Brewpub (The Wildflower Café/}
223-301 North Franklin Street
Watkins Glen, NY 14891
Ph: 607.535.9797

They are a micro brewery and have good food. Service .... a bit slow,.....but gives you time to enjoy their crafted brews and get to know your fellow MINI enthusiasts.

You can check out their web site for a menu etc. @: http://www.roosterfishbrewing.com/




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Cogman


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Cath,
Barb and I will try to make it once again, but my Mini is spewing antifreeze right now. Towne couldn't find a leak at all. They should see my driveway! I took the shield off, and it was full to the brim! So, if we get this straightened out, We'll be there! Bill and Barb.

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yellowmininy


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Or you can bring the Tiburon. :)

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doctorwho


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yellowmininy, et. al.,

We are going to give the Watkins Glen Opening Day run a shot this year.

We are thinking of a long road trip; rolling out of Oswego to enjoy this event, head up to RIT to catch the end of our daughter's autocross event, walking through the Eastview mall(?), swing by the Waterloo outlet center and finally heading home (with the setting sun?). Motoring fun!

I am thinking we will head directly to Watkins Glen so get there early enough for the meet up at the third enterance (have to download the local and raceway maps). Now all I have to do is figure out the best motoring route. We will pack our two FRS radios (and GPS, just in case).

See you in The Grid!
Paul and Jane

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yellowmininy


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Cool! Has the snow melted yet? Did you get more last weekend, or did it pass over you & head to New England?

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doctorwho


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Snow came in from the East (from New England) and dumped 8 to 10 inches of heavy wet snow on Oswego. Adirondacks got lots more.

2 to 3 inches of heavy slush on the roadways (snowfall between trips of the snowplow) made diving very slow (and tricky).

Had ~2 inches of very firm slush on the lawn this morning. 98% melted melted by sunset.

What's that, something like 11+ feet of snow this season. Near normal.

But, all of that in 3 weeks in February and one April Nor'easter. Not normal.

DoctorWho

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jimmyd


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i see there is a syracuse run the same day as watkind glen too bad we can't tie them to gether

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yellowmininy


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I'm going to meet a Canadaigua area Mini owner at the Canandaigua Wegmans (on 5 & 20) at 9 AM on Sunday 4/29, if anyone wants to caravan down from there.

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Charva


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I'm going to try to make it to Watkins Glen on Sunday if the weather looks good.

I'll post more after I get out of work today,

Dave

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yellowmininy


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Cool! Let me know if you need more info.

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Charva


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yellowmininy wrote:

Cool! Let me know if you need more info.


Any track fees, special equipment needed?

Do purple MINI's get a discount?

blankstare



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jpavlo


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Fees:  $20 gets you 3 paced laps on the track and goes to charity. Here's a link to the official W-G site:

http://theglen.com/534598.html

Special Equipment: You're driving it..nothing else needed!

Discount for purple MINIs:  hmm..not that I'm aware of but we can try,,,

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yellowmininy


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Just remember, no passing. They don't seem to like that very much! It is just paced laps so as JPavlo said, no helmet needed. We'll go out following the pace car.

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Charva


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The weather looks like it's going to cooperate and be a nice day as per the weather bug forecast!!

I'll be heading out around 6:30am. Looks like a 3 hours from here.


Anyone from Buffalo area going?
 
I'll try to raise you on the radios when I get out towards Rochester,

Dave

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yellowmininy


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Dave, I sent you a PM with my cell phone #, if you want to give me a call when you're in Leroy or thereabouts.

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Charva


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I'll meet up with you's at Wegmans at 9:00am.


I don't carry a cell phone but I'll bring the # just in case,

Dave

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yellowmininy


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Dave, there's a GP owner who just posted on NAM about driving down from North Tonawanda. I just sent him a PM to let him know about meeting in Canandaigua, and to let hiim know you're coming from there also.

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yellowmininy


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As J Pavlo suggested, I'm thinking of going to the Wildflower Cafe/ Crooked Rooster Brewpub (if I have that name right) on Franklin St for lunch, rather than Mr Chicken. They are willing to seat a crowd, though maybe at a bunch of tables rather than all together (this would be true at Mr Chicken too). I suspect we'd have to park over in the big lot on the other side of Franklin. I'll take a poll at the end of the track laps tomorrow & see who's interested. The Wildflower Cafe sponsored either Graham Hill's or Stirling Moss's marker (can't remember which), so I've been meaning to go there for a while.

I'm hoping the rain, rain will go away! biggrin.gif

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yellowmininy


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Thanks to everyone who came out today. I don't think I ever got an accurate count, but I think between the Minis and friends of Minis we had 20 cars. Thanks to J Pavlo for the restaurant recommendation - an excellent choice!

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Charva


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That was a blast for sure!

Got home in time to wash my car and watch the rest of the hockey game!

Our waitress had a good day! I bet she will remember the MINI's!

biggrin


Dave

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yellowmininy


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Hey Dave, did they give you a discount for a purple Mini? I forgot to ask! biggrin.gif

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Charva


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yellowmininy wrote:

Hey Dave, did they give you a discount for a purple Mini? I forgot to ask! biggrin.gif


Uh.......noashamed


But I still had a great time!


Dave

-- Edited by Charva at 14:08, 2007-04-30

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