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MINI Club Of WNY -> MINI Club of WNY Events -> Watkins Glen Opening Day 2008
Post Info TOPIC: Watkins Glen Opening Day 2008
yellowmininy


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Watkins Glen Opening Day 2008
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Edit- Opening Day will be Sunday, April 27th, and they'll open the gates at 9 am & start running laps at 10 am. It will be $20 for 3 laps. As usual, we'll have a caravan from Rochester (& points north & west), and meet up with folks from the south at the track (usually the box office at the 3rd entrance) so we can group together.

(Original post)
I don't know the date yet, but hope to know soon. (Usually the last Sunday in April or 1st in May). WAtkins Glen International has been doing a charity event for Opening Day with admission fee (has been $20) to drive 3 laps on the track. We've been doing this since 2003, and it's always a blast! (OK, I missed 2004!)

Details on where to meet & the post track lunch plan will be posted as soon as I know what day it is! Last year's lunch at the Crooked Rooster Brewpub was great, so we'll check with them again.



-- Edited by yellowmininy at 11:21, 2008-02-25

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SPDinNY


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u know I'm in

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yellowmininy


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Cool! I think we had 20 Minis there last year.

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Bagpiper


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It's in my date book! And the pipes are in the back.....

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yellowmininy


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It's just not Opening Day without bagpipes! :)

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SPDinNY


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OH NOES!!! We will most likely be at MOTD!! I hope its the week before!

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redbaron


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I was wondering about the Watkins Glen opening day.
I bought a MINI last summer (07 Cooper) and was interested
about the 3 lap drive around the track.
Is it with other MINI's or by yourself? What are the limitations on speed or safety?

Thanks

-- Edited by redbaron at 19:00, 2008-03-10

-- Edited by redbaron at 19:01, 2008-03-10

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Cogman


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The three laps are lead by a track worker in a Buick, if I remember correctly.  He leads all the Minis around at the same time, nose to tail.  His speed can vary depending on his mood, and the behavior of the Mini drivers.  The group is also being followed by a chase vehicle who rats out anyone attempting to pass or driving very dangerously.  The first year we did this, we were hitting about 110 mph on the straights, with fairly high cornering speeds.  One of the next couple of years the leader went slower, and one of the years a Mini driver attempted a pass in a corner, which brought the laps to a screaming halt, and ended up with that driver being ejected.  They don't tell you anything at all before you start, so I had to feel sorry for the guy ejected, as he had no idea passing was a no-no.  The year we went very fast, we had a Corvette behind the leader and ahead of the Minis, whom the leader seemed desperate to impress with his Buick.  The Minis, surprisingly, had absolutely no problem keeping up, particularly in the corners!  One thing the leader does that I personally very much appreciated was to follow the PROPER lines through every corner.  If you are not familiar with what sort of turn comes next, this can be a big advantage when you see him obviously clinging to the right or left shoulder heading into a corner.  It tips you off to where the track goes next!  Have fun, it makes for a great outing, and a very enjoyable day!  Cath puts on a very well organized event, and the track is only a very small part it!  Bill

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SPDinNY


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I think last year they said 55mph although I am sure we got the cooper up to around 70ish at times. I have a vid of last years taken from our mini. Runflats stink....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3FwxQKUlDo

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yellowmininy


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Thanks, Bill, couldn't have said it better myself. biggrin.gif

There have been times when I've gotten a list of rules at the start, but this seems to vary. They have always let us go on as a group together, though.

Last year we had a group coming from the north/west meeting at the Canandaigua Wegmans (on 5&20), and we drove down together from there. Time-wise I'd say it would be best to meet around 8:30 AM to make it there by 10.



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SPDinNY


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good news everyone! Since MOTD is April 30th -May 7th both Winnie and Bruto shall make their showing at Watkins Glen! (The peasants rejoice!)

I can break in my new tires =)

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yellowmininy


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Best way to do it that I know of! :)

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redbaron


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Awesome I'll try and make it!
I Checked out the video also.

-- Edited by redbaron at 19:28, 2008-03-13

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Mitch


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Will anyone be meeting in the Buffalo area?

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Brewmeister


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It's on our calendar... going for three in a row! 



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ofergus


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I was part of the mini group which did the Glen last August. It was a blast to actually be on a Grand Prix race track. With the changes in elevation and the tight corners the course was more challenging than I expected. I may join you all for a few laps. I'll be coming over fron the Ithaca, about what time will the gang be at Watkins Glen?

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SPDinNY


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I think Yellow said we were meeting there about 10am

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PepperMINI


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Is the plan to meet at Geneva Wegmans again?

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SPDinNY


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I hope so, it was fun meeting up there and having people come look at our cars.

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yellowmininy


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I think we'll meet at the Canandaigua Wegmans (for those coming from the west/north side) at 8:30, and take the scenic route to Watkins Glen. (I'm going to spare the Geneva Wegmans until August) biggrin.gif

We will meet up at 10 am at WGI at the 3rd entrance by the ticket office, and then drive down to the main entrance in a group so we can all go on together.

Anyone coming from the east & south can meet us at WGI, unless you want an extra trip to Wegmans!

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SPDinNY


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Canandaigua Weggies is just as good. Everyone make sure you test your radio! Last year someone had one that was terrible! I forgot who (Venno?)

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yellowmininy


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If his radio doesn't work this year, he's got a good excuse! :)

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Mitch


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Maybe start the convoy at Town Mini for those of us that are coming from that area?

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PepperMINI


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Canandaigua Wegmans works for me. My mom works there, and when I go visit, she likes to parade me around like a show pony (must be a mom thing). This will be an extra special treat for her, because she can tell all of her coworkers, "this is my daughter, Holly, and she is one of the MINI Cooper owners here today..."

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jpavlo


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I'll be heading up from Endicott with Brewmeister and anyone else who wants to join us. The Crooked Rooster/Wildflower Cafe sounds like a good place for lunch. http://www.roosterfishbrewing.com/. I enjoyed their food last year and especially liked their microbrews. They brew some really fine ales!

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yellowmininy


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They did a really nice job of handling the crowd last year, and with good food and drink too! biggrin.gif

Looks like we'll have a welcoming committee from the Canandaigua Wegmans! :)

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cfilkins


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We'd love to go, but I don't think we'll be able to make this one...we'll be just getting home from vacation. Hopefully later on in the summer...I'd love to take our Fletcher out for a couple of laps.

Chris


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jonnieoh


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I will be there, too, representin' from the Syracuse area. It was a blast last year! Can't wait.

Jon

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bloomicy


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Still relatively new... why do "runflats stink?" Just on a track, or what? Are they just so darned expensive you don't want to take the curves too fast?

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SPDinNY


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they are a hard tire and have very hard sidewalls. This of course allows them to run without air in them. Due to the hardness they tend to give quite a bit less traction and they also cost anywheres from $250-300 each to replace.

-- Edited by SPDinNY at 18:45, 2008-04-09

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