Just so you can keep the date in mind, we're doing it again!
Paced laps at Watkins Glen International Racetrack (will have to check cost- $20 or $25) Watkins Glen International Racetrack 2790 County Route 16 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 (607) 535-2486
A drive around the old village race course (the railroad tracks are still my favorite part!)
Picnic lunch will be at Watkins Glen State Park (shelter entrance near the campground entrance). This does require paying the state park entry fee (will check, was $7 last time), but we can support our local parks, and this one is a beauty!
More details to follow. The likely northern gathering point is the Geneva Wegmans, if they'll have us back.
We'll take the scenic route to Watkins Glen International Racetrack for paced laps at noon (3 laps, $25 per car). If coming from near Watkins Glen or from the south, we'll meet at the 3rd entrance off County Road 16 at the ticket office around 11 am. Watkins Glen International Racetrack 2790 County Route 16 Watkins Glen, NY 14891 http://www.theglen.com/
After the paced laps, we'll drive around the old Grand Prix course through the village.
From there we'll go to Watkins Glen State Park for a picnic lunch at one of the pavilions. Admission to the park is $7 per car. Sandwiches & drinks will be provided, and if every car can bring a dish to pass (salad or dessert), no one will walk away hungry!
All states are welcome, or farther away, even. We've had quite a few states represented, though I think Texas is the farthest. Heck, we'll even allow non-Minis! (Preferably with 'bonnet stripes')
So I've never taken my mini to the track and I am thinking about doing the Watkins Glen run this year since I heard a lot about it at the rally yesterday. I know the laps are paced - about how fast has everyone got their mini's up to on that track? Do I need to upgrade my factory breaks or anything else on the car before going?
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~Liz
Pepper White 2007 Cooper S
Purple Haze 2005 Cooper - owned 04-07
Hi Everyone! We're hoping to make it to this one (Finally!!) Any idea if people from the Syracuse area are planning on coming too? I'll check with the Tier mini guys too. Hope to finally make it to our first Mini rally!
No need to upgrade anything. You run in a line of cars with top speed being well below anything approaching race speed. If you were to try to pass or do something foolish you'll be tossed off the track.
It you do want to run a little faster than the group the trick is to be the last car in line and then slow down to let the pack pull away. You can then zip right along until you catch up to the last car in line. Repeat as needed.
I should think we might attend with Mini Mo. But I will have to see what she says after we bath her. The rally yesterday in the rain got her all dirty (yellow looks brown) and I think she is upset right now. -s
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MiniMo - 2008 MINI Cooper S, Mellow Yellow, Checker glass roof, mirrors and sides, black stripes on boot & bonnet, Piaa black HID Rally lights. Zig Around Zoom Zoom
Hi Everyone! We're hoping to make it to this one (Finally!!) Any idea if people from the Syracuse area are planning on coming too? I'll check with the Tier mini guys too. Hope to finally make it to our first Mini rally!
This one might be tough for me to make; just getting back from a week long trip in Cape Cod at that time, and I'm anticipating the desire to not drive any farther the next day, (even if it is such a cool trip to the Glen as this sounds).
Put me down as a maybe, but most likely not going to attend.
Keep me informed of any other rides in the fall. If you let Tom Greene of TierMINI know, then we'll hear about it, for sure!
Hi Everyone! We're hoping to make it to this one (Finally!!) Any idea if people from the Syracuse area are planning on coming too? I'll check with the Tier mini guys too. Hope to finally make it to our first Mini rally!
Do we need to register or anything?
Registration generally consists of showing up in the parking lot. Posting here if you intend to come is helpful, so I know to look for you & can plan for lunch. :)
Dan - no formal registration, just show up at Wegmans (Geneva I think) for the caravan down to Watkins Glen or show up at the Glen itself!
Nice MINI! The red wheels are really eye catching
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nicole
Bruto: 07 S PS/W, Alta 19mm Rear Sway, Einkei Wheels, Driving Lights (VIP Custom Parts bracket & Hella 500's), Alta Short Shifter, Stratmosphere coilovers, VIP Custom Parts CAI & Strut Bar
Thanks for the info. Since we are closer (South) to the Glen than to Geneva, we will meet you there (the Glen).
What time are you planning on being at the Glen?
Is the drive around the old village race course before or after the paced laps?
Do we need to sign up before hand with the Glen for the paced laps?
-Dan
The red wheels really do set off our Mini. Unfortunately, they are our winter wheels (16") so we now have the OEM 17" wheels on (they are nice, too). Will have to get some red 17" wheels at some point so she can have them all year long!
I've updated the first post with the info. Meeting place will be at the Geneva Wegmans on 5 & 20 at 9 am for anyone coming from the north, and 11 am at Watkins Glen International, 3rd entrance near the ticket office (then we'll head down to the main entrance after we round up all the Minis).
I have never been to Geneva before so I am wondering haow long it takes to get there from Lockport. My wife & I are thinking about attending. This would be our first event with our new Mini. Have only had it for 2 1/2 weeks.
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"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most"
I have never been to Geneva before so I am wondering haow long it takes to get there from Lockport. My wife & I are thinking about attending. This would be our first event with our new Mini. Have only had it for 2 1/2 weeks.
Google maps are your friend: 112 mi about 2 hours 0 mins
if you want maybe you could meet up with my wife and I at the Manchester/Clifton Springs exit. Then we can take you the back roads to Wegmans. It takes us about 25 minutes from there to get to Geneva. So if you want to meet us there about 8:30 am let me know and I will give you more specifics.
Thanks.I'll talk to my wife and see if she really wants to go. We have to go to Long Island on the 11th & don't get back until the 14th. I think were going to go but I'll make sure and if we are I'll let you know. Thanks for the offer.
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"Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most"
I'm going to have to agree with google/pamlico (sorry spd!). My husband and I go to Middleport all of the time, which is east of Lockport, and it takes us a solid hour and 20 minutes (and is a straight shot). It takes roughly 15-20 minutes to get to Lockport from Middleport, and about 35 minutes to get to Geneva from our house. So using the old add-'em-up theory of travel times (also known as the "back of the napkin" or "thumb in the air" methodology), two hours sounds about right.
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Holly
2007 Astro Black [YES IT'S BLACK] MINI Cooper Convertible ("Pepper"); 2013 British Racing Green MINI Cooper S Hardtop ("Bini") and 2013 BMW X5 ("Wilhelm")
I'm going to have to agree with google/pamlico (sorry spd!). My husband and I go to Middleport all of the time, which is east of Lockport, and it takes us a solid hour and 20 minutes (and is a straight shot). It takes roughly 15-20 minutes to get to Lockport from Middleport, and about 35 minutes to get to Geneva from our house. So using the old add-'em-up theory of travel times (also known as the "back of the napkin" or "thumb in the air" methodology), two hours sounds about right.
But you drive like a grandmother! Also we will be taking backroads if they follow us. So there!!!!
oh and my route is 103 miles. Figuring an average speed of 70 MPH I say they can do the entire drive in under 23 minutes. Although my math may be off a bit =)
I drive like a grandma? That's not what I'm usually accused of.
How do you get 103 miles? Plus, if you go through some of the smaller towns (such as Medina), there tends to be a lot of law enforcement supervision. What back roads do you take? I just chimed in b/c I want everyone to be there on time (especially your wife with her cookies).
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Holly
2007 Astro Black [YES IT'S BLACK] MINI Cooper Convertible ("Pepper"); 2013 British Racing Green MINI Cooper S Hardtop ("Bini") and 2013 BMW X5 ("Wilhelm")