Bay area blogger Sally Kuhlman is campaigning Mini of San Francisco to get her hands on the wheel of a new Mini Cooper so she can drive around San Francisco and write about her adventures. You can help Sally by visiting her blog! Check it out HERE!
Here are the registration forms for MINI Thunder. So have at it.
In addition here is a “bonus”.
The members of Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts and all MINI/Minis have been invited to attend the San Francisco Region “Willows Grand Prix" on the weekend of Oct 23-24, 2009. This is the Championship Points Finale. Our MINIs will be the featured “Marque Car” for the event with Minis Only Corral parking, group tours of the entire Thunderhill facility, parade laps on track at lunch…ALL for FREE!!!!!
If you decide to take your Mini on track you will need to be wearing long pants and close toed shoes. We will be driving at reduced speeds so no helmets are required.
We will also have access to the newly constructed grandstands at turn 2 with a great view of the track. So plan to bring a snack lunch and enjoy the day. The Thunderhill Grill will also be open if you get hungry or thirsty.
This weekend will also feature the RDC (Racing Drivers Club) Ilgen 4-Hour Enduro Race as well.
Here is a link to the even webpage. SFRSCCA
Please sign up on REME RSVP or email me at norm@redwoodempiremini.com soon so we can get a Mini count for the corral and to plan parade laps.
By Rick Feibusch
The Brisbane meet, though greeted by thunder and lightening the night
before, was quite a success, despite gloomy skies. The British Car
gods were looking out for the Sons (and Daughters) of Lucas with clear
skies and mild temperatures during the events on both days.
We were awakened by thunder early Saturday morn, followed by a light
but continuous English-style rain. As the cars started to arrive for
the Saturday tour, we watched as participants assembled their hoods
and fitted side curtains, that is, the people who had brought them. It
never rains in California in September!
OnStar is soooo 2007. Rather than building some kind of old school cell phone telematics system into its cars, Mini is going the hip, modern route for roadside assistance. Mini USA has collaborated with insurance company Allstate to create an Apple iPhone app (also available for some GPS-equipped Blackberries) for owners to automatically call for roadside assistance. When you install the app, you put in your vehicle ID number and select a photo of your car if you want.
The next time you realize that the trip computer’s range estimate was a bit optimistic and you fall short of a petrol station, or you leave the lights on or hear that familiar thump-thump of a flat tire, just pull out your iPhone. Open the app, select the service you need and Allstate will immediately dispatch help to the coordinates provided by the phone’s GPS system.
Of course, if you forgot to plug in your phone last night… well, two strikes and you’re out. There’s no word yet on whether the app can use the phone’s accelerometer to detect the excess deceleration associated with an impact and call 911 for you, but that would be a neat trick.
Thanks to minimania.com for the heads-up!
Following their meetup at the XXX Rootbeer Stand in Issaquah WA on Saturday, members of the Puget Sound Mini Club ventured out to explore beautiful Washington State.
Brenda Pfander Fromhold shared some pix:
Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts
In conjunction with Thunderhill Raceway Park
Presents
The 1st Annual
“MINI Thunder”
Monday Feb. 14-15, 2010
Come join us for the Valentine’s & Presidents Day weekend
Starting with Sunday afternoon/evening at the Colusa Resort Casino for a Car
show with prizes, lounging about the pool, gaming, romantic dinner for 2,
fun & dancing and a special MINI package price. Valet for all your gear for
track day. They even offer a shuttle for “sleepy heads” – with no vehicle to
the track on Monday.
Then it’s off to Thunderhill Raceway Park on Monday for a MINI & Friends day
at the track. This special package includes day long track time in four race
groups, lunch, event T-Shirts, lunchtime parade laps, Coaching and Demo
Rides, Raffles & prizes, beverages throughout the day, “The Newlywed Game”,
vendor village, and lots more fun.
Track day special group price of $175.00 per car or $250.00 for shared cars
(2 different run groups)
There will be plenty of fun and activities for those that do not wish to
track their Minis, including parade laps and Demo laps.
The perfect Christmas Gift for your spouse that you can enjoy as well.
More details and registration forms to be posted shortly.
www.redwoodempiremini.com www.thunderhill.com www.colusacasino.com
Thunderhill Raceway Park, Willows CA.
The Thunderhill Raceway Track is owned, designed and built by the San
Francisco Region of SCCA (Sports Car Club of America). “Designed by
enthusiasts – for enthusiasts”. This 15 turn – 3 mile – 36 foot wide
twisting and challenging road circuit is built to FIA Standards with
generous safe run-off areas and hosts some great elevation changes combined
with “off camber” turns and a long front straight guaranteed to whiten your
knuckles before turn one.
With prime spectator areas, professional food services, air-conditioned
Activity Center, overnight camping, race fuel and high octane gas pumps,
emergency vehicles, tow trucks, an on-site medical facilities, restrooms,
showers and a playground area for your kids, and even an ATM machine,
Thunderhill Raceway Park has something to offer every motoring enthusiast.
So whether you are a first timer or a veteran professional race driver, MINI
Thunder will offer you the track time, coaching, and opportunity to enjoy
the day, sharpen your driving skills, and “bond” with your Mini.
Even is you don’t want to take your Mini on the track, please some out and
join us, experience the track, socialize with fellow Mini owners.
Colusa Resort & Casino
Whether you’re here for the thrill of playing your favorite games, the
excitement of live entertainment, the pleasure of dining on delicious food,
a relaxing session in our Spa and Fitness Center, or the adventure of
outdoor recreation, Colusa Casino Resort has something for everyone.
As a guest in the hotel you can choose from luxurious standard rooms or
deluxe suites loaded with extra creature comforts, and when you’re ready to
start winning, all you have to do is stroll down to the non-stop gaming
action on the casino floor.
If you’re looking to enjoy a mouth-watering meal in a casual,
family-friendly, yet elegant atmosphere, it doesn’t get any better than
Wintun Dinnerhouse. Their friendly staff takes great pride in ensuring your
satisfaction. The non-smoking bar is a great place to meet friends and the
diverse menu is sure to satisfy every appetite. Wintun Dinnerhouse offers
plenty of palate-pleasing choices; from tantalizing appetizers and juicy
steaks to specialty desserts, as well as a vast wine and liquor selection.
The renowned culinary staff at Wintun Dinnerhouse prepares their signature
menu items with only fresh, locally grown ingredients, guaranteeing you an
unforgettable meal every time you visit.
These Mini Enthusiasts, Linda and Bob Wilson of Redding, Ca., sure did!
This pic was taken at the Redwood Empire Mini Enthusiasts End of Summer BBQ in Sacramento, Ca.
