Mini Meet East Meets West June 24-27, 2019

[MiniDave]

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.

[gasmini]

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.

[MiniDave]

 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/

[94touring]

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.

[MiniDave]

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.

[94touring]

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. 

[94touring]

Altitude sickness is a form of hypoxia.  All related to lack of oxygen which effects some people more than others.  Symptoms vary. 

[BruceK]

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.

[94touring]

And I bet it was neither grand nor an island.

[BruceK]

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.

[94touring]

I've been doing more midwest flying.  Not a lot going on in Nebraska from what I'm seeing.  Feed lots smell about right.

[MiniDave]

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.

[94touring]

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.

[MPlayle]

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.

[MiniDave]

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.

[MiniDave]

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!

[94touring]

Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year?  When do I bring your shell up? 

[MPlayle]

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.

[94touring]

I'm guessing they only do mini meets in the dead of summer?

[jedduh01]

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

[MiniDave]

Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year?  When do I bring your shell up? 

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.

[94touring]

Do I understand you'll have your car done this time next year?  When do I bring your shell up? 

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!

[BruceK]

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? 

[MiniDave]

 

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!

[94touring]

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.