Victoria Minis Car Club - President's Message

I guess you were wondering what was happening with the President’s Message, well I have been busy doing retirement stuff; which includes a healthy dose of Mini activities.

We had a great June and July monthly meetings many thanks to Dana and Lloyd, and Kathy and Richard for hosting. We discussed several new items including getting FRS radios to monitor how the vehicles are doing while on drives. We also got the new grill badges and book marks. I would like to thank Dave and Doug for doing that.

We have many events during the upcoming months including the trip up island in August to Parksville with a stay overnight. We will be using the scenic routes. If you want to join in the fun, check out the website and talk to Merville and Doug.

Over the last couple of months, we had several parades and trips to the mainland. These included the Old English Car club show and and the VanDuesen Botanical Gardens. Also there have been several of our group seen at Francelli’s Coffee Cruisin on Saturdays getting there around 5 PM, you should check it out as there are some great cars on show.

There was the trip to Mini Meet West 2011 held at Lake Tahoe California where the Victoria Minis Car Club was well represented. Well done to all that attended, we travelled with the Mt Shasta Minis and SAMOA car clubs which was a great success and a heck of a good time. In the Concours, Linda won First in Class for MC (2001 - 2006) - Naturally Aspirated - R50 and Mike won First in Class for Classic Mini Custom, Modified. Mike and Brian claimed a Second in the Funkhana Event. John and Anna took some great movies of the trip.

The Father’s Day Picnic held at Beacon Hill Park was well attended and again the weather did not dampen their spirits.

Check out the website for all the events and if you have an idea, email Richard Ford the Events Coordinator.

Well it is getting to be that time of year where people are starting to plan the next level of upgrade to their Minis. We have had a few drives and individuals going to events such as the All British Field Meet in Portland, the Jellybean Fall Colours Ralleye and the Anacortes Oyster Run which is a motor-bike Festival, but wherever the Mini showed up, it was a strong distraction. Over the year to date, we have had a few great drives, BBQs, Parades, Multiple Car shows as well. This year, our primary focus was the Marque event for Minis from all over Western Canada, United States and even from Scotland at Mini Meet West 2010 which we hosted along with the Vancouver Mini Car Club in Penticton. This was well attended and everyone commented how much fun and organized it was. On the 3rd October, we had an impromptu Ryder's Drive and Mini Putt that was enjoyed by all that participated. The roads were twisty and fun to drive. Don't forget, if your Mini is off the road, we don't worry about what vehicle you drive, just come on out and join us for some fun, or call us and join one of the cars. If you have ideas, let us know, such as the across the island tour or the Cedar Drive around Nanaimo.

It is also that time of year where we have to think about the Annual General Meeting being held Sunday, 21 November 2010 at the Purple Garden on Cedar Hill Cross Road commencing at 6 PM. This is an important get together that elects the Executive and deals with critical items for the membership. The Club is always looking for fresh ideas and faces to take up a position and be involved as part the Executive. You have to be a paid up member to have a say and a vote, and you can do so anytime by contacting the Membership Chairman and/or Treasurer. Just to remind you, the Annual membership year is 1 November - 31 October. There is a bonus item for signing up as each paid member gets a gift as part of the payment, in the past it has been t-shirts, hats, golf shirts and for the 2011 year, it is a fantastic Emergency First Aid Kit with the Gear shaped Club emblem which will be available at the Annual General Meeting. It is a great evening so come on out. We will be having a Christmas Party in early December as well, so keep it in mind.

I would like to offer you all a warm welcome to the Victoria Minis Car Club. I was having so much fun around the Minis that I haven't had time to deal with the welcome letter. I hope you are having fun and enjoyed this year’s excellent driving weather. Well, it has come into the rainy season and I still see Minis all about, but no Morgans or MGs. To let you know, we usually get together on the 15th of each month.

We have had an exceptional year of events to mark Mini’s 50^th Anniversary. As usual in January we had the 15^th of the month meeting to set out our itinerary for the year. For events, we get together at least once a month and exchange Mini ideas and discuss the strengths of Lucas electrics and other things. Tech Days, movie-night, drives, parades, Mini-Golf, European Car Picnic held at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Sometimes a chance to throw candies and roar like a pirate and enjoy a Father’s Day Picnic in Beacon Hill Park.

Trips abroad such as All British Field Meet at Van Dusen Botanical Garden, Guinness World Record setting of Minis in-a-line at the London-to-Brighton Mini Run in England. Of course the North American Classic 2009 Mini-East-Meets-West held this year in Winnona, “Mini”sota. This happens every four years in different cities throughout North America, start planning for the next one now. Additionally, there is the All British Field Meet at Portland International Raceway in Portland, Oregon. The International Mini Meet at Longbridge, Birmingham, England the home of the Mini. Day Trips around the Island such as Brits On the Beach at Cowichan Bay. In August, our Annual Show & Shine well attended having people from Washington and Quesnel, BC in attendance.

At the English Car Affair in the Park at Fort Rodd Hill, it was a great day, as Minis were the center of attention (All hail Mini/MINI, All hail Mini/MINI). Throughout the year, we also paired up with our cousin’s the MG Club for Driver training and Slalom track time trials. In November, we have our Annual General Members Meetings when we vote on several critical issues, including the Club Executives. In Dec, we have our Christmas Party and then, Happy New Year!

Over the next several months, we will be busy preparing and putting the final touches for the upcoming 2010 Mini Meet West held at Penticton, BC in which we are providing both online, welcoming night registration, putting welcoming packages together for each participant, and setting up the Funkana.

We are always looking for volunteers, so if you are interested, let us know. If you have ideas for a get-together, let us know. We are always looking for ways to get together and have fun. If you want to go for a drive, let Virginia or Richard know and they will put it out to the membership via email, then we set a place to meet and head out. Usually for up Island runs, we meet at Tim Horton's in the Highlands (by Futureshop) or at Tim Horton's in the Save-On-Foods Plaza for others. Maybe, one person will show up, maybe twenty, you never know with Minis.

If we are having a ride and you don't have your Mini on the road, don't worry, let us know and you can either drive in the car you have or join one of us in our cars. All you have to do is let us know. We are flexible and don't take up a lot of space.