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Avenue of the Giants Weekend Run - Sat. March 23, 2024

Saturday will be a very full day of cruising from Novato up through the Avenue of the Giants and ending at Eel River Brewing in Fortuna. Sun...

Almaden Valley Backroads Run - July 11, 2020





Note: This is a PAID member run only.

Unfortunately, due to some local county concerns and restrictions, a Gold Country run at this time is not feasible. Given that, the July run has been modified to be a more local, shorter drive.

This is a run from Hollister, north through the backroads into the Almaden Valley. Once in Almaden the end point will be the Bass Pro Shops/Safeway lot on Almaden Expressway where there are some places who might be providing food to go/outdoor dining if people are hungry.

There will be a short period on the front end of this run that is freeway northbound from Hollister and a short period on the back end of surface streets into Almaden. The rest of this run is backroads that can be narrow and windy in places and straightaway in others.

Social distancing and facemasks are required.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) will NOT be provided by the club
Registration is by MSR ONLY.
Bathrooms are not guaranteed.
No lunch is being arranged.
No radios will be lent out.

Date:
July 11, 2020


RSVP TODAY:
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/almaden-valley-backroads-run-norcal-minis-256760

Your Hosts For The Run:
Dave & Anne Veen-Sitter

Meet Up Location:
Target - Hollister
1790 Airline Hwy
Hollister, CA 95023

Meeting Time/Departure Time:
10:00am/10:30am

Route - Google Maps

Please review our new NORCAL MINIS - COVID-19 GENERAL EVENT POLICY AND GUIDELINES

NorCal MINIs is committed to providing events that place participant safety as the number one priority. In light of the current COVID-19 situation, every attempt will be made to minimize risk of exposure to the virus. Therefore, the club is following new processes and procedures for events going forward.

NORCAL MINIS EVENTS WILL:
  • Be for paid members ONLY at this time
  • Not offer day passes whilst under restrictions
  • Follow state and local guidelines in relation to COVID-19
  • Require all participants to wear masks, for not only their own safety but for the safety of everyone on-site when not in your own car
  • Ask participants to stay at home if they are at higher risk for severe illness, or if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath
  • Conduct drivers meeting in open air with face masks with social distancing and might be conducted via our radios on channel 7/21, if need be for everyone to hear
EVENT PROTOCOLS:

The following guidelines are our best attempt to secure your safety given what is known at this time. They are by no means comprehensive, and we cannot predict every circumstance. Therefore, we are counting on you to exercise your best judgment throughout the event. Please have an awareness and understanding of the following COVID-19 safety protocols:
  • NorCal MINIS asks that anyone who is at higher risk for severe illness, feeling unwell, or who has been in contact with anyone that is sick in the last two weeks to STAY HOME
  • ALL participants are required to wear cloth face coverings or masks when outside their car
  • NorCal MINIs will encourage everyone to wash hands regularly (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds), especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • NorCal Minis will NOT share Club Radios during this time; we suggest purchasing your own radios and can provide you with recommendations on compatible makes/models
  • Physical contact is discouraged. Please refrain from shaking hands, high-fives and hugs, except with family or those you have been quarantined with
  • Participants are required to bring their own personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. NorCal MINIs will NOT have any PPE items available
  • Participants will be required to Sign Waivers Electronically
  • Be cautious when sharing/posting event photos. Even photos of groups maintaining proper social distancing can be mistaken for an inappropriate gathering.
  • If necessary, remind each other gently and respectfully to observe these guidelines

Anyone who continually or willfully violates these guidelines will be asked to leave by a club officer or director.

POST-EVENT PROTOCOLS:

  • Any participant that falls ill within 2 weeks after the event MUST contact NorCal MINIs and share a description of their symptoms, related test results and movements during the event
  • NorCal MINIs will make every effort to alert affected participants privately of the situation

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to assess the risk to you and make a responsible decision on whether or not to participate. You assume all risks and agree the Club holds no liability if you or anyone in your party should develop any Covid-19 symptoms afterwards by attending a NorCal MINIs event. Participants are required to follow these guidelines; any participant may be asked to leave the event for non-compliance.


Join Today! Create your MotorSportReg Account to become a PAID Club Member, use the link below:
NorCal MINIs Membership

Instructions for joining MotorSportReg and joining NorCal MINIs can be found in the following document:  Instructions









Vickie Casacca & Mick Brown - Member Profile




I have loved everything British for as long as I can remember. My grandmother, Harriet, was born in Plymouth, England in 1904 and lived to be 96. She was at the heart of my love for all things from jolly old England. I grew up loving tea, mincemeat pies, clipper ships, the Royals and British rock and blues music. My fascination with British automobiles began as a young girl watching The Avengers and idolizing John Steed and Emma Peel tooling around in his Bentley. In high school I fell in love with the sporty little MGB, but it would be many years before I could finally realize my dream of owning a British car.

On the other side of the pond, Mick was also dreaming of cars. His first crush was on a Ford Cortina and he always had a passion for the iconic Jaguar. He graduated from high school at 16 and attended a mechanic trade school for five years, learning the ins and outs of all types of engines. He worked for British Rail and Volvo Truck and Bus Mick also loved music, although his favorite genre was ska, and he toured all over Europe as a roadie with the Lambrettas, a band from his hometown in Lewes, not far from Brighton. His wanderlust would bring him to the States in December of 1983. He found a job at a British auto repair shop and soon after purchased the business, while finding time to volunteer at Laguna Seca Motor Speedway.

The summer of 2002, our lives collided at the Penny Farthing, a British pub in Salinas. He always says I was stalking him but that was totally untrue. It was his intellect, charm, sense of humor and love of cars that drew my attention, although the fact he was English didn’t hurt. In the spring of 2003 we had seen many advertisements for the new MINI. We were both intrigued and made a trip up to East Bay Mini in Pleasanton to see what all the fuss was about. Of course, we fell in love with them and I decided this was the car for me, but there was one small problem, I didn’t know how to drive a stick shift. After giving the salesman all the options, I wanted and Mick test driving the car on the lot, he said there was one on a boat coming from England that matched my criteria and would arrive in six weeks. Sold, but there was still the issue about my manual driving abilities. Mick patiently tried to teach me in his Porsche, although I succeeded in learning I never felt totally comfortable behind the wheel. We took our new baby, with the personalized plates MINIWOW, on many trips and joined NorCal Minis in October 2003 becoming member number 30. 




In 2005, Mini decided to release an automatic convertible, my prayers were answered. We made another trip up to East Bay Mini and I ordered my new Cooper S Convertible with every option available. It arrived in July and I was finally able to drive my new MINI off the lot. Our first show was at Mini Meets West in Danville and my convertible with personalized plates NOTOP4S was named Best Convertible and featured in their ring of honor. In 2006 we were at the first Mini Takes the States at Laguna Seca in Monterey and witnessed the release of the new GP Minis to their owners.



We have enjoyed many road trips with NorCal and have attended several A Mini Vacation in Vegas (AMVIV) trips. The first Mini Takes the States we participated in was in 2014 and we left from the Polo Fields in San Francisco, going as far as Albuquerque, New Mexico before returning home. 





Mick was now getting the bug to buy his own Mini, so in 2015 he ordered the new 2016 Cooper S Countryman All 4. It arrived on Boxing Day, December 26, 2015 and the next day we drove to Reno where it was snowed on for the first time. Mick chose the license plate 16S4X4, which had a double meaning. We decided to do the full Mini Takes the States the summer of 2016 and shipped the car to Atlanta for the drive back across the country.



When we returned Mick said there was a 2015 Cooper S Paceman on the lot that had been there for a while. I really thought he was kidding when he said he bought it. As my two Minis were getting older, I started driving the Paceman and incorporated my love of the Dallas Cowboys with several Cowboy themed accessories and the plates DC (star)MINI. In 2018, we decided to once again tackle Mini Takes the States, but this time we chose to drive all the way to Orlando, Florida to meet up with the rest of the Miniacs for another fun run across the country. We put a few miles on the Paceman during that trip! 



In September 2019, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel with some of my favorite NorCal Mini people to Scotland where I was able to drive a right-hand Mini on the left-hand side of the road, in an automatic of course. We stayed in a castle, ate fabulous food and saw some of the most gorgeous scenery in the world. The memories of that trip will always make me smile.



We had planned to do Mini Takes the States 2020, but Mick’s health and the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on that. Mick had a triple bypass on May 19th and is on the road to recovery. We hope to resume our NorCal Minis road trips and to continue as directors for the club. We look forward to Mini Takes the States 2021 and more adventures in our Minis with our co-pilot, Dirk, our West Highland White Terrier.

Motor On,

Vickie Casacca and Mick Brown






Calaveras Road Run - June 20, 2020



NOTE: This is a PAID member run only.

It has been a while since we drove as a club and so to start with - we shall do a run that is shorter in time - but great for driving.

We will meet in Sunol and head towards Calaveras Road for our drive. We will head south stopping at Little Yosemite area for short rest stop. After that we will continue south down the twisties on Calaveras road towards Upper Sierra district in San Jose.

At the end of the run - people can peel off to do their own thing.

Hosts For The Run:
Simon and Nikki Tildesley

Meet Up Location:
Parking lot opposite Niles Canyon Railway on Kilkare Road in Sunol
http://www.ncry.org/

Meeting Time/Departure Time:
10:00am/10:30am

Route Google Maps:
https://goo.gl/maps/iHuzkVPbBqHBUg526

No Lunch Planned

Please RSVP for this event via MotorSportReg:
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/calaveras-road-run-norcal-minis-860911



Please review our new NORCAL MINIS - COVID-19 GENERAL EVENT POLICY AND GUIDELINES

NorCal MINIs is committed to providing events that place participant safety as the number one priority. In light of the current COVID-19 situation, every attempt will be made to minimize risk of exposure to the virus. Therefore, the club is following new processes and procedures for events going forward.

NORCAL MINIS EVENTS WILL:
  • Be for paid members ONLY at this time
  • Not offer day passes whilst under restrictions
  • Follow state and local guidelines in relation to COVID-19
  • Require all participants to wear masks, for not only their own safety but for the safety of everyone on-site when not in your own car
  • Ask participants to stay at home if they are at higher risk for severe illness, or if they are sick or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath
  • Conduct drivers meeting in open air with face masks with social distancing and might be conducted via our radios on channel 7/21, if need be for everyone to hear
EVENT PROTOCOLS:

The following guidelines are our best attempt to secure your safety given what is known at this time. They are by no means comprehensive, and we cannot predict every circumstance. Therefore, we are counting on you to exercise your best judgment throughout the event. Please have an awareness and understanding of the following COVID-19 safety protocols:
  • NorCal MINIS asks that anyone who is at higher risk for severe illness, feeling unwell, or who has been in contact with anyone that is sick in the last two weeks to STAY HOME
  • ALL participants are required to wear cloth face coverings or masks when outside their car
  • NorCal MINIs will encourage everyone to wash hands regularly (with soap and water for at least 20 seconds), especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
  • NorCal Minis will NOT share Club Radios during this time; we suggest purchasing your own radios and can provide you with recommendations on compatible makes/models
  • Physical contact is discouraged. Please refrain from shaking hands, high-fives and hugs, except with family or those you have been quarantined with
  • Participants are required to bring their own personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. NorCal MINIs will NOT have any PPE items available
  • Participants will be required to Sign Waivers Electronically
  • Be cautious when sharing/posting event photos. Even photos of groups maintaining proper social distancing can be mistaken for an inappropriate gathering.
  • If necessary, remind each other gently and respectfully to observe these guidelines

Anyone who continually or willfully violates these guidelines will be asked to leave by a club officer or director.

POST-EVENT PROTOCOLS:

  • Any participant that falls ill within 2 weeks after the event MUST contact NorCal MINIs and share a description of their symptoms, related test results and movements during the event
  • NorCal MINIs will make every effort to alert affected participants privately of the situation

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to assess the risk to you and make a responsible decision on whether or not to participate. You assume all risks and agree the Club holds no liability if you or anyone in your party should develop any Covid-19 symptoms afterwards by attending a NorCal MINIs event. Participants are required to follow these guidelines; any participant may be asked to leave the event for non-compliance.

You Must RSVP for this event via MotorSportReg:
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/calaveras-road-run-norcal-minis-860911


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join Today! Create your MotorSportReg Account to become a PAID Club Member, use the link below:
NorCal MINIs Membership

Instructions for joining MotorSportReg and joining NorCal MINIs can be found in the following document:  Instructions










NorCal MINIS Virtual Town Hall Notes - June 6 2020

NorCal MINI’s – Zoom Town hall 6.6.2020

Below are the notes discussed at the virtual town hall this morning
·      Past runs 2020
o   Successful start to the year with 23 cars on the Back Roads of the Bay Area and 13 cars on overnight run to Santa Barbara.
o   Good fun, driving conditions and food were experienced on both events
·      March – Hwy 1 / Big Sur, April – A-MINI-zing Race / Mystery run, May – Lake Tahoe and June – Sonoma Lavender farms were all cancelled due to C19.
o   All the runs will be scheduled in the same months in 2021

·      Future runs
o   Runs to be reviewed on month by month basis – working within the State guidelines
o   11th July – Gold Country currently planned to take place. Difficulties may be with bathrooms and food. Anne to check
o   Aug – Dec – currently will remain in the calendar as planned and be reviewed in advance to ensure we can run effectively and safely
·      Change in format for runs until restrictions are fully lifted
o   PPE face masks MUST be worn and social distancing observed when not in your car
o   Sick / symptomatic people should NOT attend
o   Registration for the event will be online via MSR. Run host will make a note on the day of people that turn up
o   Runs will be reserved for PAID members only in the short term – no day passes permitted
o   Attendance at runs is voluntary and the club will not be held responsible if anyone develops any symptoms after
o   If a person does develop symptoms – then they MUST inform the club so others on the run can be informed
o   Safety of the members is the PRIORITY
·      As a club NorCal is operating within State and Federal guidelines as we are an officially registered “not for Profit” organization
o   The club is acknowledged by MINI USA as such we support following the same precautions they would
o   Insurance covers our members for injury by a non-member on a run

·      Other news
o   People profiles have been a way of us keeping the club active whilst we have all being SIP
o   Profiles from Simon, Dolores, Patrick, Anne / David & Larry have been published so far on the club web page. Vickie / Mick & Mike / Christine are ready for publishing
o   Anyone can submit a profile giving a story on how they got involved with Mini’s
o   Please submit your write up and photos to Michael Toibin who will get them published
·      Other possible events being investigated
o   Virtual Cars and Coffee using Zoom – so people can talk about any updates / mods / detailing tips they have with their car
o   Drive In movie being looked at – more details to follow
o   Drive on Calaveras Rd on 20th June. Meet in Sunol and drive down Calaveras Rd to San Jose. Simon to host – details to be posted this week. Start time will likely be 10.00 and leave for 10.30
·      Renewal feed for 2021 cancelled
o   Officers and Directors of the club made the decision to waive renewal fees for 2021.
o   Current membership is good till end 2021
o   New members who join will also get the extended membership
o   Next renewal will be for 2022 – this will open in Sept 2021
If you have any questions – please feel free to drop me or any other board member a message
Looking forward to us all being able to get motoring again and enjoy or cars
If the meantime – continue to stay safe and healthy. Hope to see some of you on 20th June
Thanks
Simon (President)

Larry Anderson - Member Profile


Larry Anderson

Larry, standing out in a crowd!


Hey everyone! I currently live in San Ramon, CA, but have lived in the SF Bay Area my whole life. I grew up around cars (dad is a legit motorhead from Merced and always had some sort of big block Chevy engine in various states of assembly lying around), but I never really was a “car guy” until much later in life. So how did I get into MINI’s? 

In 2005, my then boss proclaimed he was getting a brand-new car. This was an event in itself, because he’d been driving the same Mercedes E300 since I first met him in 1996. What was he getting? A MINI. “A what??” we all said. It was then that he shared with me the MINI experience; how he shopped for it, his test drive, how he got to watch the build happen in real time, everything. 6 months later, a blue R52 with a blue top showed up in the parking lot. We all oohed and aaahed, went for rides… and then more and more of them started popping up. Eventually 6 of my co-workers also had MINIs and you couldn’t walk from the parking lot without tripping over a couple of them.

Shortly after that I decided it was time to find my own MINI. I popped up AutoTrader and started my hunt. Not knowing much about the specifics of MINI’s at this point, I thought I’d keep things simple:

- stick with a first generation…
- gray (dark silver) would be nice…
- had to have the supercharger because vroom…
- gotta be a stick…
- had to have leather seats…
- navigation would be great…

Score! An almost fully loaded R53 showed up at East Bay MINI. The only options missing were powerfold mirrors and power seats, and the price had just been dropped by 5K. Made an appointment and headed on over, keys were grabbed and we headed out for a spin.

Soon I would experience the moment that hooked me as a MINIac. Our test drive took us down the side road running alongside I580 East (west of the El Charro exit), at the end of which was a dead end. The salesperson instructed me to turn around, hit the gas, and go as fast as I was comfortable, BUT… I couldn’t let it dip below 50 for the sharp left turn at the end of the street. Since I have my mom’s lead foot, we were shortly running at about 90. The corner was coming, so left off the gas a bit, downshifted (clumsily since I hadn’t driven a stick in more than 5 years), and at about 55, turned the wheel left. The car executed the turn perfectly without rolling, without any squeal or other protest. The “go-kart” handling that had been described to me was legit. Needless to say, I went home with the car and started enjoying the heck out of it.

Here he is in his dusty glory. Sadly, I only have this one picture of my first MINI to remember him by. However, the license plate, frame and bumper sticker were transplanted to the next MINI:





While the first MINI was fun, I wanted something that I could truly call my own… which is when in 2012 I decided it was time for an upgrade (I was getting seriously envious of the Gen2-owning members of the club). Went to my friendly neighborhood auto broker, put my R53 up for sale and ordered my new MINI: a 2012 John Cooper Works Clubman, British Racing Green II with Recaro seats, rear spoiler, black rally stripes, checker vinyl roof graphic and manual transmission. After a painful 4 months of waiting, RetroMINI made his entrance in August of 2012 (RetroMINI because of my fondness for classic videogames, if the license plate frame wasn’t a dead giveaway). Here he is the day I picked him up:





…and here he is in his current, meaner configuration (this was taken in 2016 at MTTS):



RetroMINI has seen over the course of his 8 years and 80k miles:

- 2 1/4 MINI Takes The States (4 stops in 2014, full coast-to-coast in 2016 and 2018)

- At least 30 US States

- All the usual breakdowns the Gen2/N14 engine is famous for (turbo, high pressure fuel pump, gas tank pressure regulator, 2 windshields, 2 sets of brake rotors), but is aging gracefully just the same

- More runs and twisty roads with NorCal MINIs and friends than I can count

My time with the club:

I found out about NorCal MINIs quite by accident. When I had my first MINI, a couple of co-workers told me about a run sponsored by East Bay MINI and thought I would see what all the fuss was about. That was when I met a bunch of the OG NorCal MINI’s crew; a quick jog around the Pleasanton/Livermore area was all it took for me to understand what the best part of owning a MINI was; the community and friendships that come with it. I joined right after that event and have been a member since 2010, director since 2019, and somehow have managed not to get kicked out of the club for my constant, biting sarcasm.

I can’t wait to get back out on the road with all of you in the near future. Stay safe and healthy everyone!