HAYWARD FIELD MEET - JUNE 7, 2008

[zied]

Believe it or not I think that Nick has gone to the Dixon show for many years and also to the MG show to promote our event.

Opening up the show/field meet to other cars is a big consideration as Chico, Dixon/Woodland and Palo Alto/Brisbane are limited to cars with at least a remote connection to British Heritage. I think it is a big jump from a Nash Metro to a Datsun 240Z.

I do agree... that wasn't exactly my point. It was really the reluctance to even accept "German BMW MINIs".

Yes I believe I saw Nick there last year, although carless, but it takes more than just one dedicated member to promote your club activities though...  The Dixon/Woodland show is especially fun with the swap meet and fantastic food booths, although my very favorite will remain the Show in San Juan Bautista / Morgan Hill... just plain fun.

Anyway, I am not meaning to sound like a raving madman, I would just really love to see more classic Minis represented at regional events, shows, hsitoric races etc...

[BRG Mini]

I'm hoping to make it.  My engine's at Seven right now, and Steve said it'll be 4-6 weeks before it's done.  This event just happens to be week #5 1/2.  I personally don't like showing up at mini meets without my mini.  Makes me feel like I'm at a costume party and I'm the only one who forgot my costume.

[tmsmith]

But we haven't seen you in awhile Willy.
My black car is doubtful also as there are just too many thing happening between now and then.
The wagon should be good to go, but needs a wax.

[BRG Mini]

Very true, Terry.  Had my first kid 4 years ago, and the mini was just too noisy for his little ears at 4K rpms.  When he got older, the mini's engine was worn out with low oil pressure when hot, and I was able to just use it to get around town for the last 2-3 years.  Now I also have a one year old, so the noise thing might be a problem, but I've added lots of sound deadening stuff.

We'll see.  I'd really like to be there.

[dr dave]

Willie, there's no way your car is noisier than mine.  My kids are good with it.  It actually puts them to sleep.

dr dave

[GREYHARE]

Lots of very interesting comments. And I agree with many of them.  I, too would like to keep this an all British event.  What happened?  Losing the grass field to the soccer club had an effect and there are just more events a British car owner can attend.  When we started there was us and Palo Alto.  Dixon was a little, tiny event up in Placerville.  Chico, Clovis, San Juan Baustista, Mini Mania and Seven Open Houses did not exist.  Track days did not exist.  There were a lot fewer vintage races.  There are just so many more events for all kinds of "classic" cars.
This has had an effect.  Plus we are not always the most organized outfit and bumble along sometimes, like having no food vendor two years ago.  There have been only one or two people who organize this event each year so I must take the blame.

We have tried to boost attendance the past few years.  Two years ago, the organizer of the San Juan Bautista event gave us his mailing list.  I cherry picked names from that list to add to our mailing list.  Last year I added almost everyone in the Bay Area from that list and color coded those mailings .  We got three three pre- registrations from several hundred flyers mailed.  We handed out 200 flyers at the Dixon meet and got no pre-regs from them. About 25 pre-regs came from our own mailing list.  In past years I handed out flyers at the MG show in May although I couln't attend last year.  Our event is listed in their newsletter as I am a member of MGOC.  This years I attended their last meeting and our flyers were put in their entry packets.

This year we are trying to set up a website and contact more clubs.  Part of the problem is my computer skills  are limited to say the least. But we hope to have it up in the next few days.

As to what's a British car - I think the BMW MINI is British as it was designed by Rover before BMW bought rover and it is made in England.  The Metropolitan was built in England by Austin from Austin parts for sale by Nash.  Thats pretty British to me.  But reasonable men and women can disagree on these issues.  That's what Voltaire was talking about.

Hopefully this explains a little of how we got to where we are.  Hopefully the show will make a profit this year.
Anyone who has skills to volunteer to this project please let me knoe.

Nick Becker   

[zied]

Nick, I think you are doing an outstanding job... marketing events is a thankless task and largely taken for granted. Club members have to participate as well, marketing MOASF events at every other British car event they can by attending them, talking MOASF up and being active in the community.

[StarLord]

just in case anyone wants an electronic copy of the flyer/registration form, I have scanned it and put it here for you to download, make copies of, and pass around.

http://miniology.com/HFM_07-Jun-08_Form.pdf

[inomini]

I would just like to add here that Nicky and I and our little Italian mini cooper are going to be at Hayward with colors flying.  As far as I'm concerned, if those Brits hadn't made Austin/Morris minis to begin with my Innocenti Mini Cooper wouldn't even be around. 
See you all there!!
Susan

[BabyMni]

Web Link:

http://www.haywardfieldmeet.com/

[tmsmith]

I posted a message on the Minimania message board, perhaps someone could add to it and bring it to the top?

[Craig]

I would graciously do just that.  Also, I was wondering if maybe I should put an announcement up on craigslist (not my list!).  I've seen a few others on there and it might get out to a few more people that way.

[clydecat]

I was out of town for the last week and forgot to register before I left, so I sent my registration in and will be there!

[patpwu]

I'll be there.

Pat

[zied]

Maybe there should be a sign up list attached to this thread to see who is attending. Just a thought.