Day 4: Las Vegas to Salt Lake City

No foolin’. We were given a map during bagel/coffee hour that included over 450 miles to drive, a Flickr photo stop (more on this later) and a car wash being given by a local high school. It’s been a while since I’ve driven that long in a single day, but I was ready! So were the other 200 MINIs that we had collected so far. All leaving from the past/hopefully future home of A MINI Vacation in Vegas; Palace Station.

One thing most of us learned on this day. There is a reason why there is still a lot of road work going on in Nevada, Arizon, Utah and Colorado. These states have troopers. Lots of them. And they aren’t afraid of giving out ‘motoring awards’ to those drivers travelling at speeds more than 4mph over the limit. I’m proud to say that I was not one of the award receivers because I had a feeling. That, and I was driving a MINI that kinda drew attention to itself.

4 hours in, we come to our first stop, and that is of a lighthouse. Picture grabbed, we also decided it was a good time for lunch before heading over to the local high school for a charity car wash.

Once that was done, north was the direction and we drove on! The views were amazing, made even more amazing by the fact that every time I looked into the rear view mirror there were about a dozen MINIs following me. It was this day that something else happened too. With every mile I drove closer to Denver, I became more and more enamored with this little car I was driving and the roads we were on and the company I was lucky enough to keep. It’s hard to put into words, but it was during the drive to Salt Lake City this event became life changing.

One other thing about this section of our drive. There were 2 spots, approximately 20 miles in length, where we actually got to drive legally at 80MPH! Should you ever get the chance, I highly recommend it!

Finally, at about 6PM MST, I pulled into MINI of Murray. Not quite the same sized turnout we experienced at the other stops, but many were still driving or completely wiped out by the drive and checked in to the hotel for the night.

Tonight was also laundry night for me. And, my luck lead me to the laundramat right next to Crown Burger. If you are ever in Salt Lake City, go there, order a double crown, dial 9-1-1 on your cellphone and enjoy. Make sure you have someone with that can press the green button for when the stroke kicks in tho. A Double Crown Burger is a double cheeseburger with grilled onions and topped with a HUGE pile of pastrami. Oh. Em. Gee. It was awesome!

Day 5: Salt Lake City to Grand Junction

After yesterday’s monster drive, today’s 410 mile drive was a pittance in comparision. And today was the day we were to drive on the Bonneville Salt Flats.

Funny thing that. You see, I couldn’t get a definitive time for the morning, so I made a very uneducated guess. Turns out, myself and the 6-8 MINIs that were with me would have been 15 minutes late to the drive. Oops. So we pulled off the highway, had a discussion and I made an executive decision that saved 30 gallons of fuel, over 600 miles driven and 15 man hours. Bonus is we all got to have a truck stop breakfast instead and look like complete dorks in the process.

(Of course, this photo was taken with an iPhone 4, but you probably guessed that).

After breakfast we motored back thru the road-constuction clogged freeways of Salt Lake City and Provo before we were able to jump onto Highway 6 that would lead us back over the mountain to I-70. It was a great drive and it could have been even greater except on this particular stretch of road I counted, and I’m not kidding, 15 Utah State Troopers! Talk about a buzz kill.

A bit more than half-way over the mountain was our Flickr Stop for the day in Helper, Utah. There, at the public library, was this fellow.

That’s Big Jim. He holds a pick and probably was the one responsible to carving out the canyons that contain Highway 6 and the towns of Helper and Price. This was a fun stop that included the hunt for Mr. Jim, pop-rocks and our friend Jim Petersen getting the James May treatment when his trailer hitch broke.

Continuing on, we get to what I can only describe as one of the most desolate roads I have ever driven on. Leaving the mountains, Highway 6 turns into a very straight, very boring, 2 lane stretch of roads that felt like it went on for days. Of course it didn’t, only a few hours. Luckily, MINIUSA knew this and set us up with a free Soda at a place called Papa Joes on I-70.

Soda’s and beef jerky consumed, our convoy jumped back up onto I-70 and we were in Grand Junction in short order! Being the first to arrive, we got an extra hour or two to relax, charge gear and sit around and meet new friends. Oh, and catch an epic lightening storm!

After that, it was dinner in a local Brew Pub, followed by a Gellato stop, again sponsored by MINI USA, and a night cap. A great night capping off a great day of driving and having fun with friends!

From Saturday, August 7th 2010 until Sunday, August 15th 2010, I drove on a little road rally called MINI Takes the States. If you look at the map above, you can see that we didn’t quite take the shortest route from San Diego to Denver. No sir! All told, We covered over 1,600 miles in those 9 days and it went a little something like this.

Day 1: SoCal MINI Dealer Poker Run, San Diego to Santa Anita

This day started bright and early at the newest MINI dealer in Southern California, MINI of San Diego. In fact, they are so new they weren’t even open when we started gathering. From there, we were led by members of West Coast MINIs on a twisty route to MINI of Escondido. From there, most of the pack did what we lovingly call the De Luz run to MINI of Ontario. After burgers and dogs, it was a very quick stop at MINI of Monrovia before ending at the start point for tomorrow, Santa Anita Raceway. Like all runs during this event, we collected MINIs as we motored. Starting with about 40 and ending with well over 100!

Tonight was also the night of the Southern California MTTS Owners Kick Off Party, held at the California Science Museum. Hosted bar, lots of food, Macy Gray spinning records and, the reason we were gathered in the first place, the MINI Countryman (aka R60). They had a couple of them there for the owners to gawk and ogle. Bonus, Gert Hildebrand and Vinnie Kung were on hand to answer questions and just talk MINI with anyone and everyone that wanted too. You will hear this quite a bit during my writing and it’s all true. MINI USA knows how to throw a party! Never a dry glass in the place, plenty of food, great music and great people. Calling it an early night in preparation for the drive tomorrow, I headed back to my downtown LA hotel and called it a night.

Day 2: SoCal to Scottsdale, Arizona and the Hotel Valley Ho Pool Party

Ready, set, go! All MINI owners were instructed to gather for bagels and coffee at Santa Anita for the great kick-off of what will end up being an epic roadtrip. Maps were handed out, instructions were given and the band played off what looked like over 100 MINIs!

This was to be one of our shorter drive days, covering just under 400 miles. Off we went across the California Desert, headed to warmer climes. MINIUSA, not wanting anyone to get too hot, decided what everyone would need about 1/2 way to Scottsdale was a popsicle stop in Chiraco Summit! Yes, that’s right, popsicles in the middle of the dessert, and everyone was treated. We stood in the sun and turned our mouths a rainbow of colours before continuing on to Blythe, into Arizona, thru Phoenix before arriving at the Valley Ho.

Once there and checked in, of course we had to catch up with our friends from Arizona and Nevada that were joining us, and no better place to do that than in the Valley Ho bar before they opened the gate to their legendary pool for a fantastic pool party! Again, music, drink, food and our good friends the Countryman were all on hand to enjoy the 2nd great party party of our trip. And, should you ever get to Scottsdale, Arizona, and want to see how the ‘pretty people’ play, definitely make a stop at the Valley Ho!

Day 3: Scottsdale to Vegas and the -5 Ice Lounge Party

Today started like the others. Bagels, coffee, route map, instructions and Kevin’s damned bullhorn. Oh, and about 100 MINIs tearing off through Scottsdale headed to Sin City. Funny thing happened this morning for me, however. Hectic morning, lost my iPod (later found) and other things delayed my leaving until about 20 minutes behind everyone else. No worries I think. I know where Palace Station is and have the GPS.

Now friends, before I continue, should you ever need to drive from the Valley Ho to Palace Station, do not depend on your nav to make that happen unless you like driving 30 miles in stop and go, road contructed traffic. Buy hey, I got to see Wickenberg and Sun City, so I had that going for me, which was nice.

Also, for future reference, if you are planning on driving to Las Vegas from I-40 and it’s a Sunday and the new bridge by-passing Hover Dam isn’t ready, skip Nevada Highway and motor on to SR95 through Laughlin instead. Don’t worry, you can thank me later.

Finally arrived at Palace station about an hour after everyone else, maybe a little cranky from the delays and traffic, so I got checked in and cooled down before heading down to meet up with whoever was going to the Ice Lounge. It was this night that I recruited Scotty Michalakakaka as my wingman (since Todd was driving from the east coast). He grabbed the right seat and off we went to freeze!

The Ice Lounge was (wait for it) very cool! I know, that’s lame, but it was, after all, -5 degrees. Cold enough we were issued coats and gloves. Cold enough that our cocktails were served in ice glasses that didn’t melt. Cold enough that every thing short of the floor, ceiling and walls was made of ice. Everything. We weren’t allowed to take tech in with us, so I don’t have any photos (yet). You will be seeing those as soon as I get them. Again, food, drink and the R60 on hand. Again, MINIUSA picked up the bill, along with Desert MINI.

And what is a WRR trip to Vegas without a trip into Jack’s Pub, right? I skipped the 6-pack in a glass Guinness this time and opted for a G&T or two instead. Not too much, since I had to save my strenght for the longest drive on deck, the 450+ mile trek to Salt Lake City.

Mobile users can grab the photos directly from Flickr stream.

What a wild and crazy week I’ve had!

For those of you that were following along on Twitter, you already knew that I spent the morning at MINI of Ontario yesterday getting the cooling system sorted out after the body shop installed a new radiator. Here is how it went down.

The Friday before MTTS I left my MINI at MoO to get it into the body shop for repairs after my accident. They had the inspection list and paper work and told me it would be about 7-10 days. During MTTS, I got a phone call saying that my radiator was leaking. I knew this already and it’s been this way for longer than I care to admit. They told me I could have them install a new one on the insurace company’s dime since the old unit was removed. I agreed, ordered a replacement from MoO and they sent it over.

I get home from MTTS and hear my car will be ready on Wednesday. Perfect! I go pick it and motor along, happy with the repairs which included a new grill, new front and rear bumper covers, new trim pieces, new fog light and back up light and front end alignment. All done, as far as I could tell, perfectly.

Until I start driving around in Temecula, which we already now is my traffic nemesis and the town that kills cars. I glance over and see the temp gauge pegged in the red! I called MoO and spoke with Eric Hall, ace Service Manager, to ask him what could be wrong. He told me probably air in the system which could be fixed by adding coolant to the system. Which I did.

When I noticed a river of coolant running out from under my MINI. Oops.

More calls ensued and I eased my MINI back to my driveway. The following morning, before heading off, I again added coolant to the resovoir and it started leaking straight away, without the engine running! Oops again.

So I drove her to MoO and hung out while they went through the cooling system, again, with a fine toothed comb. They said it was air in the system, which I don’t doubt. They didn’t tell me what was causing the leak however, since I’m pretty sure that air in the system of a car that is not running will not make it rain antifreeze from the bottom. If I were a betting man, I would say that it was an idiot mistake like forgetting to tighten a hose clamp or something, PLUS air in the lines.

Regardless, my MINI has a 90% brand new cooling system and it’s running great. Bonus for you guys, the missing trim piece has been replaced, which is also pretty funny. When I went to pick up my MINI the first time, I pulled that piece of my bag and Kyle the Service Writer, immediately grabbed it, went to the shop and put it on. Didn’t ask, didn’t make fun, just did it. It looks like everyone was bothered by that.

Now that my week is finally over I can get MTTS closed out. Watch for that next week.

Just for you guys.

MTTS write-up is still on the go, but since I **finally** installed the trim piece sent to me by Chad at Detroit Tuned, I wanted to show all y’all.

**update**  Turns out NOT fixed. The cooling system is leaking like a sieve. Back to the drawing board.  Didn’t we already talk about this?

**update 2**.  Looks like to me that the coolant reservoir wasn’t properly connected. It leaks as soon as coolant is added. Currently at MINI of Ontario to have them check it out.

Comments are open.  Go nuts!

Tech installed, gear locked and loaded and all of my batteries are charged. I’m hittin’ the road baby! Follow along at the other sites for the next week to keep up-to-date.

Oh, if you are wanting one of the limited edition MTTS Motoringbadges, I have a very limited supply. Since I am the only one selling them on the western leg of MTTS, you know they will go fast! Don’t worry AZ and Vegas, I’m hiding a few for you guys too!

Next stop, MINI of San Diego!

Just a few more days until the lads and I begin MTTS and we are pretty excited. You can see everything that we will be doing over at whiteroofradio.com. For me, I will be picking up a CR/B MCS with JCW Wheels this week and start my journey at San Diego MINI on Saturday morning for a huge poker run to Santa Anita Raceway park. The poker run will be stopping at Brecht and MINI of Ontario on the way, so if you are looking to join up, that’s where we will be. Fun starts at 9am.

Then starting Sunday it’s the road trip of the year, heading to Phoenix, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, where we will be given the chance to drive on the salt. I’m more than a little excited about that!

I’m hoping to meet as many of you as I possibly can this week, so make sure to come over and say hi!

Keep an eye on the usual places (linked up above) to follow along if you aren’t able to make it.

The above photos were shot about 1 hour into my dreadful 2 hour drive to go from Anaheim to my house in Lake Elsinore. But that’s not important.

I’m fine, it was at low speed. I was rammed from the back hard enough to force me into the back of the car in front of me. I was stopped when it happened, the girl driving the Honda behind got a little ancy I suppose. Like I said, I’m fine, the car, short of a little body damage, is also fine.

But that is not important either.

I’ve been driving for the last 26 years. Since 1995, I have logged over 500k miles. Never once since 1995 was I in any kind of accident, hit or had damage done to my car by something that happened while on the road.

Until 2 years ago when I was rear-ended for the first time, EVER! And then it happen again tonight. Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot, over.

I’m a hyper-defensive driver. I am always checking my mirrors. Always leaving at least 1/2 car length between myself and any car stopped in front of me. Foot always hovers over the brake while stopped. These 2 accidents were not my fault.

I pose this question to the fine dbmini.us audience: Has the quality of the driver lowered that much or is the MINI, still, so unique that it captivates people to the point of not paying attention. My guess is #1.

I really wanted to play the car insurance shuffle next week too. No, really.

Those crazy Cummins Diesel guys wanted to have something to show off at Goodwood. I think this counts.

Cummins has announced the introduction of a unique Mini at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The car features a massive 78-liter V18 QSK78 diesel engine, with 12 turbochargers, that produces 3,500 bhp (2,610 kW / 3,549 PS) and 14,000 Nm (10,324 lb-ft) of torque.

Sure, it doesn’t work. But just imagine, event for a short minute, if it did. I’m sure it would peel the tread right off the tires.

Sent in by Gabe. Duh.

via

Hello Don:

My name is Mike, and I stumbled upon your blog late one night about a month ago. I was sicker than dog, and couldn’t sleep, somehow found your blog and enjoyed reading it through that night. The raw and open telling of your fight to purchase a MINI was surprisingly engaging, and your story telling stayed with well after I shut the computer down in the wee hours of that morning. I kept thinking to myself that this guy who bravely revealed his every struggle in finding his dream car should be applauded.

I’m certain that you have been praised many times over the years that passed since you began this blog, but I wanted to add my voice to those of the readers who have come, gone and stayed.

There are some parallels, by the way. For instance, we were looking for MINIs at the same dealership at the same time. Though different, I faced some challenges as well. I adored that MINI I purchased from Crevier from the very first day I purchased it, through this evening when I parked it in the garage and smiled as I closed the garage door and found myself taking one more quick peek over my shoulder to admire the little guy.

I haven’t the miles you have on your MINI, because I use another car for work on most days, but I’ve been grateful for every mile I’ve traversed in my MINI. So, I understand and relate to you when I read about your missing piece of trim, your indecision concerning your side scuttle, the love and care that you provide your car, and your enthusiasm and devotion.

Anyway, I just wanted to drop a you a note of “thanks” for telling your story, and for all you are doing for the brand. I’ve read Motoring File for awhile, but had never read your personal blog before, and was quite surprised to finish it and then later trace it back to you, its editor. Though I’ve entertained fleeting thoughts of trading my car up for a MINI with greater horsepower or the newest features, I find myself unable to part with the MINI that currently has a place in my garage, and will always have a place in my heart. In this regard, reading your blog revealed to me a kindred spirit of sorts. I’ll look forward to returning to your personal blog, and (of course) revisiting MotoringFile daily.

Thank you again Mike for taking the time to write in! It is notes like these that remind me (and the WRR boys) why we love this little car so much and why we keep doing what we do!