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MINI-NATS XXV |
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Mini-Nats XXV Wrap-up
Willows Journal front page article
OK, we’ve made it through another year of Mini-Nats. Thursday night registration and final tech was not even bothered by the workers who were finishing up the new canopy in the paddock at Thunderhill. The paddock was marked off and laid out by the Lewellens (not sure if it was Dave or Anna who was really in charge of this; but it really didn’t matter as they worked together very well). Most of the 50+ cars that were coming in for the Friday morning test session, which managed to run without a hitch, came in on Thursday evening.
There was a break for lunch on Friday. As we were lining up for the police escort into town for the car show in the park there was a brief exhibition with a couple of club cars and 3 police cars all chasing each other on the track – lights and sirens and bears, OH MY!
The car show, which had about 75 cars, was a great success. The cars were parked on the grass in Sycamore Park and they all looked fantastic. Can you say HOT!!??!! Yes, the cars looked hot, but I’m really referring to the temperature. There was real potential for wilting but there was also plenty of shade, tables, chairs, snacks, and beverages supplied by local organizations. At about 5pm we had a some dignitaries say a few words and then opened up the line for the BBQ put on by the Willows Fire Dept. Volunteers. The food was good and there was plenty of it. At about 7pm we all went back to Thunderhill with a police escort again. There were residents watching from the businesses and their homes and waving to us as went by both coming to the park as well as leaving.
The hospitality suite was open Friday night and there were lots of snacks and drinks as well as the usual videos and racing lies, I mean, stories…..
Saturday morning started off with a drivers’ meeting to set the tone. Just before 9am we had the local Willows High School Marching Band march down the hot pit lane to the starter tower and then stop and play the National Anthem. Only seconds after the band finished playing we had a fly-by from a private individual who is also fond of cars. This began the day for the on-track activities.
We had open track sessions until the lunch break. The new surface seemed to be well prepared and most of the feedback indicated that the track had plenty of grip. Parade laps took place for about 15-20 minutes during lunch. After lunch we had more open track sessions.
At about 4pm we had the Vintage Exhibition, which had a record of 23 cars. It was enjoyed by all; especially the “photo phinish”. I think they are still arguing over who actually crossed the finish line first……results (Only top 6 finshers noted ... our timing and scoring crew was over-taxed)
The Saturday Evening Banquet was completely sold out with about 250 people. Lots of bodies, lots of heat, lots of great food, and lots of great raffle prizes. There was a great 15 minute video that was shown early in the evening that contained lots of video and photos from early on in the club through the present. Including the speaker program and the Big Wheel Award (won by yours truly – the only one in all 25 years to have won it twice. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that!!!) we were done by about 10:30pm. I think this is a record early ending time. After the banquet it was back to the hospitality suite for more schmoozing, drinking, and video watching.
Sunday was similar to Saturday at the track but instead of the Vintage Exhibition we had a Ladies-only Session. This session was not only started with a pace car but the winner of the raffle prize cashed in their opportunity to throw the green flag (and the checkered) during this session.
If you attended this 25th Anniversary of the Mini-Nats you know that the above description is only a very brief summary of the weekend. More to come in the next issue. To relive the full experience over and over again, you can buy the Mini-Nats 25th Anniversary DVD for only $20. You can purchase it online . The DVD is being produced by a professional videographer and will be completed sometime in November, latest, and mailed out to you. It will include the 15-minute video that was shown during the Saturday Evening Banquet as well as lots of footage from the whole weekend. (If you were unable to attend you can still buy the video, watch it carefully, and then pretend you were there by intelligently taking part in the various conversations reminiscing about the great times we all had at the 25th.)
Thanks to all that helped in any way to make this event a success. Also, thanks to all that attended. I hope that you had as much fun as I did.
Richard
