Future Chicago meetings

[Wi_KeD_M5]

Future Chicago meeting thoughts


Hi all,

Just thought I would post an idea about future meets for the Chicagoland area.


Proposed dates:
May 17. 2008
July 12, 2008
September 13, 2008

1.) This would give folks enough time to know when the major meets happen and give an opportunity to plan ahead as best as possible.
2.) Based on posts from previous meets Saturday is hard for some folks, but the thinking is the proposed dates would give enough time to hopefully break free from any known conflicts.
3.) There was interest in trying to get a group track day. I think that this schedule is spread out enough to allow for the group track days to occur in between. Or this could be one of the track days.
4.) I think these dates are far enough from holidays that most folks will be around.
5.) Any thoughts on more frequent meets than the schedule above?

Rain dates:
The easiest rain date, might be the Sunday following the Saturday of the proposed dates above. The following Saturday is also a possibility.


NOTE: We were looking at Bob Chins for our first meet of the year. Bob Chins should be our next meet location. Maybe I am still thinking about a Mai Tai.


Location choices:
1.) Bob Chins – This was proposed for our first meet of 2008. Still looks like a good choice. There is a very big parking lot. Saturday lunches don’t look too busy at all. Located on Milwaukee avenue (Route 21).
2.) RAM brewery – Looking at historical meetings, this is the popular choice. There is a large parking lot. Located right off of I-90 near Woodfield Mall.
3.) Volo Museum – This was an interesting place that we met last year. There is a large parking lot. There are even some specialized areas where some nice group shots could be taken. Located up North off of Route 12.
4.) Glenview Mall – Nice large place with multiple levels in case the weather gets bad. It is adjacent to a shopping mall. Locate in Glenview IL.
5.) Other – Any other places or ideas that could cater to a large group of cars? Just thinking that a variety of places might be good to not wear out the welcome at one location, if that makes sense.
- Looking at a few other forums, Dave and Buster seems like a
possibility. Anyone familiar with this location?
- Any locations in Indiana? How about the Indiana Dunes?
- Any locations just inside Michigan?
- Any locations South or West of Chicago?
- Any other locations?


Food:
A couple things in consideration here are ensuring that there is a variety of food for all palette types. It would also be nice to consider that a few families with children present.

1.) Bob Chins – This was proposed for our first meet of 2008. They can handle large groups. There are plenty of menu items available not related to seafood.
2.) RAM brewery – Looking at historical meetings, this is the popular choice. There are plenty of food choices. Looks like they can handle large groups.
3.) Volo Museum – This was an interesting place that we met last year. They cater to large groups if given advanced notice with an onsite cafeteria.
4.) Glenview Mall – Nice large place. Advanced notice would be good so that they could situate a large group together. Good variety of food. It is adjacent to a shopping mall for other activities.
5.) Other – Any other places or ideas that could cater to large groups?


Proposed times:
12 p.m. seems a bit better than 11 a.m. just to allow folks who have to travel a bit to arrive. However, if anyone wants to meet earlier at the chosen location, that shouldn’t be an issue.


Cruises:
Personally, I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in a nice meet cruise yet. During the Volo meet, the cruise from Volo to Buffalo Wild Wings was very cool. There was a lot of rubber necking going on with folks counting how many cars were in line.

Does anyone know if there is a nice drive along Fox River?
Any nice drives in Chicago that won’t succumb to traffic issues?

Open for discussion.

[wilsodh]

Originally Posted by Wi_KeD_M5

Cruises:
Personally, I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in a nice meet cruise yet.

You didn't find the midnight cruise to Grand Rapids nice????

Thanks Kenny! These dates look good. Think there would be enough critical mass for a monthly gathering?

Dave

[ecalcagnino]

Great Kenny, thanks!

I think we could open it up to a few more boards as well to attract a larger crowd if necessary. It doesn't have to be a strictly M5 thing.

A drive through Kettle Moraine South in WI would be awesome (http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ORG/land/parks/specific/kms/). I do that a few times a year anyway. Quite scenic, a few twisties, some long straights, etc.

Talk to you soon.

E

[slickM]

Great ideas Kenny

I would definitely be most interested in a track day of some sort...although I'm not too familiar with how they work...

Another good idea might be - all get together...then cruise out to Byron or Great lakes for a little drag racing....The meets are definitely great....but I'm with you - I really look forward to cruisin with some other M cars....and comparing which mods do what on the highway ...

As fas as chicago goes....can't think of any good place that traffic won't absolutely kill......would have to be pretty late at night...for decent cruising.

Jeff

[MAKM5]

If anybody is interested in tracking their car, I'm going out to Gingerman Raceway in South Haven MI with CGI Motorsports on may 12. They are very reasonably priced and provide instruction and plenty of track time (7 20min sessions). Unfortunately all of their track days are on mondays but well worth it. I would say that more than half of the cars that show up are stock or lightly modified. It's not too late to register for the may 12 session. Check them out at cgimotorsports.com.

[Wi_KeD_M5]

Originally Posted by wilsodh

You didn't find the midnight cruise to Grand Rapids nice????

Thanks Kenny! These dates look good. Think there would be enough critical mass for a monthly gathering?

Dave

Dave,

Ooooff!!!! How could I have forgotten about that trip. Must have been a mental blocking thing going on.

Well, regarding a monthly meet schedule, I thought that there might be some interest for other activities besides meets so I left it open. We can certainly try to meet every month. Guess I didn't want it to get old.


Actually, I see another thread in the Midwest forum where the E34 Ms are sorting out a get together on June 14 (falls right in between this schedule).

[Wi_KeD_M5]

Well,

I found out that the Euroteknik guys are planning an outing on May 18. Here is the thread. Sounds like it would be fun.

[Wi_KeD_M5]

Originally Posted by MAKM5

If anybody is interested in tracking their car, I'm going out to Gingerman Raceway in South Haven MI with CGI Motorsports on may 12. They are very reasonably priced and provide instruction and plenty of track time (7 20min sessions). Unfortunately all of their track days are on mondays but well worth it. I would say that more than half of the cars that show up are stock or lightly modified. It's not too late to register for the may 12 session. Check them out at cgimotorsports.com.

Hi MAKM5. Thanks for the heads up!

Unfortunately I can't make it on a Monday. I have been to Gingerman before and it is a pretty good track. My view is a bit biased as this is the only track I have been on though.

[esp1976]

Originally Posted by Wi_KeD_M5

Well,

I found out that the Euroteknik guys are planning an outing on May 18. Here is the thread. Sounds like it would be fun.

http://www.byrondragway.com/Gallery.html

**Sarcasm Begins**
This seems like the perfect place to bring a large number of finely crafted german cars. My 997 won't do a "Wheel Stand" **Sarcasm Ends**

In all seriousness I went to an event here once, it was awful. I had my old S2 M5 and it went quickest in our group. The locals were borderline on hostile towards us, the PA anouncer gave us serious amounts of s**t everytime we ran.

Just my 2 cents

[slickM]

REally? I've only been there once or twice...never had any problems...

I only suggested it because have the fun is cruising out there....plenty of open highway....

I'm always open to anything else....