Past Events 2003
Autocross, September 21st 2003
Fun Rally, September 14th 2003
The Fall Fun Rally was a great success with tight competition and no permanently lost teams. Following a shaky start, Lezie and Steve Phallen persisted, arriving at the finish line just under the time limit and winning first place. Second place was determined by the total mileage tie breaker and was claimed by hall of famers, Linda and Steve Johnson. Tied for second in points but .5 mile further from the actual mileage was Lynda and Carl Cooper.
As usual, there was controversy regarding the finish. The Coopers missed the time limit by six huge minutes and one of the (the more softhearted!) Rallymasters looked the other way and didn't impose the mandatory DQ. The other (clearly smarter!) Rallymaster argued that "RULES ARE RULES"! After much consideration, and for the sake of a long term relationship, the Coopers have been disqualified. Amy and Rob Young have now been declared the third place winners, as many points as the Coopers, but within the rules. The Coopers have been dropped to last. The Coopers will keep their prize, a gift certificate to Graeter's, but a duplicate will be issued to the Young's.
Apologies and congratulations to the Young's and condolences to the Coopers. First timers" Janet and Jim Brown, started seventh but were the first to arrive at the finish line. Finishing last in points however, they claimed the coveted "OUCH" trophy. All in all, a strong beginning to what promises to be a great rallying career. Because of their rookie status, they will retain the trophy.
Autocross, September 7th 2003
Autocross, August 10th 2003
Air Force Museum - July 26, 2003
On July 26th my wife Tammy and I attended our first
Buckeye Miata Club Road Trip to the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.
Strangely enough I also found myself leading my first trip. (That will teach
me to volunteer before checking my calendar!) The club members met at
Bob Evans across from the Tuttle mall at 8:30 on a beautiful Saturday morning.
We had some breakfast and welcomed another first timer Gina Trigg and her
friend Cyndee. At 9:00 we distributed the radios (The veteran travelers
had spares for us newbies) and in all we had about 8 cars and 13 participants.
The drive to Springfield through the winding roads was uneventful but then we
encountered our first real traffic lights of the trip. Somehow we
made it through with everyone (Thank goodness for the radio!). A quick
pit stop at Arby's by the Springfield mall allowed me to evaluate how the trip
was going and adjust my speeds and routes accordingly. From there we
took back roads around Springfield, Enon and on into Fairborn and the museum.<br>
A new addition was just opened at the museum on July the forth. While I
went off to confirm our Reservation at Quaker Steak the club members all
started touring the museum. Having grown up near the museum I have to admit
that the new additions really helped to spread out the planes and make the
entire experience better. There are several new exhibits for kid
participation and all of the aircraft are grouped into their appropriate time
periods ending with the Gulf war aircraft in the new building. We
even saw the new Remote Piloted Vehicles that are being used in Iraq and
Afghanistan by our armed forces today. Several aircraft also were
put into diorama settings for more realism. If you haven't been there in
a few years I suggest checking it out again. (The price is right, it's still
free!)
The new facility is so large that the club members rarely saw each other until
we gathered back together for lunch. At that point we realized we were all
still carrying our radios and could have called each other at any time! Oh
well we will remember next time. Quaker Steak was our next stop and they
had the front parking spaces reserved for the club. It was a shame we
couldn't coordinate a visit with the Miami Valley Miata club but maybe I'll
take that on as my next project.
From Quaker Steak we cut across back roads to Young's Dairy for some ice cream
desert. Most of the club members had been to Young's before but I doubt
if they had ever taken the route we used that day. At that point I
turned over the lead to Rob and Amy Young who knew some great roads back from
Clifton Mill to Columbus. Overall I had a good time leading my first
road trip and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in these trips.
The veteran attendees are always willing to give assistance in planning and
questions that you have along the way. I hope everyone enjoyed the trip
as much as Tammy and I did and we are looking for a new destination to take
the club in the near future.
- Andy Bell
Autocross, July 20th 2003
Ohio Miata Autocross Challenge, July 12, 2003
Autocross, June 8th 2003
Buckeye Miata Club Miata Mamas Weekend, May 16th - 18th 2003
Click here to see the article printed in MazdaSport Magazine
The First Annual Buckeye Miata Club Miata Mamas Weekend was held May 16-18 in Nashville, Indiana. We decided this must be an annual happening because those attending had so much fun.
Nancy McClees organized the event with help from Jane Nieman. Twenty ladies converged on the Hotel Nashville. Attending were: Jane Nieman and her daughter Melinda Heiligmann, Linda Johnson and her daughter-in-law Michelle, Donna Miller and her daughter-in-law Ann, Nancy Clemmons and her daughter-in-law Cheryl, Carol Cooperrider and her daughter Shannon Davies, Mary Jo Grose and Amy Young, Beth Erb and Cindy Morris, Lynda Cooper and Joanne Light, Marge Calloway and Ruth Heigle, and Nancy McClees and her daughter Karyn Jones. Karyn’s five-month-old son, Cameron, was the only male in attendance but there were plenty of arms to hold him.
An early group of cars left Roosters on West Broad Street in Columbus, Ohio at 1:10 p.m. stopping in London to pick up Nancy and Cheryl Clemmons. By traveling state highways and being women, we stopped often to stretch our legs. We may have stopped five times but we still arrived in Nashville before 6:00 p.m.
Nancy McClees did a wonderful job leading the early group. We never got lost or had to ask for directions. Nancy’s grandson, Cameron, decided to ride in her 1991 BRG in Indiana so Nancy read the map, watched the road signs, babysat Cameron, and fielded two way radio questions from the caravan, while shifting gears.
Nashville is located in south central Indiana in the Cumberland hills. The pretty little town became an artist’s colony in the 1870’s and is well known for its unique shops.
We stayed at the Hotel Nashville, located on one of the main streets near the shops. Our rooms had two bedrooms with a kitchen, microwave, and dishwasher. After unloading our cars we walked to the Nashville House Restaurant for supper Friday night.
The late group of women, led by Mary Jo Grose and Amy Young, left Columbus about 4:30 p.m. and stopped at a Cracker Barrel Restaurant for supper. They arrived in Nashville about 10:00 p.m.
Saturday was a “shop till you drop” day. There are so many stores, it is impossible to visit each one all in one day. Nancy McClees took orders for the official “Miata Mamas Spring Fling 2003” t-shirts with matching tote bags prior to the trip. Many of us sported our Miata t-shirts while shopping and answered questions about our cars and our club.
We ate supper as a group at the Artist’s Colony Inn. Upon returning to the hotel, we changed into our pajamas and gathered in Nancy McClees’ room for the much anticipated “pajama party.” Her majesty, Queen Linda Johnson, president and ruler of the Buckeye Miata Club, looked extremely royal in her red satin pajamas and pink slippers with tiara. Nancy McClees and her daughter, Karyn, wore matching nightshirts with knee high socks, clearly making them the most adorable.
Thanks to the generosity of Byers Dublin Mazda Subaru and Fireside Florists all of the party participants received lovely door prizes.
Sunday was another shopping day. Most of our group traveled back to Ohio after lunch. All in all it was a great weekend enjoyed by everyone.
We are very proud of our Buckeye Miata Club and the members who are willing to organize events to make this club so successful. For more information, visit our Buckeye Miata Club web page: www.buckeyemiataclub.com
Nancy Clemmons
Autocross, May 4th 2003
Clifton Mill Road Trip, April 26th 2003
16 Miatas met at the Hilliard Davidson High School parking lot for a 9:00 AM departure. We took back roads to London, OH. where met Nancy C. From there we continued on back roads to Clifton, OH. There were two other Miatas waiting for us at the Mill. After eating we had a photo opportunity at the Mill before driving to John Bryan State Park for a great walk along the Little Miami River. The wild flowers and weather were beautiful! After the walk we drove to Young's Dairy for ice-cream where we met another Miata from Urbana. The joined us for the tour of Mershon's in Springfield where the sell Corvettes and Muscle Cars. After that five of the remaining Miatas stopped at Max & Erma's for dinner in Dublin, OH. All in all it was a great day enjoyed by everyone.
Rob Young
BMC Winter Hike 1-19-03
It was a beautiful, sunny day on Saturday, January 18, when four Buckeye Miata club members met at Carl Cooper’s house to participate in the 38th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike. The fact that the temperature varied from 6 to 16 degrees did not deter Carl Cooper, Linda Crawford, Rob Young and me from enjoying the beauty of this winter wonderland.
I was four minutes late to Carl’s house. That would set the tone for the day. Linda got lost in Hilliard but still beat me to the Cooper house.
We stopped at the McDonald’s in Lancaster and thought we had plenty of time so we went inside to eat. Upon arriving at Old Man’s Cave, all the parking lots were full so the park patrol made us park several miles away at the Old Man’s Cave Lodge. Linda Crawford’s earmuffs broke so she was forced to wear Carl’s Ohio State toboggan. Wearing her red coat and toboggan, she received many smiles; but little did these people know that Linda is an O.U. fan (Oklahoma not Ohio). However, warmth is the name of the game.
The lodge had flush toilets, what a luxury! What female could pass up that opportunity? Because of our pit stop, Carl and Rob informed us we had missed the school bus and would have to wait (maybe five minutes) for the next bus. Linda had not ridden in a school bus for many years; she was in for a treat.
The hike was spectacular because of the ice formations brought on by the wet and cold winter. There was about 3 inches of new fallen snow that covered the trees as only Mother Nature could do. Occasionally a gust of wind would send snowflakes fluttering in the breeze. Linda said the sun hitting these flakes gave the appearance of angel dust in the wind.
At Cedar Falls, the half way mark, the hikers were treated to delicious beans, corn bread, and hot chocolate. I headed immediately for the rest room, not stopping to eat, where a long line awaited me. Sure enough, Carl, Linda, and Rob had to wait on me again.
The second half of the six-mile hike is less rigorous but just as beautiful, ending at Ash Cave.
While waiting for the bus again, we purchased our hiking patches and were treated to some sassafras tea. Little did we know the school bus route to the Old Man’s Cave Lodge would be about thirteen miles long with numerous stops, traversing two creeks. I did see two deer not twenty feet from the highway.
Flush toilets at the Lodge were a welcome sight. I forgot my walking stick in the restroom and had to go back and retrieve it.
We ate lunch at Applebee’s in Lancaster. I had not eaten steak since late October so Carl, Linda, and Rob waited patiently while I savored every bite.
Carl would like to thank the three hardy souls (Rob, Linda, and Nancy) who enjoyed the winter hike with him despite the low temperature. We all agreed that we were not cold, we just had to keep moving.
Come join us next time for a Buckeye Miata Club adventure.
Nancy Clemmons
