Past Events 2004
2004 National Mazda Reunion in St. Louis - September 30th - Oct 4th
The Youngs and the Brocks had a successful Miata trip to St. Louis for the 2004 National Mazda Reunion, called "Meet Me in St. Louie". We left Wednesday morning, September 29, taking the National Road (U.S. Route 40) to Effingham, Illinois for the night. That left a short drive into St. Louis on Thursday morning. We immediately started greeting other Miata owners from many states. Registration was held that afternoon, and each participant received a goody bag with an event pin, magnet, dash plaque, cling-on, a long-sleeved T-shirt and hat! All met for a buffet dinner at the headquarters hotel, the Westport Sheraton, to kick-off the weekend.
Friday was a leisurely day to choose from the many events offered: a scenic St. Louis tour,country drives, winery tours, a fun-CAN-a (the prizes were trophies with Budweiser cans!), a Gravity Grand Prix with Hotwheels Mazdas, and a concours at the hotel. Also there were vendors at the hotel, including a dyno to check your horsepower. We were treated to another buffet dinner at the hotel Friday night, offering foods special to St. Louis. This included an ice cream cone for dessert, as this was invented in St. Louis!
Saturday morning started very early with a 155-car caravan to Gateway International Speedway. When we arrived there we took a parade lap, then stopped on the track for a group photo. After the photo, those who had signed up did hotlaps or autocross or more fun-CAN-a there at the track. We all had been given soft-sided coolers and sandwiches, etc. to pack our own lunches both Friday and Saturday, so we could eat lunch at our leisure.
We left the track after lunch, and saw some of St. Louis on our way back to the hotel for the afternoon. Saturday night was the Mazda-sponsored banquet and Miata's 15th Anniversary Celebration. Door prizes and awards were presented. Rob received 1st place in the Gravity Grand Prix, 3rd place in the '90-'93 Peoples' Choice and 2nd place in the spit-shine concours to a 2004 Mazdaspeed! We were also given a Miata 15th Anniversay plaque, for driving our 1990 Miata to the event.
On Sunday morning they sent us off with a hot breakfast and the four of us headed back to Columbus. We highly recommend attending national events, they are always a lot of fun, and we have made many friends over the years.
-Rob and Amy Young
Autocross, September 12th 2004
Autocross, August 15th 2004
Autocross, August 1st 2004
Autocross, July 18th 2004
Autocross, June 6th 2004
Autocross, May 23rd 2004
Spring Rallye - May 1st
The forecasted nasty weather stayed away and the brave souls that rallied enjoyed a great ride and beautiful "top-down" weather.
Winning the rallye and the coveted "founders trophy" were the lovely and talented team of Jim Hayter (driver) and Rob Young (navigator)! Way to go
guys!
Coming in a verrrry close second were the ever popular team of Ron and Becky Mott (past winners of this very special trophy).
Also running the rallye were the following dynamic duos:
Carl and Lynda Cooper
Bob Snyder and Carol Knoblauch
Mike and Brenda Fisher
Chuck and Phyllis Bundy
The rallye ended (of course) at restaurant, "Shades on the Canal", in Canal Winchester, where tales of sailing bathtubs, the "now you see it,
now you don't" HOLY MACKEREL mailbox, and an honest to goodness swartzlander were the hot topics of conversation.
A good time was had by all!
Linda and Steve Johnson
Rallye Masters
Autocross, May 2st 2004
WOSU-TV "Go Auction!" 4-28-04
A big thank you goes to the 15 Buckeye Miata Club members who bailed WOSU.TV out of a big jam Wednesday night when a major company canceled their support of Go Auction! at the very last minute. The unknown company withdrew both their support and 30 employees who were to man the auction bid phones on opening night. In stepped the BMC and about an equal number of OSU students to save the day and help get the 2004 public television auction off to a great start.
The whole experience was a lot of fun and many BMC members said they would like to do it again next year. Bidding action was fast and furious. We were live on TV virtually the entire 2 hour shift, and who could resist food from Max & Erma's and JP's BBQ.
After the show, we found out that companies have to pay $4,000 to have employees answer the auction phones and get the corresponding publicity of having their company name announced every half hour!! This was a free PR bonanza for our club that we got for doing what we do normally . . . supporting our community!
Thanks again and GO AUCTION!
Pete & Donna Miller
Clifton Mill Road Trip 4-24-04
WOSU-TV Telethon 3-20-04
The Buckeye Miata Club raised $5,500 for public television in central Ohio during the Club's fourth annual appearance March 20th on WOSU-TV. Twenty-two club members answered pledge phones over a 4.5 hour shift and enjoyed a wonderful dinner complements of WOSU and O'Charleys restaurant.
We have posted photos.
One photo caught our attention. Note the caption on the TV monitor directly over Bill Brock's head.
Enjoy,
Pete & Donna Miller
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, OH 3-13-04
The parade was enjoyed with the sun shining and no wind. Even 42 degrees did not hold anyone back. Most tops were down.
We enjoyed breakfast at Bob Evens, then proceeded to the Metro Center Lot #2.
Brave people were Matt Collins, Lynda and Carl Cooper, Carol Cooperrider and friend, Alan and Linda Crawford and her sister-in-law and her brother, Patti and Earl Hassler, Joan and Robert Kincer, Peter and Donna Miller, Pat and John Morgan, Andi Pepperney, and new member /guest Rea Ann Crawford, friend of the Hassler’s.
After the parade we had a warm up at Wendy’s to finish the day.
Earl
February "Dumpof the Month" 2-19-04
BMC Winter Hike 1-17-04
It was a cold gray day on Saturday, January 17, when four Buckeye Miata Club members met at Carl Cooper’s house to participate in the 39th Annual Hocking Hills Winter Hike. The temperature was in the 20’s (up from 6 degrees in 2003) but the forecast called for snow and sleet. This forecast did not prevent Carl Cooper, Rob and Amy Young, and me from enjoying our annual trek through the Hocking Hills.
We stopped at McDonald’s in Lancaster briefly for food and a pit stop before continuing on to Logan. We arrived at Old Man’s Cave early and we were able to use its parking lot.
The rangers allowed us to start at 8:45 a.m. because there were so many people wanting to begin. Saturday Night’s news report estimated there to be 4500 hikers.
The first half mile of the hike is slow because so many people are walking down and up the steps in the gorge at Old Man’s Cave. The trail finally opens up so people can spread out and walk at a comfortable pace. Most of the trails were dry this year with no ice or snow so hiking was less hazardous. The down side to this was the views were not as pretty because of the lack of snow. We did have pretty ice formations.
At Cedar Falls, the halfway mark, the hikers were treated to delicious beans, corn bread, and hot chocolate. I headed immediately for the restroom and surprise-no waiting! This was my forth winter hike and I’ve always had to wait in line before.
The State Park Campground received a beautiful new Campground Office in 2003. The old office was moved to Cedar Falls and it gave the hikers a place to eat. We encountered some sleet at lunch so the dry area was appreciated.
The second half of the six mile hike is less rigorous (except for Cardiac Hill) and it ends at Ash Cave.
While waiting for the school bus to take us to Carl’s van, we purchased our hiking patches and were treated to sassafras tea. We had completed our hike in 3 hours, a record for me but the dry trails made the difference.
The roads were a little treacherous going home but we stopped at Applebee’s in Lancaster for lunch. Rob called D.J. Harris (’93 black with red leather interior) and he joined us for lunch.
Carl would like to thank Rob, Amy, and Nancy for participating in the Hocking Hills Winter hike.
Come join us next time for a Buckeye Miata Club adventure.
Nancy Clemmons
