Victoria Minis Car Club Annual General Meeting 17 November 2023

Hi Everyone,
We will be holding the Club’s Annual General Meeting at 6:30pm on Friday, 17 November 2023 at 1550 Pub Style Restaurant located at 1550 Cedar Hill Cross Road. 
If you are interested in attending, please email victoriaminiscarclub@gmail.com
You must be a paid-up member to vote.  Membership year begins1 November of the current year and ends 31 Oct of the next year.
Annual membership dues are $30.00 per membership which can include family members as well.  You can join or renew your membership at the meeting.
Looking forward to seeing you there.

Shawnigan Lake Shenanigans 20 Aug 2023

Here we are almost at the end of August and smoke has filled the air, so thanks to Richard Ford, we were on the road to Shawnigan Lake and the Kinsol Trestle (2869 Glen Eagles Rd Shawnigan Lake BC V0R 2W0). We gathered together at our usual spot on McCallum road in Langford for the up-island drive. It was very busy when we departed at 11 am, with a couple of cars getting separated from the main group, but after a minor course adjustment, we were able to get onto the Hwy 1 going north. Of course it was busy all the way with the construction zone and one lane merging, but the main body of cars waited for us as we turned left at the Shawnigan Lake – Mill Bay Rd traffic light. Once all together, we drove on through Shawnigan Lake village … not the Lake, to arrive at the Kinsol Trestle Parking Area.
We enjoyed an extended walk (on the map it was just over 2km) to the trestle. After a few pictures and talking to several other visitors that said how much they loved our Minis/MINIs, we departed for the return journey to Victoria.
We headed down the west side of Shawnigan Lake and back to Hwy 1 on the road to Victoria. Of course the travel south was busier with stop-and-go crawling, as the two lanes of traffic merged into one. However, it really did not seem too bad.
Thanks to everyone that attended and enjoyed the drive, camaraderie and the picturesque Kinsol Trestle. Here are a few pictures of our adventure:

Hot August Minis-MINIs-MGs Ice Cream Drive 2 Aug 2023

Can we pick em or can we pick em! What a glorious evening for a wonderful drive around Sidney and Land’s End. Thanks to Sandra for creating the route and of course, none of this happens without Richard lending his expertise as the Events Coordinator. Along with members from the invited MG Club, we had an opportunity to chat prior to the departure from the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. From there, we took a route that weaved through Sidney, Land’s End and the Victoria International Airport to finish the drive at the Sidney Dairy Queen where we all enjoyed an ice cream treat. Looking forward to our next event for a drive around Shawnigan Lake.

BRITS ON THE BEACH – LADYSMITH BC 9 JULY 2023

It was an pleasant day for a morning drive up the Malahat Drive to Transfer Beach in Ladysmith. The roads were clear and the sun was bright. We made it in good time to join many others from various car clubs that attended from near and far. Admission to the show was by donation that was collected by volunteers of the Old English Car Club Central Branch. The considerable funds collected were given to the Ladysmith Food Bank.

Although we did not win any awards or prizes, all had an enjoyable time admiring a collection of incredible English cars and bikes. Of course, in turn the Minis/MINIs were admired by our fellow English car enthusiasts and the general public as well. Some of us brought picnic baskets while others chose to enjoy the great food from the Ladysmith Lions Club Concession Stand. Here a a couple of pics from the drive and event:

Mini Meet West 2023 – Santa Maria CA, USA

This Meet was held in Santa Maria, California. This provided with a leisurely drive from Victoria along the Hwy 101, with overnight stays in Astoria, Oregon, North Bend, Oregon, Arcata, California, Santa Rosa, California then along Hwy 1 and 128 to arrive at the host hotel (The Historic Santa Maria Inn). For 4 days and nights we enjoyed all the events at Mini Meet West 2023 https://www.minimeetwest2023.com/. Our attending members represented our Club very well, taking home several awards received at the Awards Banquet on the final night. Next day, we commenced our return journey along Hwy 395 staying overnight in Lone Pine, California, and Reno, Nevada. We continued our journey via Hwy 31 and Hwy 97 for overnight stays in Bend, Oregon and Leavenworth, Washington. From there on our final day, we took Hwy 2, and the I5 through the Blaine Border crossing. Having got through that, we took Hwy 99 North and Hwy17 via the BC Ferry home to Victoria. The return journey saw temperatures up to 43 degrees Celsius. We enjoyed several scenic stops and wonders of nature throughout the journey of over 4000 kms. Below is a sampling:

 

Fathers Day Picnic in the Park 18 June 2023

It was an incredible day to join our fellow English Car Enthusiasts for a Sunday Picnic in Beacon Hill Park. All types of English vehicles were on display for an adoring public that fell in love with the Minis/MINIs on display. Several Minis/MINIs gathered at the Tim Hortons area of the Saanich Plaza that is located adjacent to Blanchard St. As a group, we then proceeded to Beacon Hill Park and found a team of cheerful volunteers including Wayne Watkins there to greet us and direct the Minis to an area where a number of Minis that had arrived ahead of us were located. It was a wonderful opportunity to get together and enjoy each other’s adventures and exchange ideas on Mini/MINI repairs and modifications. Many brought a picnic and ate while the sun shone brightly upon us. Glad to see everyone and hope to see you at future events that will be taking place throughout the summer and fall. Here are a few pictures from the Father’s Day Picnic:

 

 

16th Annual Restoration Fair and Swap Meet

Heritage Acres – 4 June 2023

It was a fine day for the Fair and Swap Meet at Heritage Acres. Several Minis/MINIs turned out in support of this event. We all were accommodated at Heritage Acres by the Old English Car Club (Southern Branch) in a great location across from the Old School House. Many visitors took the time to admire, ask questions, and take the opportunity to be able to sit in a Mini. Some of us found treasures and others, well … not so much. However, everyone did enjoy themselves and were able to take full advantage of the fine weather.

ICE CREAM DRIVE 15 MAY 2023 Cattle Point to Mr Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor

Well, is it hot enough for ya?
It was great at Cattle Point this evening where several Minis and friends got together for a nice drive that finished up at Mr. Tubbs Ice Cream Parlor. Traffic was light and all had a great time with the leader of the pack realizing he was being followed, did a quick U-turn and just like in Top Gun, came up on the back of the bewildered group. We finished off the drive with some well-deserved ice cream cones, sundaes, and milk shakes.
Thanks to all that attended and hope to see more of you at the next get together.

Happy New Year’s!

Hi,

What a great way to start the year with a wonderful drive around Greater Victoria and areas.

At least 22 cars from the MG Club, Victoria Minis Car Club and theJaguar Club were involved in this drive.

The Mini Club helped make up a good percentage of the group. We started off at the Saanich Plaza driving through Saanich, Langford, Colwood and Esquimalt stopping at Hatley Castle Grounds for a break and photo op.

The drive finished at the 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant on Cedar Hill Cross Road. There, all had a delightful time exchanging stories of drives and road trips as well as ideas.

I would like to thank all of our members that attended and especially the MG Club for inviting us on this drive. The Victoria Minis Car Club will be reciprocating in kind in the future.

If you would like to become a member of the Victoria Minis Car Club, select Club Info on the drop-down menu select “Join the Club” and press on the “VMCC Form” link to enter the information.

New Year’s Day Drive Group Gathering 1 Jan 2023
New Year’s Day Drive – Group Gathering 1 Jan 2023
New Year’s Day Drive – At Hatley Castle Grounds 1 Jan 2023
New Year’s Day Drive – At Hatley Castle Grounds Group photo 1 Jan 2023
New Year’s Day Drive – 1550’s Pub Style Restaurant Group photo 1 Jan 2023

Club’s Christmas Luncheon 2022

We had an excellent Christmas Luncheon with everyone enjoying the great food at the 4-Mile Brew Pub on Sunday, 11 December 2022.

We had a great turnout, and everything went very smoothly. Although parking was a minor issue, and several people did not realize that there was a restaurant section in the Pub, all found the area with the assistance from the helpful staff.

The draw prize for the party was an Emergency Kit with the Club’s logo on the front that went to our newest member Vanessa which was gratefully accepted by her.

I would like to thank everyone that attended and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and the best of this festive season.

Our next event will be a New Year’s Day Drive being hosted by our good friends of the MG Club.

Fathers Day Run

Hello to all my fellow Mini enthusiasts

What a great way to start the summer and celebrate Father’s Day.  Richard created a fantastic drive around Greater Victoria that had great turns and bumps that made it a challenge to write the answers down as you drove by.  We maintained the 2-metre space between families at all times and did not exceed the number of people allowed to get together.  The questions were not too challenging, yet there were no signs of 100 percent from any of the vehicles at the end of the drive.  It did however, come down to a tie-breaker question to determine the winner. Graham and Daniel came closest to the actual number of Australian Mokes that rolled off the assembly lines.  To the folks in the couple of vehicles lost due to mechanical issues along the way, I am glad that you made it home safely (albeit at a somewhat reduced speed). Finally thanks to all that were able to join us and hope more of you can do so at our next event.  The attachments are a few photos that I took along the way. 

Terry (aka Da Prez!)

MMW 2020 & 2021

A modified Mini Meet West 2020 is now going to take place in Portland Oregon and will be hosted by the Oregon Minis Society (OMS) in conjunction with the All British Field Meet scheduled for the Labour Day Long Weekend 4-6 September 2020.  See the website at https://www.minimeetwest.com/  to get information on the new registration required for this event.

MMW2021 in Beautiful Victoria, British Columbia

The good news is that the Victoria Minis Car Club and The Vancouver Mini Club proudly announce Mini Meet West is to be held in Beautiful Victoria British Columbia on June 27 to June 30, 2021. The host hotel for the event is the Sheraton 4 Points Hotel, located just a few minutes from downtown Victoria. Victoria is the capital of British Columbia and is located on Vancouver Island, just a short ferry ride from Vancouver BC, or from Port Angeles Washington. See you there!

Vancouver Island is the largest island off the west coast of North America. Tucked against the mainland coast of British Columbia and the north shore of Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Vancouver Island occupies an area about the size of Holland.

The island stretches 500 kilometres (320 miles) southeast to northwest with an area of 3,175,000 hectares and 2,150 miles of coastline. It is separated from Vancouver, B.C. by the Strait of Georgia to the east and from Washington State, U.S. by the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the south and southeast. Vancouver Island is actually closer to the United States than mainland Canada.

MMW2020

Mini Meet West 2020 – CANCELLED

The MMW2020 Organizing Committee has made the difficult decision to cancel the MMW2020 event in Victoria BC this year. We do not make this decision lightly, but we realize that protecting the health of our Mini friends and their families, as well as our sponsors and partners is a higher priority than holding the meet.

We have worked with all our venues and the other Mini clubs with the intent of moving the event to the same time next year in beautiful Victoria, BC. Stay tuned for future updates.

MMW2020 Update Mar 24 – Full Release Message

New Years Day Burn

What better way to start the year 2020 than with an array of  vintage cars and vintage substitutes gleaming under the bright sun.  The MG Club graciously extended us an invitation to join them and several of our members responded to make it a very successful drive.  We had a joyful drive around the Saanich Peninsula starting at Cattle Point where a brisk wind reminded us that it was not July on the Island.  We took a leisurely drive along the Eastern roads until we crossed the Pat Bay Highway (Hwy 17) to join up with the rest of the cavalcade .  From here we continued up the secondary roads past wonderful vistas and smiling faces that greeted us all along our route until we ended the drive at the Waddling Dog off the Pat Bay Highway for a wonderful lunch and chit chat with our MG Club hosts.  Many thanks to Stu and Derrick of the MG Club for arranging this drive.  we will be having more events in the future and hope to see you there.
Happy New Year!