Notes from the President

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1 The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club Volume 28 Issue 10 October 2017 What s Inside Page 2 President s column continued Memberships Classified. Page Club Events Page 4 Covered Bridge Rally report Page 5 Notes from the President By John Lyghtel Kathy and I have just returned from a two-week trip to Oregon and northern California and we have found some very nice roads that would be perfect for the Miata. Unfortunately, we took a shortcut which involved a couple of Boeing 737 s so we did not have our Miata with us the substitute was a Hyundai Sonata competent but not quite a Miata. We started with a drive east out of Portland on US-26 to visit the Timberline Lodge at Mt. Hood. It had snowed recently so the Miata might have been out of its element up at the lodge but we did get to see Mt. Hood as we were above the clouds. We continued down to Hood River, east on I-84, then reversed and headed west on Historic US-30 a winding, high climbing road that overlooks the Columbia River Gorge. The driver must pay attention on this road. (Ed.-No sightseeing? Curses!) We headed out to the coast on US-26, then up to Fort Clapsop where Lewis and Clark and company spent the winter during their expedition. From there we headed south on US-101 staying a night in Newport, then in Bandon, and ending up in Crescent City, California. We detoured a few times to visit lighthouses and parks, and many, many overlooks. The middle area of the Oregon coast is especially nice from Newport down to Florence. Once in Crescent City we headed further south for a day to visit the Redwoods National and State Parks. Several California state parks have combined with the national parks to form a very large area of protection for coastal redwoods. There are great roads to drive (slowly) and nice hikes to be Continued on page 2 Christmas Party reservation form Page 6 Non-IMC event schedule Page 7 Funny Stuff? Page 8-9 Advertisers October holiday IMPORTANT INFORMATION! The Registration Form for attending this year s Christmas party is on page 4. Please complete the form, and mail to our club treasurer, with your registration fee, by November 18th. Looking for clothing with the Indy Miata Club logo on it? We've got two stores to help you out at the IMC Clothing tab on our website. For digitally printed casual wear, head over to our Spreadshirt store. How about an embroidered shirt or jacket? Our Lands' End store can deliver the goods to your door. Polos, jackets, sweatshirts and more with the IMC logo embroidered on the item.

2 October 2017 Page 2 Open Road Indy Miata Club Officers 2017 President John Lyghtel president@indymiata.org Vice-President Dave Phares vicepresident@indymiata.org Treasurer Ben Hecht treasurer@indymiata.org Secretary Sonya Cady secretary@indymiata.org Membership Director Dick Cady membership@indymiata.org Website Editor Sara J McBride webmaster@indymiata.org Newsletter Editor Steve Crouse editor@indymiata.org Notes from the President, cont. taken. Some of these trees are large enough to store a Miata. Most of us have probably seen a picture of a car driving through a carved out redwood but apparently none are on park property. We left the coast by driving through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, stopping for a hike on our way to Crater Lake National Park. Part of the route was on US-199, also known as the Redwoods Highway. Crater Lake has to be seen in person as the pictures do not do it justice. It took about 2 ½ hours to drive around the rim, plus we got in a couple of short hikes. In this part of the country the roads get less curvy but the scenery is still great lots of tall trees and thick forests. We continued up US-97 with a stop at Lava Butte in Newberry National Volcanic Monument, then on to Bend. We finished up our driving by heading back to Portland via US-97 and then US-26 (past Mt. Hood again). Portland itself is a fun city to visit they have the International Rose Test Garden, lots of great restaurants, and a pretty good light rail system which we made use of. (Ed.Sounds like a beautiful trip!) But back at home, we hope to see you at the mingle (& Board meeting) on Saturday, October 7th (and hope for good weather). Our membership count is now 99 Miatas. Newest members: Brock & Martha Ecevit Information from our Webmaster Have you signed up to access all of the Indy Miata website? If you haven't, then you can't register for events and see areas that are only available to registered IMC members. It's easy to register, just click on "Create an account" link that is just below the Member login box. Due to the attempts by spammers to access the site, your registration must be approved. An will be sent to the webmaster who will then approve your registration. Don't expect to be approved instantaneously, as this is done when the webmaster checks her ! Typically it will not be longer than 12 hours, usually sooner. (This also applies to the separate registration for the IMC Forum area.) Also, if you sign up using an that is different from the in our database, it may take longer. In case you don t look at our website occasionally, we thought we d let you know that numerous photos (Covered Bridge rally) and videos (Poker Run & Bluegrass Adventure) have been added recently. Take some time to check them out. We think you ll enjoy them. CLASSIFIEDS The Open Road is published monthly for the members of the Indy Miata Club. The Indy Miata Club assumes no liability for any information contained herein, or injury or damage resulting from the use of this information. The ideas, opinions, maintenance or modification tips expressed are to be used at the reader s discretion. Individual contributors and/or the editors express no approval, authentication, or endorsement. Thank you. A stock dual-exhaust muffler for a 2007 Miata MX-5, in good condition to give away. Call Rick Rosado at (317) For Sale: A stock radio from a 2014 Miata. Asking $35. davephares47@gmail.com if interested MazSpd Velocity Red, Many extras, 93K miles, $12000, Details on club Classified webpage. Contact jceaw@sbcglobal.net

3 Page 3 Open Road October 2017 It s not too late for another event this year! Will you organize a rally, mingle or weekend trip? Get it on our 2017 calendar ASAP. Please report the date & info. to Event Coordinator, Dave Phares. Contact him at events@indymiata.org. Indy Miata Club Motoring Challenge A year-long club scavenger hunt contest. See Entry Form & Rules on our website Events tab. NEW! Saturday, October 7 An IMC Mingle PLUS Our Quarterly Board of Officers Meeting See website Event page for details We don t have any other events on our October calendar. Would someone like to plan a drive or mingle? Please! November 4 Hidden Drives Rally That s not hidden at all! December 2 Christmas Party & Election of Officers Your registration form is on page 4. Please submit by November 18.

4 Page 4 Open Road October 2017 Indy Miata Club 2017 Holiday Party Reservation Form Location: Grindstone Charlie s 5822 Crawfordsville Rd. Speedway Shopping Center Speedway IN Date: Saturday, December 2, 2017 Time: Menu: Arrive & mingle at 6:00 P.M. Dinner at 6:30 P.M. Garden Salad; Dinner Bread; Choice of Charbroiled Sirloin, Cheese-smothered Chicken, or Atlantic Salmon, w/baked or mashed potato. PLUS Dessert! Orders will be placed with the wait staff prior to dinner. The price per person includes menu items above and non-alcoholic beverages (coffee, tea or soda). There will be a cash bar available. To make a reservation, please complete the information below and return this form along with your payment. The form and payment must be received no later than November 18, Indy Miata Club members only, please. Member Names Total Attendees: x $10 person = $ Please make checks payable to Indy Miata Club and mail to: Indy Miata Club c/o Ben Hecht 7812 Ashton Lane Fishers IN 46038

5 Page 5 Open Road October 2017 The 2017 Covered Bridge Rally report By Jon Stinson, Rallymaster I usually have to wake up early to drive out to Indy somewhere for Saturday morning rallies, so for my first time as rallymaster, I wanted to take the opportunity to host it near home and let everyone else make that morning drive. The morning started out well with 17 cars meeting at the Terre Haute mall. We set out in two groups, taking the scenic route up to Parke County. The first half was over 60 miles, and included the mandatory missed turn or two (I always figured Steve C. had something to do with that, but apparently not as much as unmarked roads). There was a great mix of roads: sweeping curves, hills, tight turns, "runway" country roads, and some state highways. The fast group took a pit stop and got passed by the slow group on the way out. The midpoint was at the small town of Bridgeton, where we saw the first covered bridge of the day and had a snack at the historic mill. We had to take a round-and-about way of getting there because the town s main street had been recently chip-and-sealed, except without the seal. That s why we do last minute dry runs! Take a look at the photos up on the website to see the group of the day. We gained a car here and lost another. Part two was where all of the bridges were seen- up to ten total! Several of those were driven across, but some are closed and others are on gravel- eek. The rally route was mostly dictated by where the asphalt led. By the time 1:30 came around, the day became much too hot for a late lunch. Most drivers decided to stop at the endpoint early, The Thirty-Six Saloon in Rockville. Some drivers ventured further, but I don t think more than a couple drove the whole length before eating. The food was delicious and as refreshing as the indoors on that hot day. I think everyone had a good drive and enjoyed seeing a part of the state that is not visited by the club too often. This was my first homemade rally, and I don t think it will be my last. With comments by an OLD club member who attended: What an outstanding first time effort by Jon! There were, I believe, 19 Miatas (with Rog & Nancy joining us in Bridgeton). Even made our way into Illinois for a short time, and, believe it or not, there were some curves on the left side of the state line! Great route with lots of covered bridge crossings in the second half, and a super venue for our endpoint at the Thirty-Six Saloon in Rockville, with our own private party room. Fabulous job, Jon! Thanks so much for all the time and effort you made into putting this together - it definitely showed. Only problem is, now you've set the bar pretty high for your next effort!! Tom Lewis

6 Page 6 Open Road October 2017 Regional Miata Events Still on the 2017 calendar If you are a real Miata enthusiast, These gatherings are a great chance to meet Miata-fanatics from other areas of the U.S. Need help finding information? See links from Non-IMC Events page on our website, or search Miata.Net. October 6-8, 2017 Miatas at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA It may be too late to attend this year. October 19-22, 2017 Miatas at the Back of the Dragon Wytheville, VA See information link on Non-IMC Events October 26-29, 2017 Zoomin in the Fall Johnson City, TN Come join us once again, for a ZOOMIN GOOD TIME 2018 April 26-29, 2018 Miatas at Myrtle Beach XII Myrtle Beach, SC Information will be posted later. June 6-10, 2018 Zoomin the Mountains of East Tennessee Johnson City, TN Another year of Zoomin fun!

7 Page 7 Open Road October 2017 Yes, they are out there, but nowhere in Indiana... Or Illinois... Or Ohio! Funny Stuff?

8 October 2017 Page 8 Open Road Now celebrating 40 years! Exclusive Discounts for Indy Miata Club Members Tom Roush Mazda, Indiana s first Mazda dealer established in 1972 has not only the most experienced sales and service staff in town, but also is the highest volume dealer in Indiana. We hope to serve you in our next 40 years as Indy s premier Mazda dealer. In support of the Miata Club member s we would like to offer the following benefits: 15% off regular door labor rate 15% off any accessory purchase S-Plan pricing to eligible customer s Extended Saturday service hours 7:30 3:30 US th Street Westfield, IN Hughes Insurance Group is an Independent Agency representing over 35 insurance companies. Our ultra-competitive rates assure that you receive the most value at the best price for all of your home, auto or business insurance needs. For a limited time, I m giving away a $20 gas card with an insurance review and quote for your home, auto or business with no obligation! If I m competitive, consider allowing Hughes Insurance Group to write your business. If I can t provide you with a better value, you ll have the peace of mind knowing you re properly insured at a fair price. Tom Lewis INSURANCE GROUP Call or Indy Miata Club member Tom Lewis today! tom@hughesinsurancegroup.com Have a few dollars invested in upgrades? Ask about Agreed Value Coverage for your Miata! Benefits for Indy Miata Club Members -First year dues to the Indy Miata Club after purchase of any Mazda -S-Plan Pricing to Current Members -15% off All Parts & Accessories -15% off Labor Rates -Maintenance for Life with the purchase of Any Mazda -Saturday Service Hours 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM -Free Cookies!! Contact Lauren Auld for more information.

9 October 2017 Page 9 Open Road Oct. 31