The Official Newsletter of the Indy Miata Club Volume 29 Issue 4 April 2018 What s Inside Page 2 President s column continued Classified Ads. Page 3 MX-5 Cup car roof Eric & Mike perform Tin Can cars Page 4 2018 IMC Event Schedule Page 5 Post Tax Blues Rally information Page 6 Spring It On! Gathering Page 7 Non-IMC Events of 2018 Page 8 Funny Stuff! Page 9-10 Advertisers & April holidays The President s Squeak By Dave Phares Wow. I m sitting here writing my newsletter article and looking at a good six inches of snow outside my window. Who would have thought that old man winter and all that it brings would hang on this long. Wait a minute! This is Indiana. How can I be so forgetful about what Indiana weather can bring? We got dumped on yesterday with snow, and the rest of the week is going to be wet. This reinforces the old saying, if you don t like the weather in Indiana, stick around because it will change. All I know is that Mary Jo and I are eager to get out the Miata and get going on the rallies that are coming up soon. In the short time that we have been members of the IMC, we have attended many rallies and functions with the club. These events require, in most cases, lots of planning by the rally master and his or her spouse. Thank you, rally masters, for all that you do. Let s not forget that when registering for an event, it is very important as well to remove your registration when you have to cancel. Head count is very important, the one under the hood. In the mid-fifties, and probably through the seventies, the thing to do on a Saturday night was for you and your gal to take in a movie at the local drivein theater. Now I m going to tell on myself a little. The gal that was with me on this particular evening happens to be the sweetheart that I am so fortunate to be married to. After picking up MJ at her home, we went to the Frisch s Big Boy, which no longer exists and has been replaced with an Auto Zone. This Frisch s was one of several drive-in restaurants in Shelbyville, like so many other towns, that had outside intercoms and car hops. For the drive-in restaurants that didn t have intercoms, when you pulled in and wanted to Continued on page 2 The current membership count for 2018 is 81. We have one (1) new member in March. Andrew Zeller Hope to see you at an event soon, Andrew!
Page 2 Open Road April 2018 Indy Miata Club Officers 2018 President Dave Phares president@indymiata.org Vice-President Jim Seebeck 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 The President s Squeak, cont. place an order, you turned on your head lights, and when the car hop came to you, you would turn off the head lights. And it was cool to gas up and if you didn t go anywhere else the whole evening, go from one joint to another the whole evening. Or cruising. If one would ask me if I considered myself a good driver, I would say that I am. However on this particular evening I m guessing there would have been a few people say that I needed to pay more attention to where I was going rather than who was with me. Now I will say, to my credit, that the sun had set by the time we arrived, and using headlights in the drive-in was not the thing to do. We came upon an empty parking slot that I had to back into because of the direction in which I was going. For those of you that are familiar with drive-in theaters, you will recall that the speaker is on a pole that is anchored to a concrete base. While backing up into the area my rear drive wheel began to lose traction because of the loose gravel, and being on a slight incline. As I was backing, the rear of the car began to slide to one side toward the concrete base. At this time, the drive wheel regained traction and powered the car onto the base. Now, with the car setting on the concrete base, and the drive wheel completely off the ground, I could not move in either direction. To say that I was embarrassed is putting it lightly. It didn t take but a few minutes for a group of my buddies to come to my rescue, but not before they got there loving buddy remarks in. They pushed the car off the concrete base and on to solid ground that allowed me to drive away toward the exit gate, and that is exactly what I did. What great memories! A Request to Members. As President Dave mentions in his column this month, event organizers ask you to register on our website for any/all events you plan to attend. It is most helpful to rallymasters to know how many members will be at any event! (And unregister if you find you can t attend.) All this, of course, means you need to be signed into the website to reach the location of the Registration tab. Your cooperation is most appreciated! CLASSIFIEDS A stock dual-exhaust muffler for a 2007 Miata MX-5, in good condition to give away. Call Rick Rosado at (317) 319-6438. 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. IMC logo stickers: Three sizes! The stickers are printed on white vinyl. Only $2.00 each. Contact Sara J via email or see her at an event. More information on our website Classified. I have a nice 1990 Red for sale - $3995. Contact Bob Elliott for more information. Call or text 812-343-1863 Pictures available. I have a 1995 M-Edition in fair condition for sale. $2995. Contact Bob Elliott for more information. Call or text 812-343-1863 Pictures available. 2004 MazSpd Velocity Red, Many extras, 93K miles, $12000, Details on club
Page 3 Open Road April 2018 A hardtop is now available for the MX-5 Cup race car. Hello friends. I wanted to let everyone know that Eric & Mike have a new booking and will be performing Sunday, April 8th at Blackhawk Winery & Vineyard from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Blackhawk Winery is located in Sheridan, 28153 Ditch Rd. (blackhawkwinery.com). This is the same location as last year s Brickyard Mingle. We will be inside this time, unless we get a very warm day! We hope you will be able to join us as we usher in Spring and a new Miata driving season! I also want to let everyone know about up-coming dates. Eric & Mike are scheduled to play the following dates at Hopwood Cellars in 2018! May 5, Sat. 7:00 to 9:00 PM July 20, Fri. 7:00 to 9:00 PM Sept. 29, Sat. 7:00 to 9:00 PM Some of these dates may conflict with Miata Club events. I m sorry about that, because I won t get to drive them, and some of you won t be able to join us! If you aren t able to partake in the club events we hope you can come out and support Eric & Mike. Hope to see you soon! Eric Drumwright Tin Lizzys, Made from drink can scrap.
Page 4 Open Road April 2018 Tentative 2018 Event & Rally Calendar If you are planning to enter a club event onto our calender, please report the date & info. to Event Coordinator, Jim Seebeck. Contact him at events@indymiata.org. The Post-Tax Blues Rally April 21-22, 2018 Information on page 5 of this newsletter. Make your room reservation before April 7! Quarterly Board of Officers Meetings The April Board Meeting will be Sat. evening @ the Post Tax Blues Rally. July & October, Dates, Times & Locations To Be Announced Spring It On! weekend trip May 4-6, 2018 See page 6 of t his newsletter. Make your room reservation before April 4. Event Organizer Needed The Night Before the Indianapolis 500 Mingle Saturday, May 26, 2018 Time & Location TBA The Yogi Bear Rally & Pic-a-nic June 23, 2018 The Night Before the Brickyard 400 Mingle Saturday, September 8 We re having a Pitch-in picnic. See details on our website Marietta Madness weekend October 12-14, 2018 Details TBD The Hidden Drives Rally November 3, 2018 Details TBD Annual Christmas Party & Election of Officers December 2018, Date TBD
Page 5 Open Road April 2018 The Post Tax Blues Overnight Rally April 21-22, 2018 Event details are, mostly, in place. Check the EVENTS page of website for updates. Sara and I have a great run planned to take your mind off the taxes you just filed. We'll begin Saturday, April 21st around 9:30am at our old meeting place in Mooresville in front of the Kroger and near the McDonald's (so we can make last minute breaks or buy snacks). Then around 10am we'll do our best to caravan (or run flat out if you'd prefer) down some highways and small "by-ways" to French Lick. After our first almost 2-hour leg, we should be good and hungry for some Mexican food at El Compadre Mexican Restaurant in West Baden. If some of you would prefer "Italian" cuisine, the French Lick Winery is right down the street and is also fabulous with some of the best fresh made bread anywhere (and good wines to taste and buy, too, if you want them rolling around in your trunk while we rally -- or in your bloodstream). After lunch we'll break into our fast, medium and conservative (speed-wise) groups and head out into the country surrounding West Baden and French Lick for a fun 2 hour rally. We'll be finishing up at the hotel where I hope at least 9 other members will stay overnight with us to enjoy dinner at 'Ohana Grill & Bar which specializes in sushi, but has a full and wonderful looking menu besides. The Comfort Inn & Suites has a great looking indoor pool and full breakfast for the next morning. We do hope other members will stay over as we've reserved a block of 20 rooms for the discounted price of $105/night + taxes. If we don't get 10 reserved by April 7th, the rate jumps to $159/night +. So, please, consider staying over to enjoy visiting both the West Baden Springs and French Lick Resorts. If you like to gamble, French Lick Resort has a huge casino! Sara and I are going back to French Lick over her Spring Break to prepare another rally for Sunday morning. We plan for this route to take us south towards Lake Patoka and west to Jasper. After the run, we'll find somewhere to have lunch. Once we've finished our lunch, we can head up US 231 to the new I-74 interstate all the way to Bloomington and then home. We think it will be a fun two days with some good Miata roads and plenty of interesting sites and food! Please plan now to join us! Want to make a room reservation? Contact Comfort Suites, French Lick, IN 812-936-5300 Please specify if you'd like a king or queen bed. Group discount ends April 7th, so please reserve before that date. When making a reservation, be sure to mention you are with the Indy Miata Club to get the group rate ($105/room; Need 10 reserved rooms to get this rate!) And don't forget to REGISTER on our website so the rallymaster knows you re coming.
Page 6 Open Road April 2018 The Spring It On! Weekend Gathering May 4-6, 2018. Plans are beginning to fall into place for the Spring It On weekend. We have a block of rooms set aside at the Spring Mill Inn @ Spring Mill State Park, outside Mitchell IN. Our discounted room rates are (a) King and Double Queen, $112.50 plus tax/night and (b) Queen, $94.50 plus tax/night. This block of rooms will be held for us only until April 4th, so make your reservation soon. Don t wait until the last minute! Make your reservations by calling the Spring Mill Inn @ (877)-563-4371. Refer to our Group Code, 54181M. (Indy Miata Club) in order to get this discount. Please be aware that alternate lodging in Mitchell is limited. More choices are available in Bedford IN, about 15 miles (20 minutes) north of Mitchell, on SR-37. A Saturday drive route has been laid out (awaiting a pre-run). It will take us southward from Mitchell, with plans to stop at the Shoe Tree (for a donation; bring some old shoes along if you want to donate.) Lunch will probably be at the Overlook Restaurant. As you may recall, Indiana state parks have an entrance fee. The current charge is $7.00 (for state residents). This is a one-time charge for people staying at the park inns. It can pile up if you are just entering the park for a visit. Keep this in mind. We ll choose a meeting location outside of the park for our starting points, to avoid this park entry expense. More information is available at the Spring It On! event page on our website.
Page 7 Open Road April 2018 2018 Regional Miata Events See links from Non-IMC Events page on our website, or search Miata.Net. April 14, 2018 Cruisin' for a Cure Car Show The 7th annual event in Plainfield at Hummel Park. See the Non-IMC Events listings on our website. April 26-29, 2018 Miatas at Myrtle Beach XII Myrtle Beach, SC Again at Ocean Dunes Hotel. June 6-10, 2018 Zoomin the Mountains of East Tennessee Johnson City, TN Another year of Zoomin fun! September 14-16 Rockies Rendezvous Alberta, Canada August 2-5, 2018 Miatas at the Gap Deal s Gap NC 2018 September 20-23, 2018 Hot Lava 2018 Hood River, Oregon Registration will open in early Spring 2018.
Page 8 Open Road April 2018 Funny Stuff? I m sure many states could make this claim! Old Man Winter Is he gone yet? 24 hours in a day: 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not".
April 2018 Page 9 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 31 North @ 169th Street Westfield, IN 46074 800-891-3056 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 e-mail Indy Miata Club member Tom Lewis today! 317-984-9228 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.
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