I figure the title of this thread should get your attention. I'm just starting to make plans for the Upper Midwest Gathering for May 18-20. But I find myself struggling to get over excited about it so far.

I was very disappointed with the turnout last year. Hard to say if gas prices or just dieing enthusiasm for these cars are the reasons. We had 42 3/Ses in 2006. In 2005, we had 51 3/Ses there. I had thought about throwing in the towel this year, but several club members convinced me to do it again. But, if we do not get more cars there this year than last year, it will probably be the end of the UMG!

So what does this mean?? I really need everyones help to make sure this doesn't happen. I challenge everyone who is going to the UMG to help find at least one other 3/S owner and get there butts to the UMG. That means finding a 3/S owner that either hadn't heard of the UMG or a 3/S owner that wasn't planning on going. If you want the UMG to survive, you HAVE to help spread the word and enthusiasm.

This is your gathering, I'm just running it. Now the question is, do you actually care about it??

later,
Curt

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Minnesota 3/S message board: http://forums.mn3s.org/
Minnesota 3/S Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Minnesota.3S/

We empathize. I think we had maybe 1/2 dozen cars at our rural cruise. So little, everyone there not only got a giveaway, they got TWO.

So is 42 not enough? What number are you thinking would make it "worthwhile?" We'd be happy with 42 at one of our gatherings...

In all seriousness, we always felt this was a joint club effort, even though in many respects we seem to merely supply the giveaways. However, that being said, you've done such a great job running it and the formula has worked so well over the past seven years, we hesitated to ever screw it up (like we had much to offer to improve on an already great event).

Beyond asking all our members to use the banner in their signatures (as before) and simply COME TO THE EVENT, there are many things we cannot control, and two of them you may have right on the head. Besides money, there are time contraints for some of us as well, especially with rugrats and other committments, but even then I think I've only missed one UMG in all the years, and well, I had just died a few times...

So W3SI -- what's it going be? I for one am in all the way with Dr. Gendron -- 100% of the way, and anything I can do to keep this event successful and thriving, I will do. It's a great event Curt and perhaps the weather and the subzero temperatures have you down a bit today, but don't be -- I'll be there -- maybe with two ankle bitters -- and as I said, they are already excited about as well.

Oskar -- you bringing yours?

PLEASE SIGN UP IN THE OTHER THREAD.

Best,

SJ

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Racing is life. Everything else is just waiting.

http://umg.mn3s.org

http://ummo.boards.net

I care about it... if that matters at all. Its my favorite gathering of the year. Its right up there with the NG in my eyes because its just a close-knit group of guy(and gals) that are from the midwest.

I'll help out as much as I can as well to keep this event going. I'll keep working on getting some new faces there, which might be a bit easier since the NG isnt til July again. More people will be able to get time off and afford to take the time off with a 7-8 week gap in there.

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~Joe - aka spider gear destroyer
'94 Stealth R/T
-Lightly Modded ;)

Well being new to the 3s community i cant say much but it sounds like a great time and this will be my first meet and i do have to say im exited to go and get to meet all you guys

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1991 Stealth R/T

Curt,

I am floored, I can not believe what I am hearing come out of your mouth! I was almost speechless, unable to make a reply. I know you think 60ish is the sweet spot, but 42 cars is great and sometimes bigger is not better. I didn't even care for the NG, too impersonal and everyone just got in their cliques and stayed there. At UMG all 42 people were always doing something together it seemed. I wouldn't even bother going to the NG if it wasn't right here in MI, and if I only went to one gathering a year, it would be the UMG. I'm even going to drag my 1.5 year old son out there because everyone was so cool, I wouldn't even consider taking him to the NG drunk-fest. Wow, I think UMG was the most organized event I have been too and I think that had a large part to do with your organization, even so, I hope that if you drop this event that W3SI picks it up and runs it. I would hate to see the UMG go to the wayside. I have 2 3s' and now neither of them run, but by hook or by crook I planned on having one of them running for the UMG. Curt, much lovin for the event from over the pond here in MI. I hope to toast many more UMG's.

Bret

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San Marino Red - Honda 3KGT VR4 For the win!

NOOOOOOO!
You can't kill the UMG, I look forward to the event every year. I think of it as a great start to the summer car months. It motivates me to get stuff done on my car after a long lazy winter.

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'94 vr4- Now with extra slowness

Thanks for the kind words guys. I haven't killed the UMG yet. I'd love to keep running it for another 20 years. But it has to keep growing or at least maintaining itself. So all I ask is that everyone works hard this year at helping getting the word out and making sure all of your 3/S friends gets there butts there.

later,
Curt

_________________

Minnesota 3/S message board: http://forums.mn3s.org/
Minnesota 3/S Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Minnesota.3S/

Curt, I'm traveling 1000 miles to come to this gathering (with or without a 3/S). Hell, I might even be bringing at least 1 extra car out there with me. It's 1 of 2 gatherings I look forward to all year. I wasn't able to attend last year because of a medical situation.

40 cars is still a lot. How many people came last year and had a good time? 80 peeps? That's a huge group! Why be disappointed in that? Everyone who goes has a good time and that's the main reason why I like comming every year.

$hit, I had a good time showing up to the 00 gathering when there were only 13 cars.

40 cars isn't a good turn out?

Is it that you don't see the cars, or are you starting to feel a bit of burn out?

It is also my favorite gathering... If your getting burnt out, perhaps it't time to take on a helper, or something...

I'm not sure how many cars your looking for, but I know that the StL. people always promise to come and then duck out at the last minute. we could whine to them more...

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Bad decisions make good stories.
Look at it! LOOK AT MY @SS AND TELL ME IT'S PRETTY!

I'll need your help again with the St. Louis group. We almost got them to come last year and then they all bailed.

Its not that I'm burned out. Its more about meeting expectations. Since we've had over 50 cars in the past, I expect to be able to meet that number again.

It would be one thing if I did a half ass job of putting the UMG together. If I did that I'd expect to have the numbers fall off. Last year, I out did myself advertising this f*cker and got almost 80 people signed up on the mailing list. Then when the event happened we only had 42 cars and 53 owners. I was bummed.

Thats why I'm really trying to get everyone else involved in advertising it this year. That is by far the best way to keep this thing going. Everyone needs to bitch slap your 3/S buddies who keep saying they "might" go to the UMG and then just never follow through.

later,
Curt

_________________

Minnesota 3/S message board: http://forums.mn3s.org/
Minnesota 3/S Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Minnesota.3S/

Right now I have it on my calendar to attend. I'm located in the UP of Michigan and have met a bunch of the Green Bay crew. I also have an older guy who has a stealth TT in town and attended the gathering quite a few years ago. Now that he knows someone else in town that has a 3S he's interested in attending it again.

Last year a few weeks before the gathering I had something fall from shelves in my garage and land on the rear quarter panel of my car and dented and chipped it pretty good. All my money for the gathering ended up paying for the rear quarterpanel getting repaired. Hopefully nothing like that happens this year.

Bunk

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93 3000 GT VR4

this is my favorite event to attened also! I haven't missed one since i became a member if its with a 3000 or not. Which i think was only once with one. lol I sooooooooo planned on coming this year i start planning it like the month after its done. (yeah little extreme but yea know) The only thing is this year my friend in the marines is getting married and im in it so i gotta attend that. i never been to vegas so this should be interesting! But i always bring my friends with me and they all love this event to so since it was planned it already a couple of friends with be attending in my place. Possibly with a 3000 if he gets it. i am saddened that im missing it tho. i hope that it goes on after this year cause im leaving for the army in late june and all my extra money with be going into my car so that way i can have it for next year.

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91 Stealth TT
Black with Porno Red interior
Stock with 185k and still going.

UMG > NG

The UMG is IMHO the best gathering of all the events W3SI is involved in that I have attended. Its the perfect combination of great people, nice cars, and a relaxing weekend in the dells. If the UMG goes away, I will have to be medicated for the rest of my life.

As per standard operating procedure, the elusive white ninja will be in attendance. Who else would get the first ticket?

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Super news elusive white Ninja. We're counting on you.

SJ

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Racing is life. Everything else is just waiting.

http://umg.mn3s.org

http://ummo.boards.net

I just found my ninja the other day. You remember, the ninjas in the bubbles from that little quarter thingy?

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Bad decisions make good stories.
Look at it! LOOK AT MY @SS AND TELL ME IT'S PRETTY!