Since I’m still writing my Dragon review, I thought this might fill the void a bit. This Dragon experience was sent in by long time MotoringFile reader Deb Sutliff (aka Nekowoman).
>There was an awful grinding noise as I felt the car bottom out. I have scraped the chin often enough when not being carefu, but this was coming from the rear. Top that with the facts: I was at the end of a 500 mile drive, fully loaded, it was dark, late and I was tired and this was the first right hand hairpin turn of the Dragon.
>Come morning’s light, I lay down on the Fontana asphalt and peered under my MINI. I was reminded of those poor souls you see peering under the hood on the side of road. How often is the problem apparent from a visual inspection? Rarely under the bonnet, but beneath my boot I saw shiny slivers of metal hanging off the inside of my right rear rim. I may not be more than a novice mechanic, but even I knew those were definitely not supposed to be there.
>Chad (agokart) from Detroit Tuned is a lean, strawberry blond with a quick smile. I stopped by his tent and told him my tale. Within minutes he was underneath my MINI diagnosing a broken rear sway bar end link. He said he’d never seen a broken one before and, unfortunately, he didn’t have a the parts to help me. He promised that he could help me out with stock parts from an upgrade he had scheduled later in the weekend, but I was at the 2006 MINIs on the Dragon (MOTD) and there were roads a wasting.
>MOTD is a gathering of like-minded enthusiasts at a road known for having 318 turns in 11.6 miles. But it is so much more than that. The event is about the spirit of motoring. It is about the car, both classic and new, that bonds us together.
>My quest for an end link began with Chad talking to all his fellow vendors. Unfortunately, none had the parts to help, but I was assured that I’d be fixed by Saturday at the latest. That simply wouldn’t do if I could help it, so I booted up my laptop to tap into the newly available wireless broadband signal that Fontana had added. I sent out PMs to friends in Chicago and Alabama and posted an SOS to the forums. Within minutes I had Andrew (YuccaPatrol) on IM and he contacted Randy from Webb Motorsports (who wasn’t at this Dragon) for me. Randy had a set of stock take-off end links in an overnight box to me within hours, but Fontana warned me that overnight doesn’t always mean overnight when you’re up on a mountain.
>In the meantime, I volunteered to help out friends from my former MINI club, DC Metro MINIs, with registration and Mark Ferguson of North American Motoring.com with the swag-for-sale table. While there I saw Aaron from Outmotoring. He hadn’t even had a chance to unpack or even register when approached him. I told my tale and he just smiled. He said that for some reason he decided at the last minute to throw a pair of Alta upgraded end links in the trailer. I proclaimed them mine! I was saved at last. I tried to give him my credit card right then and there, but he wouldn’t hear of it. I thanked him profusely, found a relief for my swag duty, and found Chad. He promised he’d work me in as soon as he could. Later that evening Aaron and his wife dug through their trailer before they’d even unpacked to find the end links for me. Finally, I was able to relax and enjoy my evening anticipating my return to the road on Friday.
>Before the rest of the corporate world back in reality was done with the first coffee break of the day, Chad had me fixed up better than new and I was back to enjoying the Dragon and MOTD festivities. Just consider — within 36 hours I was back motoring — it would have been impressive if that happened at a dealership in the city, but in the hills of North Carolina, working without cell service, it was the true spirit of motoring in action.
>But the story doesn’t end there… less than a day later, a friend from Knoxville flagged me down as I motored by the mechanical vendors. Chad had another MINI with a broken end link, but this time, he knew where he could find the parts. I had three stock end links — the one whole one off my car and the two that did actually make it from Webb Motorsports overnight. I gave one to my fellow stranded motorist and wished him luck. He tried to pay me, but I wanted to share the motoring spirit with him. The spirit of motoring… Chad, Andrew, Randy, Aaron and his wife… these are the folks who embody that spirit. I can’t thank them enough for helping me out. Motor on.
THAT’S A GREAT STORY!! That’s why I love this community soooo much!
Detroit Tuned, Webb Motorsports and Outmotoring are definitely at the top of my vendor list.
Nice write-up Deb! Thanks for sharing it with MF.
You have to love our fellow MINI motorers. That is a great story. Great vendors help make our great community even better.
Hey Deb,
So glad you were able to get fixed, enjoy the weekend, and help out another motorist!!
Keep that MINI karma rolling
Wonderful write-up, Deb! MINI owners are the BEST!
BCNU,
Rob in Dago
Its the love of the car that bonds us together. Its great to hear of stories like these that truely make us all proud to not only drive the MINI but also have that attitude and personality that goes beyond the size of our beloved MINI. Remember, we may drive small cars, but our hearts are beyond any large sized SUV. I can’t imagine those snobbs in Expeditions doing the same.
Its all about Motoring and helping other fellow Motorists!
MINI ON! MOTOR ON!
Do you have an aftermarket rear sway bar and was it on the stiffest setting when the end link broke?
Deb – Fantastic writeup! You truly captured the mood of the Dragon! 🙂
Thanks guys… yes, I have an 2002 MCS with an Alta 22 bar on the tightest setting. About a year ago I bent a rim (front) on that side on a major pothole… I’m guessing that may have damaged the end link (but that’s a total guess). I gave Gabe a picture of the end link — maybe he’ll post it. It bent QUITE a bit before snapping. I want to tear the tires off when I get some time (and a friend’s garage) and really inspect my full suspension.
I really, really appreciate all the vendors who helped me out… MINI folks truly are the best!
Wow! Thanks for sharing your story.
I would so love to make it to the Dragon one year 😉
MOTOR ON!
Wonderful story Deb…thanks for highlighting the intangibles that makes the MINI community so great!!!
That is not the only story. As many of you know, I lost a wheel at the event too, due to loose lug nuts. Well, Chad Miller diagnosed my problem too, and recommended a solution. Aaron had the stud conversion kit I needed. Waylen had the loctite. And Jay and Tony from MINI of Nashville did the work and installed it all for me, at no charge. For that matter, other than the price for the parts, nobody asked for anything. That is impressive.
I have posted in NAM this little story, but it bears repeating as above. When in need, the community steps up for you. Count on it.
Jonathan
we call him maxamini. and there’s usually a yellow duck.
great story!
Great story with a happy ending for all.
I’m not sure what overnight shipper Randy Web used but….while driving the dragon we did pass a UPS truck, not the full size but, one of the shorties we see zipping around Chicago.
He seemed to be making good time on the twisties.
And the legacy of helpful MINI owners and vendors lives on…
Awesome tale Deb.
Yup GMINI – Maxamini was working on this one. quack quack.
Neat to read the story. . . glad I could help (even though you found the upgraded ones) and now I have my very own spare end link in my emergency Dragon kit!
Motor on!
Andrew
Nice write up Deb.
I’d hate to think of how stranded you would have really been if you weren’t in a MINI. From the sounds of things all other cars must be driven by the spawn of satin… lets keep in mind that you can feel good helping anybody, in any kind of car.
Now that’s motoring!