Chicago Smarties Meet, Greet and Eat
February 27, 2009
Of the current fifty-one smart car owners from the Chicago land area, almost half braved the rather harsh winter weather in order to have their largest get-together at the California Pizza Kitchen in suburban Skokie, Illinois this past February.
Enjoying the Sunday morning brunch were a wonderfully assorted group of smart car owners and I must say, enthusiasts. I personally, was very pleased to see the impressive number who decided to participate. Even those who were unable to attend sent their apologies and voiced their dismay at having to be absent for this affair. My kudos to our group member, “Clicker,” for initiating this event.
It was impressive to observe everyone’s eagerness to get together with other owners and to share their ownership experience. Even though we are really all new to the game, sort to say, I was so glad to see everyone’s exuberance matched my own. There is something fascinating about being a smart car owner.
I have owned many and varied vehicles in my lifetime. Being somewhat long in the tooth, I have experienced everything from the slow and go to the fast and furious. However, nothing has given me more pleasure than being the driver of this particular car.
What is it with this experience? It begins with ordering. Somehow, once you are in the wait seems to be like being on the hunt…the excitement grows. And, for me, and apparently all the other smarties I have met so far, there is no disappointment once you take possession of the keys!
The second thing I have discovered is that there is a wealth of knowledge to be obtained in speaking with my fellow smarties. Questions you may have about performance, strange noises, gas mileage, where can you get this or that, and on and on, are readily shared.
The importance of forming your own group and having these get togethers cannot be overly empathized for their value as well as fun.
Whether you form a group based upon location, type, colors, or all being left-handed makes no matter…just do it.
- Bert Monsen
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Smart London to Brighton Run 2003
July 8, 2008
Full of anticipation the couple in the numeric blue Smart City Coupe pass under the finish banner at Brighton and into the car park, smiling and waving to all.
I don’t know who they were but they looked like nice people. Jenny and I arrived some time before and never did get to the “finish”.
The Smartclub London to Brighton run has been eagerly awaited in the Broome household since the 02 event. Our [sorry Jenny’s] numeric blue City Coupe, known as M&M, “cos it looks like a blue one”, has been seen every where, Hambach, Billing, Bruntingthorpe, loads of meets and many more places besides. [pay]
The day starts fairly early for us considering it is a Saturday [no lay in today then] to join local Reading smarties for a tube to Kempton via Sainsbury’s near Bracknell to, hopefully, meet up with smarties from the south. In fact the day actually started the day before when guess who had the job of valeting and applying stickers to the wee thing. Bless!
So fully breakfasted we arrive at the rendezvous to find we are last there, but right on time we set off on the first leg with André leading in his roadster with four Smarts close behind. At Bracknell we catch sight of another tube and almost link up but not quite. At the Sainsbury’s car park we find the Bracknell contingent waiting but when leaving time approaches there is no sign of the guys coming up the M3 so we decide to move on to Kempton.
The journey to Kempton is achieved by radio-controlled tube and at the M25 junction more Smarts appear seemingly on cue. On arrival we are quickly marshaled into rows but unfortunately many of our number end up in a different group.
After meeting up with friends old and new and taking a few pics [were there really only 800 in the sea of Smarts?] the build up to the start is accompanied by much horn blowing. At 10:00 the signal horn sounds for the first group to leave led by the V6 Brabus beastie.
We are in the third group and pass under the start banner at 10:50 and after one hour have done precisely 15 miles and are almost at a standstill on the M25! having traveled via Hampton Court and Esher High Street. Still at least the slow journey through the High Street allowed Jenny to identify the building in which she first worked after leaving school!
Once the accident on the M25 is passed [on the other carriage way] we move along at a much better pace but attempts to form a tube come to naught especially when most of those we are traveling with pull off at Peas Pottage services and everybody else seems to think there’s a prize for first to Brighton. It was nice to see the people on the bridges over the M23/A23, adults and kids, waving as we passed though.
The barely moving queue at the A23/A27 junction persuades us to take a detour to get into Brighton and we eventually arrive in Madeira Drive [via Woodingdene and cheap blobs] at 13:45 but did not go through the finish because we were directed to the Marina car park. A quick wine accompanied picnic, prepared by the fair Jenny, and we hurl ourselves into the melee that is a Smart gathering. See and talk to a lot of folks we’ve met before and some we haven’t. After looking at the cars in the competitions, talking to some of the owners and taking more pics we take a wander down to Pavilion 2? meeting up on the way with S2massive i.e. Steve the Smartimes editor, and Steve the Gourmet Snapper.
In the “third party area” we find Kevin Ash having his tyres gunged, chat to some of the guys and gals from Smarts-R-Us who are here just for the day out, and sink a refreshing pint.
We only seem to have been here five minutes and there are cars leaving already, so make our way back to the main parking area where we are surprised to find the competitions decided, prizes awarded and the car park almost empty. We are stunned to find that it is almost 17:00! Where does the time go?
It’s been a great day. We’ve only seen one of the people we set out with this morning [Eliot] and he was on his way home! Can’t believe another L2B is over – roll on next year when we will be in a roadster.
Thanks to Al and all at the smartclub.
Submitted By:
NavRog and Smartie Sox & Fox
Additional Images
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Smart Car Leeds 2 Bridlington Run
July 8, 2008
The Alternative L2B sponsored by Smart Of North Yorkshire 7/09/03
Sunday the 7th of September saw the annual Leeds 2 Bridlington Run. Organised this year by funkysmart.co.uk and sponsored by smart of north Yorkshire.
The weather forecast was dreadful and so I purposely put my raincoat in the back of my Smart. Needless to say the sun shone all day.
The Days agenda:
Set off from Leeds, Birstall, 10.30am, in convoy to Smart of York for refreshments and to collect another 22 smarts then on to Bridlington South shore for a free for all leisurely afternoon. [pay]
For the first time ever Kevin Sands from Smart of York and Jonathan Drummond, Smart of Harrogate donned their buckets and spades to form Smart of North Yorkshire for the day. They provided one of t-shirts specially made for the event and all the days’ refreshments at York, which went down a storm.
21 Smart cars turned up for a very early on the Sunday to start at McDonalds Restaurant Birstall, in Leeds, A free breakfast was provided for all who wanted one.
We all set off in Convoy from Leeds on time at 10.30, proudly wearing the shirts, 2 times round the roundabout on the exit from MacDonald’s which is a trade mark of the club onto the M62 towards York. In true funkysmart style, to the sound of Dixie and horns a blazing we arrived to a fantastic reception at Smart of York. Everyone was offered free drinks and a free Roadster (model) not the real thing I’m afraid but never the less very nice.
A quick mad half hour to have a look round and photo then off to Bridlington with over 40 Smarts in Convoy, Anyone who has led a convoy knows how difficult it is so you can imagine what is was like trying to keep 40 + Smarts in convoy for over 45 Miles, (nightmare springs to mind) How we all managed to get to Bridlington more or less together I just don’t know.
To see over 40 Smarts lined up on the cliff tops on the south beach area was a great site. Everyone gathered to chat and talk Smarts then of to do what ever you wanted to do.
Fish & Chips for me and the family always a favorite then on for a walk on the front and beach.
It was a great day especially when we all took over the Smart dealership in York. Lots of new faces and people who just love Smarts, What more can you ask for.
Submitted By:
Dave Kaye
[/pay]
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First Smart Car Club México Meeting
July 8, 2008
We started to plan the Smart Club Mexico since March of this year, but we organized the meeting on September 20th because we wanted to meet as many Smarts as possible. The meeting was held at the Mall Perisur at Mexico City. We were expecting only seven smarts, but they started to arrive and when I looked again, we had 15 Smarts! We had 13 2001 City Coupes, one 2002 City Cabrio, one Second Generation City and one Roadster Coupe, these two were from Mercedes Benz.
We had the presence of people from Mercedes who explain to us about the “Welcome Package”, this is for the ones that bought the Smart to Importers prior to Smart officially launching in Mexico, it consists of a revision of the car and a Warranty and the service of 365 road side assistance.
I think that all the people that went to the meeting are happy about the realization of the Smart Club Mexico. We were from a baby with less than one year old to a couple of grown-up adults. [pay]
We have planned to have some meetings and surprise to the members of the Smart Club Mexico with the help of Daimler Chrysler. I am going to be in contact with you for any news on this.
Thank You to the Smartimes for making this magazine possible. Congratulations for this great magazine by Smart users for Smart users.
Greetings from Mexico,
Submitted By:
Jonathan Chabre
Smart Club Mexico
smartclub.2ya.com (provisional site) [/pay]
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Dover–France–Belgium & Back In A Day
July 7, 2008
Dover West Travel Lodge – Wednesday 8th Oct and its 07:00 and the alarm has just gone of, a very welcome sound (I don’t think so) anyway we decided to travel down from Reading the night before for our adventure to our destination of Brugge.
After a few phone calls and the tell tell signs where are you, we all finally met up at the Hoverspeed Terminal, 7 smarts and 1 roadster another chance to meet some smart owners including the winner of the Zaniest smart on the L2B (Miss Polkadot) well we have met before. [pay]
So what did every one else think, well obviously other people travelling and the Hoverspeed staff all come out to look at us have they never seen a smart before or are they envious of our machines and the fun we have in them.
Ferry crossing (£19 per car) took approximately 1 hr on the Seacat a little up and down but nothing to serious we managed to get some coffee, tea and breakfast rolls to fill the gaps Nigel (Whippet) was our guide, plan is to head towards Brugge we stopped off at Verne had a look around the square (interesting market) and then dived into one of the many restaurants for a coffee / pastry, whilst driving through the town we passed two other smarts one woman who waved and one guy who just look at us as if we were nutters.
Set off for Brugge unfortunately we encountered some indifferent weather but it wasn’t going to dampen our spirits hits the outskirts and passed a sign for a place called Wagglewater (might even rename my Smart) eventually parked up just outside the city and headed towards the cathedral, Brugge has many small roads or lanes all made from cobblestones and as you would expect many chocolate shops and lace shops, again the main square has many restaurants we which we duly made ourselves comfortable in and proceeded to look at the menu for lunch.
Sally (Sweat Pea) went for the Eels brave girl mikeythemikey’s wife (jess) went for the Flemish stew and a few of us went for the Muscles in various sources, well I have never seen a pot of muscles so big it was like the size of a large casserole pot mine were cooked in a cream source with vegetables yummy yummy, O2Cab had the same but cooked in garlic and you have never seen a mound of garlic like it, a couple of somewhat large beers to wash it all down and very large wines for the ladies…
After a relaxing lunch it was time to see the rest of Brugge we went off in our various directions and all came back with yes you’ve guessed it chocolate, the guys in the group I think wandered off and wandered back to another bar by now it was 17:45pm so time to set off to the Aucheon Supermarket not far from Calais to stock up on the Duty Free… a bit hairy coming out of Brugge even more hairy if Nigel wasn’t leading (well done whippet) made the Supermarket unfortunately not much time to do a serious shop, time was now pushing on as we were catching the last ferry back at 20:30, 3 of us mikeythemikey, sweat pea and myself ( zippiee) set off with Whippet and O2Cab catching us as we were entering the terminal but no Terry…where was he apparently he had just left the supermarket anyway I don’t know what speed he was doing but he made it (just) another 5 minutes and I think he would have had to of flown off the dock onto the Seacat because that was the only way he was going to get back.
Ferry crossing back was ok a few dicky tummies though no names mentioned Sweat Pea, and the discussion for the next trip hopefully in the spring if not sooner, so thanks must go to O2CAB for starting the post and Nigel for guiding us, thanks to all the others that came and we look forward to the next trip.
Submitted
By: Steve Fothergill – (aka zippieee) [/pay]
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Bexhill Beach Party 2003
July 7, 2008
On the beach at Bexhill one Saturday afternoon in August. That is where Funkysmart, thesmartclub, Sussex Smarts and a few S2Crew members got together to have a beach party as a post “Billing” get together.
Organised by Tom Crawford, a Bexhill local, many that attended traveled from the north and east to attend, camping over night on a local campsite while one or two sort the comforts of a local B&B.
Berkshire, Sussex and Kent were represented and I myself traveled up for the day from Hampshire. The plan was simple, evening BBQ on the beach, convoy (tube) through nearby Eastbourne at 9 pm and back to the beach for further BBQ, games and a few drinks. [pay]
Well it all went well until Tom got in to a water fight and we were late for the convoy. Once he had dried off we were on our way, some 25 smarts in total, what a sight as we hit the streets of Eastbourne.
People stopped and waved or just stared. Having pasted trough Eastbourne on the sea front we parked up and got ready to turn around for the return to the beach back the way we came. This was my cue to fall to the back of the convoy (tube) and leave for home. We started back and a few of the tail enders got separated from the many convoy as I disappeared of down the A27 home.
With only two people in the convoy (tube) having walkie-talkies and one of them being me it had been difficult holding things together. Tom, leading us had not managed to get a walkie-talkie as planned.
The following day I checked on the state of play back at Bexhill. The lost smarts had been found and made it back to the beach OK. From all accounts the party continued in the small hours and a good time was had by all.
It had been a great day out for me, meeting friends and making new ones while putting faces to those that use the club message boards. A big thank you to Tom and I hope we can all do it again next year.
Submitted By:
Massive [/pay]
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The London to Brighton Run, Sunday 1st June 2003
July 1, 2008
The day had arrived, it was 7.30 am and the southern convoy from Southampton was on it’s way up the M3 to meet at the Kent starting point, Bluewater. We stopped at Fleet services for breakfast and to collect more smarties.
Arriving at Bluewater after one and half hours on the road, we were met by the vision of the smart Newbury Crossblade being driven by Mike (mcflurrysmart) around the entry road with Steve (mccsmart2002) in the passenger seat videoing our arrival.
Parking up with the other smarties already in the car park. We started to organise ourselves with printed direction of our route, short band radios which proved to be a must for anyone in convoy. Thanks to Paul (S2Murph) who lent me a spare radio. Then it was time for the group photo shoot. With this done it was time for the off. We took the A2 into central London where we were to meet with smaller groups of smarties waiting along the embankment.[pay]
The start of the route into London went fairly well with just a small gap forming in the middle of the convoy, this was closed using the radios to communicate to the lead car the aforementioned smart Newbury Crossblade. As we drew ever closer to central London and started to encounter more traffic lights and junctions the convoy was became more difficult to hold together. The radios saved the day again, and we had just 2 splits in the convoy which by know was crossing over tower bridge and along the embankment, and some 36 cars strong.
Slowing to regroup it was time to hit the A23 out of London. This was when the convoy became most fragmented but again the radios meant that we did not loose anyone. We regrouped again at a Texaco garage before heading on to Pease Pottage and the Black Swan pub. On this stretch one of our smarts had an incident with a BMW driver, but no one was hurt except the beamers pride as the smart came out better overall than he did.
Arriving at Pease Pottage we had further smarties waiting to join us. With the car park full of smarts and time moving on, we started off again in smaller groups for Brighton. This is when the heavens opened up and the rain came down. Mike and Stephanie in the Crossblade got the full brunt but kept on smiling all the way through Brighton to the Marina, our final gathering point.
By 3.30 pm everyone had arrived and were assembled in the Marine car park, some 50 cars in total. It had been a long day. Speeches were made and a raffle held, the prizes having been donated by smart Newbury. £250 was raised for a local charity.
In summary it was a grand day out with everyone enjoying the event. Well done Mike, Stephanie and all involved in the organisation.
Top Tip, buy a short band radio, have a good map and keep your cool.[/pay]
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The Cat & Fiddle Run 26th January 2003
June 30, 2008
The day began at the Windmill Pub junction 19 of the M6 motorway, it was a day that was to start out wet and didn’t change much all day. Thankfully the weather conditions didn’t stop at least 17 Smart cars attending the event.
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