Dear Manufacturer Representative:
We cordially invite you to attend the 2022 Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally, which will take place from May 24 through May 26, with our traditional Wisconsin-style welcome dinner to be held on the evening of May 24 at the Lake Street Cafe. We will once again offer media performance driving, scenic on-road routes, a technical off-road course, and a sophisticated autocross to highlight a vehicle’s handling. And as per previous years, a helmet will be required for all on-track activity for drivers and passengers.
We have made a few changes to the program for 2022. Due to the popularity of trucks, SUVs and crossovers with off-road capability, we are expanding our off-road driving to a full day on Day 1 (Wednesday). To increase track safety we will be placing an additional chicane to slow cars down before entering high speed sections of the track.
VEHICLE ENTRY
As you make your vehicle selections for the 2022 Spring Rally, we ask you to keep in mind that the track cars are the hottest commodity at Road America, but journalists are also interested in the newest of the new vehicles. So, instead of bringing one of everything in your lineup, if you have something completely new or notably updated, consider bringing multiples of those vehicles in different trims.
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Entry fee is $2,000 for up to five vehicles. Additional vehicles may be added at a cost of $400 each, with a cost cap of $5,000. This covers the cost of the track, off-road course, autocross, meals, etc.
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If you would like a credit-card invoice payable through PayPal (no account needed), email Treasurer Kelley Enright at treasurer@mamaonline.org. Otherwise, Kelley will be sending out invoices. Please advise if you have any special invoicing requirements.
VEHICLE WAIVERS
If you need attendees to sign a vehicle waiver, email it to Paul Strauss at paul@theawesomer.com by April 29. We will distribute digital waivers to all attendees via email prior to the event.
HIGH-HORSEPOWER VEHICLES
Due to the special nature of high-horsepower vehicles, we offer specific arrangements for them. If you are bringing a vehicle that makes 500 or more horsepower, you have the following options:
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You can provide your own driver
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We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who drives your car
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We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who rides along in the passenger seat with the journalist
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You can decide not to have a driver or instructor ride along
You can take advantage of our instructors for $300 each, which is our cost to make them available. The fee covers their time, room and board for the day. Please let us know ASAP if you need any instructors and how many.
Please note: If you decide to bring your own instructor, you will be responsible for their accommodations, but they are welcome to join all our meals at no extra cost.
FAMILY VEHICLE OF THE YEAR
As an added incentive to attend, the Midwest Automotive Media Association will once again be voting for the Family Vehicle of the Year and Luxury Family Vehicle of the Year.
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We will announce the Spring Rally runners up for both categories at the Day 2 lunch, and the final winners will be announced at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show.
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To be considered, a vehicle must have four doors, be new or significantly updated within the last 12 months and be available for evaluation at the MAMA Spring Rally or the Fall Rally in October. With the implementation of the Luxury category, there is no longer a price cap for any FVOTY candidates.
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If you have any questions about FVOTY eligibility, please contact Tim Healey at timothyehealey@gmail.com.
ARRIVAL AND ACCOMMODATIONS
We will once again be staying at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisc. Manufacturers are asked to make their own hotel reservations. For reservations call: 920-876-3366 and ask for the MAMA special rate.
Please note: The MAMA room block at the Osthoff closes May 9, 2022. Please book early to ensure room availability.
If you are joining us for the first time, please note that the Osthoff Resort is a suite property, which means you can have a roommate. Each guest in a suite will have his/her own bedroom and bathroom.
We invite you to arrive on Tuesday, May 24, and join us for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Let us know if you will be joining us on the associated Registration Form.
For your reference, make sure you add a half hour to an hour to your drive times if you will be passing through Chicago during rush hour. In general, drive times from area airports to Elkhart Lake are as follows:
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
We will provide a more detailed schedule of events prior to your arrival in Elkhart Lake, but for travel purposes, the general schedule will be as follows:
Tuesday, May 24
Wednesday, May 25
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7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Registration opens at Road America
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7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Breakfast
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9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Track, Street, and Off-Road Drives
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12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lunch (exact time may vary)
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4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 4 Miles of Fitness
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6 p.m. Cocktail Reception at the Osthoff
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7 p.m. Dinner at the Osthoff
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9 p.m. Siebkens Afterglow
Thursday, May 26
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7 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast at the Ostoff
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9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Autocross and FVOTY drives
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12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Lunch and FVOTY voting
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1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Raffle and Social Media Award winners
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
While we will not be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test at the 2022 MAMA Spring Rally, we will be following all CDC guidelines regarding large gatherings. We encourage all members to get vaccinated and take a rapid antigen test the day before leaving for the rally. Free tests are available at covidtest.gov. If you test positive, please stay home. We will update you on masking and any other potential requirements the week before the rally.
JAMES L. MATEJA SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS
MAMA established the James L. Mateja Scholarship in 2018 to honor the legacy of the legendary automotive journalist and our first President. Jim was not only a fearless voice in the industry but also a mentor to so many. This scholarship helps aspiring journalists cover the cost of their education at The Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
If you’d like to donate to the scholarship fund via Northwestern’s secure online portal, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/4kv7am5v , select “Other" and then enter "James L. Mateja Scholarship” in the comment box. Thank you!
IMPORTANT CONTACTS:
Vehicle Entry Questions:
Andy Mikonis: 773-523-3330 or r41hp@yahoo.com
Vehicle Waiver Questions:
Paul Strauss: 312-420-6880 or paul@theawesomer.com
General Rally Questions:
Harvey Briggs: 608.361.8092 or president@mamaonline.org
Robert Duffer: 312.296.4210 or dufferrobert@gmail.com
