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2023 MAMA Rally Boutique OEM Invite

  • 23 May 2023
  • 6:30 PM
  • 25 May 2023
  • 2:00 PM
  • Road America (Elkhart Lake, WI)

Registration


Registration is closed


Dear Manufacturer Representative:

Your MAMA misses you!

MAMA invites you to attend the 2023 Midwest Automotive Media Association Spring Rally in Elkhart Lake, Wisc., from May 23 through May 25. Celebrating our 31st anniversary as the premiere automotive association, we will once again offer our media members lodging at the Osthoff Resort, performance driving at Road America, a full day of off-roading, scenic on-road routes, a sophisticated autocross to highlight vehicle handling, and presentations by automakers and suppliers. 

A few changes introduced in 2022 will carry over to 2023:

·        Our full-day off-road course will be offered once again on one of two technical courses, including a challenging course for rugged off-roaders as well as a moderate course for SUVs and crossovers with off-road capability. 

·        Track safety will be reinforced with an additional chicane to slow cars down before entering Canada corner.

·        A floating driving instructor will be on hand for track cars at MAMA’s expense, and instructors from CGI Motorsports will be available for hire. 

·        Road America was repaved this year for better grip and clearer markings.

·        MAMA’s Favorites returns with seven vehicle award categories for the Spring Rally; the winners in each category will be voted upon at the end of the year for MAMA’s Favorite Vehicle of the Year to be announced at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show.


VEHICLE ENTRY

As a "boutique" manufacturer, we understand that you may want to bring a limited number of vehicles to the event, so we have a different pricing structure specifically designed to accommodate you.

Entry fee is $750 for one vehicle, and additional vehicles may be added for $250 each. This covers the cost of the track, off-road course, autocross, meals, etc.

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

We will distribute digital waivers to all attendees via email prior to the event, due by May 1. Please have waivers filed with G. Schmitz or Drive Shop, or contact Robby DeGraff (info below). 

 

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:

·        You can provide your own driver.

·        We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who drives your car.

·        We can provide a professional race-driving instructor who rides along in the passenger seat with the journalist.

·        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. MAMA will also provide a floating instructor available to members in any car. 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.

 

MAMA’s FAVORITES and FAMILY VEHICLE OF THE YEAR

As an added incentive to attend, the Midwest Automotive Media Association will once again be voting for MAMA’s FAVORITE VEHICLES in seven categories, including Family Vehicle, Luxury Vehicle, Performance Vehicle, Plug-In Vehicle, Off-Road Vehicle, Affordable Vehicle, and Pickup Truck. The change in voting and categories reflects the immediate impressions members have during our signature events throughout the year. 

·        We will announce MAMA’s Favorites winners within a week after the Spring Rally. MAMA’s Favorites categories will be used again at other MAMA drive programs throughout the year, and at the end of the year, MAMA members will vote for one overall MAMA’s Favorite from the seven category winners to be announced at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show.

·        To be considered for a MAMA’s Favorite, a vehicle must have participated in at least one MAMA drive event in the calendar year (Spring Rally, Chicago Drives Electric 9/28/23, Fall Rally TBA); be new, redesigned, or significantly refreshed; vehicles can qualify in multiple categories based on automaker input. 

·        If you have any questions about MAMA’s Favorites, please contact Harvey Briggs at harvey@ridesanddrives.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 1, 2023. Please book early to ensure room availability.

If you are joining us for the first time, please note that accommodations at the Osthoff Resort can be booked as a suite with two bedrooms and two bathrooms for two guests, or single rooms can be booked.  

We invite you to arrive on Tuesday, May 23, and join us for a classic Wisconsin Fish Fry (and brats) 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:

·        Chicago O’Hare: 2.5 hours

·        Chicago Midway: 3 hours

·        Milwaukee General Mitchell: 1.5 hours


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 23

·        6:30 p.m. Dinner at Lake Street Café (Sponsor: CATA)


Wednesday, May 24

·        7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Registration opens at Road America

·        7 a.m. – 9 a.m. Breakfast (Sponsor: OPEN)

·        9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Track, Street, and Off-Road Drives

·        12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch (Sponsor: Dodge)

·        3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Video content/stand up capture

·        3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Karting (Sponsor: OPEN)

·        4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. 4-Miles of Fitness (Sponsor: Kia)

·        6 p.m. Cocktail Reception at the Osthoff (Sponsor: Mazda)

·        7 p.m. Dinner at the Osthoff (Sponsor: Honda)

·        9 p.m. Siebkens Afterglow (Sponsor: Toyota)


Thursday, May 25

·        7 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. Checkout of Osthoff

·        7:45 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast at Road America (Sponsor: OPEN)

·        9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Autocross and MAMA’s Favorites drives

·        12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Lunch and MAMA’s Favorites voting (Sponsor: Our Next Energy (ONE)) 

·        1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Raffle and Social Media Award winners


NOTE: There are still sponsorship opportunities open, including two openings for presentations and several other secondary sponsorships. Contact Robert Duffer robert.duffer@internetbrands.com for more info. 


IMPORTANT CONTACTS:

General Rally, Sponsorship, and Vehicle Entry Questions:

Robert Duffer: 312.296.4210 or robert.duffer@internetbrands.com or president@mamaonline.org

Robby DeGraff: 414.916.4229 or robby.degraff@autopacific.com or VP@mamaonline.org

Vehicle Waiver Questions:

Send to G. Schmitz or Drive Shop, or contact Robby DeGraff: 414.916.4229 or robby.degraff@autopacific.com or VP@mamaonline.org

Rooming Questions:

Kelley Enright: 708.205.7276 or kelley.enright@stellantis.com or treasurer@mamaonline.org


Hope to see you there! As former Ford CEO Alex Trotman said back in the beginning, “You never say no to MAMA.”

MAMA Spring Rally Team 


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