A Mini party in the Everett's backyard

What better way to spend a sunny afternoon than in your backyard with a bunch of friends. The Everetts used to do that quite a bit and in the early days of SAMOA their friends would all bring their Minis. This photo must have been taken in the fall of 1967 as the Autocross Olympics trophy is proudly displayed on the roof of Del Gould's Downton Mini in the center foreground of the photo. Notice the British number plate still on the front of Del's Mini. Going clockwise from Del is Gerry Everett with one of his many Mini Mokes, Dick Penna, Ed Sauer, Sandy and Al Beebe with Al's white Cooper S and just behind the Downton Mini is Ian “Scotty” Gillies. The young lady behind Del is most likely Scotty's wife and the gentleman to Del's left remains unidentified while on the far right of the photo is Mrs. Jerry Everett wondering if her backyard will ever be the same.

More 1967 Autocross Olympics memories

SAMOA's team #1 in the 1967 Autocross Olympics consisted of Dick Penna, Gerry Everett, Jeorge Patience, Ray Honsberger and Jim Burnett. They led the fledgling Mini club to an overall team victory but a couple of faces on the #2 team might be more familiar to recent members. From left to right, Kjell Lyso and Glenda Williams, had just started their senior year in high school, Ed Sauer, had just graduated, and a MUCH older Al Beebe had to be wondering what he’d done to wind up on the same team as a bunch of punk teenagers from Ballard!

Glenda drove a beautiful white Triumph Spitfire in those days but she had been coerced into driving Al’s Cooper S in the autocross. Needless to say, she never had autocrossed or even driven a Mini before but Glenda dove right in and did an admirable job, finishing sixth in the, get this, Small Powder Puff class (oh how times have changed). Memory fails as to what Kjell drove in the event, probably Ed’s Cooper S. Regardless, he finished fifth, a mere .009 of a second behind Al. Ed finished second, 3.2 seconds behind the overall top time of the day and class-winner Dick Penna. Jim Burnett finished third so at the end of the day, SAMOA Minis held the top five places in Small Sedan! –above photo by Dennis Metherell
Washington State Senator Warren G. Magnuson presented the Autocross Olympics trophy to SAMOA at the Western Washington Sports Car Council annual awards banquet in 1967 with club president, Ray Honsberger accepting. Pretty exciting stuff for a club in its first year of existence.

SAMOA website, please excuse our dust

On the right side of this page under links you will find the SAMOA website. We are currently undergoing some spring housekeeping at the site so not all of it is operational or up to date.

One part of the site that IS working fine (most of the time anyway) is the FORUM section. It's an excellent way to find out what's going on in the club. You'll need to create a login and password but it just takes a minute and then you'll be able to find out what your old club is up to these days.

Dick Penna's Mini

Undoubtedly the most decorated SAMOA Mini of all time is the Dick Penna Austin Cooper S.

At the time of this photo (probably sometime in 1967) Dick, along with his co-driver Jeorge Patience, had already racked up an impressive number of autocross victories as shown by the trophies surrounding the car. Dick saved the best for last in 1967 at the Autocross Olympics finishing first in the small sedan class, setting top time of day and leading the SAMOA team to first place overall.

The Penna Mini lives on. It was purchased a few years ago and restored by SAMOA member Steve Gay. It looks a little different now but still is one of the most important parts of the club’s history. Look for the Dick Penna Mini at the 40th Anniversary Reunion!

Former members - where are they now?

We want every former SAMOA member to know that they're invited to the reunion but in spite of our efforts we haven't been able to locate these folks. If you know the whereabouts of any of the following people please email us. It's qwickmini@gmail.com

Thanks!

(F) - indicates they've since been located

Aiken Jack and Velva
Albrecht Bill
Anbel John
Anderson Curt
Andriessen John (F)
Arcese Pete
Areskog Richard
Arnold Larry (F)
Augustin Kareen
Baker Mike
Balthazor Arnie
Barna Lynne
Barnes John
Barrett John (F)
Barrett Paul H
Bastian Doug & Beth
Beard Robert (F)
Beatty Ron & Ella
Beebe Barbara (F)
Behen Todd
Bell Carolyn
Bernier Greg (F)
Blabolil Marcel
Blackman Fran (F)
Blatter Eric & Marina (F)
Blomgren Shirley
Bognar Illes (F)
Bolgrien Cheryl
Boone Ron
Bothomley Brian
Bouldry Forrest (F)
Boyer Bill
Bradey Wayne
Brandt Carl
Brewer Holly & Martin
Brownlee Daryl
Bryan Patrica
Buchan Patton (F)
Burnett Jim
Burns Tim & Sheri
Butler Fred
Buttolph Milan
Callaghan John
Campain Jennifer
Campbell Mike & Bobbie (F)
Carlson Brian
Carlson Jim & Susie
Carter Howard
Casselton Bob & Chris
Chafin Steve & Dawn
Clark Larry (F)
Clark Matt
Clark Ralph (F)
Clarke Steve, Gresham, OR
Clayhold Kyle (F)
Coffey Dan
Cole Chuck
Cook Pat
Corbett Karen
Cornelius Lawrence
Cornick Ernie
Cowdry Joe (F)
Crabtree John
Crain Joe
Cravens Charles
Cross Steve
Culp Bill & Marlene
Culver Chip
Culwell Bill
Cummings Mark R
Dasenbrock Diedrich (F)
Davidson Scott
Davis Scott & Tiffany
Dawson Brian
Day Jim & Pat
De Bauw Bob & Sue
Dinkfield Dan
Dittenberger Mark
Dominy Bryan
Doring Craig
Duncan Chester & Carol
Dyrud Jarl
Ebersole Gary
Edwards Jeremy
Ellis Harry
Erickson Randy
Fargo Frank
Ferrell Andy & Karlene
Fisher Don
Flore Kathy
Frederick Robert
French Art
Garnier (Clausen) Dev (F)
Geer Ron
Gentry Jock
Giger Dave & Debbie
Graham Bruce & Bonnie
Graham John
Gray Dave
Green David
Green Neville
Griffin Michael
Griffith William
Griswold Jeff
Griswold Linda
Groves Gary
Hall Greg
Hall John
Hall Robert
Halstead Derrick
Hamilton Mike
Hansen Brian
Harger Tom
Harris Andy
Harty James
Hawes Robert (F)
Hedrick Jeff (F)
Hedrick Jim
Heleker George
Helton Whitey
Hey Tony
Hillman Keil
Hobday Ian
Hoffard-Blaauw David
Holland Bob
Holte Mike
Honsberger James (F)
Hoover Patricia
Hope Bob
Howell Dennis
Howze Mike & Billie (F)
Humphrey Josh
Hunt Gary
Jacobs Al
James Greg
James Keith
James Patrick
Jameson James
Jans Richard
Jensen Al
Johnson Chris
Jones Howard & Linda
Jones Mike
Jones Pete
Jorgensen Joe
Judkins Mike
Juhola Doug
Kaiser Joe
Kaiser Rusty
Kalberer Ray
Kampe Jim
Kavanaugh Steven
Kavanaugh Webster
Kennedy Bob
Kerbaugh Arlen
Kilmer Bob & Phylis
Kilmer Chris
Kinder Bruce
Klages Barry
Komko Ric
Korn Dennis
Krzysik Scott
LaBelle Ken & Kathy
LaFay Ty
Lafollet Kathleen
Lamb Ross
Largent Larry
Larson David
Larson Jeff
Larson Mike
Ledgerwood Kelly
Lessley Tim
Levine Jerome
Lovric Ivo
Lucas Robert
Luman Dave & Linda
Luna Omar
Machaud Tamela
Mackesy James
Marcos Mike
Marsh Brian
Martin Ken
Mast Margaret
Matz Tom
May Jim & Carol
McCarthy Mike & Jennifer
McCurdy Clay
McGladrey Jeorge (F)
McGrath Bob
McKay Tom
Meier Terry
Meislahn Risa
Merkel Dave
Merrill Steve
Metherell Dennis
Mevis Dick & Janice
Meyer Jay
Michel John
Millison C
Mills Christopher
Miseke Richard
Monet Roger
Morris Jeffery
Mosher David
Moulton Larry
Moulton Moe
Muillen Linda
Nans Jim
Neale William
Neher Tom
Nel Gregory
Nestler Gary
Newton Cam
Nicholson Bob (F)
Nordwall Arnold
Nugent Michael
O'Keefe John
Olson, Jr. Harold
O'Neil John
Orris Paul & Gen
Palmer Bob, Greenwood Electric
Parr Bill & Dorothy
Patricio Tim
Pazeotopolous Andy
Peck Kevin & Cheryl
Perrins Kevin
Peterson Tony
Pettigrew Winter (F)
Pinkerton Sean
Pond Marc (F)
Powter Michael
Presley, Jr. Jim
Price Rick
Ragsdale David
Ramsey Bryan
Reid Les
Reifel Chuck
Riggins Tim
Riggs Brian
Robbins Curtis
Robertson Paul
Robinson John
Rodriquez Rick
Roffey James
Ronning Nancy
Ross Steven
Rost Steve
Rouke Ben
Rowland Dan
Russell Chris
Russell Kevin
Russell Stan
Ryan Jim
Sander Dean
Sawyer David
Schofield, III Henry W (F)
Schwab Dan
Schwartz David & Carla
Seguine Dennis
Seibel Wayne
Sherwood Barth
Silvers Peter
Simmons Linda
Slayman Bill & Joan
Smith Norm
Staatz Rollins, Shelly (F)
Stamper Bill
Stark David
Stepp Tom
Strom John
Stueben Allen
Sullivan Sully & Joan
Sweeney Margaret
Sweet Richard
Toledo Ed
Torkelson Pete
Trefts Mark
Umbarger Frank
Valentine Bill
Valentine George
Van Aubel John & Katie
Van Dyk Grant & Jocelyn
Vannoy Randy
Vaughan Alan
Vergillo Dean
Viselli Wes
Volkstorf Erich
Von Stubbe Mark
Wade Dennis
Wallace Jack
Walston Jonathan
Wark Donald
Washburn Robert
Weber Dave
Weber Greg
Weber Paul
Weber Steve
Wescott Dean
Wicklund, Jr. Jay (F)
Wilfong Todd
Williams Glenda
Williams James
Wills Keirr
Wilson Sheila
Wohl Larry
Wolcoski Derek
Wood Jeff
Woods John
Worst Charles
Wright Don
Wuast Gerhardt
Yarger Frank
Yerkovich Dan
York Dennis
Yost Steven (F)

Wow, that's a lot of people to locate! The good news is there's an even larger number of former members that we've already located!

Birth of an organization

At right, SAMOA pioneers and 1967 Autocross Olympics Champions, (l to r) Dick Penna, Gerry Everett, Jeorge Patience and Ray Honsberger. - photo by Jim Burnett


On March 20, 1967 the first meeting of the “Mini Club” was called to order by Mr. Gerry Everett. The purpose of the meeting was to combine the individual subjected ideas into one formative joint move to result in an organization constituted of people who owned Minis or wished they did.

The first “Mini meeting” it was appropriately called. There were nine pioneers present on this date: Gerry Everett, Ray Honsberger, Dick Penna, Jeorge Patience, Dan Dinkfield, Steve Ginsberg, Steve Cross, Del Gould and Dev Garnier.

The first act of business the small determined mini group acted upon was to appoint a temporary governing cabinet to guide the club until a larger group could vote on permanent officers. The acting officers were Ray Honsberger - President, Dick Penna - Vice-President and Jeorge Patience - Secretary-Treasurer.

Thus was the formation for the working skeleton of an organization which in years to come would prove itself an elite union of funny little cars and the unique people who are drawn together by the “Mini.”

A club which would be auto-cross oriented but so versatile as to partake in rallies, tours and car shows. So with such a vast combination of people and a common interest in an amazing little car, S.A.M.O.A. stepped out into the world of sports-car-unique. Such was the birth of The Seattle Area Mini Owners Association……

I stand respectfully yours,
Jeorge Patience
Secretary, 1967

Map and directions to SAMOA 40th Reunion

Click on map for larger, printable image

Rekindle your Mini memories

Can you believe it? SAMOA is 40 years old! If you’ve ever been a member of The Seattle Area Mini Owners Association you need to be at this celebration.

• Enjoy an old fashioned picnic with all the trimmings.
• Mini friends you haven’t seen in years!
• Lots of fabulous Minis on display including some from the earliest days of the club.
• Rally/tour in and around the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley.


If SAMOA doesn't have your current contact information,
if you know any former members that need to know about this
or if you have any questions,

here's the event information email address-
qwickmini@gmail.com

Check this blog from time to time. There's a lot more to come….