The idea of forming a Mustang club came about on a beautiful April evening at Sonic in 2004. That evening the usual group of cars were starting to wander in and park as they always do from the spring of the year thru the fall. Cars from all makes and all years can be found at Sonic during that time of year and has become a favorite for locals to cruise thru. As John Threatte walked over from an adjoining parking lot a 1989 White Mustang 5.0 coupe caught his eye. Just by chance the owner of the car, Jeff Wright, was standing with the car and speaking to someone about it as he walked up. After a few minutes a conversation struck up about Mustangs between John and Jeff and how many Burlington had in it. It only took a few minutes more before the question came up as to why Burlington didn't have a local Mustang club. Neither John nor Jeff could come up with a good reason as to why Burlington did not have one or why they couldn't create one. That evening as they went their separate ways thoughts and ideas were being formed about getting the club going and making it work.
Over the next couple of days Jeff and John traded correspondence back and forth on the <a href="http://www.corral.net">Corral.net</a> website and spoke from time to time over the phone. After the first week three main goals for the club had been set. The first was for the club to be enjoyable to all its members. The second goal was for the club to be family oriented, and the final goal was for it to be an asset to the community it existed in. At that point, the subject of how to get the club going came into focus. The only problem was, neither one really felt like they had a great idea as to how to go about it. After several ideas had been discussed they decided on one course of action; a cruise in.
Over the next couple of weeks plans were made to hold the first event and see if they could make the club work. The owner of Wings To Go, Paul Tatum, agreed to allow the cruise in to take place in his parking lot that happens to join the parking lot of Sonic where Jeff and John met. They figured the course of action was simple, hit the internet hard and hand out flyers every chance they got. During that time before the first cruise in several regulars started joining John and Jeff at the Sonic on Saturday nights. The group would eventually be come to known as the "Sonic Six", which was based on the six Mustangs that would seem to be present every Saturday. The "Sonic Six" group, in no particular order, consists of Anne and Greg Sebastian's 1999 Triple Black Cobra convertible, Tim and Catherine Stinson's 2003 10th Anniversary Cobra, Darrell Hinshaw's 2003 Yellow Mach 1, Bill Jones' 1994 Rio Red Cobra, Jeff Wright's 1989 White 5.0 coupe, and John Threatte's 1997 Laser Red GT. The idea of a Mustang club was shared to the group by Jeff and John and asked for their opinion. Each one thought it was worth a try and asked how they could help. The "Sonic Six" group was the foundation on which the Mustangs Of Burlington (MOB) was truly founded on and made the first cruise in an overwhelming success for a first time event.
From that first cruise in, more people interested in the club were added. A mailing list was formed and newsletters were sent out to those that attended the cruise in. Stickers were made up with "Mustangs Of Burlington" on them to further spread the word. Soon the club was growing at a rate that neither Jeff nor John could believe. The 2 co-founders felt that if the club was going to survive it would have to become even more organized. It was decided that the best course of action would be to have a business meeting each month to update the members on what was going on, and discuss upcoming events and ideas for the club. The first business meeting was held at Golden Corral in Burlington in November of 2004. Since then the Mustangs Of Burlington have held a business meeting every month except for the traditional skipping of December since everyone is usually busy with the holidays.
In September of 2005 another first came about for the club as they held their first officer elections for the club. The official positions of Chairman, Co-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Events Coordinator were formed to lead the club forward. In September of 2006 the club once again held the elections and solidified the process of yearly elections.
Over the past 4 years the Mustangs Of Burlington have experienced a success level that many probably would have never imagined. During that time we have raised OVER $7000 for great organizations and causes such as the Victory Junction Gang Camp, COPS Care program, and the Burlington Police Dept. Explorer Post. We provide convertibles to high school students and athletes each year for the various parades that take place each year. The club has organized a car show to help raise money to send the local Burlington Police Dept Explorers to the national competition in Flagstaff Arizona. The Mustangs Of Burlington have been recognized several times in nationally published Mustang magazines for their involvement and help in assisting the MustangWeek organizers grow their event as the mustang event you don't want to miss.
In addition to those achievements we have been recognized by the Burlington Police Department for our involvement in the community. The Mustangs Of Burlington have also had the opportunity to be featured on the local TV news, newspaper and radio because of their participation in the community. We are proud of our reputation as being an asset to our community, a goal of ours from the beginning.
The Mustangs Of Burlington are known as one of the more active clubs in the region. We don't get together once a month, we get together EVERY WEEKEND. Every Saturday night you can find us at a local restaurant doing what we do best; eating, talking about Mustangs and picking on each other. This club has won numerous club participation awards at various shows and is well known for the amount of cars they bring to a show. The club activities do not begin and end with the Saturday night get togethers, it is not unusual for members to speak with each other during the week, work on each others cars at the "MOB Garage" or anything someone might need help with. Each year the Mustangs Of Burlington hold an annual banquet to award the car and MOB member that is voted on to be the car and member of the year.
It wasn't that long ago that the Mustangs Of Burlington was just an idea that Founders Jeff Wright and John Threatte were discussing at the local Sonic. Since then it has become one of the most active and recognized clubs in the area. The three goals that were set forth by them have not only been met, but far exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. As we reflect as a club and look back at how far we have come and look at where we are today it is truly amazing. It only takes a few minutes around us to understand than we are more than a Mustang club, we are a Mustang family. As with any family, we always welcome another member and chance to add to it. Please join us some time and see what we are all about.
Over the next couple of days Jeff and John traded correspondence back and forth on the <a href="http://www.corral.net">Corral.net</a> website and spoke from time to time over the phone. After the first week three main goals for the club had been set. The first was for the club to be enjoyable to all its members. The second goal was for the club to be family oriented, and the final goal was for it to be an asset to the community it existed in. At that point, the subject of how to get the club going came into focus. The only problem was, neither one really felt like they had a great idea as to how to go about it. After several ideas had been discussed they decided on one course of action; a cruise in.
Over the next couple of weeks plans were made to hold the first event and see if they could make the club work. The owner of Wings To Go, Paul Tatum, agreed to allow the cruise in to take place in his parking lot that happens to join the parking lot of Sonic where Jeff and John met. They figured the course of action was simple, hit the internet hard and hand out flyers every chance they got. During that time before the first cruise in several regulars started joining John and Jeff at the Sonic on Saturday nights. The group would eventually be come to known as the "Sonic Six", which was based on the six Mustangs that would seem to be present every Saturday. The "Sonic Six" group, in no particular order, consists of Anne and Greg Sebastian's 1999 Triple Black Cobra convertible, Tim and Catherine Stinson's 2003 10th Anniversary Cobra, Darrell Hinshaw's 2003 Yellow Mach 1, Bill Jones' 1994 Rio Red Cobra, Jeff Wright's 1989 White 5.0 coupe, and John Threatte's 1997 Laser Red GT. The idea of a Mustang club was shared to the group by Jeff and John and asked for their opinion. Each one thought it was worth a try and asked how they could help. The "Sonic Six" group was the foundation on which the Mustangs Of Burlington (MOB) was truly founded on and made the first cruise in an overwhelming success for a first time event.
From that first cruise in, more people interested in the club were added. A mailing list was formed and newsletters were sent out to those that attended the cruise in. Stickers were made up with "Mustangs Of Burlington" on them to further spread the word. Soon the club was growing at a rate that neither Jeff nor John could believe. The 2 co-founders felt that if the club was going to survive it would have to become even more organized. It was decided that the best course of action would be to have a business meeting each month to update the members on what was going on, and discuss upcoming events and ideas for the club. The first business meeting was held at Golden Corral in Burlington in November of 2004. Since then the Mustangs Of Burlington have held a business meeting every month except for the traditional skipping of December since everyone is usually busy with the holidays.
In September of 2005 another first came about for the club as they held their first officer elections for the club. The official positions of Chairman, Co-Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and Events Coordinator were formed to lead the club forward. In September of 2006 the club once again held the elections and solidified the process of yearly elections.
Over the past 4 years the Mustangs Of Burlington have experienced a success level that many probably would have never imagined. During that time we have raised OVER $7000 for great organizations and causes such as the Victory Junction Gang Camp, COPS Care program, and the Burlington Police Dept. Explorer Post. We provide convertibles to high school students and athletes each year for the various parades that take place each year. The club has organized a car show to help raise money to send the local Burlington Police Dept Explorers to the national competition in Flagstaff Arizona. The Mustangs Of Burlington have been recognized several times in nationally published Mustang magazines for their involvement and help in assisting the MustangWeek organizers grow their event as the mustang event you don't want to miss.
In addition to those achievements we have been recognized by the Burlington Police Department for our involvement in the community. The Mustangs Of Burlington have also had the opportunity to be featured on the local TV news, newspaper and radio because of their participation in the community. We are proud of our reputation as being an asset to our community, a goal of ours from the beginning.
The Mustangs Of Burlington are known as one of the more active clubs in the region. We don't get together once a month, we get together EVERY WEEKEND. Every Saturday night you can find us at a local restaurant doing what we do best; eating, talking about Mustangs and picking on each other. This club has won numerous club participation awards at various shows and is well known for the amount of cars they bring to a show. The club activities do not begin and end with the Saturday night get togethers, it is not unusual for members to speak with each other during the week, work on each others cars at the "MOB Garage" or anything someone might need help with. Each year the Mustangs Of Burlington hold an annual banquet to award the car and MOB member that is voted on to be the car and member of the year.
It wasn't that long ago that the Mustangs Of Burlington was just an idea that Founders Jeff Wright and John Threatte were discussing at the local Sonic. Since then it has become one of the most active and recognized clubs in the area. The three goals that were set forth by them have not only been met, but far exceeded the expectations of everyone involved. As we reflect as a club and look back at how far we have come and look at where we are today it is truly amazing. It only takes a few minutes around us to understand than we are more than a Mustang club, we are a Mustang family. As with any family, we always welcome another member and chance to add to it. Please join us some time and see what we are all about.