I've overshot the deadline somewhat with these Notes so it is the second week of June as I write. Summer is promised for Thursday, although it is not clear whether it will be over by the weekend. MGCC events are always more fun in the sunshine so keep your fingers crossed! The bad news is that I've not had any event reports again this month. The good news, for me at least, is that I should have plenty of material to fill the barren winter months…
The Dorset Social Run is on Sunday 10th July. The run starts from Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth and finishes at Portland Bill Lighthouse for cream teas. Entry forms and further details are available from Alan Grassam on 01935 863673, by e-mail at agsquarecrackers@ukf.net or from the SW website.
The Pucklechurch Gymkhana is on Sunday 17th July. Jon Pittard usually arranges hot and sunny weather, a flat field and a variety of entertaining driving tests. If you don't fancy entering, why not go along to watch or even marshal? Give Jon a call on 01275 879632 for an entry form.
The California Cup Autotests at Silverstone on Saturday 22nd July are the MGCC's "premier" autotests, attracting entries from around the country. Organised by Clive Holloway, the event is on the Saturday morning of MGCC Silverstone. To enter, either use the form in the Silverstone supplement or call Clive on 0117 985 7309. I'll be trying to defend the SW title I won last year, and I'm still up for entering an MGB team if anyone else is interested.
The Chew Valley Gymkhana is on the 7th August organised, as usual, by Dave Coppock. I've said it before and I'll say it again: this event is your ideal introduction to grass roots motorsport. Fun is most definitely the order of the day - the event starts at a reasonable hour, stops for lunch (picnic or pub, depending on your preference) and finished to get you home in time for tea. You can take the fun as seriously as you want. Call Dave on 01934 834429 for more details and an entry form.
There's no news yet regarding the Mendip PCT on Sunday 14th August - Bruce Weston is searching for a new venue as the usual field has been put into 'stewardship'. Give Bruce a ring on 01963 440941 to see how he is getting on. I did the event last year in the GT - you probably couldn't find a less suited car, but I had a smile on my face for weeks afterwards.
The second annual run to the Shelsley Walsh Festival is on the 21st August. If I remember correctly, organiser Phil Archer needs to know numbesr in advance so that he can guarantee the tickets which are sure to be popular. Phil's number is 01454 633209.
September's events include the Wiscombe Hill Climb, the Bristol Sunday Lunch Run and the Patchway Autotests. I'll give you more details next month. Alternatively, why not surf the website? In addition to our full calendar of events, the results of the SW Centre Driver's Championship are now on-line. You can even register to get a regular update from Russell Morgan, our results guru. Suspiciously, Bruce Morgan is the current leader! I would say that almost any MG is capable of winning the championship - last year's top ten includes an 18/80 (really), T-types, Midgets, MGFs and two MGB GTs in the top three (have I mentioned that before?).
I'll close this month with a picture from the start of the 2003 Sunday Lunch Run - why not enter the 2005 event?
Neil Lock
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk
01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw