Such are the mysteries of the Safety Fast! copy dates, I am actually writing these Notes at least two weeks late to the deadline - yet on the morning before I set off for Silverstone…
As last year, Dee Wragg has sent me a report and photos from the Wye Valley Social Run - thanks Dee! It seems as though the weather was not kind, meaning that the first section was something of a test for cars and drivers (and navigators too, no doubt). Despite the rain, only one car suffered a problem which was fixed with the help of a friendly local. After lunch at Abbey Mill Wye Valley Centre, the route took the crews to Caldicot Castle for tea, passing the Roman ruins in Caerwent. Dee sends thanks to the Davies for all the work they put into organising this event.
I have not got a report from the Bath Gymkhana; in fact, I don't even know if it went ahead - last I heard, Peter Jones was still looking for the stopwatches! If you were there, then drop me an e-mail report please.
So, into the future. Depending on copy dates and the efficacy of your postman, you may have just about enough time left to enter the Pucklechurch Gymkhana on Sunday 16th July. Although almost all of our events are able to accept entries 'on the day', it is of great help to the organiser if you can at least signal your intention to go along. In this case, the organiser is Jon Pittard on 01275 879632 to find out more.
The Dorset Day Out, on Sunday 23rd July, in not shown in the Centre Calendar. It is a social run of about 70 miles starting from Sherborne and finishing with a tour of the hangars at Compton Abbas Airfield near Shaftesbury. There will be a suggested picnic stop on route overlooking the Channel, along with pubs marked for those preferring a more formal sit down lunch. Please call Derek Richards on 01935862180 to book, as he needs numbers in advance.
Dave Coppock's Chew Valley Gymkhana is on Sunday 6th August. I make no apologies for repeating what I always say about this event: enter it! The Chew Valley Gymkhana was the first event I entered and it set me up for many years of MG-based fun since. The Gymkhana takes place in a hilly, but smooth, field between Chew Magna and Winford to the south of Bristol. A series of tests are laid out and the competitors take turns to see who can complete the tests in the shortest time with the fewest penalties. The social side is not neglected either, the event stopping at lunchtime for some to visit the nearby pub and others to attack their picnics. Unless you go completely daft, the only real threat to your car is from what the cows have left behind (if you see what I mean), but I can report that it washes off, even after 18 months… Call Dave on 01934 834429 for more details.
Next up is the Mendip Production Car Trial (PCT) on Sunday 13th August. If driving your car up a slippery slope is your idea of fun, then this is an event for you. I have to say that I found this kind of event pretty daft until I tried it. It's hard to say why it is so much fun, it just is. You'll not be winning unless you have the right car and my GT is pretty much as 'wrong' a car as you are going to find for a PCT, yet I loved it! Why not give it a whirl? The August event is going to give you the best hope for good weather and - who knows? - you might get hooked. Bruce Weston is trial-master, his number is 01963 440941.
I haven't yet got any details of the Run to Shelsley Walsh on Sunday 20th August, but I'm sure that Phil Archer will be pleased to tell you more. His number is 01454 633209. I did surf the web, and found out that the days hillclimbing is a round of the British Leaders and Midland Hill Climb Championships and includes "special feature classes". The usual plan for the event is to meet somewhere early in the morning and travel to Shelsley in convoy (or convoys). If you've got web access, look out on the MGCC SW Centre site for more details and an entry form.
There's just enough space left to remind you that the date for the Wiscombe Hillclimb is Saturday 9th September.
Have fun at Silverstone…!
Neil
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk
01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw