Firstly, I'd like to apologise for the brevity of the Notes last month due to some savage editing! I'm sorry, too, for the slightly confusing final paragraph which was 'adjusted' after the Notes left my computer…
I'll start with the adverts for a change. The Patchway Autotests are scheduled for the 24th September but I've been unable to contact John Delafield to check on the situation with the site. Look out for more information on the website or call John on 01453 544497. There's still no news on the MGCC SW Centre 70th Anniversary Event either; in fact there doesn't seem to be much enthusiasm - I'm very keen to do something special, drop me an e-mail if you fancy joining me for a run from the Bristol area to the Weston Hotel in Bath (the venue for the first ever MGCC SW Committee Meeting). The Kimber Production Car Trial is on 22nd October (not August as stated last month!). Contact Bruce Weston for an entry form, his number is 01963 440941.
Now for some event reports. On-time entries for the California Cup were a bit sparse but this seemed to reflect MG Silverstone 2006 as a whole. Nevertheless, the 30 drivers who took part in assorted MG machinery seemed to enjoy themselves and that's what makes it worthwhile. The SW Centre was unfortunately unable to retain the California Cup, won by the Lincolnshire Centre thanks to some seemingly 'tactical entering' from the other Centres. Well done to them I say, it was great to see some real, unbridled enthusiasm for the event.
The Bath Gymkhana was a keenly contested event, won by Bruce Morgan in his TF (the old kind). Peter Jones finished second in his TC with Richard Lucking close behind in the MGF. The event was well supported with entries ranging from a J2, through T Types, MGA, MGB, Metro and an MGF.
The Pucklechurch Gymkhana was similarly well supported, the honours going to Bob Griffiths in his Midget, with the Midget of Phil Archer runner-up. Third was Dave Mothersdill in his TA special.
To complete the series, the Chew Valley Gymkhana was won again by Bruce Morgan in his MG BGT V8 with Dave Mothersdill a close second. It's not every day that an ex-MGBCV8 championship winning car wins a gymkhana in virtually the same specification that it raced!
It's not every day that a souped-up MGB GT, a cooking MG Metro and an MGF post the only full sets of clean runs at a Production Car Trial either, but that's exactly what happened at the Mendip PCT. The recent dry weather was clearly a factor, but experience did shine through as the overall winner - in the MGF - was Gerald Burridge. There were mutterings about things being different in October…
The entrants to all of these events picked up varying amounts of points in the MGCC SW Driver's Championship. The scores have yet to be updated to include the Chew Valley Gymkhana and Mendip PCT as I write, but Bruce Morgan is currently out in front. Believe it or not, five of the top ten places are filled with drivers of modern FWDs! Visit the website for up to date scores, or better still register for e-mail updates. Talking of the website, John Thomas does a wonderful job of keeping the site up to date - why not humour him by entering the 'surfer of the year' competition while you are there?
I was going to close the Notes with a hedge-related picture (you'll understand if you were there), but to spare blushes here's a picture of Russell Morgan kicking up the dust in his Midget.
Neil
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk
01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw