To late to get into last months issue the
Bristol Classic Car Show on Feb 16/17th kicked off the show season and the SW
Centre once again hosted the club stand with a varied selection of classic MGs.
The show has come a long way since the first in 1980 held on the Bristol
dockside and the SW Centre has been present at every one. The first show was
short of cars and 10-12 MGs were on display unlike today where space is at a
premium and the stand can just get 4 of the smaller cars into the allotted
space.
Success has also been sprinkled on the cars over the years but 2008 has been one
of the best with Best Car in Show going to Terry Drinkwater's MGA Twin Cam
Coupe, which has been re imported from Australia.
Not to be outdone the Best Pre War Car went to the 1934 supercharged NA Faux
Cabriolet presented by Keith Portsmore.
Runner up in the Best Post War Sports- Convertible class went to John Bird's
very pretty Mk 3 Midget.
Andrew Morland's well campaigned Monte Carlo YB attracted a lot of interest and
added to the quality on display.
The annual dinner held at The Limpley Stoke Hotel near Bath on March 1st was attended by over 80 member guests and friends of the Club and our principle guests were Richard and Susan Jones. We were joined as in the past by members of the Southern Series of the Luffield Speed Championship.
April already and wondering how you can get into the spirit of spring – well in the south west we still try to uphold the competitive image and you will have time to enter the 21st revival of the Kimber Classic Trial on April 19th, first held in the south west in 1937. This trial is designed to give a feel for the harsher trials of earlier years but without the damaging aspects which all of us fear. Water and mud cannot be excluded from the event but 80 miles plus of Dorset and Somerset countryside and some interesting byways which haven't yet been removed from our use by the Ramblers will allow you to experience a great day out. So ring Andrew Owst on 01761 221893 or visit the SW web site to get the paperwork. Only a club membership card is required and a few safety items. You can also make a week end of it by entering the informal Gymkhana on Sun April 20th by travelling to the home of Barry Foster at Butleigh and finish with lunch in the local pub before heading home before sun down.
Just to remind you all that the revival was organised back in 1987 by Alan Grassam as a one off to celebrate 50yrs of MGCC SW trialling which with the exception of WW2 has been continuous in various forms. Well, after 20yrs of the 'Revival' Alan has retired from organising the event which always attracts some very interesting cars, many of them pre war. The centre team is continuing this fine tradition although the C of C can't boast a 'Cracker' as the course car, just an Astra.
Having washed the mud off, changed the wheels and possibly the diff, you will be ready to enter the Wessex Sprint on May 5th . Held at Colerne near Bath the venue is an operational airfield with wide open spaces where you will have every opportunity to scare yourself witless in perfect safety. Contact Bruce Morgan on 01275 790855 or the web site for details.
Those who just like to drive for pleasure can
enter the Wye Valley Social Run on May 18th Marvellous organisation with a route
which takes you through the lanes and byways of rural Herefordshire where for
the most part you will be in a 1950s time warp! The lunch and tea stops are
always a highlight of the day and you can be part of it by contacting Terry
Davies on
01989 562366.
Don't forget the Bath Gymkhana on June 1st . This a great chance to get some championship points and have some afternoon fun. Contact Peter Jones on 01225 837545
Silverstone has something for everyone. The California Cup Autotests on June 14th are run by the SW centre so why not enter and gain some championship points or volunteer to marshal. Contact Neil Lock at californiacup@lockfamily.org .
A date for the diary is July 6th for the MG Aero Auto Day, held this year at the WW2 airfield at Henstridge, Nr Templecombe on the A30. The T Register T party will be visiting so please come along and enjoy a mix of Air and Auto fun. Contact Tony Blake on 01179 790108
This months photo is of Terry Drinkwater's award winning MGA Twin Cam Coupe, Best Car In Show at the Bristol Classic Car Show.
Bruce Weston.