Safety Fast! Notes for December 2009

Here we are then, December again, where did 2009 go? If it went as fast for you as it did for me then it can’t have been too bad!

So that we don’t forget, the Kimber Trial was in late October at the usual Pagans Hill venue, South of Bristol and attracted 21 entries, many regulars plus some new faces, most encouraging. The five hills provided a challenge to experienced drivers but also allowed the less experienced to get some good scores. A splendid performance by our Chairman’s wife Victoria in that well known TC earned her Best Novice Award, Dave Coppock (TC) was best Pre 1955 MG, Dave Mothersdill (MGB) best Pre 1960 and John York (Midget) got the First in Class award. Many thanks to Bruce Weston, Officials and Marshals for a successful event. Oh, and Peter Jones (TC) won the Best MG Award!

On October 25th John Bird organized a Social Visit to Kymin, a National Trust property just outside Monmouth.
The day was purely social and produced some 20 entries ranging from a TA to an RV8 with most models in between represented. The Kymin hill provides spectacular views over the town and the surrounding countryside but, alas, the weather played its part with alternating rain showers and patches of bright sunshine, and a strong wind at the summit limited the time spent taking in the views. However, being at the head of the Wye Valley and at the edge of the forest of Dean, we were treated to an early autumnal landscape.

We were invited to the Bristol Pegasus Motor Club Autosolo meeting on September 19th at Chepstow Racecourse and before you ask, there were no fences to jump!
For those of you, like me, who have not been to an Autosolo, the event is similar to an Autotest, where each driver attempts a number of tests which are timed (eg. The California Cup Autotests at Silverstone).
However an Autosolo is supposed to be less complicated with all tests being in a forward direction, no reversing and simple enough not to require a photographic memory. No Competition Licenses, helmets or overalls are required either. Sounds good to me! Drivers are asked to do a share of marshalling too.
Six of our Centre Members “saddled up” in two Midgets, one Metro and one MGB with John Delafield winning class 1 in his Midget. From what I hear all had an enjoyable day. Thanks to Bristol Pegasus Motor Club who we hope will invite us next year.

Bristol Pegasus also invited us to their ‘Pegasus Sprint’ at Castle Combe on October 17th.
14 of our Members entered and awards were won by John Yea and David Savage who shared a Midget, Rob Orford in his very smart MGB, Terry Drinkwater in his even smarter MGA and Terry Pigott in his slick shod MGBV8.

If you’ve not already booked your place for the Ring-O-Bells Xmas meal on Dec 1st you may just be in time, ring Andrew Owst 01761 221893.

So now to 2010, the only confirmed dates as I write these notes are our Centre Dinner and Awards Presentation at the Limply Stoke Hotel near Bath on Saturday February the 20th (John Bird 01179 560175is taking bookings) and our AGM on Tuesday March 2nd.
We are also planning to repeat last year’s “Old Timer Film Show” at the February Ring-O-Bells Natter

It just remains for me, on behalf of your Committee, to wish you all a Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Bruce Morgan

Pictures are of Jim Lott getting his Metro well wound up and of Ian Webb leaning on his Midget.