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.