NEWSBEAT

GOOD SHOW OF CLASSICS

A good turnout of 27,441 enthusiasts flocked to the NEC 23/24 November for the National Classic Car Show. Completely filling Halls 4 and 5, the Show found a host of owners' clubs putting on imaginative displays to show off their marques, the usual variety of traders and autojumble stands, Heritage Village and some new ventures entertained the crowds. One such innovation was the Pride of Ownership where individuals exhibited their own cars rather than clubs; another was Indiana-based auction giants Kruse International who allowed all free access into the auction, abandoning the normal entry by catalogue only at a cost of £15 plus; Classic Cars magazine had rounded up the fastest cars from the last five Jaguar XK120 from the late Forties, Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (mid-Fifties), Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona launched in 1969 and a Lamborghini Countach LP400S from the early 70s. 100mph is childs-play for these cars, the Alfa, Jag and Merc well topping the 122mph mark, the Daytona galloping along at 176 mph and the Countach capable of 196mph.

The Autoglym final found Club members excelling themselves: Derek Mayor taking the crown (albeit with an Austin Healey!) with MGOC stalwart Bill Donaldson taking second prize overall with his MGB GT V8. Bill has only rejoined the concours scene this year after an 8 year break and naturally was thrilled with his result. The 2-day restoration project featured the rebuild of an MGB GT V8 with the relaunched Heritage GT shell by a team from British Heritage in conjunction with Motorcare bodyshops. The finished car was raffled (in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Fund) on 16th December.

The MGOC was of course present at the Show, the stand busy both days meeting old friends and welcoming new members.

Champagne for MGFs
MG Enthusiast Magazine are promoting a special 3 day tour to Reims in France exclusively for MGF owners on 17th, 18th, 19th May 97. A hotel has been reserved in Laon (140 miles south of Calais) for the weekend where a champagne reception will be waiting to welcome arrivals on Saturday evening after their leisurely drive down, having stopped for lunch in the Medieval town of Arras. Sunday is a tour of the champagne region, including a visit to the historic Reimd Grand prix Circuit, before journeying home Monday through the Chateau region. The price is £89 per person (based on 2 people per car sharing room). Details and bookings: Classic Car Tours on 01304 380244.

Free pair of Bristols
Now in its 18th year, the Bristol Classic Car Show takes place at the Royal Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet on 1st and 2nd February. Boasting over 250 classic, veteran and vintage cars on show, lots of club displays, over 50 trade stands, auction (Sunday only) and a large autojumble, the whole show has the added benefit of being undercover. Open 10am to 6pm each day. To order advance tickets call 0117 970 1370. The organisers have kindly given the MGOC 20 pairs of tickets to give to away to first out the hat correct answers of the following competition. Please send in your answers to the Club by 20th January 1997.
a) On which page is the Bristol Classic Car Show advertised?
b) Who designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge?
c) At what time does the Classic Car Auction start on Sunday?

Strange but True
An MG has gone into the European record books with the loudest audio system in a car! This MG Metro has been fitted with 18 Alpine MRV-1000 Amplifiers and has a total output in the region of 32,000 watts (equivalent to a jumbo jet at very close range). The Metro from Hell as it is affectionately known, recorded the highest ever Sound Pressure Level at the European Sound Challenge Finals in October. Want one for your car? Then contact Alpine on 01908 619509.

Congratulations to .....
MGOC member Tony Falder who won second prize in the RAC/Norwich Union competition to find the most entertaining article written about the 1996 Norwich Union RAC Classic run and published in a Motor Club magazine. Tony's article Silverstone or Bust was printed in September's issue of EMG, for which he wins a free entry on the '97 Run and £50 for the Club's Wheelchair Roundabout charity. Next year's event is on 25th May and regulations available now from the RAC on 01753 681736.

And also ..... Well known racing competitor David Butler has recently taken up historic rallying. David drove his MGB into a magnificent 14th place on the RAC International Historic rally which ran over many of the same special stages of the notoriously icy Network Q event November last. Considering the first 13 places were taken up with 11 Porsche 911's and 2 Volvo's, this was a worthy result.

And also .... To all of you who purchased a BEN (Motor & Allied Trades Benevolent Fund) raffle ticket in the hope of winning the MGF first prize, kindly donated by Rover Cars. The promotion was launched autumn 95, with the draw taking place at the NEC on 27th October. Secretly the Fund's events team had hoped to raise £100,000 but little did they expect that tickets sales would top this target so decisively to reach £103,000. We certainly would not have raised so much money without the help of the Club and it's members ... thank you said BEN. Congratulations to B Pask of Lutterworth who is now the proud owner of the BRG MGF.

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