Newsbeat

Sadly we have to say `farewell' to our Deputy Editor Stephanie Lewis this month. Joining the staff of the MG Owners' Club on 3rd August 1983, Steph was fresh faced from High School when she applied for a month-long holiday job to help out in the Membership Department. Thirteen years later she is still with us! After stints as post-girl, overseas secretary, receptionist and membership, she moved to the Magazine Department in `88. Since then she has mastered the intricacies of Desk Top Publishing, helping to produce the monthly Enjoying MG, as well as our wide selection of other publications including the Recommended Suppliers book and the annual event programmes. Many of our members and advertisers will know Stephanie either as a voice on the telephone or in person at our national events or classic car shows. Ever cheerful and deadly efficient, Stephanie will be greatly missed by her work colleagues and MGOC members. We wish her well in her new position with Potton Homes.

Wheelchair Roundabout

Following an appeal to sponsor Mark Waller in last year's London Marathon, MGOC members raised £380 for a `Wheelchair Roundabout' for disabled children. Mark, our mounted policeman who went under our February `96 spotlight, was delighted to hand over the cheque to Coney Hill School, part of the Shaftesbury Society, which contributed towards this piece of equipment that now adorns their playground. Sandra Miller of the school said: "Thank you so much for the cheque for 380 which has made a wonderful dent in the money we borrowed to buy the Wheelchair Roundabout. It is a huge success with our kids! We are very grateful to you all and Mark for the happiness you've given our very disabled children."

In Safe Hands

Alexandra Motors of Portsmouth would like to allay the fears of all their customers who may have heard that their garage had gone up in smoke with many MGs being burnt to death! "Don't panic" says owner Mike Sellars, "it was not us but Alexandra Garage, an MOT station in the same area." Apparently BBC Solent radio and Meridian TV both reported that Alexandra Motors the MG specialists had gone up in flames and that an exclusive MG collection had been destroyed. "Thankfully I was able to reassure everybody that it was not us" said Mike. "The irony is that we are running a local advert stating `You are in safe hands when buying a sports car from Alexandra Motors', following the sale of an MGF to Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight. No it wasn't Flame Red or Charcoal Grey!" Call them on 01705 667132 for more details.

Classic Winner

Mrs Jean Fernandez has just become the proud new owner of the MGB GT V8 built `live' to audiences over 2 days at the NEC last November. The car, made using a new BMH bodyshell, was raffled for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity and raised over £6000 for this cause. So thrilled are joint sponsors Motorcare Services and British Motor Heritage with this success that they are considering repeating the partnership again at the Classic Car Show this year. Jean is delighted with the car, also receiving a jacket and a year's free membership from the MGOC. "This was a very kind gesture and one which I very much appreciate. I look forward to attending rallies and meeting fellow members" she said.

Stop It Monty!

Available now from Moto-Build Racing is a big brake conversion for all Maestro\Montego vented disc models. The kit comprises of new 285mm discs (standard ones usually 240mm), mounting adaptor plates, uprated Kevlar pads and high tensile bolts. The new brakes utilise the original calipers and bleeding of the brakes is not even required, the improved stopping power comes from the increased leverage ratio moving the caliper further out from the centre of the hub. These discs will fit all cars with 15" or larger wheels. Price of complete kit £160 + VAT. Full details on 0181 893 4553.

No More Fumbling

Although MGs are not blessed with an in-car CD system at birth, some owners who are thinking of installing one may be interested to learn that Pioneer have recently launched the first voice activated car CD system, to integrate speech recognition, allowing instant disc selection by voice control. Without having to take your eyes off the road, or fumbling with different controls, you simply now touch a button and ask the machine, which must result in safer driving techniques. Priced at £249.95 inc. VAT. Further info from your local Pioneer supplier or ring Pioneer House on 01753 789895.

Concours d'Elegance

Over the last four years the Autoglym Classic Concours has been established as the definitive concours championship in the UK. This year qualifying rounds are: 18th May at Doune Classic Autofair, 1st June at Tatton Park Classic Car Show, 29th June at Bromley Pageant of Motoring and 20th July at SuperCar Sunday, Gaydon. Entry fee is £10 (except 20 July which is FOC). All cars that are awarded class wins and outright wins in the four rounds automatically secure a place at the final held at the National Classic Motor Show on 15/16 November. Full details and entry form from: Retrocar Ltd., PO Box 3652, Bracknell, Berks RG12 9XJ. Tel: 01344 642482.

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