Kimber Award


Click here to add your MG News.


From The MG Drivers Club publication: The Log Book

Club Celebrates "Drive in #3" and Presents ‘99 Kimber Award

The club’s, 1999 annual gathering "Drive-In #3 at Jimmy Peak Resort in Hancock, MA on August 27-29, 1999 was an outstanding time for all. The road rally, car show (you were actually encouraged to "bribe" the judges), hill climb, food, and lodging were all outstanding. Our wonderful hosts Don and Nancy hull of "British Marque News" (and charter members of the Drivers Club) created a truly superlative three days for everyone in attendance! Thank you so very much, Don and Nancy. The Club also announced the recipient of it’s annual "M.G. Drivers Club Cecil Kimber Enthusiast Award". A photo page of highlights from “Drive-In # 3” will appear on the Winter issue of the “Log Book”.

The 1999 Kimber Award was presented to John Twist, owner of University Motors, Ltd. In Grand Rapids, Michigan and universally recognized as the MG "technical guru" in North America. "Since 1975 MG enthusiasts throughout North America have looked to John for the ultimate in technical advice and MG service. John, and his wife Caroline Robinson, have organized the largest annual MG event in North America the "University Motors Summer Party"; for 23 years the "must attend" MG gathering on the left side of the Atlantic. He has served as technical advisor to the American MGB Association, "MG Magazine", was founding chair of the North American Register, technical contributor to "MG World "magazine and chair of the multi-club "MG International Indy 1996" gathering (with 1310 MG’s in attendance the largest MG event in the history of North America). For his outstanding service, for almost a quarter century, in every aspect of the MG enthusiast movement in North America the M.G. Drivers Club is very proud to present it’s 1999 ‘M.G. Drivers Club Cecil Kimber Enthusiast Award’ to John Twist" read the citation.

The award was formally announced at the Drive-In’s Saturday evening banquet. The actual presentation of the trophy was made to John one week earlier in Grand Rapids, during a ceremony at the "Twenty Third University Motors Summer Party" awards dinner held at Calvin College.

Previous recipients of the club’s Cecil Kimber Award include: Gerry McGovern, Chief Designer of the MGF and Gary Watson, Producer/Director of the award winning video "Inside The Octagon".

During John’s college days in 1964 at Kalamazoo College he purchased his first MG, a TD. Following military service in Vietnam, he went to work for the original University Motors (then the largest MG dealership in the world) in London England. While in the UK, John became involved with the MG Car Club-UK attending many club and motorsport functions. After his return to the US, in 1973, he worked for a VW dealer for a short time before opening the doors of his US version of University Motors on January 23, 1975.

Our Club has been invited to hold "Drive-In #4" in conjunction with The Roadster Factory’s Summer Party on August 11-12-13, 2000 in western Pennsylvania. Their featured model for ‘00, is the MGB. Mark it on your calendar now. Complete info in the Winter ‘99 issue of the "Log Book"

University Motors web site
MG Drivers Club web site
More news


[Copyright/Credits] [Home] [Information] [Feedback]
Made in England