Happy New Year! No, it's not a bit late - I'm writing these notes on New Year's Day…
The SW Centre calendar of events for 2005 is not yet finalised. Please look out next month for a summary from me and, hopefully, a printed version included in your issue of Safety Fast! Only SW Centre members get our printed programme card with the magazine. If you live outside the Centre catchment area and are on-line, then please visit the SW Centre website (address at the top) for a 'soft'copy. Otherwise please give me a ring and I'll see what I can do (if you leave a message on the answer-phone, please include you full address and postcode).
The Footman James Bristol Classic Car Show is the longest running major classic car show in the UK, celebrating its 25th year in 2005. The SW Centre shall have a display as usual - last year, one of 'our' cars (I note with some disappointment that I am never asked to display mine…) won best in show. This year's event is at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet on 29th and 30th January. For further details and advance tickets telephone 0117 907 1000 or visit www.nwe.co.uk.
You are definitely cutting it a bit fine if you haven't got your ticket for the 2005 SW Centre Dinner on Saturday 5th March, at the Limpley Stoke Hotel near Bath. Presentation of awards for the SW Centre Driver's Championship shall follow the dinner, and there will also be presentation of some awards from the Luffield MGCC Speed Championship. Tickets are £18 and available from John Bird - either download the details from the SW Centre website or call him on 0117 956 0175. I must make a mental note to call John myself!
When was the last time you went to a Natter? Natters are social evenings, normally held monthly in a pub or similar venue. A Natter is your chance to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, find out what's really going on (hopefully a bit more 'real-time' than these Notes) or perhaps pick the brains of an expert (whether acknowledged or self-appointed) regarding the state of your ignition timing! A full list of Natters can be found elsewhere in Safety Fast! - don't be shy, just pick the nearest or most convenient and give the Natter Leader a call.
Finally, a word of thanks to those of you who marshaled on SW Centre events last year, and a word of encouragement to everyone who didn't! Marshals are the 'unsung heroes' of motorsport - even Bernie Ecclestone couldn't run a MGCC event if it weren't for the volunteers who ensure the safety of the competitors and spectators. On behalf of event organisers and competitors, can I make a passionate plea for more marshals to come forward? You do not need any experience, just a few hours to spare and a reasonable dose of enthusiasm. A sense of humour helps, but not all of our marshals find it essential (that's a joke, okay - I wouldn't want to get an e-mail!). Simply contact the event organiser and volunteer your services. There were one or two ever-present faces marshalling events last year - thank you again to them - but it would be nice to see some new faces too.
I finish this month with an unidentified MG Maestro at the Pucklechurch Gymkhana way back in 2002. Any ideas? I can, however, identify the marshal from the wellies… right Jon?
Happy New Year, and Safety Fast!
See you soon?
Neil Lock
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk
01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw