Safety Fast! Notes for September 2005

Were you at Silverstone? If not, I suspect that you are bored to death with the reports having got this far through the magazine (assuming you don't turn directly to these Notes the moment that Safety Fast! hits the doormat …). I found the event uninspiring for some reason; there were lots of great people, interesting cars and exciting racing, but for me there was something missing. The California Cup was the highlight of the weekend in my opinion. This event has been organised by the South West Centre for over 25 years, the last 17 of which have been down to Clive Holloway. Thanks, Clive for you efforts - I hope the new organiser can meet the high standards that you have set!

Hooray! Hooray again!! I send a big "thank you" to Dee Wragg for e-mailing me details of the Wye Valley Social Run. The scenic route took a range of MGs old and new on an enjoyable tour of (surprisingly enough) the Wye Valley starting at Symonds Yat Butterfly Park. A ploughman's lunch was laid on at Caple Court where the more energetic had the opportunity look around the Church and Gardens. After lunch, the route led to Treago Castle for tea and cakes. Dee says that the Run was one to remember and thanks Vic and Sandra for their work in organising yet another enjoyable day.

Our first September event in September is the Wiscombe Park Hillclimb on Saturday 10th. The event is a round of numerous championships, including the Luffield Cars MGCC Speed Championship. The venue is superb - a very tricky course with excellent spectating opportunities amongst the fantastic scenery. I doubt that you'll get an entry this late in the day, but I'm sure that marshals will still be required. To volunteer as a marshal (no experience required), please call Bruce Weston on 01963 440941.

Don't forget the invite from the MGA and Magnette Registers to their visit to the Weston-super-Mare Helicopter Museum on Sunday 11th. Please e-mail or call me for contact details.

The following weekend sees the third Bristol Sunday Lunch Run on the 18th. The route will take us around the lanes of North Somerset, Mendip and the Chew Valley. Navigation is simple and, as the name suggests, the run ends with Sunday Lunch. So far I have one request for an entry form - please don't make me cancel this event…

The Patchway Autotests are on Sunday 25th. This may be the last event at this venue, as the Rolls Royce site is scheduled for redevelopment. The organiser is John Delafield, his number is 01453 544497.

Our final event for the season should be the Kimber Production Car Trial on 23rd October, providing that Bruce Weston can find a venue. Off-road motorsport has been severely affected by an over-onerous interpretation of new EU farm-subsidy rules by our own Government. Having seen sense, the Minister has clarified the position such that we should have less trouble finding trials sites for next year.

Last month I asked you to identify a car rounding the first corner at Wiscombe Park in 2001. I've had two e-mails identifying it as the TA of long-time member Allan Scott. Having owned the car for 44 years, Allan is no longer able to drive her. He tells me that the car is not concours standard, but "usable and practical". If anyone can give her a new home, then please e-mail or call me and I'll pass on your details.

Finally, this months picture - from the lens of Dee Wragg - shows a TC (?) between two TFs on the Wye Valley Social Run.

Neil Lock
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk

01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw