I know that some of you will yearn for the old sytle, but I thought the new Safety Fast! format to be a vast improvement. The additional space will be very welcome once we 'launch' of our 2005 calendar of events - but I'm not sure what to do with it over the winter months! There's not much to report on the events front, hence I'll indulge in some ramblings for a change.
Oliver and I went for a spin around the Portishead Lakegrounds in the GT on Sunday afternoon. Michèle stayed at home as I couldn't persuade her to brave the rear seat! The episode reminded me of an old advertising poster announcing that "a GT, or Ground Touring Car, is a motor car which, in order to meet the demands of its name, must combine the high performance characteristics of a true sports car with the weather protection, luggage capacity and creature comforts of a luxury saloon car". Can you guess what comes next? Yes, of course: the advertisement concludes that "the MGB GT is a GT". Nowadays, your average family car will satisfy these criteria with ease; our Mondeo estate will out perform the MG in every area - speed, handling, comfort - yet still a Sunday afternoon jaunt in the 35 year-old jalopy is a coveted treat.
I missed the last committee meeting as I was stuck in a business meeting in, by pure coincidence, Abingdon. On leaving the building late in the evening, I was admiring the absolutely stunning tapestries depicting an MGF and a very old MG ('Old Number One' perhaps?) on a trial, when I noticed the little brass plaque announcing that the office building was built on the site of the factory. It got me thinking about all of the hoo-ha surrounding the plans for a new Kimber House and the woeful lack of published information on the matter. I've always considered it my job to write about events in the South West rather than comment on goings-on in the wider MG-world. Its not that I don't have an opinion, but in my view the Notes are here to keep you informed about the local scene rather than as a political mouthpiece for the views of the committee. If I'm wrong, please let me know!
Other than the date being Saturday 11th March 2005, I've nothing 'official' yet regarding the South West
Dinner. However, I do know that it will be at the Limpley
Stoke Hotel near Bath and will include presentation of awards for the SW Centre Driver's Championship
and the Luffield MGCC Speed Championship. I dare say there will be an after-dinner speaker too. Watch out
for more details next month.
ed - see Dinner & Awards
Finally, I'll try to squeeze in a couple of pictures this month. The first, of the Burridges taking part in the Kimber PCT at it's new venue in Chew Stoke, is 'stolen' from the website - why not surf the site to see the rest? The second is of Darryl Coccup 'burning rubber' in the California Cup at Silverstone this year - Darryl was a member of the triumphant South West team.
Neil Lock
neil@port-z.fsnet.co.uk
01275 817915 (before 9pm please)
SW Centre website: www.mg-cars.org.uk/mgccsw