October 19th brought our championship year to
an end with the Kimber Classic Trial at Pagans Hill, South of Bristol. A dull
but dry day attracted a slightly disappointing entry of 17 cars, only 8 of which
were MGCC Members but it did allow all drivers to have five attempts at each of
the four hills which were modified after two runs to make them easier!
First overall was Russell Morgan in his Midget, Chris Leverett in his TD Special
was best pre1980 and our Chairman Peter Jones’ TC was best pre 1955. With eleven
awards spread amongst seventeen entries this has got to be a good and totally
non-damaging event to enter. Thanks to Bruce Weston (who does so much for our
Centre he must have 48 hours in each of his days!) and the marshals who made it
all happen. Look out for this and the Mendip Trial next year.
The 26th October was chosen for a new South West Centre social event, a visit to Newark Park, Gloucester so that we could enjoy the hunting lodge and the autumn colours. 15 members converged from different parts of the Centre including a TC from Shaftesbury, a TF from Cardiff, a TD from north Gloucestershire and several MGAs and Midgets. There was no route to follow and no competitive element to the visit at all. The run was well received and will almost certainly be repeated next year, possibly in the spring to another National Trust property. Our thanks go to John and Mavis Bird for organizing the day. The photo shows Trevor and Joy Pickens TD.
For this year’s Drivers Championship we had some 137 competitors spread over 14 events, 4 Social, 3 Trials, 3 Speed, 2 Autotests and 2 Gymkhanas. Provisional results show Jim Lott winning overall with Class winners Mike Hawke, Tony Blake, Phil Archer, Adrian Witcombe and Carole Brown. Congratulations to all winners and also to young Sam Brown who was third overall. Awards will be presented at our Dinner, see below. Full details of events and scores will be on our website soon.
We now look forward to next year with some early dates for your new diaries.
The Ring-O-Bells Natter on Feb 3rd will be laying on an Archive Film Show of British Motoring History thanks to Jim Wilkie and the Dustbin Film Company, starts at 8ish.
The SW Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallet is on the 7th and 8th of Feb, a chance to buy those hard to get bits and pieces to complete your winter refit!
Then March 14th 2009 is our Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation at the Limply Stoke Hotel, near Bath, John Bird (01179 560175) is the man to contact to book your place.
In keeping with the Centre’s trialing tradition, April 18th is the Kimber Classic our largest and most successful trial. More details later.
All for now except to wish you all an enjoyable festive season and a lot less rain for 2009!
Bruce Morgan
Trevor & Joy Picken's red TD Newark House run 2008