earlymembers
“The committee needs new blood and fresh ideas. Rallies are becoming stale – if I didn’t enjoy meeting up with old friends I probably wouldn’t bother going now.
The class of ’97: Photo call for the 1997 coordinators’ meeting, back row, Clive Southern, Paul Kenyon, Martyn Ryan, Stewart Rendall, Andrew Fearon, Peter Darling, Gill Whitlow, Mark Weymouth. Front row, Maxine Jarvis, Steve Watkins, Tony Pearce, Alan Capell, Helen Shea, Hamish McLean, Andy Whitlow, and Lynn Maddox.
The Winter Weekends were also very good social events – either at Stow-on–theWold, or somewhere in the Midlands. I have been to all the national rallies except one and in my opinion, one of the best was at Stratford-Upon-Avon many years ago. I led a few good drives down to Brighton, and went to Skye and Ullapool for Scottish events organised by Angus Anderson. I have been on many track days, including Goodwood, plus Donington and Knockhill. I also went to Japan with some Club members for the car’s tenth anniversary – that was a memorable occasion. Over the
meetings, and with people asking to become ACs and start new areas, we introduced new areas using postcodes. Occasionally I would be invited to an area’s local or planning meeting. I always found the meetings beneficial and helpful in terms of passing ideas on to other areas. On a couple of occasions I was joined by our then Club chairman Allan Legg. I had (in 2000) arranged for our Club to have a display of cars at the Sportscar Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), which is no longer held unfortunately. However it was such a success that I asked the NEC if we would be allowed to exhibit at the Classic Car Show held every year. They offered us space for three cars so we sourced marquees, carpet tiles, barrier ropes, tables and chairs, a small TV showing Club events, flags and poles etc. It was so popular that we had two more marquees made which enabled us to do shows from the South coast to Southport. In the first year I did five shows which grew to 12 in 2005. I enjoyed every minute of it. My third thanks goes to the many friends that we have made in the Club. I got involved because I enjoy meeting people who share our common interest. A Club role takes time and it’s not always a bed of roses, but the benefits we get from the effort we put in, far outweigh any negative moments. May we all enjoy many more happy motoring years in our MX-5s!
201: SUE DUNCAN from Oxford area, is a familiar face at many Club events. As well as national events she attends meetings in Oxford, West London, Hemel and Wessex. However she thinks the Club leadership needs new blood, and rallies would benefit from fresh ideas. I joined in May 1995 when I got my first MX-5 (a California). The Club allowed me to meet up with other owners and it was a great treat to chat to other California drivers. As long as I have an MX-5 I will stay in the Club. The Club was much smaller in the early days and because of it we made longstanding friendships. I used to go to events all over the place especially the very active South East area where Maxine Jarvis was area coordinator. At that time the Club held lots of runs, treasure hunts, but not so Dedication: Sue Duncan with her prize many pub meetings. d Le Mans. My first national rally was the inaugural event in a marquee at Land Rover in 1995. I liked to see what other Club members had years I have driven MX-5s in Australia, done to their cars. The first modification Japan, California, and all over Europe. which I made to mine was to change the I have owned three MX-5s. As well as my dials to yellow. California, I bought a Mk2.5 yellow 1.8 I then fell in love with a Jackson Racing Arizona in 2002, and got a 1991 Le Mans in exhaust which I had heard on another car, 2004. For 18 months I had all three cars, and I had to have that. finally trading in the Arizona for a yellow I enjoyed the first Newbury Mazda Honda S2000. I then sold the California in Treasure Hunt so much that I have been to 2006. I only own the Le Mans now. every one since, even this year’s revival at The Club has obviously got bigger over Maidenhead. the years but the format hasn’t changed a lot. There are more areas and more pub meetings. I think committee (management team) members should only be on the team for a set time, three years or so, and then stand down. The committee needs new blood and fresh ideas. Rallies are becoming stale – if I didn’t enjoy meeting up with old friends I probably wouldn’t bother going now. Also the Club needs to improve the image of the MX-5, which is seen as slow and people think that owners never put their roofs down!
in 1996. Polished performance: Visit to Autoglym
■ Thanks to Steve and Clive for lending Soft Top Hardtop their photo albums.
www.mx5oc.co.uk
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