CENTRES
YORKSHIRE David Copeman 07920 064585 www.mgccyorkshire.co.uk
North – Ken Cothliff In September we welcomed another new member, Ken Payne, owner of another red Midget. The Dales run proved to be a big success. The two ladies who bid for the RV8 rides on the run, Sue Burgess and Sue Forsyth, thoroughly enjoyed their first experience as navigators, in Colin and David’s cars. 102 cars were present in fine Yorkshire sunshine, for a route that took in some of the most attractive parts of the Northern Dales. A report was published in last month’s magazine, and if you’d like to see more photos check our MGCC Yorkshire website: http://mgccyorkshire. co.uk/gallery/. Although we did have members come from afar – Clackmannanshire and Norfolk – we are always hoping for more members from the south of England to join us on this fantastic run. Mike Payne introduced our new canvas NY Natter carrier bags, which were a big success. South – Marie Dobson Several South Yorkshire members attended the Dales Run at the end of August, making a weekend of it by hiring a canal boat on the Bank Holiday Monday. Such a good time was had by all that plans are afoot to repeat the experience next year. September was a quiet month for us, although six of our number plus their MGs spent a fortnight in the south of France, perfect topless driving country. Looking ahead to November, a group of us will once again be heading to Keswick to spectate on the VSCC trial.
East – Chris Moore Members enjoyed a great relaxing weekend with lovely weather at Fort Paull Historic and Classic Vehicle Show, with six members taking their caravans to the campsite and the museum. Results as follows: MGCC Stand: 1st Jill Thornton, MGB; 2nd Chris Moore, MGB GT; 3rd Greg Thornton, MG6. Also Steve Pountney got a 1st in the American Class and Steve Moore a 2nd in the Military Class. West – David Copeman MG only runs were a little thin on the ground during September so along with several other members we took part in local charity runs which attract many different classic car marques. It’s quite enjoyable to wander around the other entries reminiscing over cars we had owned in the past and wishing we had the foresight to have kept them. As part of club night we had a multiple choice
CENTRE quiz on road signs and their meaning which caused a great deal of discussion. Clifford had the most points but the scores were reasonably close so the consensus was we could all drive home safely Tiger – Pete Welbourn The final luncheon run for this summer was a return to the Hope and Anchor at Blacktoft, and considering the lack of organisation on my behalf was quite well attended, so thanks to those who made it and apologies to those who wondered what was going on. The reason for the above was Mel and I were joining the MGA 60th anniversary ‘LEJOG’: not the entire route; we met the vanguard at Bristol and travelled with them to Irvine, where we took our leave and jogged home via Seahouses. Our congratulations to all those who did the entire route, and what a route, many thanks to Stuart and the team.
Cars gather for the start of the Yorkshire Centre MGCC 85 Run, a report will be in the next issue.
CENTRE
ULSTER
Carol Willis Tel: (028) 9079 9997 or 07831 345560 Email: carol.mgulster@hotmail.co.uk Website: www.mgcculstercentre.co.uk
On Sunday September 20 Dundrod was invaded by masses of MGAs together with all manner of MGs of varying ages. We also had other old marques on display. It was a wonderful spectacle and everybody seemed to enjoy their couple of laps of the Circuit. It was the 60th anniversary of the MGA and also 60 years since the last Dundrod race which had been hosted by the UAC and all were in great celebratory form. Gordon and Mike had commissioned a commemorative plaque which was presented to Ken Stewart of the Dundrod Circuit on behalf of the UAC, MG Car Club, MG Owners Club and the Dundrod Motor Cycle Club. Mike Armstrong had organised a couple of beautifully scenic tours – the Saturday around the Glens of Antrim and the Monday to Mountstewart and through the Mournes to entertain our visitors. On September 24 we had invited landowners and others who had helped our Centre over the years to visit Raymond Walls Collection and it was a resounding success. We couldn’t get some to
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go home so I think that says it all. No matter how often you go there is always something brought to one’s attention, not having noticed it in the past! Raymond said he had down-sized his collection but it certainly seemed to be just as extensive as on other occasions. As I said last month, PCT venues are proving to be difficult to find this year. The first PCT was held at Cunningburn on September 19, an absolutely super site where we ran three PCTs and two Grass Slaloms. With an entry of 20 competitors we had a terrific day where Mark Lemon and Bailie Thompson with a score of three were our highest placed members. The Grass Slalom was won by Bailie closely followed by Roger Fynn and Mark ‘Sparkles’ Faulkner. Our second PCT was held on October 3 at Belmont and, believe it or not, the barley was cut on the Wednesday, the straw baled the evening before and the bales lifted as we were setting up the event. That was a very close shave and we still have one to go. We had 16 entrants that day with
four members achieving a zero score – Will and Bailie Thompson, Mark Brien and our newest member Brian Ballantine. We will have to see if it’s beginners luck with Brian or is he hiding his light under a bushel? The Grass Slalom was won by Will Thompson with his father Bailie hot on his heels. Congratulations to all. Unfortunately we have had to cancel the Castle Dillon site this year as the Duck Shoot people had this date on their calendar and so we are hurriedly looking around for an alternative. I fear the elements surrounding our events are doing their best to give me a ‘coronorary’, I don’t remember having such difficulties with sites over the past 20 years or so. So we just have our AutoSOLO and Mince Pie Night left to enjoy this year. Where has the year gone! Dates for your Diary AutoSOLO November 7 Mince Pie Night December 8
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