BMCU Newsletter - May 2002
Volume 14 Number 9

Antelope Island Run
Saturday, May 11. The driving season is in full swing, and this is a drive we’ve enjoyed the past several years. Just driving across the causeway is great fun, especially if you’re at the front of the pack and you can look back and see a long string of British cars stretching from the island back toward the “main land.”

The run will take place on Saturday, May 11. For those BMCU’ers coming from Salt Lake and other points south, we’ll gather up at the state capitol building, in the north side parking lot, at 10:00 am. At 10:30 am we’ll head north.

For the club members in the northern area, meet us at 11:00 am at the Burger King in Layton, across from the Checker Auto. That’s the second intersection west of I-15, and just west of the Kmart, on Antelope Drive. You can buy a lunch here, if you didn’t pack one. At 11:30 we’ll head west toward the island.

Bring your British car, someone to enjoy the drive with you, a picnic lunch, and $7.00 to get across the causeway (the $7 per-car fee is how Davis county pays for the causeway). There’s only one place to buy food on the island, so plan to bring food or buy it along the way.

How do you get to the island, you ask? The easiest way to get there is to take I-15 to Layton, then take exit 335 (watch for the brown signs directing you to Antelope Island State Park). That’s Antelope Drive. Head west on Antelope Drive until you reach the causeway.

If you have any questions, you can call Nathan Massie at 486-2935.

Memorial Day run
Now’s the time to make your plans for the Memorial Day run. Since this is an overnighter, you must make your hotel reservations. Look at the itinerary below, make your reservations, and mark it on the calendar today!

Saturday, May 25 . Meet at the RC Willey parking lot on the west side of Redwood Road, 9010 South by 9:00 A.M. We will tour south along the west shore of Utah Lake to Hwy 6 and 50 through Delta to the Baker, Nevada area. This is about 215 miles.

That night we will stay at the Border Inn on Highway 6/50 at the Utah/Nevada line. Fifteen rooms have been reserved at $31 (one bed) to $40 (two beds) for Saturday night, May 25, 2002. Individuals must call 1-775-234-7300 to make their own reservation by May 1, 2002 or a room may become more difficult to obtain. Please let the motel know you are with the BMCU.

Sunday, May 26 . We can visit the Lehman Caves and/or other possible points on interest on our way south along Hwy 93 to Panaca, Nevada. We will be passing through several old mining districts.

From the Panaca area we will travel east to Cedar City, Utah on Hwys 25 and 56. Baker to Cedar City is about 210 miles.

We will spend Sunday night in Cedar City, Utah on the north campus of the Best Western Town & Country Inn at 189 N. Main. A block of fifteen rooms have been reserved for the night of May 26, 2002 at a special rate of $72.00 (2 beds) or $64 (one bed). This rate includes a good continental breakfast. Individuals must call 1-435-586-9900 to make their own reservation. Please be sure to say you are with the
BMCU. The motel computer will cancel any unused BMCU room reservations on May 10. Any body making their own reservation after May 10 must call for "Group Manager, Doris" to get the special BMCU rate, assuming a room is available, or they will pay a $93ish rate.

Monday May 27 . The route will follow Hwys 130, 27, and 257 north to the Delta area and on to Salt Lake on Hwy 6 either to I-15 at Santaquin or back the way we began around Utah Lake. This leg of the tour will be about 255 miles. Although your company would be missed, this tour master would allow modern day rear-end ratios to opt for the quicker dash up the freeway from any where along the return route to Salt Lake.

If you have any questions, call me (Jon Hermance) at 801-583-5846 or email me at jonathan_hermance@atk.com

11th Annual British Field Day - June 8
Dust off your British car or bike, tune it up, get it running, and bring it down to the British Field Day. All British cars and bikes in any condition, restored or under repair, are welcome. This event is more than just a car show: there’s a race course, new car dealer displays, entertainment, and raffle prizes.

Proceeds from this event are donated to The Center for Family Development. Since 1981, the Center has helped over 13,000 people improve their ability to understand and cope with abusive relationships. Each year more than 900 Utah families seek the Center’s guidance. With the Center’s education and treatment, people avoid the cycle of abuse and put their lives back together.

So, please, help support us in this very worthwhile cause and get your cars and bikes out and come join the fun:
Saturday, June 8th
Pioneer Park
300 South 300 West, SLC
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Look for more details in the June newsletter—but make your plans to attend now!

The BFD needs your help
Last year’s British Field Day was a great success and this year’s will be even more so. As you know, the British Field Day proceeds go to non-profit organizations in the valley. The more help we get from members of the five hosting clubs (British Motor Club of Utah, Utah British Bike Club, Bonneville Austin Healey Club, Wasatch Jaguar Registry, and the Great Basin Land Rover Club) the less expenses we incur. Thus, the more money we can contribute to some very important and needy organizations.

This year’s event will be held on June 8th . The organizing committee works hard to plan and organize the event, but we need your help:

Raffle prizes: Are you an owner or do you know the owner of a store or business that you could persuade to donate an item or a gift certificate? These don’t have to be car related. These items are the prizes we raffle off during the BFD. We announce the donor and list them in the program (great, inexpensive advertising for the donors). The more prizes, the more tickets that are sold and the more money available to donate. We will
pick up the prize donations.

Ads: Again, are you an business owner or do you know a business owner that could be a sponsor or buy an ad in the program? The cost of a corporate sponsorship ($500.00) includes their logo on the posters that are distributed around town and to the membership of the five sponsoring clubs, logo on this year’s T-shirt, and a full page ad in the program. A $150.00 contribution gets a full page ad; a $100.00 contribution a half page ad, and a $50.00 contribution a business card sized ad in the program.

Registration volunteers: We need “a few good men and women” to help us out at the registration table the morning of the event, as well as at the admission entrances during the event.

Even if you can’t help out on any of the above, you can help by getting your British car or bike out and entering it in the car show. We had a great turnout last year. Let’s have an even greater turnout this year! The more cars and bikes we have showing, the more spectators are going to be willing to pay the entrance fee to come in and see our gorgeous cars and bikes.

We would very much appreciate any help you can give us to help make this an even more successful event this year. Please contact Sharon Forster at 801-966-6463 or forstersf@cs.com for more information or to let her know how you can help.

April’s Events
By Bill Robinson
Tinker Day: Saturday morning, April 6th, looked like it would be just a great day. Time to get the car out and drive over to Mark's Fat Chance Garage to do some serious tinkering. As the weather was good, so was the turn out. Folks without cars came by just to get Mark's expertise and cooking. Since Mark is known for his Triumph knowledge, it was the dominate marque. There were 7 Spitfires, 2 TR4's and 2 TR6's. Other marques represented were MG (1 Midget), a Lotus Elan, a Saab Sonnet III and 1 car listed only as a rice burner! Quite a turn out!

Some of Mark's neighbors had cars strewn about and space was a premium. We each found a spot for our cars or parts thereof.

Later in the day, Mark fired up the FCGG (Fat Chance Garage Grill) prepared a bunch of tasty chicken. Someone brought some cookies and we enjoyed a fine lunch.

Everyone had a great time and, best of all, there were some new faces as well as several familiar friends. Names from the signup sheet were Mark Bradakis, our gracious host, Matt Hansen, Ed Oblad, Jeff Porter, Steve Carey, Pugs Pivirotto, Roger Helnan, Abe Gilbert, Dan McDonald, Bill Robinson, Gary Lindstrom, Mitch Johnson, Greg Johnson, Jim Ottens, Chris Shell and Joyce Noeltner, who took a number a shots for the web site.

Thanks to all who came and we hope to see everyone at future events now that your car has been officially tinkered.

Tax Day Social: While I left before the party was over, Julie and I had fun talking to the group that was there, even if it was smaller than usual. I don't know why the turnout was small, unless folks were busy finishing up their taxes. I am not sure if anyone opted for the after party cruise up the canyon. I hope so, as the weather was perfect. Attending were hosts Pugs and Diane Pivirotto, Kathy and Floyd Inman, Matt Hansen, Mark and Joyce Noeltner, Bill and Julie Robinson, Larry and Margaret Farrington, Mark and Karen Bradakis, Rob Green, Gary and Sandy Lindstrom.

A Message From the Chairman Of NAMGBR
The 2002 driving season has just begun here in New York and I just wanted to give all my fellow enthusiasts some things to think about while you are out and about this year. I hope that many of you are gearing up for MG 2002, North American MGB Register’s Annual Convention, being hosted by the Texas MG Register. Eileen and I are driving out with two other MG Car Club - Long Island Centre couples and meeting up with another dozen MGs in Indiana along the way. The event takes place July 3rd - 6th in Grapevine, Texas. You can get all the information about this event online at www.mg2002.com or by calling Wayne Kube at 972-618-1984. The folks in Texas have worked real hard to put together what I’m sure is going to be a fantastic event.

Keep in mind that hosting an Annual Convention is something any affiliated chapter can do. We are currently inviting clubs to submit proposals for MG 2004 and MG 2005. If this sounds like something you think your club maybe interested in you can contact our new Annual General Meeting (AGM) / Annual Convention Coordinators, Tony and Lynne Burgess. Their contact information is on the inside cover of the current MGB Driver. Their email address is MORRISMINR@aol.com . The host of the Annual Convention is also the host for the previous AGM. MG Car Club of St Louis will be our host for the 2002 AGM and MG 2003. The AGM is where, among other business matters, the tallying of votes takes place for our annual elections. This year’s elections are for the Executive Officer positions of Secretary and Vice Chairman. Letters of intent for persons wishing to stand in these positions should be sent to MGB Driver editor, Kim Tonry as soon as possible. Any persons wishing to run should contact our current Secretary, D. Zimmerman, and request a copy of that officer’s responsibilities. You can find her contact info on the inside cover of the MGB Driver.

The MGB Driver is always looking for fresh articles and pictures from it’s members. Why not jot down a few paragraphs and snap a few pictures while out on an interesting adventure? Sometimes the adventures are had right in your driveway or garage while working on your MG. Your fellow members love reading about others experiences with their MG. It is the articles in this publication that often provide the motivation I need to get of the couch and get something done on the car or take a ride somewhere. Send your articles and pictures to Kim Tonry.

I’m looking forward to having a great driving season and meeting many of you along the way. I hope this finds you and yours happy, healthy and wish you all a safe driving season.

Safety Fast,
David Deutsch

The Lucas Calendar
This calendar works about as well as its namesake, so use it with care. Club events have red dates. The others you may find interesting. All events are subject to change.

May 11 . Antelope Island run. See article in this newsletter. Nathan Massie, 486-2935.

May 25 . Southern Utah Run. Jon Hermance, jonathan_hermance@atk.com or 801-583-5846.

June 7, 8, 9. 50th annual Rallye Glenwood Springs—the oldest continuously held rally in the US. 303-400-8076 or 303-948-3924.

June 8 . British Field Day. Sharon Forster/Bill Davis/Bruce Schilling.

June 24-28. GoF West, Durango, CO. Tom Cox, 303-690-7672.

June 30-July 3. 2002 Jensen Nationals in Park City. Marv and Sheree Marcus, www.2002jensennational.com

July 3-6. MG2002, 11th annual NAMGBR convention in Grapevine, TX. 972-346-2551.

July 10 . Club 90 night. Bill Robinson, 947-9480.

July 13 . Trapper’s Loop Run. Ken Gleason.

August 3 . Heber Valley Parade, Doug and Ilene Wimer, 435-654-2117.

August 10 . August Social, Bruce Schilling, 486-0425.

August 15-18. Abingdon Summer Party, Abingdon, IL. 630-858-8192

August 17 . Annual Alpine Loop Run. Karen Bradakis (364-3251).

September 2 . Miner’s Day Parade. Floyd Inman.

September 14 . State Street Cruise Night. Bill Robinson, 947-9480.

September 28 . Mt. Nebo Fall Color Run. Gary Lindstrom, 532-1259.

October 19 . Fall Tinker Day. Mark Bradakis, 364-3251.

October 26 . End of the Season Dinner. Gregg Smith.

October 31-Nov 2. High Country Tour, Sedona, AZ. Racermoss@sedona.net

November . Tech Session. Date and time to be announced.

December . No event.

January 2003 . Utah Lotus Museum. Mark Bradakis, 364-3251.

Board of Governors:

Bill Robinson, 947-9480, email: brobinson@redwoodmusic.com
Marty Van Nood, Chancellor of the Exchequer; 467-0525 (H)
Gary Lindstrom, 532-1259

Newsletter Editor: Nathan Massie, 486-2935
email: nlmassie@mmm.com

Membership director: Bruce Schilling, 486-0425
email: partsmaster@sisna.com

This Newsletter is published by the British Motor Club of Utah, Ltd., a non-profit corporation of British automobile owners. The group holds monthly events such as drives, picnics, technical sessions, and more. We welcome owners (or potential owners) of British cars, in any condition, to the group. Membership is free, but we ask for a donation at events to support the Newsletter and other activities. If you would like to join the group, send your name, address, and a list of British cars owned to
Bruce Schilling
917 East Mill Creek Way
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
or to Bruce’s email address shown above.

Autojumble
Storage space for rent: Secure, dry automobile size storage space available! Room for two rolling chassis. $47.00/month. Approx. 316 W. 1050 S. 801-583-5846, jonathan_hermance@atk.com

Tools: We are a web-based distributor of specialist quality tools aimed at car restorers, owners and enthusiasts around the world offering despatch direct from the famous Abingdon King Dick factory in the UK. We realise many people are unaware that King Dick are still in business and still making the top quality tools for which they are famous. Their products may not be readily available on the High Street but they are now available online via our website at: www.aaqualitytools.com .

A Chapter of the North American MGB Register
British Motor Club of Utah
1944 East 2700 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106