The Wearing of the Green in 2003
It looks like 23 cars along with their drivers appeared from the dark of their
garages for the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. This was a great turnout on a day
that looked like rain was on the way. The parade had a new route this year but
many of the other features remained the same. The new route took the parade
through Gateway. The meeting place was north and west of downtown, and made use of
several large parking lots. This improved the access and allowed room for the
group to form up, but took us away from coffee and breakfast.
The parade started, more or less, on time, 10:00 AM, but it was near 11:30 before we moved out. Way ahead of us was the Mini Club, about 30 to 40 cars, all sorted by color and with numbers to indicate where in the formation each car was to be located. The Land Rover Club as also ahead of us, but from the conversation around me most people thought they were Toyota Land Cruisers. The run down the course was uneventful, although the road in Gateway is very narrow and kids always seemed to be about to run out in front of the car. From Gateway the route made its way over to 3rd West and 2nd South where everyone broke up.
Many of us gathered at Granato's for lunch and then headed home to wash out the green hair dye.
Taking part were: Marty Van Nood and Terri Kaufman; Sharon & Mike Bailey; Stan & MaryAnn Jenkins, Steve Nelson along with Megan, Abby & Ivy Palfreyman and Alden & Kenzie Long; Scott & Lauren McAllister and Keatlee O'Toole; Bill Walton; Kent & Kaye Thomas; David & Carol Marks; Wade & Alice Ashby; Brad, Nancy & Amy Parkin; Lexi & Sam Wheeler; Nicholas & Nick Nichols; Floyd Inman; Dan & Sharon Forster; Doug Wimer; Chris Shell; Jon & Susan Hermance; Gary, Sandy, Margaux Lindstrom & Robert Kedziereski; Ron Christensen; and Brent Anderson.
Tech Session
Paint by Merlin Berg
The March 22 tech session on custom automotive painting was a great success by all
measures, including knowledge imparted, questions answered, and attendee count.
Merlin's cozy garage was filled to overflowing, and the formal session ran for well
over two hours.
Topics covered included how to select a car worthy of a custom paint job, importance of body panel fit and surface preparation, how to offset costs by sweat equity, and the ins and outs of modern painting materials -- which have radically changed, mostly for the better, in recent years.
Merlin's presentation was salted with many anecdotes illustrating how he has learned (and is continually relearning) the many tricks of the trade. Stewart Nichols also gave an impromptu discussion of sheet metal repair, illustrated on a Mustang that appears to have been a flood victim in a silty river.
Attendees included Nicholas S. Nichols II, Gary Lindstrom, Mark Noeltner, Richard Moklofsky, Bill Robinson, Larry Bishop, John Progess, Jon Hermance, Stephen Chard, Wade Ashley, Al Gordon, Pete Ryner, Matt Hansen, Carlin Jacobsen, Brent Andersen, David Sadberg, Troy Glaser, Steve Nelson, Bill Van Moorhem.
Brits on the Bridge
Brits on the Bridge is actually an Arizona MG Club and Southern California MG Club
event on April 11-13. It is an All British Marque event, not just MGs, with
registration on Friday evening, a Funkhana and rally on Saturday, and the car show
on Sunday.
If you want to sign your car up for the events and the car show, go to our web page and click the link to download the registration form from the So Cal club web site.
BMCU member Bruce Schilling has a boat at Lake Havasu and has invited BMCU members down to join him. You can come on down and check out the other cars and join Bruce and everyone on the boat without signing up for the car show.
Bruce will have his boat in the marina available all three days for Island tours, boat rides and beer consumption. The best place in Havasu to buy non-Utah beer and liquor is the Walgreen store at the end of the London Bridge.
For additional information please call Bruce Schilling at 801-486-0425. To reach Bruce when you are in Lake Havasu for boat rides and or cocktails call 801-560-0332. For motel information visit our website.
Poker Run in April
We all know that April showers (hopefully) bring May flowers, so the April event
will keep us in Salt Lake in case we need to make a quick run toward the garage.
It has been several years since we tried a poker run and it seemed time to try one
again. A poker run is a kind of rally where speed and skill play no role. Luck is
the main ingredient and sense of humor is important.
We will meet in Sugarhouse Park at 9:00 AM on Saturday April 12. Enter the park or make your way to the western most entrance. Keep to the right at intersections, without leaving the park, and you will pass to the west of the pond and then between the sledding hill and the pond. Continue along and you will find a parking area on the left (north) side of the road. This is the meeting area. When it looks like most people have arrived there will be a review of the goals of the run and the rules
The goal is to collect five sealed envelopes with a playing card in each envelope. The team with the best poker hand at the end wins, but you can't look until the end. The winner will receive, in the spirit of the BMCU, a highly coveted prize which they may be able to trade to someone for a set of used points.
At Sugarhouse Park you will receive a sealed envelope that has directions to the #10 sized can containing the first sealed envelope with a playing card inside. On the outside of the second envelope will be directions to the third envelope and so on. Cars will be started at one minute or 30 second intervals. The cans are usually put out of sight to keep them from disappearing, but are not seriously hidden. Kids and grandkids like to search for the cans so they can really be helpful. The directions to the location of the can may not be totally obvious. For example, go to the park between 1300 East and University Avenue, named for a part of your braking system. Go to the Northeast corner. With a bit of searching you will discover Reservoir Park and after looking behind trees and bushes at the northwest corner you will discover a can with the envelopes. Take one and follow the directions to the next envelope. A map and telephone book may be helpful. Speed plays no role so drive safely.
The fifth envelope will give you directions to the lunch location. Bring a picnic lunch along or buy something while you are lost. We will set a time limit. If you totally give up, and people will do this, or the time limit has been exceeded, open the first envelope, it will tell you the lunch location.
The goal of this event is to have fun. You can not take yourself too seriously and enjoy this, but then it is hard to take yourself too seriously and drive a British car.
If you have questions call Rob Green, 435-647-0722.
McEligot Rules
TOUR GUIDELINES FOR FUN, SAFETY AND PEACE-OF-MIND
(no order of priority implied)
* Select a recognized tour Leader (not necessarily the first car) who knows and
coordinates what is meant to go on, passes the word, etc.
* Do not exceed the speed limit -- it gives our sports cars a bad name (and wears
the low displacement engines).
* Keep the car behind in sight to make sure it is not having problems,
particularly at turns; slow down as necessary; stop if necessary.
* On two-lane roads, leave sufficient space ahead so tractor trailer (or pickups
with boat or camping trailers or RVs) can pass and pull in safely.
* Cell phones, CBs, etc. - exchange numbers, call signs, whatever with others
before departing, particularly with the Leader. If available, first and last cars
and leader would be the logical ones to have communications. There are styles of
CB now that can be and-held. Even the most complicated antenna/power supply
installation won't take more than two hours unless you have a positive round car.
Across long distances, the car-to-car chatter can be the best part of the trip.
* If (intentionally) leaving the group for some reason, coordinate with tour
leader and possibly others in advance to avoid uncertainties and wasting others
time/miles.
* With large groups, subdivide into smaller groups of three to five cars based on
performance or attitude or such, each with its own recognized Leader who
understands the route, plans, etc.
* Look behind before pulling back on the road - and allow plenty of room to start
up on a highway.
* Do not stand on the roadway during breaks; people get run over that way.
* During daylight, turning on headlights normally indicates a problem, emergency
or need for stop -- mechanical, need for restroom, pulling into gas station, etc.
On two lane roads it may be appropriate to have lights turned on continuously for
safety with flashing them serving as an indication of a problem ----> Leader's
discretion.
* Do not trust internet route plans -- that convenient road may be gravel, dirt,
construction or a muddy bog (or non-existent?). If the route has not been checked
by driving, check on good maps. Possibly contact state highway department about
uncertainties.
* Provide sufficient route details in advance so participants understand routes,
stops, etc.
* If changing from original plan, make sure all participants understand the
deviation and its checkpoints; not all road maps have the same features.
* Keep group loosely together -- if we did not want to travel together with
colleagues, we could tour in cooler Idaho, Wyoming and Montana alone.
* Review "Guidelines" at drivers/navigators meeting before charging off down the
road.
* First car -- wait until those behind are ready before blasting off.
* Define before leaving each stopping point what the next stopping point will be
-- figure a stop every 90 minutes or so is a comfortable rhythm. That way the
group can get divided up and even out of sight of one another (it happens) without
panicking. Once you arrive at the stopping point, you'll be surprised how fast the
group re-groups. However, when following this plan, you definitely need a reliable
car bringing up the rear as a sweeper. Having a reliable car in the rear as sweeper
gives the folks some reason for coming along who might otherwise opt out of the
tour because their car isn't running perfectly that weekend.
* Do not, under any circumstances, try to stay grille to tail lights on the whole
tour -- that tends to cause attempts at passing, etc. that can be really risky. If
a car cuts in between you and the next guy, just leave enough room for him to keep
on moving up the line.
British Field Days Wants You
Last year's British Field Day was a great success and we're looking forward to this
year's Field Day being even more successful. As most of you probably already know,
the proceeds from the British Field Day go to the Center for Family Development.
Therefore, the more help we get from members of the five clubs that are hosting the
event, i.e. 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
our expenses in putting on the event will be. Thus, the more money we will have to
contribute to this very important and worthwhile organization.
This year's event will be held on Saturday, June 7th. The organizing committee is working hard planning and organizing in preparation of the event. But, we need your help. We would very much appreciate it if each and every one of you would select one (or more) of the following areas to help us out:
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 necessarily need to be car related either. We are trying to increase the quantity and quality of raffle prizes for this year's event. As in the past two years we will be drawing and calling out the winners at the event. In addition, we will be announcing the donor and will list all donors in the program (great, inexpensive advertising for the donors). We anticipate the more prizes, the more tickets that will be sold and therefore the more money available to donate. We will make arrangements to get the prize donations from you.
Ads - again, are you an owner or do you know the owner of a store or business that you could persuade to be a corporate sponsor or to place an ad in the program? The cost of a corporate sponsorship ($500.00) includes your logo placed on the posters that are distributed around town and to the membership of the five sponsoring clubs, your logo on this year's T-shirt and a full page ad in the program. In addition, a $150.00 contribution will get you a full page ad; a $100.00 contribution a half page ad and a $50.00 contribution a business card size ad in the program.
Registration volunteers - we are looking for a few good men and women who would be willing 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 of the garage and entering it in the car show. The size and quality of The British Field Day even grows and improves each year thanks to the participation of so many members of the sponsoring clubs. Let's have an even bigger 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.
Spring Tinker Day
This year's Spring Tinker Day will be held Saturday, April 19th in the south end of
the Salt Lake Valley, not too far from the site of the March tech session. It will
be at the home of Robert Allred, 13082 South, 1210 West in Riverton. From I-15,
take Draper/Riverton exit, 12600 South St, west, through river bottom, to 1300 West
St. Turn South for 6 blocks or so, past the River Bend Golf Course, to 13100
South, (small residential lane). Turn east, I'm sure you would-be racers will
avoid temptation to use whole road through the ess-turn, 3/4 block to 1210 West
St..Turn North, we're second house on west side. Home phone 446-0344. Easily
identified by various "Sportus" (Spitfire-Porche-Lotus) bits likely to be laying
about the garage in varying degrees of neglect and decay.
We usually start around 10 am, and go for a few hours, until everyone gets tired of offering advice to other folks on how to fix their cars. Some basic tools will be available, but if you plan on specific projects you'll want to bring along everything you need. See you there!
Autojumble
76 TR6, White/Red Connally Leather. Full restoration completed two years ago
involving paint, engine (complete rebuild, including clutch, trans), interior
(connally leather), suspension. Extremely clean. Over $25,000.00 invested SELL FOR
$13,000.00 obo.
Rick Hughes 580-0503 or 304-9091.
1968 Jaguar E Type Coupe. Jaguar Red. Complete body restoration and engine rebuild. $32,000 invested SELL FOR $23,000.00 Call for more information Rick: 580-0503
Wanted TR4A Grill in good condition. I have TR4A hood in good condition if anyone
is interested.
Jeff Porter 466-9839
A Chapter of the North American MGB Register
The Lucas Calendar
This calendar works about as well as its namesake, so use it with care. All events
are subject to change. Check our web site for the latest information.
www.britishmotorclub.org
April 11- 13 Car Show/funkana at Lake Havasu. Bruce Schilling. 801-486-0425
April 12th Poker Run. Rob Green 435-647-0722.
April 19 Tinker Day. Mark Bradakis. 364-3251
May 10 Antelope Island Run. Nathan Massie and Mitch Johnson.
May 24 - 26 Memorial Day Run. Jon Hermance
June 7 British Field Day.
June 21 Monte Cristo Run. Bill Walton.
July 12 Trial Lake Run. Doug Wimer.
July 14-18 NAMGAR GT-28
July 21-25 GoF West in Long Beach, CA
August 2 Heber Valley parade. Doug Wimer.
August 16 Alpine Loop. Chris Shell and Mitch Johnson.
September 1 Miner's Day Parade in Park City. Floyd Inman.
September13 State Street Cruise night. Mark Noeltner.
September 27 Fall Color Tour. Gary Lindstrom.
October 11 50th Birthday Party..... for those cars in the club that are turning 50
years old.
October 18 End of the Season Dinner. Gregg Smith.
November 11 Tech Session.
Board of Governors:
Governor General: Gary Lindstrom 801-532-1259
gary@cs.utah.edu
Board Member: Jim Pugs Pivirotto 801-486-0547
jimp@corp.firstindustrial.com
Chancellor of the Exchequer: Marty VanNood 801-467-0525,
vannood@intergate.com
Newsletter Editor: Jeff Porter 801-466-9839
porterjeff@attbi.com
Webmaster: Mark Noeltner 801-352-2743,
mark@buffalochips.org
Membership director: Bruce Schilling, 801-486-0425,
partsmaster4@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.
Check us out on the web!
www.britishmotorclub.org
How come hotdogs come in 6 packs but the buns come in 8 packs?
If it's zero degrees outside today and it's supposed to be twice as cold tomorrow,
how cold is it going to be?