CLUB NEWS 2008

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The November/December issue of The Middlesex Magazine is now available from the Club Mag page - see side bar.  In relation to Tom Ryans's 'Me and My boat' article, we have some larger size photos available to compliment his article - just click on the thumbnails (15.12.08).

facebook?  Martin Lush informs us that there is now an MCAC group set up on facebook.  Existing and former members of the club are welcome to join.  Do a search for MCAC and choose the one under Sports & Recreation - Automotive & Racing (there is more than one MCAC group!) (04.12.08)

The September/October issue of The Middlesex Magazine is now available from the Club Mag page - see side bar.  I note from Pete's editorial that, following my recent holiday, he is waiting for his postcard to arrive.  Well, being an accountant, all I can say is that 'it's in the post!' (25.09.08).

Congratulations go to Mike and Helen Hurst who were married on the 14th September.  The Club sends them the very best wishes for the future (20.09.08).

Langley Response: Crew Chief Paul Duckmanton has been a busy man over the last few months.  As reported in the July/August issue of the club magazine, the Discovery has had the roof repainted and checker plate added to the door kick panels, etc.  Thanks also to Steve Bristow, who helps with the maintenance, the vehicle has come a long way from its basic trim.  Springs have been up-rated all round  to give it a 2 inch lift as it carries a lot of weight in the racked out rear compartment whilst still retaining the 4 seats for extra crew.  The unit has just been re-licensed as a MSA Medical Response unit, it carries the extra medical kit including a Defibrillator, runs Blue & Amber Strobes and just needs the Ambulance Response signs on as it’s now Taxed as an Ambulance.  The unit has been busy so far this year and will be seen on Rally & 4 x 4 Stages i.e. Sunseeker, Tempest, Rockingham, Severn Valley, Swansea Bay, GTI International, London to Brighton Run.  A full list of equipment can be found on the Langley Response website.  Paul can be contacted on 07767797379 or 01753 671575.  As this vehicle is privately funded, all donations would be very welcome. Langley response is a member of the Southern Rescue Group (10.08.08).

 

'One Hundred Motoring Milestones'

by Adrian L’Estrange

 

 

This hardback book details the Club's history over the 100 years since its foundation in 1905.  With 504 pages (including 40 colour and b&w plates) and priced at £20 plus £2.65 p+p, it is available from mcacmilestones@btinternet.com or through Tony Philips and save the post and packing.

The July/August issue of The Middlesex Magazine is now available from the Club Mag page - see side bar.  Also, my apologies for the lack of attention paid to the problems on the Mag page.  The Magazines themselves should still be accessible - it's just the image that is not shown.  The new website requires filenames to be in lower case - ours ones are in a mix of upper and lower case! (15.07.08).

 

Chris Keys sends his apologies but he has again had to go north on business this week and will have to postpone this Wednesday's planned quiz (30.06.08). 

 

In his capacity as Publicity Officer, Pete Farmer asks members who takes part in any 'unreported' activity (of the motorsport variety!) to please let him know details.  He is planning regular press releases to be circulated around the local press and media with a view to promoting the Club and it's members (08.06.02).

 

The website was finally upgraded on Sunday 25th May.  Unfortunately - a problem at our hosting company meant that we were offline for longer than envisaged.  However, we are back now and the next time we need to upgrade (due to the site growing to over 200Mb in size) should be a fair number of years into the future (25.05.08).

 

The May/June issue of The Middlesex Magazine is now available from the Club Mag page (be careful if you don't have broadband - it's around 4Mb in size) - see side bar  (24.05.08).

Chris Keys has been unavoidably sidetracked with business so will not be at Club to organise his quiz tonight.  We are trying to organise an alternative but as it's a bit last minute we can make no promises (07.05.08).

Pete Farmer has now advised that the rules of his 'Book Review' competition have been amended to exclude current Council members!  I wonder why? (28.03.08).

Pete Farmer advises me that he will present a bottle of wine to the member who submits the first review of Adrian's new book for publication in the next issue of the magazine.  The offer will be withdrawn on the cut off date for inclusion of articles for the said next magazine. Wine to be from stock behind bar at GXSS and chosen by him.  Bad news is that being forewarned about this I have already drafted my review and will be sending it to Pete at the same time as I upload this item!  (only joking! - Malc) (28.03.08).

 

Adrian L'Estrange was at club on Wednesday evening to sign copies of  'One Hundred Motoring Milestones' his new book on the history of MCAC. He then gave a brief insight into the journey that he had taken over the last three and a half years whilst researching the archives.  Many hours have been spent on this project and just to bring it to fruition is a considerable achievement.  Congratulations to Adrian and thanks must also go to Jo for her patience!   'One Hundred Motoring Milestones' details the Club's history over the 100 years since its foundation in 1905 has been released in hardback, containing 504 pages (including 40 colour and b&w plates).  It is available from the publishers mcacmilestones@btinternet.com at £20 plus £2.65 p+p or through Tony Philips and save the post and packing (26.03.08).

 

The March/April issue of The Middlesex Magazine is now available from the Club Mag page - see side bar  (20.03.08).

 

On Sunday 16th March, Peter Farmer and Brian Catt assisted the Misbourne Matins Rotary Club  in running a couple of Fun-Runs for school kids in Chalfont St Giles. MCAC provided radios, stakes and arrows for the 500 m lap, but what we forgot was the SPLIT board for the approach to the Stage Finish! As no MSA Steward  was seen the whole weekend, this passed unpunished.  The lad that won the 8-9 year olds race lapped almost the entire field, but luckily no protests were raised.  Brian was worried that fuel sampling problems might arise!  He was so quick that he had to be brought back to re-stage his finish for the photos.  Linford Christie gave the awards out and Brian says that Jordan Lowe might get as much coverage in the future as Linford did (Brian Catt - 21.03.08)

 

The MCAC Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 23rd April 2008.  Your chance to have a say in the running of the Club and, perhaps, volunteer to serve on the Council. If you feel like filling some of the vacant places on the Council, Andy Greenland needs to receive any new nominations by the 19thl (17.03.2008).

 

Pete Farmer has announced that the intended issue date of the next copy of the Club Magazine has been brought forward by one week.  This is to enable Adrian's forthcoming presentation (see article below) to be publicised to those without internet access.  The new intended issue date is 19th March 2008 with the last date for inclusion of articles now 5th March 2008 (24.02.08).

 

Tony Philips has advised of a change to the social calendar - on Wednesday 26th March Adrian L'Estrange will be letting us all into some of the secrets/interesting research behind the writing of his new book, One Hundred Motoring Milestones – The Story of Middlesex County Automobile Club 1905 - 2005.  He will also sign copies for those that want it (20.02.08)

 

26th January: Kevin Fowler was the recipient of The President's Award at Saturday's Annual Dinner-Dance and Presentation of Awards event held at Stockley Park on Saturday.   Kevin was presented with the award by Adrian L'Estrange  himself for his general all round contribution to motorsport.  Ann Kolter received the award for the Best Newcomer. As has become the norm, the event was well organised by Peter and Sarah Nathan.

 

Thanks to Adrian L'Estrange 's efforts in researching the Club's history, we now have an accurate record of every issue of  The Middlesex Magazine.  The first one was issued way back in December 1958, produced by one John Smith!  Also, in the past, the magazine has been identified by volume number and issue number.   That was not very informative as the volume number was only increased with each change of editor hence, with Pete Farmer being the thirteenth incumbent of the chair, we are now on Volume 13.  However, with effect from the first issue of 2008, the magazine will only be identified by an issue number.  With John Smith’s December 1958 issue being designated number 1 the most recent issue has been given number 279 (20.01.08).

The Club Mag page of the website has taken on a new appearance.  Adrian L'Estrange  spent may hours scanning the covers of the more recent format of the Club Magazine during his researches.  It seemed appropriate that effort should be reciprocated on the Magazine page (21.01.08).

Adrian L'Estrange's long anticipated history of the club, One Hundred Motoring Milestones is due to be published in February.  With 400 pages in a hardback cover, the book represents excellent value at just £20 plus P&P.  Order from the publishers at mcacmilestones@btinternet.com or through Tony Philips and save the post and packing (16.01.08).

Andy Greenland tells us that the Valentine Scatter has been moved forward to Saturday 9th February.  Regs should be available later this week (13.01.08).

MSA Rally Marshals Training sessions, under the Volunteers In Motorsport auspices, for 2008.  Details pertaining to the sessions available at each Training Day can be found on the Volunteers In Motorsport website (www.volunteersinmotorsport.co.uk) by following the "Training" link at the bottom of the homepage.
1, Association of South Eastern Motor Clubs (ASEMC) at North West Kent College (Gravesend) on Saturday 16th February
2, Association of Eastern Motor Clubs (AEMC) at Cambridge Regional College on Sunday 17th February
3, Association of Central Southern Motor Clubs (ACSMC) at Lackham College (Chippenham) on Saturday 15th March
4, East Midlands Association of Motor Clubs (EMAMC) at Oxford & Cherwell College (Bicester) on Sunday 16th March
You will find the appropriate 'online application form' for each Training Day against it's ViM website entry).  As always this training is provided FREE OF CHARGE by MSA Marshals Instructors - the only costs to attendees being their fuel, plus either the college refectory or local café prices for breakfast and lunch, if people don't wish to take their your own sandwiches, etc. For more information on the MSA Rally Marshals Sheme please visit http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=2385. You'll also be able to view details of the new for 2008 MSA Cadet Marshals scheme for the under 16's, for which these training days are open to, via http://www.msauk.org/site/wbs/news/ViewNews.asp?NewsOwner=msa&NewsId=4031&BackUrl=NewsOwner%3Dmsa%26chapter%3D262&chapter=262&category=0.  As you will no doubt be aware for any marshal wishing to volunteer for the Rally Wales GB there is an MSA/Event requirement that they are enrolled on the MSA's National Marshals Register, which the Introduction To Rally Marshaling course can provide the necessary training to support their application. Similarly for existing MSA Registered Marshals there is an ongoing requirement for them to attend a Marshals Training Day, every 2 years. Again the other courses provide the necessary training. If you have any queries regarding this MSA Training the please don't hesitate to contact either Allan Dean-Lewis at the MSA, Dave Pierre as Chair of the MSA Volunteer Officials Advisory Panel, either of the local MSA Associations' Training Officers (Chris Bird or Vernon Quaintance ), or Derek Machin on  Phone 01625 869720, Fax 01625 869656 or Email - websitecontent@volunteersinmotorsport.co.uk.  Internet - www.volunteersinmotorsport.co.uk

 

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