Spring Tinker Day
Ed. Note: This event will likely take place
before you receive this newsletter, but
just in case….
The games are done, the visiting hordes
have cleared out, the Beach Party has
come and gone, temperatures are getting
back to what one might expect of
springtime in the Rockies—must be time
for the traditional Spring Tinker Day at
The Fat Chance Garage. This one will be
back at the dark and dreary confines of
the shop, none of the luxurious seating
and exotic house plants found at Pugs'
hangar.
So make a note on your calendars for Saturday, April 6th to check out Tinker Day. It gives club members a chance to gather and offer their advice, ridicule or to just reminisce as they watch other club members sweat over some minor problem, or hang out and drink bad coffee as we stand around watching the snow fall. Like I said, springtime in the Rockies.
It will start Saturday about 10 am, and go until everyone heads home. Usually that's about 2 or 3 pm, depending on what sort of projects get undertaken, whether or not we call in a pizza strike, or the grill is going, whatever.
The location is 3994 South 300 West, unit #22 in Salt Lake City. Get to the 4500 South exit of I-15, go east a few hundred feet to 300 West, also called Commerce Drive. Head north up 300 West for a ways, until you are a few hundred feet from the 3900 South overpass. Turn west into the Garco complex, and thread your way through assorted automotive salvage projects towards the freeway end of the complex. Unit #22 is about 100 feet from I-15, it used to be 200 feet, though the building hasn't moved.
You should see various Triumphs scattered about in front. Assuming I get there at least 5 minutes before the official 10 am start, I should have the coffee pot going and the air compressor charged up. If you think you may need special tools or something, email me at mjb@britishmotorclub.org or give me a call at 801 558 8817 beforehand to discuss it. Or call that cell number at 9:59 Saturday morning as you wander about the streets of Murray or Taylorsville or Oakley wondering how to get there from where you are.
As a reminder, my shop is not one of the neatest, cleanest and most safely organized areas of the earth's surface. I recommend you not bring children, they could seriously injure themselves playing with the "toys." And remember to dress appropriately.
See you there!
Tax Day Social
Time again for the annual Tax Day social hosted by Pugs and Diane Pivirotto.
Pugs and Diane will host the gathering at their house on Saturday, April 13. The address is 1419 South 900 East in Salt Lake City. Plan to be there at 11:00 am. You can park along 900 East, or around the corner along Browning Avenue.
If you were able to make the social last year, you know how it works. If not, here’s the plan: we’ll meet at the Pivirottos’ and enjoy some food and good company, and if the weather is nice, maybe take a quick drive up East Canyon.
Jim and Diane will provide some snacks, but please bring your favorite snack dish. Also, if you are so inclined, it’s BYOB.
You can call the Pivirottos’ at 486-0547 to ask questions, get directions, or let them know what dish you are bringing.
Memorial Day Run
This event is a few weeks away, but since it is an overnighter, you need to know the plan so you can decide if you want to go and make the necessary hotel reservations.
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'
Auto Scrappage Defeated
Ed. Note: Last month I included
information about the auto scrappage
provision in Senate bill 517 concerning
the federal funding of auto scrappage
for older cars. This follow-up
information indicates that the
provision has been defeated. Thanks to
Mark Noeltner for passing the info
along.
As a result of SEMA and SEMA-member companies' hard work to oppose the old-car scrappage provision in the Energy Policy Act of 2002 (Section 822 of S. 517), the provision has been defeated. Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell's (R-CO) amendment to eliminate scrappage from the legislation passed by unanimous consent. Even the principal sponsor of the scrappage provision, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), was not willing to oppose the Campbell amendment!
This is fantastic work which would not have been possible without the enthusiastic and valuable support of Sen. Campbell and the thousands of phone calls, faxes, e-mails and letters to U.S. senators that SEMA-member businesses and SEMA Action Network vehicle clubs and individual enthusiasts contributed. Hobbyist efforts were cited by Senator Campbell and Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) as a compelling force in defeating this scrappage provision.
SEMA sincerely thanks everyone for their dedication, hard work, and willingness to protect the vehicle hobby today and to preserve for it for our children. Great work and thank all of you who made the effort to call or write.
Jensen Nationals
Marv and Sheree Marcus would like to invite all BMCU’ers to the Jensen National West as the Marcus’ host the Nationals in Park City, Utah this June 30th through July 3rd. This is big event for the Jensen marque and it’s close to home. You can attend Austin Healey event the previous week in Tahoe, and still be able to attend the Jensen Nationals.
The Marcus’ would also like to hear from anyone who wants to help in the event. You can contact them at shermarinc@aol.com You can also go to their web page at: www.2002jensennational.com
One event that is tentatively scheduled is a barbeque on Monday, July 1st. As more details are available, look for them here in the newsletter or at the web site listed above.
Plan to attend the event and see some great cars.
Left over parts
Jason Clark sent an email as a follow-up to last month’s “Joey Awards:”
“An important LBC appearance was missed -Best Costume/Best Special Effect: ‘The Ultimate Christmas Present’ (2000) This Disney MFTV film features a red TR7 (at least we hope it wasn't a TR8) convertible as Santa's sled...with the wheels replaced with runners and a rocket engine on the rear. In true Lucas fashion, it stops running at 20,000 feet." http://psc.disney.go.com/disneyvideos/moviefinder/products/DC024.html
Ever want to take a great vacation and work on your MG at the same time? Consider the University Motors Technical Seminars, held in Ada, MI each February for the past 19 years. The seminars include a T-A-B-C-Midget seminar, MGB restoration seminar, an XPAG engine rebuild demo, gearbox rebuild classes (bring your own gearbox), and carburetor rebuild classes (bring your own carbs).
While you missed your chance for this year, it’s not too late to plan for next year. The classes are limited to 25 weekend participants and 10 weekday participants. For more info, call 616-682-0800 or visit their website at www.universitymotorsltd.com
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.
April 6. Spring Tinker Day. Mark Bradakis, 364-3251
April 13. Tax Day Social, Pugs and Diane Pivirotto, 486-0547
April 26-28. 11th annual British Car Days in Las Cruces, NM. Contact the British Automobile Owners Association of Albuquerque, NM at www.baoa.org
May 11. Antelope Island Run, Joe Chou
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. Bill Davis/ Bruce Schilling/others
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
November. Tech Session. Date and time to be announced
December. No event
January 2003. Utah Lotus Museum. Mark Bradakis, 364-3251.
Autojumble
'66 MGB: 80K miles, good condition, needs some restoration, $2,100. Call Dan Alfredson at 397-3319.
For Sale, 1972 MGB roadster for restoration. Rough, but runs. Dual carbs. Price of $1495 OBO includes wire wheeled parts car. Bob Wager, 455-4400. Also for sale, assorted MGB trannys, engines, wheels, body parts, etc. Too much to list here. One-half Moss price or best offer. Bob Wager, 455-4400.
Find the BMCU on the web: www.britishmotorclub.org
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.