BMCU Newsletter - March 2003
Volume 15 Number 7

Postcard Time
Yes, folks, it's time for you to reaffirm your faith in the Sacred Oil Slick, St. Whitworth - Patron Saint of Crossthreads, Church of the Overheated and, of course, your beloved British Motor Club Of Utah.

According to postal regulations and the laws of the Commonwealth of Sense, each year we “cleanse” our mailing and membership list by asking you to return the enclosed postcard with your updated information. This ensures you won't miss our monthly newsletter and e-mail based communications throughout the year. It also saves us the expense of sending out stuff to people who may have moved on and will never receive it.

Just fill out the information on the card, put a stamp on it and drop it in the mail. Our mailing list and web site membership directory will be updated on the web site once we have received all the cards. Remember, if you fail to send back the card by March 31, you will be dropped from the roster. No card, no membership. You'll miss this great publication! Please take a moment to send it back today, before you forget.

Better yet recycle the postcard and get out an envelope, write a big check and send that in. While most clubs have membership dues that can be hefty, your BMCU has no official dues or subscription fees. We depend solely on your benevolence to exist. Your donation of any size is most gratefully appreciated.

Pot Luck and Annual Business Meeting
Saturday, February 1, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Bill Robinson. Bill asked for the BMCU members in attendance (members) to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the Columbia shuttle astronauts, which the members did. Bill then asked for a show of thanks for the 2002 Board of Governors, webmaster, and newsletter editor. The members readily supplied a hearty round of applause. Bill also asked for a show of thanks for Bruce Schilling and Bob Wager for finding the Good Shepard Lutheran Church hall as a last-minute change forced us to find a new venue for the meeting. The members again supplied a round of applause. Officers Our charter requires the members to elect a Board of Governors each year. The Board is selected at our annual meeting. Bill Robinson announced that he could not continue as Governor General for 2003, owing to the fact that he accepted a job out of state and would be relocating within the month. Bill also was acting newsletter editor. The members gave a round of applause as a show of thanks for Bill's hard work and two years' efforts as Governor General. Bill solicited nominations and/or volunteers to fill the Board positions. When the elections ended, the Board consisted of: Governor General: Gary Lindstrom Board Member: Jim “Pugs” Pivirotto Chancellor of the Exchequer: Marty VanNood Membership Director: Bruce Schilling Newsletter Editor: Jeff Porter Webmaster: Mark Noeltner

The calendar of events selected by the members for 2003 include: March 15: St. Patty's Day parade in downtown Salt Lake. Organizer: Bill Van Moorhem. Note: the parade is traditionally the Saturday before the 17th, and we assume this to be the date but have not had any information from the St. Patty's parade organizers. March 22: Tech Session. We need someone to organize this event. April 11, 12, 13: Car Show/funkana at Lake Havasu. For information, contact Bruce Schilling. This event is 575 miles from SLC, but is well worth the drive. April 12th?: (date to be determined) Poker Run. We have not had a Poker Run in a few years. Rob Green (not in attendance) had expressed an interest in such an event last year, so the members unofficially elected Rob to organize this event. April 19: Tinker Day. Mark Bradakis. May 10: Antelope Island Run. Nathan Massie and Mitch Johnson. May 24, 25, 26: Memorial Day Run. This event, organized by Jon Hermance, will not be to southern Utah as in years past, but will be to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Jon gave the members some details, and indicated that more information will be published in the newsletter in plenty of time for hotel reservations, etc. June 7: British Field Day. Sharon Forster. This is a big event like past years, and it's being planned by a group of BMCU members along with members of the other clubs that participate. Please put this one on your calendar and plan to help setup, take down, or help out on the day of the event. June 21: Monte Cristo Run. Bill Walton. July ??: GoF in Long Beach, CA. While not a club event, several members plan to caravan to this national event. More details will be in the newsletter for those who want to join in. July 12: Trial Lake Run. Doug Wimer. 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. September 13: State Street Cruise night. Start at the top of State Street at the State Capitol, and cruise down to Joe Chou's Dairy Queen in Sandy. 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. Time and place to be determined. October 18: End of the Season Dinner. Probably at the Fiddler's Elbow in SLC. Gregg Smith. November 11: Tech Session. We need an organizer for this event. December: As is traditional, no event. However, Bill and Julie Robinson have hosted a wine tasting party the past few years, and may choose to do so again. Look to the newsletter for details. After the calendar of events was proposed and agreed upon, the meeting was adjourned. Our thanks to all those in attendance and for the wonderful food.

Parting Shots
It is sorrowful to say good bye to such a fine bunch of people. But Juls and I are moving to California where I will take on a new position with the world's largest guitar and piano manufacturer. We will miss our friends in the BMCU and we will miss the great events scheduled for yet another fantastic driving season. Gary Lindstrom graciously accepted the responsibilities of Governor General and is already on the job to make our club even better. You are all in good hands with your newly "elected" Board of Governors. Check out the new Lucas Calendar for 2003 and start planning now to attend as many events as you can. May the spirit of British Motoring bring you continued fun and friendship. Cheers, Bill Robinson

Flyball Governor
--Gary Lindstrom --------------
Yep, that's me. What's a flyball governor? Ever see sketches of James Watt's first steam engine, with the spinning brass contraption with two balls that rise by centrifugal force to govern its speed? This was the pre-Lucas notion of a cruise control, designed to keep steam engines from overworking and bursting seams. I think of my role as Governor General like that. Run around, flapping my arms, until all productivity ceases. Or until I blow my stack. Actually, given my trusty Board o' Guv'nors, I expect there will be little need such extremus. Indeed, I look forward to a great year of flawless fun events, as mapped out at our Pot Luck Dinner (see the reportage in this issue). Meanwhile, thanks and best wishes to our Governor General Emeritus Bill Robinson, who with co-pilot Juls are decamping to new adventures in LaLaLand. Good luck to you both, and to your Spitfire --- in passing California emissions.

Also in this newsletter (really, this time) is your reply post card to stay affiliated to the BMCU, and to keep the latter's second class mailing permit legal. Please do return it, and don't forget to include your email address, which we will inscribe in our BMCU member email Hall of Fame. We closely guard the use of that list, believing that spam is only appropriate for manifold cookery. It provides an important safety net when an event on the Lucas Calendar (e.g., the venue of the recent Pot Luck dinner) is flickering. Thanks to the efforts of our Noble Webmaster, Mark Noeltner, our club web page is being kept uptodate and offers a wealth of information on members and club events, past and future. Set your bookmark to http://www.britishmotorclub.org/. Also, don't hesitate to email your suggestions, kudos and brickbats to the BMCU Board of Governors via bmcu-board@britishmotorclub.org. Finally, regarding my election --- hey, it could be worse. The first time I heard of Watt's invention it was described to me as a Dumbell Governor.

St. Patty's Day Parade
Saturday March 15
The first driving event of the new year has traditionally been the St. Patrick's Day parade. This year will be no different. The parade is Saturday March 15 and I am assuming the time will be the same as last year, meet about 8:30 AM so everyone is in place by 9:00. Again I assume the parade actually starts at 10:00. Normally we are not near the beginning and there will be plenty of time to get breakfast while waiting. The entry form does not give the times and they have not replied as of yet. I suggest you look at the newspaper on Friday or Saturday to get the official starting time. The parade has a new route. We will assemble near 400 West and 200 North. We will not learn exactly where until the week before the parade. The best way to find us is to ask one of the organizers near 400 West and 200 North. The parade will move down 400 West, through Gateway, It appears it will turn east at 200 South and end at 200 South and 300 West. Depending on weather and interest there will likely be a BMCU brunch following the parade. This is fun parade with origanization similar to the BMUC, not too much. It is for people to enjoy, so bring the car and the kids or grandkids. This is not a parade for show cars, stick a paper shamrock over the rust holes and join us. British flags and boomboxes playing "God Save the Queen" as not good form for an Irish parade, but green and white crepe paper, paper shamrocks, Irish flags, green and white balloons, etc. are desirable. Easily removed green hair dye will be avaible and I will be spraying beards and mustaches. Join the the fun and spirit of the day. If you need more information call Bill or Julie Van Moorhem, 582-9223.

Tech Session
Body & Paint 10am Sat. Mar. 22
Ever want to know what goes into a really concours quality paint job? Or how to get your money's worth when your budget calls for more economy? Merlin Berg, known for some of the finest paint work done in Utah, will tell all at this tech session. Topics will include: what distinguishes various levels and costs of paint jobs; how to decide whether to make the investment for your car; stripping and rust repair techniques; types of paints and their characteristics; sanding and preparation techniques, and what you can do yourself to cut costs. The session will be at Merlin's shop, which is at 12277 S. 700 W. in Draper. Exit I-15 at 123rd S. and drive west, looking for a silo on the north side of the road. Immediately turn right, and enter the first driveway on the right, by the silo. If you cross the Jordan River, you've gone too far. Those who aren't keen on standing may wish to bring a folding chair. If you get lost, call Merlin's cell phone, 232-1016. Thanks to Stewart Nichols, 595-1727, for arranging this event.

Memorial Day Weekend Tour
May 24-26
Jackson Wyoming here we come! Make your own reservation at the Antler Inn before April 30, 2003. Call 307-733-2535 to reserve one of 25 rooms being held for the "British car club" (BMCU seemed too confusing at the time) at a special rate of $68.00 a night for the nights of May 24 and 25, 2003. Saturday morning May 24 by 9:00 AM, be in the eastern most Hogle Zoo parking lot at the mouth of Emigration Canyon east of downtown Salt Lake City up Sunnyside Avenue. Be prepared to exchange cell phone numbers and receive maps as well as a quick refresher on the McEligot Rules. We will leave the zoo in two groups. Those who may wish to go faster on occasion than the more leisurely group will be allowed a 30 second lead up Emigration Canyon. Turning left on Hwy 65 will take us through East Canyon and Morgan to Mountain Green. We will proceed over the hill past Snow Basin to Huntsville probably for lunch. From there through Monte Christo on Hwy 39 to Woodruff and north on Hwy 16 to Hwy 30 through Laketown to Garden City. We will leave Garden City on Hwy 89 and go past Big Bear Lake through Montpelier and on to Jackson to the Antler Inn located one block from the center of town. After we have checked in, dinner Saturday night can be at Bubba's Bar BQ Restaurant for those who care to. Sunday is open to do as you please. Jackson should have plenty to do during "Western Days" even if it is raining hard or snowing some. One hundred twenty miles each way will take those who wish to from Jackson to the Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins north of Old Faithful in the Firehole Lake Drive - Great Fountain Geyser and Fountain Paint Pot Area of Yellowstone. Craig Pass is 8,262 feet. The South Entrance to Yellowstone is 6,886 feet. Some short hikes get you to the various sights to see. It costs $10.00 or more nowadays per car to enter the park systems for the weekend. Monday at a time to be determined, we return the way we came, weather permitting. Warm clothes, rain gear and good wiper blades recommended. For further information, contact Jon Hermance, 583-5846, Jonathan_Hermance@atk.com.

Internet News
We want to encourage everyone to visit the BMCU web at www.britishmotorclub.org to check the Lucas Calendar for the latest updates between newsletters. We also post photos of past events, copies of the newsletter, and a variety of news and information for our club members. We welcome any submissions you might want to send.

In addition to the web site we have an e-mail list so that we can send out last minute reminders of events, as well as changes that may occur, to all club members. If you have not been receiving our messages, please be sure to fill in the e-mail space on the post card included with the March newsletter. We only use your address to contact you with BMCU news. We never share the addresses with anyone, so don't worry about receiving a lot of spam. We hate junk mail as much as you do! If you didn't get your e-mail address sent off on the post card, then please send it to: mark@buffalochips.org and you will be added to the list.

I've been asked to mention the British Car Forum, located on the web at http://www.britishcarforum.com/ This is a discussion group, or bulletin board, for British car enthusiasts. They have separate groups for most of the major British marques, as well as groups for general discussion. Members are from around the world, including a fair number from England and Scotland. There are some very knowledgeable people there who can help with locating parts, or with diagnosing problems. Please stop by and give it a try!

Brits at the Bridge
April 11
The Lake Havasu "Brits at the Bridge" event is 4/11 to 4/13. All British marques. Details are on the web at www.britishmotorclub.org

NAMGAR GT-28
July 14-18.
Welches, OR. This is the national convention for NAMGAR (North American MGA Register). BMCU folks are currently planning on taking four cars there. If you and your A would like to join us contact Bill Van Moorhem, 582-9223 ASAP. July 21-24. GoF West in Long Beach, CA. For information go to www.gofwest.com.

In Memoriam
The BMCU is saddened to hear of the loss of Ed Strauchen, who died recently in a plane crash. Many of you may have met Ed at some of the British car events over the years. Ed loved British cars almost as much as flying, and as an Austin-Healey owner, he was very active in the Bonneville Austin-Healey Club and often joined BMCU events. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.

Autojumble
Some ads from the St. George newspaper and a local tidbit:

For Sale, '80 TR-7, $1900 OBO. In Kanab, 435-644-2135.
For Sale, '77 MGB and parts car, $2200. In Las Vegas, 702-383-6016.
For Sale, '70 Rover P5B with Rover V-8 that could be used in an MGB. $500, Valdez Car Sales, on 300 West at about 1700 South.

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

March 15 St. Patty's Day parade in downtown Salt Lake. Bill Van Moorhem. (see Article)
March 22 Tech Session. Body & Paint .(see Article)
April 11- 13 Car Show/funkana at Lake Havasu. Bruce Schilling. (see Article)
April 12th? Poker Run. Rob Green
April 19 Tinker Day. Mark Bradakis.
May 10 Antelope Island Run. Nathan Massie and Mitch Johnson.
May 24 - 26 Memorial Day Run. Jon Hermance. (see Article)
June 7 British Field Day.
June 21 Monte Cristo Run. Bill Walton.
July 14-18 NAMGAR GT-28 (see Article)
July ?? GoF in Long Beach, CA
Trial Lake Run. Doug Wimer.
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@softcom.net
Newsletter Editor: Jeff Porter 801-466-9839 jporter@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

Exchequer report