Ten members of the club gathered at the home of Jim and Faye Enzman’s on February 16, 2008 for the inaugural 2008 Tech Session. After a short meeting and a meal fit for a king the men folk all wandered out to the garage area to evaluate the status of Jim’s MGB GT that he’d stripped and painted over the winter months. After a tune-up on the dizzy and its replacement we were successfully able to get the GT cranked. Smooth idle and a little warm up time and it was ready for a trip around the block. On the return the driver, the first of many to have a go at it during the day indicated that there was a clear lack of power above 2500rpm.

After verification of spark order the next driver travels off. With all hands at the shop door we peer out as GT moves slowly up the hill out front. No improvement! Back into the garage and at this point, someone noted that there was no reading indicated on the gauge between the speedo and the tach. Assured by the owner that there had to be an issue with either the Lucas wiring or the Smiths gauge we rechecked the primary electricals, looked for fuel delivery issues and vacuum leaks and after tightening a few odds and ends that always remain after an engine pull we continued our course of trial runs up and down the road in front of the shop. You know it’s amazing what will occur if you don’t pay attention to that little gauge between the speedo and the tach. With each start-up the engine began to develop a distinct rattle in the bottom end that would resolve at idle but would get more and more recognizable on start up.

Finally someone in the group cried uncle and we agree no more trips up and down the street out front of the shop and we take another course of diagnosing the knock. Off comes the oil filter and it’s attacked by one member present with an air chisel. My what fun. Break out the paper guts of the filter but no metal parts in the filter. I wonder why?

By this time it’s late afternoon and time for a break with a favored beverage and with contemplation came the realization that just because it says Smiths on the label or it’s connected to a wire assembled by Lucas doesn’t mean that what it say’s ain’t so. Lesson learned? Join us for further adventures with Jim and Faye’s GT.

Alex and Tere Wade's Update from Yuma, AZ:

"I thought I would drop you a note to let you know that I registered my 1957 TR3 at the Midnight at the Oasis Car Show in Yuma, Arizona last weekend as an English Motoring Club vehicle. We had a handful of Brit’s out of the 900+ cars in attendance. I swapped lots of stories with visitors who used to own or loved one of these cars. My favorite visitor was a fellow who worked across the street from the Triumph dealership. The salesman would let him sit in a yellow TR3 during his lunch hour and he dreamed of owning one. He indicated that he did....eventually. "

Thanks for the update from one of our remote locations Alex. You and Tere take care and visit when you can.

It’s Rally Time!

I’ll introduce a couple of new members to the EMC here. Andy and Bonnie Menapace from Raymond have joined the EMC. Andy is president of the Deep South Alfa Romeo Club and a real rally organizer.

On March 8, 2008 ten rally crews gathered in Raymond MS for lunch followed by a 3-stage rally that Andy and Bonnie had laid out in and around Raymond. Cars departed from lunch to tour the town on the first stage followed by two stages in the surrounding county.

Don’t let anyone tell you that Mississippi doesn’t have s-curves, switch backs, banked curves and our share of woopty-doo’s. For the better part of the afternoon ten cars from Alfa’s to Rover’s traveled the roads of rural Hinds County looking for directional instructions from a rally guide that must have been developed during Andy and

Bonnie’s breaks from crossword puzzles. Tricky directions? You bet. Challenging and frustrating? Yep! But OH boy! What a way to spend an afternoon.

Exhausted after three hours of the rally exercise everyone managed to make it the final check point at the rally miester’s home for refreshments and a wind down. After tabulating the "+’s" an "-‘s" it was EMC’ers Pat and Barbara Cashman taking first, Tim and Brittaney Spruill taking second and EMCer’s Keith Anderson teamed with Dennis Loftin placing third. Everyone had a great time and thanks to Andy and Bonnie for a great rally and a great time.

Our membership drive is really picking up. In addition to Andy and Bonnie we’ve also added new members Zach Adams, Jackson area with an MGB GT, Trey Ducell, Clinton area with an MGB and Tom Whitfield in the Starkville area with a TR6. Welcome to the EMC and we hope you can join us on one or all of our gatherings in 2008. We look forward to sharing the good times. Remember membership remains at $25.00 for 2008. You won’t find a better deal. Check the website for membership details.

Here’s the update from the EMC events calendar. For additional dates please check the website.

March 22, 2008 - EMC Tops Down / Rocky Springs MS The passage into spring will be held once again in the peaceful surroundings of the park at Rocky Springs on the Natchez Trace. Everyone that’s had the opportunity to join us has a great time traveling the Trace and were looking for the same in 2008. Lunch on the ground begins at 12:00pm. Details; Keith Anderson (601) 829 - 2573

MARCH 28 - 19, 2008 - New Orleans British Car Day / New Orleans LA Word is spreading. The British Car Club of New Orleans is getting together for the 18th Annual New Orleans British Car Day. Plans are underway for another great show in the Crescent City so keep an eye on their web site. Details: www.bmcno.org <http://www.bmcno.org/>

APRIL 12, 2008 - EMC Lotus Weekend - Braxton, MS Last year was a first visit. Participant’s had a great drive down and enjoyed spending the afternoon wandering around Mike and Alice’s new place. We didn’t break anything so we’re invited back again in 2008. Join us for a great ride thru the country, good food and company. Details: Mike Glore (504) 231 - 5801

That’s it for this update of the all the news that is the news from the EMC.

Happy Motoring

Gene Johnston