Off-Side Undo - May, 2008

THE BEACH OF COURSE

Pensacola
Three cars from the EMC traveled down to Pensacola on the weekend of April 19th for the Panhandle British Car Associations 16th Annual Brit’s On The Bay car show. Pat and Barbara Cashman, Jim Enzman and I met in Hattiesburg for the four hour or so drive down to the beach. Pat and Barbara made the scene like royalty in their ‘67 Jag 420G while Jim and I tooled along in our B’s. After Jim’s bout with engine issues he’s completed the rebuild in the GT and was eager to get it on the road for a test on this drive. I’m happy to report that his Almost Yellow GT made the run with a single whimper.

The Saturday night red beans and rice offering at the welcoming social was great. Right there on the beach. It was great to see all the members for surrounding clubs and the visitors from further distances. Some very nice and some unusual cars were present at this years gathering with a couple of Daimler SP 250's present as well as a brace of ‘47 Triumph 1800's one of which is owned by EMC’er Bill Silhan.

Of other notes I made, Gene Gillam was present with this ‘49 TC Racer which is very well presented and Marion Brantley came in from the Tampa FL in his Healey 3000 for a visit with his brother Frances. Marion and I had worked together during the mid-seventy’s at the local Ferrari dealership here in Jackson. I had a great visit with these fellow Mississippians before and during the show.

Saturday, show day was a beautiful day with the sun shining a gentle breeze and plenty of shade at their new show site. The EMC did very well for ourselves with Pat and Barbara awarded second place in class and Jim tying for third in class. Congratulations to the PBCA for throwing another show to remember. For more info on the show be sure to visit their website www.PBCA1.com

MS Classic Cruisers Visit / Ferrari Club Rally
The very next weekend was another busy weekend for a couple of EMC’ers. Martha and I joined Keith Anderson and Dennis Loftin in a garage tour in the Jackson area with the Mississippi Classic Cruisers club. We visited four or five garages in the area and got to see several very nice cars and their dwellings. We really appreciated the invitation which included lunch. Thanks to the organizers maybe my wife will let me remodel the garage before the kitchen! For more information on the Mississippi Classic Cruisers visit www.msclassiccruisers.com.

That same weekend the Mississippi Chapter of the Ferrari Club of America held a poker run in and around the Hattiesburg MS area. Barbara and Pat are two for two in rallies this year scoring an overall win on the Deep South Alfa Club’s course and scoring a win the poker run portion of the Ferrari Club’s Rally. Barbara indicated they had a great time and discovered some exciting backroads in the Monticello MS area.

Another exciting bit of news comes from the Arizona wing of the EMC. Alex and Tere Wade are going to be in the area during July and are planning to make a visit at the EMC’s gathering at Lake Arrowhead on July 19th. Words being passed around so I hope we’ll have a good turn out for their visit.

Don’t forget that May 31 thru June 8 is British Car Week. The goal here is to get yours out everyday during that week to show support and increase interest in our hobby. For more information check out www.britishcarweek.org. You’ll be glad you did and so will your LBC.

Here’s the calendar for the upcoming months:

MAY 24, 2008 - Drive Thru History / The Train Time Tour
Dennis have been out exploring some new locations so we’re going to run a little north of the Pine Belt and follow the rails over toward Meridian MS. Pack your bags we’re headed for the A Train. Details: Gene Johnston (601) 607 - 7021

JUNE 21, 2008 - Jake Weaver's Picnic and Tire Kick'n / Clinton MS
Jake has agreed to fire up the grille again in 2008 for our annual "darn and it’s just gettin hot" summer gathering. We’ll provide the core food group requirements you can bring a side dish. We’re usually light on work however Jake may have a project or two we can help with. Wrenching begins at 11:00am with lunch break about 12:00pm. Details: Jake Weaver (601) 974 - 4367

JULY 19, 2008 - EMC's Gone Fishing / Lake Arrowhead MS
Been a couple of years since we’ve visited Pat and Barbara’s camp. An afternoon of lazing around the lake. Bring a pole and catch your own lunch or bring a dish. Relaxing will begin at 11:00am. Details: Pat or Barbara Cashman (601) 638 - 3240

That’s it for this edition of the Off-Side Undo. Hope your LBC is getting exercised regularly.