Off-Side Undo - September 2009

Brits By The River

After almost two weeks of daily showers in South and Central Mississippi, I wasn’t too optimistic that we’d make it thru the 12th annual Brits By The River without a repeat of the famous or infamous 2001 event spent standing around in a pouring rain under a field of umbrellas. I was only half correct. Friday, travel day began a little overcast and misty traveling down The Natchez Trace to the rendezvous point at The River View RV Park in Vidalia Louisiana overlooking the Mississippi River. Nothing that a properly fitted hood couldn’t handle when necessary but it never got to the point of necessity. I don’t think any of the travelers ran into severe weather coming in from Texas, Louisiana or Florida. It was at times quite balmy to say the least.

Friday night’s social was at the River View Welcome Center and our hosts there were very accommodating even supplying a fan for the registration ladies. A large number of folks gathered for the beginning of the year-end car shows for and were not disappointed by the hors d'oeuvres supplied by The Pig Out Inn Barbeque in Natchez.

Saturday started very early for the club members that are the energy source that puts our show on and I can’t say enough about the effort this year. The registration went smoothest ever, the goodie backs were some of the best ever and the field of cars reflected the support of this show. Thanks to all members for your support and hard work.

The cars made it onto the field at 10:00am after a caravan from the hotel thru the surface roads to the show site as the road along the levee was judged to be a little soggy from all of the rain. In all thirty-eight British and three Italians cars made it on the field. This was the first year that space was made for the Deep South Alfa Club to participate and we were very happy with their turnout and involvement in BBTR. Thanks Tim Spurill, Andy Menapace and Charles Durning and spouses for spending the day with us. There was a little sprinkle at mid-show, just a spit of rain. A few erected hoods and a few unrolled and snapped down the tonneau covers but within fifteen to twenty minutes it was all gone. Class winners were announced at 2:00pm on the dot and the party broke-up to head back to the hotel for afternoon cocktails and dinner plans. A special thanks to all of the out of town folks that took a chance and made the drive to BBTR 2009. We hope that you had as great a time as we did having you.

Happy Motoring Gene Johnston

Here are the class awards for the 12th annual Brits By The River:

Austin Healey

1 -- Terry Trovato 1960 Austin Healey 3000

2 -- Richard and Darla Willows 1958 Austin Healey 100-6

MG Midget

1 -- Bob Deich 1979 MG Midget

MGA

1 -- Tom Schmitz 1957 MGA Coupe

2 -- David Crawford 1957 MGA 1500

3 -- Paul Hornsby 1960 MGA 1600

MGB Chrome

1 -- Blake Sonnier 1972 MGB

2 -- Tom Warren 1964 MGB

MGB Rubber

1 -- Stuart Waddington 1977 MGB

2- Kathy Sonnier 1977 MGB

3 -- John Wilkerson 1978 MGB

Triumph TR2 - 4

1 -- Wayne Pangburn 1963 TR - 4

2 -- Brooks Dearing 1957 TR - 3

3 -- Merideth Trovato 1959 TR - 3

Triumph TR - 6

1 -- Poolboy 1973 TR - 6

2 -- Kevin Carran 1974 TR - 6

Triumph Spitfire

1 -- Tommy Boudreaux 1973 Spitfire

2 -- Grady Wilkerson 1978 Spitfire

Jaguar Sports

1 -- John and Dot Wells 1995 XJS

2 -- Wally Frilox 2001 XK8

3 -- Menda Hayden 1994 XJS

Jaguar Saloon

1 -- Barbara Cashman 1957 MK II

Empire Sports

1 -- Mike Robbins 1976 Blakely Bearcat S

Empire Luxury

1 -- Richard Branyan 1949 Rolls Royce

2 -- Judy Stallman 1973 Rolls Royce Cornich

Empire Economy

1 -- Mike Glore 1966 Moke

MGB Modified

1 -- Danny Varnado MGB Roadster

Triumph TR - 7 Modified

1 -- Barry Schmidt TR - 7 Coupe

Alfa Romeo

1 -- Andy and Bonnie Menapace Alfa Spider

Best of Show

Wayne Pangburn 1963 Triumph TR-4

Upcoming Events

OCTOBER 17, 2009 - EMC Tech Session III / Vicksburg MS

We missed a couple of visits to the Oldsmobile Garage aka Pat and Barbara's in Vicksburg during 2008 so he’s got a back log of projects of us to sling a wrench at. Bring your work cloths a tub of your favorite cool beverage and let’s get down to work. Wrenching will begin at 11:00am a break will be given about 12:00pm. Details: Pat and Barbara Cashman (601) 638-3240

OCTOBER 23-24, 2009 - South AL British Car Festival / Fairhope AL

If you haven’t made this gathering, write it down now. The 2009 gathering was one of the best ever with a great turn out of cars. The Friday night gathering has become legendary. Date is tentative, so please check the website. Details: www.sabcc.org