A FINE TIME IN VIDALIA

Brits By The River was a hit from all the feedback receive. Great weather, food fun friends and 48 British cars took to the banks of the Mississippi River on the Louisiana side just south of the Natchez/Vidalia bridge. Hold on a second I’m getting a bit ahead of myself.

Friday night attendees were treated to some great refreshments the River View Camp Ground home of the Jim Bowie Festival and associated Brits By The River. The weather had cooled down sufficiently that everyone made an evening of it with food, drink, laughs and tall tales that would have made old Jim a very proud guest.

For the late night crowd the party moved to the nearby Comfort Suites. The night was great for watching the tug’s ply their way going north and south on the old man. Moon over the river, the low hum of diesels good friends and you have the makings of a very magic close to our first evening.

Following a great breakfast at the hotel most of those 48 cars I mentioned earlier made their way down the levee to the show site taking their place on the river side of the levee for the show. It was a great day for lazing by the river with great crafts, entertainment and fair food all close by. After being off one year due to hurricane interruptions everyone enjoyed the visit and the crowds attending the festival really enjoyed our return.

Notable at this year show was the large turn out of MG’s of all sorts, Triumphs TR 3's, 4's and 6's, three big Austin Healeys, McKenzie Toney’s 1959 MGA, John Wilkerson attending from Texas, the large group of attendees from the New Orleans area as well as Florida and Alabama, Richard Crichton making it in for the visit and having two past presidents The Honorables Mr. Al Adams and Terry Trovato of The EMC join us again this year. I could go on and on. I won’t mention all the awards here other than to note that best of show was awarded to Bill and Melissa Silhan for their beautiful 1951 Daimler. Click here to view a list of this year's winners.

Following the show everyone set off to the hotel for a rest, some air conditioning and off to local eateries for dinner. It was great touring the old town of Natchez on a comfortable late summer evening with the top down. On behalf of the members of the EMC I want to thank all attendees for making BBTR 2006 a huge success and hope you’ll visit with us in 2007.

I’ve received a couple of notes regarding BBTR ‘06. This one from EMC member Menda Hayden who along with hubby David were kind enough to bring over their Triumph TRA and their recently acquired 1974 Mini Cooper for our show:

An open letter to lovers of our hobby;

I told Dave on the way home, I don’t know why anyone in the world with a British Car does not show up for this event. Which puts me in a quandary because one of the things I love about it is the small town feel of the show. This year 48 cars gave you plenty of time to see them all and visit with the people who brought them.

There’s a lot to be said for a car show event when you find 3 couples; GiGi and Richard Crichton, Cindy and Nicky Edrington, and Jeannine and Roy Richardson who show up with no cars to enter. They just wanted to come for the joy of Brits By The River. They all knew it would be a great weekend and wanted to catch up with friends.

As always there are new people and cars you haven’t seen at a show before. It’s so cool to drive away on Sunday to know you will see them soon, cause they are now hooked on British Car Shows. You know for a fact they will go home, pull out the calendar and check to see when they can do that again.

Well, as you can see I could and have gone on and on about the world of British car shows, it’s cars, and it’s people.

This started out to be a thank you to the women and men who put together such a great time for all of us.

THANK YOU!!!!!! Can’t wait till next year, hope to see you all soon.

Menda Hayden

Here’s a list of upcoming activities on the EMC Calendar:

OCTOBER 21, 2006 - Tech Session III / Vicksburg MS

Pat and Barbara are opening their garage for our crew again. Lots of projects in a very fun environment has been the history of our meetings at Pat and Barbara’s and to boot they have to best AC near a garage that I can think of. Bring a dish. Yes we welcome the colonel year round. Wrenching begins at 11:00am, lunch break about 12:00pm Details: Pat or Barbara Cashman (601) 638 - 3240

 

OCTOBER 27 - 28, 2006 - South Alabama British Car Festival / Fairhope AL

These folks put together a great late season gathering. The show is held at waters edge in Fairhope. Good food, show and shopping to boot with a whole lot of friends along to share the good time. Details: www.sabcc.org <http://www.sabcc.org/>

 

NOVEMBER 18, 2006 - Tech Session IV / Ridgeland MS

 Well, unless I get really, really busy I’m sure that I can dig up at least one project for everyone to turn a wrench on. Everyone’s invited to check progress on the ‘64 and if I’m lucky? there maybe another project that follows me home. Bring a side, I’m sure Martha and I would like to take a shot at that chili again. Wrenching begins at 11:00am with lunch about 12:00pm. Details: Gene or Martha Johnston (601) 607 - 7021

 

That’s it for the October edition of The Off-Side Undo. Get out and enjoy the great fall weather and by all means, support your local and regional clubs.

Happy Motoring

Gene Johnston