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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - BRITISH V8 2004 ??

Has anybody volunteered to host British V8 2004 ?? I heard some rumors about Virginia area possibly or ???
PJ Mantell

I had a chance to talk to Steve Carrick the other day.He said that he would have it again at the Gratton track if that's everyone would like to do.The track owners liked having us.I believe Steve was talking about the same weekend as the vintage guys again. That is also the weekend of John Twist's summer party near by.We all need to tell Steve what we think of this idea.I,for one,am ready to play on the track again.Do you need any help Steve?

Mike
Mike Moor

Yeah I'm up for that. Sounds like a good time to me =) I'd drive just about anywhere east (or even slightly west) of the mississippi at this point. I had fun during the convention.

Justin


p.s. Got my new fuel injection computer and life is back to being good. (For the moment anyway)
Justin

I missed that one last time around but it sounds good.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

I would like input on what everyone would like to do.
IF the show is here in Grand Rapids, it would be done in conjunction with Twist's show, that way there would be other "opertunities" for both shows.
Thursday at Gratten, is a given. Tour & tech at Fast Cars and a autocross, possibly another "weight in".
Let me know on this site, what everyone wants

Thank You steve
Steve Carrick

Maybe a tour and some tech sessions with Twist? Not sure how much of it would be applicable, but the guy is still a genius. Depending on the time of year, why not incorporate a drive to Lake Michigan and a day at the beach or something like that? The water is warm in August, and it's not a far drive to Muskegon or Grand Haven, and plenty of cool places we could go. Everyone likes convertibles at the beach!

Just a few ideas right off the top of my head
Justin
Justin

How about California Speedway. Well.... a bit to far for the enthusiast. Just a though, perhaps a wish.

Will try to make it next year.
Bill Guzman

Bill,

No reason why we can't have two events next year - one in the east and one in the west. West coast guys normally won't make the trek out here, and vice-versa, so a second event won't cut into the attendance at the first.

All it takes is a volunteer to do the planning and coordinating. If you start early, it's not all that difficult nor time consuming. Well, it's time consuming, but if you spread it out over the year, you don't have too spend too much time at any one time.

Care to volunteer?
Dan Masters

Larry Embry was thinking about arranging a Western V8 2004 in the Portland area. He did an informal survey to determine interest. I never heard how people felt. Larry?

SCA
Stan Arendts

I got very limited response to it, maybe 5 people replied showing interest. That coupled with a new child and being laid-off work for a while have made it so I had to bow out of trying to arange anything.

Larry Embrey

Dan, I think I would like to do it; Stan Arntz will help me, right Stan.
Yes, at the moment we are working in organizing an event that will include road racing, solo II, car show and a swap meet at California Speedway, close to you Stan. TCRA Touring Car Racing Assoc would be sanction body for the events. So why not add an MG section.
Keep in mind that this event is on the planning stages for July-Aug 04 time frame and if for whatever reason it does not happen, we will do something for the MG's
It takes lots of money at front; we (TCRA) are looking for sponsorship.
Dan, please give me the details for the MG 2004.
Yes I volunteer Dan
Bill Guzman

<<Let me know on this site, what everyone wants>>

Steve,

We want it all! :)

You sure you are up for it again so soon?
Carl

Carl,

Thank you for your comment !
But, do you want to vote for best of show, an awards
banquet, a trip to the beach, etc...... This is what I would like to know.

(No you can't drive barney, I had to put tires on him after your last test drive!!!)

steve
Steve Carrick

Steve....

I like the idea of one group dinner...a simplified "awards" banquet, at the end of the convention.

I would like to see us start to give dash plaques out..The cost is not that prohibitive...and we could simply them by designing once (perhaps the V8 logo superimposed over a Union Jack?), then changing only the location and date each year.

The auction/door prize concept is great (OK - I'm biased since I won the wiring harness from Dan Masters this year) ... but I usually spend quite liberally at these things...and, we are getting "strong enough" and our reputation is beging to spread, that perhaps even more parts vendors will donate items for door prizes/auction items!

Troads available to us this year in Townsend were GREAT...self guided tours are fun and get people away from the hotel complex. Actual performance events such as the 1/8 or 1/4 mile runs and the autocross allow the registrants to flex their cars more than they would genenerally be able to do elsewhere (safely).

I would also like to see future events include an "event booklet" like Dan did this year...and perhaps include the mailling addresses/phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of the registrants (makes it easier to share photos, et cetera).

We don't need "fancy" hotels...Red Roofs, et cetera with nearby camping would most likely please everyone's desires. We just need the capability to stay out at nite and kick some tyres and drink some ale. :-)

The opportunity of activities for spouses/significant others who may not endear our cars as much as we do would probably also increase participation.

Offer if available at a reasonable price) group transportation to the local nite hotspot so that we can safely taste the local flavour of food and beverage availble. (perhaps this could be coordinated into the "awards banquet"?)

Just my thoughts....

rick ingram
1974.5 MGB/GT V8
1978 MGB
1969 MGC

rick ingram

The difference in cost for a mid level hotel as we have stayed in the last several years vs Red Roof or others is less than $100.00 for a 3 day stay, usually closer to $65.00. The advantages are meeting rooms, pools/gyms, & generally larger parking lots & group parking. I tend to be a bit careful about spending for personal comfort, but in this case, I vote for the bit nicer hotels.

I am not a big fan of awards for these events, as ultimately, these become political & competitive for some. The really nice thing about these conventions is the non-competitive, share all the info atmosphere. Get your trophies at the local shows in your home areas. I don't want to shine & polish, I want to look & talk about your cars, share ideas & information.

Although scheduled, we did not have the parking lot tour of the cars with the owners telling what they did & why/how, & the question answers session as we went along. I missed looking at a few of the cars this year, my own fault, but I liked the "tour" we have had in the past & the vidio tapes that were made to provide a record for those that wanted them. Dave has indicated he would film again, but without the ducks.
Jim Stuart

There is indeed justification for not doing awards. Almost everyone who brings a car has put a great deal into some aspect of that car, even if it was just purchased, and there is some facet of ownership of that vehicle of which they are justifiably proud. It is only natural to feel a desire for recognition. The problem as I see it is that the owner is usually the only one who knows just what that facet is, and though an award for any element of the car is nice, it is especially sweet to be recognized for what you are most proud of.

The thing is, these are especially unique cars. By extension so are their owners. In combination, each deserves recognition in one way or another, and I think most of us would enjoy knowing what is most special about each. The question then is how to best accomplish this, and I am in agreement with Jim Stuart that awards may not be the best approach, as it tends to elevate one over another and create a competitive environment. I expect our individual members are each competitive enough already. So perhaps we can come up with an approach that better serves our objectives. I'll throw out a suggestion or two and maybe you can elaborate or it will trigger a better idea.

Cumbersome, but what if each owner could do a write-up, we place that below a photo from the show, and make up a booklet for the coffee table? Over time that one page from each book could be combined and become a display book for upcoming shows.

Maybe a website would work as well.

Well, those are my suggestions, what do you think?

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Another place to consider would be Tulsa, OK. (OK, I am moving there in a couple of months)There is a road course (Hallet) and a drag strip. The Ford and Cobra Clubs have their annual meets visiting the road course one day and the drag strip the next.

Tulsa would also be a central location.
Michael Wish

Jim Blackwood,
Nicely stated and a good idea to boot. I think a "Coffee Table" book is a wonderful project that we would all enjoy getting involved in. Another thought along the same lines but perhaps less costly would be a calendar which has been done on a couple of Brit Bike sites for the members.
Michael S. Domanowski

Being a Printer I must caution everyone as to costs involved in coffee table books, I looked into doing a calender a few years ago and was looking at 12.00 ea.
My cost! Great ideas, but expensive. And who fronts the money?
Steve Carrick

Right, well I did say cumbersome. So maybe on the web and if you want a book you can print and put in a ring binder?

Jim
Jim Blackwood

I would avoid attempting anything that involves the contribution of more than 2 - 3 people. A group effort ain't gonna happen!

Every one wants a 2004 meet; every one knows where they would like it to be held; every one knows what kind of activities they would like to see; every one has strong ideas about what they would like NOT to do and where they would like NOT to have it. Only a few want to come forth and express their ideas, and only a very few want to come forward and help make it happen.

Steve has volunteered to make it happen in Grand Rapids because no one else has stepped up to the plate to make it happen somewhere else. I'm sure Steve would like to just attend a meet and enjoy himself rather that doing all the work involved in making it happen.

Personally, I think Steve did a great job last year, and I'm sure he'll do it again this year, and I'll be happy to trek back to GR again for 2004. I would hope we're going back to GR because its a good idea, and not just by default because no one other than Steve was willing to take on the task.

How about getting some dialog started here? C'mon, folks, speak up! Let us know what you want, where you want it, and how you want it. More importantly, volunteer to help make it happen. There has to be more than the few who've spoken up on this list so far that have ideas and who would be willing to help. There should be at least 100 comments on this subject by now!

Bill Guzman has volunteered to make it happen on the west coast, so please, people on that side of the country, give Bill a post and offer your services. At least offer your preferences.

Steve and Bill need your help: Offer it!

I'll certainly offer what help I can, and I think the 2003 meet that I planned pretty well sums up my ideas of what I'd like to see at a meet. If I had it to do over again, and I could arrange it, I'd have some track time in addition to the driving events just for those of us who are competitive by nature (I have about zero competitive spirit myself).

I'd like to see a Townsend type meet, but held in another scenic part of the country. California should be just about perfect for that. I'm sure there are areas here in the eastern part of the USA that could offer great scenic drives as well.

I also think the more we make it enjoyable for the women in our lives, the better it will be for all of us in the long run. Besides the simple fact that I enjoy having my wife along with me, but I don't want to ask her to suffer through a "guys only" type event just to please me.
Dan Masters

Well Dan you asked for it!!!

West Coast meet strongly wanted.

I have yet to attend any V8 meet, so I do not have allot of experience to know what does and does not work, but here are my thoughts.

A basic show with some "how it was done" sessions are a must I think, with Q&A from each builder about thier car. There you are looking a good day with decent turn out.

A performacne day also good. drag, road course, autocross etc... If possible to due more than one more the better!! $$ can be an issue though if going for an established track.

A Cruise day would be nice, depending on area. Up here in OR/WA we have St.Helens and Mt Rainier. If I could have pulled off a meet it would have had a day of Rumble round the mountains to enjoy all the twisty roads and scenic pleasures.

Lastly some tech sessions, more "hardcore" by vendors, etc to show off the latest gadgets, or even just basic tech info for people wanting to build thier 1st V8...

Larry Embrey

I really enjoyed Tennessee this year and I really enjoyed Grand Rapids the year before. In fact, I have enjoyed all the V8 events I have attended and that's most of them..including Sebring. For me, it's the people that make the shows so enjoyable. I think the standard formula of being able to hang out around the cars and their owners mixed with some driving events is perfect.
Hopefully, I can encourage a few more Canadian cars to attend next year. Grand Rapids sounds really good!!

Looking forward to it already!!
Martyn
Martyn Harvey

There's a really nice stretch of US 60 over Sewell Mountain in W.Va between Sam Black Church and Lewisburg that is both scenic and challenging, and since I-64 was finished grass has been growing on it if that's any indication of how heavily traveled it is. Once the major route through the mountains, in many places there are 3 lanes and although it is a faster road than the Dragon it's character is very similar. I have long thought this would be an excellent site for a rally type event and maybe we could pull something like that off.

Lewisburg is the site of the state fair, and to the west, Babcock State Park is reasonably close and an excellent camping spot. They also have cabins. A half hour from that is the heart of river country, New River Gorge and the Gauley River where rafting, rock climbing, hiking, and sightseeing are a few of the attractions. An hour and a half from there is Payne Engineering, home of the annual Gartersnake SCCA competition. (One lane, timed runs, but challenging)

And, between Babcock and Charleston are some of the best driving roads W.Va has to offer, Rt 60 over Gauley Mountain, Rt 16 into Fayetteville, Rt 61 into Oak Hill to mention a few of the best.

I'm not sure how this could all be worked into a meet, but I think it has potential. I'm also not sure how I could organize it from here in Florence, Ky but if there's serious interest I'd be willing to give it a shot. With a little help I expect we could pull it off.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Okay, Dan, here goes:

1) [b]Q&A session with car owners on how/why they did things[/b]....if you look at my photos, you'll see they are primarily focused on engine compartments because that's where I am in my conversion right now: prepping the engine compartment for (hopefully) the final fitting of the engine.

2) [b]A dedicated day & time when all the cars are in the parking lot with hoods open[/b]....again, while I'm looking forward to my maiden voyage, I still need to be able to compare my progress to that of those with successfully converted cars...&, there are so many different routes one can take during a conversion that I want to weigh them all.

3) [b]Something for Jerri to be involved with while I'm studying cars[/b] 'Nuff said (except she'd probably put that as #1!)

4) [b]Diamonds in the 'Ruff[/i] I thought about loading mine on a trailer & bringing it so I could get the experts to look it over in its incomplete state & give me some tips so I wouldn't flounder in the quagmires they've already gone through...I don't mid somebody else showing me a better way to do things - before i do them! &, I don't mind having alternatives from which can choose!

2003 was my first V8 show & I loved it! It spoiled me from other shows in its uniqueness...I would never want it to be reduced to a placque or trophy hunt...keep it a gathering for a bunch of gearheads who enjoy sharing their successes & helping me not repeat their failures
anthony barnhill

Have volunteered to host 2005 V8 Convention in Terre Haute, Indiana. 1/8 mile drag strip, Putnam Park Road Course, Holidome Holiday Inn, Moggers Pub, Zonka Irish Pub, lot's of neat driving, and great places to visit.

Been talking to Pete and Rick. Would like early June date or 2nd week in May. Stay away from Memorial Day Week end and 1st week in May.

Dave
Dave Kirkman

While each V8 meet's venue and much of the activities are unique (a good thing)there are some tasks which are the same each year. Advertising the meet, registration, soliciting vendors and others for door prizes, etc. I believe it would be helpful if a couple of volunteers would take on these jobs on a "permanent" basis. These would not be too time consuming for the volunteers but would help relieve some of the burden for the meet organizer. The tasks would be performed in an efficient manner, as the volunteers would be experienced and not have to start from scratch each year, creating forms, compter files, tracking down magazines to advertise in, etc.. The assistance of these volunteers might also encourage others to be less intimidated about sponsoring a meet by acting as a support network. I would be happy to help in this manner.
Anyone else's thoughts along these lines??
Kurt Schley

Darn good suggestion Kurt. Maybe semi-permenant? If we could get 3-5 years out of someone on the same task that'd help a great deal, especially if we could put 2 people on each one so we have a backup and transition when one wants to move on to something else. Put my name on the list. I think these "tasks" are the most intimidating part of the job if you have to tackle the whole thing.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

Please keep your suggestions coming !!! How does an afternoon/evening at the beach in Grand Haven sound ?
Steve Carrick

Someone should write a book on "how to hold a v8 car convention" so we can keep track of all this information, and pass it along from year to year.
Justin

Tony, I know you had a good time at the meet, you had a grin glued on your face the whole time! I agree with you. Keep it simple so the technical end of it isn't lost. I am sponsering a British car conversion meet that is attached to the regular British Car Day here in Dayton in August. Any British Car that has a major engine, transmission or suspension change will be welcome. One guy registering has a Thames van with a small block Chevy. Very nicely detailed too. Another will probably bring his MG TD with a 454 big block. This looks like an Altered Dragster. One other has a Morris Minor with a Rotary engine. These are but a few that I know will be there.I expect to see a few MGB conversions. My friends and I will be bring 3 MGB's with the Killer B Conversion. Two of them have 2002 3.4 V6 engines. I'm always around if you need any tech help. Free of course.I hope you can come up. Dann
Dann Wade

This thread was discussed between 13/05/2003 and 29/05/2003

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