Chairman's Transmission
From MGA!, MARCH/APRIL 2013, VOLUME 38 / NO 4
Wired
It’s 2:00 a.m., I’ve just returned home from a four hundred mile trip in the MGA …and I’m wired! Partially from a fun drive in the "A", but mostly I’m enthusiastic because of where I just came from.
Three days earlier, I had left Richmond to drive to Asheville, North Carolina, future site of GT-38. The NAMGAR Board of Directors had chosen to hold its annual meeting in Asheville, in conjunction with a GT host committee meeting. It was tough for me to give up the beautiful DFW Airport Super 8 Motel that we usually use for our Board meetings, but I was willing to make the sacrifice.
I am always amazed at the number of topics to be discussed during these meetings, which take two full ten-hour days to complete. The 2013 budget looks good, and the Board & Staff positions will remain largely unchanged for the year.
We do have one opening, as Rob Camblin ends his term as Advertising Manager. We thank Rob for doing an excellent job, and look forward to his involvement in future projects. If you, or someone you know, would like to apply, please contact me to discuss this important position on the NAMGAR team.
One of the more interesting topics discussed was that of Car Classes at a national GT. Lately, the 1500 and 1600 roadster classes have shown a healthy increase in numbers, averaging just over forty cars in each! Following up on a member request to address this situation, we discussed several options. But, there’s not too many ways to subdivide the 1500 or 1600 cars, as there were no significant changes through the years. We did consider the obvious… Red cars in one class, and everything else in another, but that’s just not a clear-cut division. And, as for year models, many were built in one year and titled in another, so that becomes too confusing.
So, after a lengthy discussion, the Board arrived at what promises to be an excellent solution, and one that will be implemented on a trial basis for GT-38. The two classes will be subdivided by the wheels. If your 1500 roadster is fitted with wire wheels, you will be in the 1500 Wire Wheel Class. If your car is fitted with anything else, even if on splined hubs, you will be in the 1500 Non-Wire Wheel Class (Same for 1600 roadsters.) Our research shows this to be a good split, based on the cars at the last few GTs. The winner of each new class will advance to Premier at GT-39.
This option was not on the original GT-38 Registration Form, but the form has since been updated. Please note if your 1500 or 1600 roadster is fitted with wire wheels and if you’ve already sent in your registration, just drop a note or email to Jim Brown, GT Registrar or Vice Chaiman, Carol Shamonsky, to update your registration.
Okay, enough business. Now for the fun stuff. Our host committee has hit a home run with GT-38. Anyone who is thinking of passing on this get-together should really reconsider. Asheville is just gorgeous, with fantastic local restaurants, and dessert shops, many featuring talented local musicians. And, our host hotel, the Crowne Plaza Resort is going to be the perfect venue. The scenery is beautiful, the hotel is modern and clean, and the activities, tech sessions, drives, and dinners are all going to be unforgettable. Oh, and then there’s the Biltmore. How cool is it going to be to have this place to ourselves for a special NAMGAR breakfast?
I know that for many of you, getting to the GT is half the fun. You enjoy taking a few extra days to make a leisurely drive of it. But please take my recommendation that, for this year, you want to make a beeline directly to Asheville. There is just so much to see and do, you will wish you had more time to experience all that Asheville and GT-38 have to offer. I know all of this will be covered by Carol in her article too, but I told you I was wired about how fantastic this GT promises to be, and I really do hope you can attend.
While I’m sure you won’t break down getting to the GT or any other events this year, you will soon have another resource to carry with you in case you do need assistance. Final approval was given to a printed roster, which should be arriving in your mail box soon. This exciting new product from NAMGAR is designed to help you find fellow members by alphabetical listing or by locality. It will be a great way to help reach a friendly voice when you need advice or just a laugh!
Lots of great things are in store for this spring and summer with NAMGAR. I look forward to seeing y’all at GT-38, and some of the many other upcoming shows and drives. Be sure to post your story on the website or Facebook from Drive Your MGA Day on May 4th. And if you have an idea or suggestion for NAMGAR, be sure to send me a wire!
Safety Fast!
Bruce Woodson
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