MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - MG 2009 Trip report

The wife and I have been planning on attending since March. We have never been to an event like this so I was looking at it with a bit of aprehention. I decided to really try and get into it and saw the thing with the valve cover races and I think most of you saw the result... Smiling Bob. Bob seemed to take on a life of his own and I was able too drag in our own Dan Craig of Mothers Automotive Services in as a sponser. As the event grew near it became clear that it was going to be tough to squeeze it in. My wifes dad passed away rather quickly about 3 weeks ago leaving her in charge of his estate. She also owns and runs a small business that requires a great deal of her time. My daughter also purchased her first house two weeks ago and our help was needed to clear out the rental before the first of July. Also I have been having some major issues with my right shoulder although the last week or so it's felt a lot better. So here we go.

Tuesday June 23

I received a call from Steve Gartner of the Southern California MG Car Club that they had made their way to the motel in Grand Junction. I had voluntered on another web site to provide assistance within 150 mile radius of those traveling to Breck. I drove into Grand Junction which is about 15 miles from me. On the way to the hotel the TF started acting up a little. I arrived at the hotel and got to meet the group and have dinner with them. Turned out to a great bunch of people. I'm not much of a socializer or conversationalist as anyone whos ever met me can confirm but it was great fun for me. I had to depart a little early as I was concerned about the failure of the TF as zero day appoached even weazeling out of a requested ride from former TF owner Nancy. I got home and was up till 1:30 am sorting out my issues but was confident she was good to go.

Wednesday June 24

I met the California group at the planned take off point in Fruita. We were joined by a pair of B owners from Oregon who had spent the night at Fruita. Also in attendence was the western entry tour author Randy Rex, my friend Don and his wife driving my MGB and a couple of local MG owners. Randy and the locals left me to guide the group over the Monument and one of the Oregon owners had heating issues and was directed to a radiator shop in GJ. I lead the way at our first stop Kristian of the California group pulled out a couple of cresent wrench's and went to work on his toe in. We made two more stops and at the last I recieved a call from Don that one of the members broke down with fuel pump issues. He and another member stayed back to help. I stayed for a while at the last stop and sent the group on their way. Don called to say they had the situation under control so I headed home to get packed up. We met Don, who would be traveling solo in my B and made our way to Breckenridge without incedent. After checking in we met up with Don's brother Jim and his wife driving his MGB GT from Napa California and his other brother Dave who drove up from Denver. We had a nice dinner at the resort and called it an evening .

Thursday June 25

This was tour day. Each entry is given a set of driving directions that include quite a few questions that can only be answered by your obsevations along the route. A few of the questions require you to leave the car to retrieve them. It's taken at a rather liesurly pace stopping along the way to observe the sights. The route took us over Fremont Pass to Leadville, then Tennessee Pass into Vail and the over Vail Pass before heading back into Breck. After the tour was the funkanna in the parking lot. We got back rather late and combined with the rain we passed but the MGA I saw running around the course was hilarious. We cleaned up for the evening dinner in Frisco. Hooked up with Dan and Sharon Craig at the registration area.As much as we all intended to have a few brewskis we looked into transportation for the 9 mile journey to Frisco. Asked the front desk if they had taxi service and they responded in the affirmative. Great, I gave them a call and discoverd they indeed do have service of one taxi for the entire county. Uh oh we fortunatly were able to use a shuttle a bus to get to the barbque just in time. Had a nice evening with Dan, Sharon, Jim, Peg and Kristian. All super nice people.


Friday June 26

Today was TSD Rallye day. Wife and I set off at 9:44 am. I had only done this once and it was the first time for the wife. We circled the wagons several times but had agood time going over Loveland Pass and Vail Pass. Don had to head back home with the B and broke down with ignition issues about 15 miles from home. I was able to get some help after the rallye to get the car off I-70. Dan, Sharon, Doris and I had a nice dinner at a Mexican Reasturant in downtown Breck. Dan found some Old Speckled Hen and I was able to sample some for the first time....mmmmmmmm. Bumbed into John Twist and his son on the walk back from Dans place to ours. Nice short conversation but really nice people.

Saturday June 27

Car show day and valve cover races today. Nice day and about 240 cars participated. I think only about 9 in my class but what the hey this event was for MGB's. Bob didn't succede in the races but I believe he put on a good show. Later that day was the silent auction and Banquet. Wife bought a lot of stuff including home brew beer (shes a keeper) and a rock. Rocks so damn big I gotta beg someone from the Denver group to take it back to Denver till we can come get it. Banquet table we had the pleasure of sitting with Dan, Sharon, John Twist and his son.

Sunday June 28

Loaded up and headed for home after saying goodbye to Dan and Sharon. Dan slipped me the other two cans of Old Speckled Hen. Uneventfull trip home. Ran abot 600 miles in all with out any hicups. Just had the most wonderfull time thanks to the likes of Dan and Sharon. Got the oppertunity to meet Kelvin Dodd, Jeff Schlimmer, John Twist, what could be better.

Report over.

Failed to mention I'm now an honarary member of the Southern California MG club. Nice hat, shirts, flag and pin. Great Group.... Thanks Steve, Frank, Nancy, Zelda, Kristian and the rst of the gang.

LaVerne
LED DOWNEY

OK Guys-the rest of the story. Smilin Bob may not have been the fastest rig there, but he was the most honored. LaVerne's creation was first in the model competion as well as taking home the Chairman's choice award among the cover racers. Bob was then donated to the club and placed in the silent auction. His new owner made a nice contribution to a worthy cause and Bob has a new garage to grace.
Couple other things LaVerne left out. He had to make a third trip up front for the 2nd place honors in the Thursday clue search tour-obviously had a 1st class copilot. Ask our wives-we don't have a clue.
Oh yea,almost forgot. First place honors in the T- Series class at MG2009 went to a certain BRG TF. Congrats to LaVerne on well deserved recognition for a job well done. Great car with the power and handling to make even a drive at 10,000 feet above sea level memorable.
Thanks to LaVerne and Doris for making us feel welcome and involved during our time at MG2009. Proof once again of the great folks involved in MG community.May it always be so.
Respecfully yours, Dan & Sharon Craig
Dan Craig

Wonderful report LeVerne and great additions Dan! I'm pretty proud that one of 'our' guys did so well at the awards table! Wish I could have been there, and I really have my eye on Reno/Lake Tahoe in 2011.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

LaVerne,
Thanks for sharing ...great pictures!
Congrats on your winnings, your cars look marveouls.
Just one question:
So...did "Bob" go to his new home with his show wheels & tyres as well as his racing set-up?
Did not know they "allowed" tyre changes in this class! LOL ;-) !!!
Cheers,
David 55 Tf1500 #7427
David Sheward

Bob went with both sets of wheels and tyres. His new owner did not pick up his build sheet which I think he really ought to have so if anybody knows who Bob went home with have them contact me and I'll send his build sheet. Some pretty sophisticated racers there let me tell you. Couple of kids there with their own version of F1 KER system.
Dan's got me looking at Sheboken but I don't see how we can do it. By the way got the B home last night, 15 second fix (spade connection came off the starter)and all is well. Never let non MG guys drive your car unless your nearby to help LOL.

Reno is definatley gonna be on my list.
LED DOWNEY

Hey Laverne, were the kids wearing lineman's gloves? George
George Butz

This thread was discussed on 30/06/2009

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.