Morgans V MG's

[Bob Bull]

No not a comparison between the marques just a report on Saturday's events at the MGCC Silverstone meeting. Mind you I suspect no one will see this for at least 24 hours as with 800 Moggies in the West Country and a fair few in Northampton I don't suppose anybody will be looking at the forum today.

With 'er Indoors 'aving organised a family do I will not be trackside as I have been threatened with 'dis-communication' if I go, and as we all well know, that is worse than ex-communication!

A picture paints a thousand words so do check the usual web site for 'action snaps', however I can report that Mark Shears continues his progress as a real racer battling with a host of MGB's in the Equipe GTS race, and showing good form in the 'have a go' stakes, unfortunately losing out towards the end when he behaved properly under waved yellows allowing lessor mortals to sneak up on him.

The big boys came out to play in the Zero Exhausts Thoroughbred sports Car Championship event and the MEN did not let us down with Peter Henry leading throughout although not by much, while Chris Acklam was badgered by a couple of TR's before he was able to assert his authority and move in to a solid second place. Simon Orebi-Gann also drove well to clinch fourth spot less than half-a-second ahead of Jon Ellison's TR5, and John Emberson demonstrating that he is getting to grips with this racing business with a splendid 7th place. Seventeenth and 18th. were Tony Rivers and Roger Whiteside who were barely more than a bumper's width apart all race, and only the proverbial gnat's whisker seperated them when the check tablecloth was waved. Ulrich Vierhaus and Andrew Potter came home together 22nd and 23rd. while Philip Tidsall was not disgraced in 30th. place.

After the excitement on track things really hotted up with the paddock barbecue, mainly through the efforts of Mark who proved adept at cremating sausages and pork chops, all the while creating a massive smoke screen that shielded him from the gaze of those who merely waited to eat.
Chris, Richard, Andrew, Tony and Simon from RTM drunk endless bottles of cheap brown ale with the 'empties' finding there way to the handily placed car of Keith Ahlers. How thoughtful of the man to leave his Mog there!
I shamelessly sponged of the providers of the comestibles being able to donate only half a carton of potato salad left over from my lunch and two stale eccles cakes.
Once stuffed I made my farewells and headed for home and a comfy bed leaving the erstwhile racers to their various sleeping arrangements around the paddock.

So! Thanks to to all for such good racing, food and most of all company. See you in August.

[RICHARD PLANT]

Hi Bob,

Good to meet up at the BBQ on Saturday night and once again some great photos of the day. See you at Bentley drivers meeting in August

Regards

Richard

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/Bob.bull.photos

[Mark Shears]

Bob,

Great pictures! Some of the photos of my car clearly show the understeering problem I was experiencing.

The Morgan boys on Sunday were so helpful in diagnosing the problem and suggesting the remedy - which I will certainly have effected for BDC Silverstone. Indeed I will have the tracking, camber and tyres done in time for the big Silverstone Classic Meeting the weekend before as I am lucky enough to have a confirmed entry. Do you think you might make that too?

Cheers

Mark

[Bob Bull]

Richard & Mark,
Thanks for your nice comments, especially you Mark after my criticism of your prowess at the barbecue, I am really sorry I could not make it on Sunday.

Mark, I am also pleased that my excellent photography has helped solve a problem, while watching I was thinking; 'by gum that Mark Shears has got some understeer on that Morgan'.

Yeah! Yeah!

Don't forget that there are more pictures on http://www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/rbmapics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, although all the Morgan snaps are on the usual site.

Hasn't that Chris Acklam got a lovely smile? Any reaction from Keith A. concerning the abuse of his pride and joy?

Yes, Mark I expect to be at the Classic and look forward to seeing you there, however, if anyone is going to the GP let me know and we could meet up, I shall be there all three days (working of course). Failing that the BDC or perhaps the AMOC on Sunday?

I should point out that it may appear that some of my shots of the barbecue are slightly out of focus, this is not the case as it was the subjects who were somewhat blurred due to an over consumption of liquor and Canon can not accept the blame for that.

Should John Emberson happen to stumble across this item may I assume that the 'curse of the media' has been lifted and you will be available for interview in the future?

Hi! To Andrew who had the courage to introduce himself, no fears there, a Andrew? Nice poached salmon too.

Greetings to everyone,

Bob

[Chris Acklam]

Yes, very nice to meet you Bob. Much more civilised than the Police mug shot would suggest.

But my, you were busy snapping away at the exit of Abbey. By the look of it my car suffers from understeer, oversteer and the driver from a certain amount of brain fade too. But great pictures - thanks.

I think you underplay your great contribution in helping Mark bring the barbecued flesh to that crispy black texture with the acrid aftertaste that we all know and love. Very noble of you to help.

I would have posted earlier but for a disastrous electronic day - phone ISDN lines failing, computers freezing at the splash screen and then to cap it all a 5 hour power cut - just what I needed on a day when I was supposed to finalise 220 catalogue pages.

Anyway, Richard took the attached picture which just about sums up the friendly, but slightly weird, MG meeting of the year. Here's your peripatetic MG trader with a bootful of delicacies for the barbecue specialist, including the ever-popular Chardonnay, 'Fat Bastard':

[Andrew Potter]

Good to meet you, too, Bob, and I love the photos. However, having caught me making my mistake of the day and letting Ulrich through-last photo of the lot-
shouldn't allow you to call me a salmon; utter haddock may have been more like it!
Andrew

[Bob Bull]

Bob Bull Multi-Tasking.

First Andrew; Sorry for publishing your indiscretion for all to see, however, you should log on to my other site to see how to have a 'proper moment', there are several examples to learn from there. In any case it at least demonstrates that Ulrich would not have beaten you without that dratted oil patch you found!!
I am also sorry that you misinterpreted my reference to things fishy, honestly I was only expressing my admiration for your culinary skills, but should you wish to identify with some creature from the deep might I suggest a flounder as quite appropriate?

Chris Acklam; Chris, while I am naturally grateful that you should applaud my efforts in assisting with the barbecue, I must point out that following my interference the quality of the food improved immeasurably and I had no problem with disposing of the results, even to the extent that I failed to get a single sausage for myself!!
I undertook the long and arduous trek down to the hairpain (sic) in order to fulfill your wishes of more wheel-to-wheel action shots, which I hope I have managed to do, as it is one of the few places where cars come close enough together to fit into my view finder.
You know! I thought the Interpol mug shot did me rather well.

Talking of Interpol. Richard, if you were to forward your picture of the 'MG Bootlegger' on to them you could probably earn a Community Action Trust Award, and as you only managed to catch my right foot (far left) I have nothing to fear. Mind you Jim Lowry looks a little disapproving, perhaps like me he frowns on binge drinking.

Bob the Reporter.

PS; Should anyone wonder how I have the time to contribute so much drivel to the forum, it is because as I sit at this blasted computer all day seeking suitable mortgages for my clients it provides a little light relief and an outlet for my substandard literary skills.

[Andrew Potter]

Another Dear Bob letter! Actually I was only kidding, or should that be codding? Depends where you come from, I suppose. I ought to point out, Bob, as I am sure that you've found out, that there are 2 Andrews in Roadsters, one of whom is very good at his racing and the other isn't, and there are 2 Andys, one in class B who is very, very good, and one in class D who has been with us for just one race, but who also might like to be called Andrew; just thought I'd clear things up for you.

Andrew P

[Bob Bull]

Thanks, Andre... Oh B****r, Mr. Potter (I hope there is only one) that has cleared things up. There are TWO Andrews, and two Andys on of whom may prefer to be called Andrew, yes that is clear.
There coming to take me away. Ha! Ha!

Note to the Moderator; How long are you going to let this situation continue? If there is one thing this Forum needs it is clarity, and too many Andrews spoil the fish. As they say.
I suggest an urgent review of the rules and some swift reclassification of the various categories of Andrews currently competing in this Forum in order to circumvent Government legislation on the matter. Maybe a tax on anyone wanting to be know as Andrew, or indeed, Andy within Morgan circles?

Perhaps contributors with less common names might care to suggest a remedy for the glut of similar christian names bedeviling this site. After all I don't know who I might be insulting next.

Worried of Luton.

[Leigh Sebba]

Less common names - hello from LEIGH - used to be very unusual when I was a child - and then it was always a female american and spelling was Lee. However then Twiggy married Leigh Lawson and it's got pretty common now. But as far as I know I'm the only Mog racer (when I turn up - have been hiding recently) although there is someone at BDC and VSCC events called Seber.

I'm SO glad all this is interesting and relevant to Morgan racing

[Andrew Potter]

Dear Bob- a thought occurred whilst away with 26 teenage girls on the v wet and windy Exmoor this weekend- I forgot to mention Andy, who's very 'andy and is chief bod on the Technical Committee and usually to be found wandering around the paddocks in a cream linen suit. Glad that you're managing to work us all out!
Andrew P

[Leigh Sebba]

Golly Andrew, Mog racing must be rather tame compared to your usual weekend activities.

BTW – everybody’s name used to be Chris before they changed to Andy

[Bob Bull]

Oh! Goody. someone else has joined in the debate, I was beginning to worry that Andrew...(B****r) Mr Potter, might be tiring and after reading his last contribution I can quite understand that he probably is. Mr Seber is that lay as in sleigh or aiy as in eight or lee as in ... well Leigh?
Ex TVR racer Steve Lewis named his son Leigh. Leigh Lewis, I wonder if his first name is Jerry?

On the subject of names we have Tim Hill and Jim Mountain, do we also have a Peak in the ranks?

Please don't take offence this is all a load of old ........ Bob.

[Andrew Potter]

Dear all- now fully recovered from my efforts, thank you. Two weeks ago it was in the Forest of Dean, and before that on the Mendips.............All of us are born young, but some are born more young than others, and some have youngness thrust upon them! Only seven more years and I'll be seventy.
Andrew P

[Bob Bull]

Andrew (of the Potter variety)
Although my days of escorting nubile females are well past, on blasted heath or otherwise, I can tell you that seventy is not so bad, and on Friday I will be able to report back on seventy one.
If I can make it, it should be a piece of cake for you (if there's any left after my family descend on the house).
Maybe one day, on some more secure site, you may care to elucidate on exactly WHY you are consorting with these fortunate young ladies, and WHAT precisely goes on, well perhaps not too precisely, and WHY it takes place on such exposed parts of the countryside?

Could it be that you are giving lessons on driving a Morgan in readiness for the return of the Land's End Trial?

Teaching the potential wives of Morgan drivers the rudiments of how to poach salmon in adverse conditions, in order that the likes of Mark Shears and myself will not be stuck with barbecue duties at meetings as yet unforseen?

No doubt all will be revealed in the fullness of time, however, we do seem to have wandered from the original theme of this particular subject, ie MGs V Morgans!

Anyway 'Happy Seventyth' when it comes.

Kindest regards,

Bob (SOF)