“Blythswood Square, Glasgow” – Following the email I sent out a few weeks ago regarding the changes at the RSAC, I am pleased to say that Alan Carlaw has had a few responses already, with promises of memorabilia for display in the proposed “Rally” and “Monte Carlo” bars. Obviously, the Hotel are keen to have as much as possible so that a rota of exhibits can be displayed. The Hotel is due to be opened this coming September.
However, there has been a slight change in the arrangements regarding the donation/loan of (cinefilm, photographs, old Regulations, rally plates, etc, etc). It was felt it would be easier if these items could be sent directly to Mhairi Taylor who has agreed to act as coordinator, instead of to Alan Carlaw who would have to pass them on anyway!
Mhairi can be contacted at “Foxfield”, 10 Cramond Road North, Edinburgh, EH4 6HS,
Tel: 0131-336-5448 or mhairi@foxfield2.com
Death of Member – I have to report of deaths of two of our members.
Andrew Goodfellow, Larbert, Stirlingshire – died on 4th April. Andrew had been involved initially in racing having competed as early as 1955 at Charterhall in a 1936 Jaguar. He went on to race at Silverstone, Brands, Mallory Park and of course Ingliston, collecting a few “places” over the years. He also took past in Sprints and Hill Climbs in various machinery, having a good few FTDs as well as Class awards. He finally hung up his helmet in 1985. He was a member of Falkirk & District Car Club as well as SMRC and BRSAC.
Jack Muir, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire – died on 23rd March. Jack was involved mainly as a driver and navigator from 1950 until 1961. He was a member of Falkirk & District Car Club.
Membership – Since the June Newsletter, we have added 3 new members to the Membership. We welcome him to our ranks:
Garry Stagg, Pitlochry
Matt Mackenzie, Aberdeen
Gordon Clendinning, New Galloway
Scottish Speedfair and Classic Festival, Knockhill, Sunday 19th July –
Fortunately, the weather held out for our third visit to Knockhill. Indeed it was sunny and warm for most of the day. We didn’t have as many members, as usual, dropping into our “tent” in the Media Centre but a few other members were to be seen walking around the many displays.
SMRC Club event, Knockhill, on Sunday 6th September – Although this is a two-day event with practice and qualifying taking place on Saturday, Sunday will be racing only. This will include at least 2 rounds of each of the 6 Scottish Championships {ie. Formula Ford, Legends (3 races) XR2’s, Saloons and Sportscars, Classic Saloon and Sports Cars and Mini Coopers (3 races) plus a 100km race for the British GT Cup cars} which will mean a grand total of 15 races. The GT Cup race will be a quality race with an assortment of Porsche997’s, Aston Martin DB9’s, Dodge Vipers, Chevrolet Corvette C5R, etc., hopefully around 25 cars, all driven by non-professional drivers.
Racing will start at about 9.00am and continue throughout the day with around a 1-hour break at lunchtime. The lunchtime is a moveable feast (sic) depending on how smoothly the programme runs. Smooth running should allow us to finish around 5.30 to 6.00pm.
Car parking will be anywhere in the outside car park, as space in the paddock is not available for road cars due to their being around 150 race cars plus transporters etc., within the paddock! No car passes will be required.
Again we will have use of the Media Centre where the usual refreshments will be supplied f.o.c.!
Annual General Meeting, Tuesday 6th October – The Official Notice, etc for this event will be sent out next month along with the accounts. However, this is just a reminder to keep this date in your diary. I do hope you will come along to the AGM where you can air your views and give your suggestions/complaints to your Directors!
2010 “Run” – Bob Baillie reports that he has secured the Grant Arms Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey for the Headquarters for next year’s “Run”. The format will be somewhat similar but the route will be different. Details will be issued at a later date. Going by the response to this year’s “Run” I think we may be oversubscribed. You have been warned — when the entry forms go out, get them back “by return” if you wish to secure an entry!
2010 Reunion Saturday 23rd October – Your Directors are pleased to announce details of next year’s reunion. Like the two previous reunions, it will be held in The Glynhill Hotel, Paisley. Obviously, the format and details have still to be sorted out, but now is the time to put this date in your diary.
VSMA Website – The website is slowly coming together. If you remember from my last newsletter I had requested that if you hadn’t sent me details of your motorsport career, would you please do so, ASAP. Although the numbers have increased the request still holds. Similarly, with photographs, we can take almost as many as you have (last time I said a limit of 12 but apparently we can take up to 999 per member), action shots, photos of yourself (old and new), etc, etc. Remember, all the data and photographs will only be visible to VSMA members. Ideally, if the data and images can be sent electronically, so much the better, but I can cope with “hard copy”, slides, photographs and negatives. Please, could I also ask that you put your name on the back of the photographs as well as the year they were taken, and other pertinent detail. Obviously, I will return the originals if requested.
That’s all for now.
Stuart Parker