Just Ramblin’
By Jim Pelletterie
Well, it's been a long time since I put a few words on paper. So I'll start at the beginning, of the driving season or Summer whichever comes first.
I decided it was time to take a road trip to Carlisle Pa. for the import and kit car nationals. It's been at least five years since I was there so the time had come. Geo would never go to look at junk parts and my car guy companion had a few medical issues so I drove down alone which was quite enjoyable. Like past years I enjoyed the sprint car races a Williams Grove Speedway on Friday night and then headed for the fairgrounds early Saturday morning. Just a few years ago if you didn't arrive early youwere parking in the boonies but this time was a little different. They must have known I was coming cause I parked in the second row right by the middle gate, perfect!
It was about 8:30 when I parked. I walked around to rummage thru parts that I throw out. The quality of the parts is pitiful and the selection was even worse. by 10:30 I had made a few laps around and was ready to leave. It seems the internet has all but killed the parts swap meet. I think this was the first time I went to Carlisle and really didn't buy anything for the cars. I found a few tools and sundries but not worth a five hour ride. I did look at some very impressive kit cars and speak to a few kit car guys. I was one of those guys that always thought kit cars were a much lower class of automobile. Well folks, I have seen the light and I am so impressed that I will be building one for myself. Oh I still love my MG but it'stime to switch gears and go to the dark side. I am now working on finishing up the V8 project while machining parts for the "tube car" as my buddy Dennis calls it.
Summer flies by as you well know and it seemed that I had no time to do everything I wanted. I did not get to one cruise night or local car show . I missed my favorite cruise night in Lockport because of brain fade.
Between all the car stuff I tried to race my kart on select weekends. I don't know what I love more the cars or racing the kart. My dad got me started in karting when I was a boy and I been in and out of this great sport for fifty years. I haul the stuff to the track and do the "why are you doing this" but when it's all over I have a blast.
My pal Hank and I took a ride to the Syracuse Nationals which is a massive car show at the fairgrounds. There were about five thousand cars there but only about 500 to really look at. We walked about ten miles and dodged a torrential downpour but enjoyed the experience. You know there had to be a MG in the bunch and there were a few representing the marque.
In mid August John Twist has the Summer party for MG cars. Geo and I have been going to this show for years so we had to go back but this year was different. we decide to take a few extra days and go on vacation. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Travers City Michigan where Geo could relax on the beach of lake Michigan. The small City was delightful with quaint shops and excellent restaurants. We took a ride up to big bear dunes where we climbed three miles in soft sand to the top just to get a view. I thought I would have a heart attack and had to stop a few times to pull it together but it was a neat place. We took a nice drive to the hotel in Ada Michigan were we met up with old friends to talk MG's and just hang out in the parking lot. Years ago it would be two in the morning before the last person called it a night but this year it was about 11:30. Are we getting old or what. The day of the show was hot and sunny and the cars looked great but the field was a bit light. Geo hit the mall and I snagged a ride from My pal D'Arcy Ballanger who owns a 80 B limited edition. It's nice to ride in a MGB on a beautiful day.
In between all of this fun stuff were the usual holidays and home improvement stuff. I 'm just finishing up a major addition to my deck area. It seems Summer gets shorter every year.
Labor day weekend is always special for the reason the Autumn Sports Classic is held. This year was very special because it was the 30th time we put this on. It seems its getting more difficult to coax people into helping out to make this a go. In reality all the key personnel didn't come together until a few weeks before the show. This year we held the show on a Saturday and the response was somewhat positive but Sunday seems like the car show day. The car count was a little light but we gave away a ton of stuff and everyone had a great time. With the help of our crack balloting crew I was able to move the show along so that we finished before 4PM. I am disappointed in the support of our own members for our largest event. There are a few of us who bust our butts to make this show special but with a little more support from our members it would be easier. A special meeting will be held On Tues Sept 17th at 7 at Otto's to discuss the future of the ASC. All members in good standing are welcome to attend.
The Buffalo Octagon Association has been a place for MG sports car enthusiasts to get together for 30 years. During this time we've had some great times and some issues but we always seem to work them out. The BOA is moving forward with a new web site and a new look. the news letter in the old form is dead and we are becoming digital. For members who are not computer savvy they will still receive a printed copy of the BOA news. Thirty years ago there was no such thing as the internet but now it's the only way to communicate quickly and efficiently. We will move forward and only get better.
This year will be the 21st year for the British car class at Burgard Vocational HS. It has been very educational for my students and for myself. Last year we did two engine overhauls and a bunch of other project to keep these cars on the road. If you're interested go to upskill.org and sign up. maybe you can rebuild your engine.