Straight Talk Sept/Oct 2024
Straight Talk from the “Mann” Cave
Bruce Mann
GT-49 is now in the rear-view mirror. A great event, and the weather was perfect. We had a good turnout for the GT, with many people driving their mg’s a long way to get there. Driving a long distance or across town it was great to have a good number of MGs registered.
Donna McNabb and her staff did a great job in taking care of us, the hospitality room was fantastic, especially after a day of interactive activities and picturesque views including beautiful Mt Hood.
Travel by planes, trains and automobiles, there are certainly many stories that will be written in MGA! and posted on our website concerning the adventures we had going and coming to the GT.
We traveled by train from Michigan to Chicago, and then boarded Empire Builder onto Portland and had a great experience. Some of the Mid-Atlantic gang pulled together a caravan and drove their mgs from the Virginia, Maryland area to Welches, Oregon through the blistering heat and the mountains and will have many interesting stories to tell. They drove their cars a total of more than 7000 plus miles, as many of you may have followed them on Facebook. Many drove from all parts of the states and Canada to get to Welches, more than 5000 miles round trip.
On the way back some of us were on flights from Portland and other airports to get us home and got caught up in the computer software issues which caused some to end up in hotels in Portland for a couple of days. It was truly a mess that I can tell you. We stood in line for seven hours only to find out that there were not any flights to Detroit on Delta till Monday, and this was only Friday morning. So, we ended up in a hotel without a car. Not a rental car to be had, this is after about the sixth time I said to willie I wish I had driven the MG. Finally, we made it home by Sunday night and guess what, you’re right, no luggage. We received our bags on Monday afternoon. Wow what a time that was, this was about the seventh time I said “wish we had driven the MG.” We know of other friends that got home but with massive delays and rescheduling.
We announced the next GT at the banquet in Welches, Oregon which is to be held by the Michigan Rowdies in Traverse City, Michigan. The first chapter of NAMGAR is having yet another GT, to continue the cycle. The Rowdies have hosted GT 10,20,30,40, and now 50. Reserve the dates for June 2-6, 2025. Registration should be open around the first of the year 2025, on our website.
What’s new with NAMGAR, since we last got together. We have a new Regalia Sales and Marketing person, in Keven Childers of the British Sports Car Club, Ltd in the Memphis Tennessee area. Kevin is the President of that chapter of NAMGAR and will be a valuable member of the staff. Please welcome Kevin to his new position.
We are still looking for some volunteers to help us with filling the open positions vacated by term limits and retirements. The vice chairman position is still open. While we are developing a short list of candidates, we need some people to step up to fill some big shoes, vacated by Larry Pittman.
Looking down the road we will need an Editor of MGA! magazine and a copy editor of the same. We will also be looking for a document control person to keep our documents up to date, as changes are being made, to our register.
We must start the planning early as time slips away. So, if there are any interests in these positions, please send an email or call one of the board members at your earliest convenience.
As I remember at the first timers meeting during the hospitality suite there was a question about NAMGAR insurance covering the Canadian chapters. I said I wasn’t sure, but I would check. The answer is yes it does.
In closing, please remember we need volunteers from our membership to fill open positions. Drop me or any board member a note to volunteer.
Remember the road to success is always under construction
