2002 Events     (page 2)

Regency Run   New Forest Run  Parham Rally

 Looking out of the window on Sunday morning we expected a sunny day but were met with grey indifference. Luckily the journey to Brooklands for the start of the 19th MG Regency Run was only a short one for us but we even so we arrived too late to see the earlier cars leave the old racetrack. Being car number 644 we were amongst the last to leave, The organising clubs had arranged the departure times and entries in date order - not altogether sensible as this was a leisurely run and the speed of the cars should not really matter. It did mean that the modern cars were last to arrive in Brighton , we actually got there about four o'clock just an hour before Marine Drive was re opened to traffic. We met up with the Essex Roadsters  and followed  their convoy out of Brooklands. We did actually leave Weybridge a little earlier than expected but immediately met a traffic jam in Seven Hills Road. This is where being local had it's benefits for just one short cut later we were in Cobham High Street and had sneaked by the main queue. The route split just outside of Cobham with odd cars going via East Surrey and even ones going slightly further west. Navigating by the tulips we soon found our way to our pub stop at The Wheatsheaf in Ellens Green just as the rain started to appear. Luckily we got in to the pub before the downpour and had managed to get the roof back up in time. The pub already had a nice selection of MG's in the car park but the only place to sit down was under the giant umbrella outside. The Essex Roadsters joined us, yes we had sneaked by them all back in Weybridge, and we settled down for a small glass of beer and some of us demolished giant Baguettes and massive sausages.

We led the roadsters until we got confused and missed out one of the tulip diagrams to much beeping behind us as the rest of the convoy sped off towards Fulking and we didn't. It didn't take too long to catch up again and we rolled across the South Downs and dropped in to Brighton driving along the sea front amongst the day trippers. In front of the pier we drove straight into Marine Drive and towards the Finish line nimbly avoiding being interviewed as we arrived. It was four o'clock by this time but there were still a lot of cars lining both sides of the sea front. It was time for a picnic so it was up with the bonnet and boot and out with the chairs for a picnic on the prom. It's amazing how just opening up the car attracts people and we were soon chatting with passers by, residents and people out for a day at the seaside. By the afternoon the sun was out and there were blue skies as well which rounded the day off nicely.

The run was predominated by B's as you can see by the breakdown of the 666 cars entered for the run below :-

Summary of main types - F types - 61 ; B/C/V8 - 266 ; Midgets - 78. A's  - 30  ; T's 46 ; pre Y types - 39

Driving down the M3 towards Hampshire we passed lines of Minis heading in the same direction and thought we'd got the wrong day - but no, it was OK it was National Mini Day at Beaulieu and we soon spotted a few MG's heading south as well to reassure us. 

The presiding feature of this years New Forest run was ....the rain. It looked threatening as we headed off the M27 and into the Forest and things didn't improve although we spotted the Solent MGOC at Rownhams Service Station optimistically putting their hoods down ! Pulling in to the car park on Milford sea front we were greeted by the sight of a very rough sea and a high wind beating those MG badges facing the front, this was soon joined by the first of the real rain of the day. Most of us headed for the warmth of a cup of tea in the nearby cafe before sprinting back to the cars to begin the run.

The run takes us through some great lanes and across the heathland and through the trees and pretty villages of the Forest and on a real summers day would have been excellent. Full marks to the Southampton & New Forest MGOC for their organistation - an excellent direction booklet and even rolls and cake for our picnic at Lepe Country Park. Sadly the rain began to drive in from the sea as the Air/Sea Rescue demonstration finished and we dashed to the tent for our cupf od tea and biscuits. It really was too wet and cold to picnic although there was one hardy group who were determined and sat under MG umbrellas around their picnic table. Most people ate in their cars and quickly set off for Part Two of the run hoping the weather would clear up....it didn't.

Arriving at Christchurch by the estuary the skies were still grey and the rain still drizzling - we parked up on the wet field and decided to have a quick walk around to look at the cars. Autoglym were their with their small gazebo - popularly providing the only shelter and doing brisk business in the process. Just as we were giving up and thinking about going home the clouds suddenly parted, the rain stopped and the sun came out much to the relief of the organisers. So the day ended quite nicely and we did manage to raise £2600 for the Solent air/sea rescue team.

I do wonder though what the innocent motorists caught up in a traffic jam of MG's all waiting to have their photo taken by a picturesque bridge in the middle of the forest actually thought - probably some picturesque language !

Another grey day , well what do you expect it is the English summer, meant there was light drizzle when we arrived on the outskirts of Storrington for the West Sussex Owners Club rally at Parham. All MG's were directed through the camp site so they could slide down a muddy slope into the back of the main showground where they came to rest by the WSMGOC marquee. With the mist hanging to the hills surrounding Parham the rain itself managed to stop so , after entering for the Pride of Ownership, it was off to explore as more MG's tentatively slid down the hill.

Parham is mainly a steam rally but there now seems to be much more tagged on it including the MG event. It was more of a country show with acres of stalls selling everything from kites to garden furniture, I managed to pick up a nice model MGB at a very nice price. Alongside them were the model exhibition, craft fair, Glider display, motorbikes, cowboys, horses, fairground, steam organs, traction engines, static engines, working models, steam organs, giant scalextric racing, motorcycles,cars, fairground lorries, old caravans etc etc. As you can see there was a LOT to see at this event. We were not the only car club here - there were static displays by the Jaguar Owners Club and the Mercedes Owners Club and a raft of free entry vehicles representing many other clubs including a good selection of  Ford 105e's and vintage vehicles right through the ages including two nifty Austin pedal cars. There were cars for sale as well including a good display display from a classic restoration company  overlooked by a myriad of fluttering flags. As you can tell this is a full day out and made for an excellent event so plan to arrive early if this has whetted your appetite for next year.

Towards the end of the afternoon the sun was trying to come out and JayPeG had been opened up for display most of the day so we waited for the Pride of Ownership awards to be distributed. Some very nice cars received their trophies and when we got to Class 9 MGF/RV8 it was my turn to step and receive the first place award - the nice RV8 you can just see next to us in the photo came second.

All in all a great day out and well done to the West Sussex MG Owners Club - we'll be back next year.