The Greatest!!!

 

Wow gang!  I think we really did it this time!  Absolutely the best ever!  I know by Sunday, about 9:00am, a number of us were getting pretty “stressed” – but a few short hours later – JOY and BLISS!!!!

 

Before we get into some well deserved acknowledgments, a few “announcements” of upcoming things:

 

PARTY!!!!!  Let’s treat ourselves to our “Annual” TGIO party on Sunday, October 26th at 2:00 at Penny Lane Pub in San Marcos (San Marcos Blvd at Via Vera Cruz).  They’ve been one of our best and longest standing supporters.  We will treat the Zumstein family, as a small token of our appreciation.  One of the owners of Penny Lane, Roy Ashcroft, requests that we drive our British cars—we can handle that!!!!!

 

FUTURE MEETING DATES:  Seems like what we did last year worked pretty well.  I’m honestly tempted to try just two (2) meetings next year, but we will stick with three for “one more year”.  Several of you I talked to yesterday seemed to think “just two” meetings wouldn’t do it.

 

Here’s my proposal:

 

 

I think we’re all tired of Szu’s Chinese.  I’m going to suggest we support some of our pubs that have supported us so well.  Maybe we will do a different one for each meeting.  Let’s try Princess Pub for the first one (they can reserve one side for us); Shakespeare Pub for the second meeting (it will be daylight savings time by then, and we can reserve an area of the patio), and for the third, I’d like to suggest y’all come to North County, for either Churchill’s or Penny Lane or Hooleys in the East County, but we can decide that later!

 

25th ANNUAL BRITISH CAR DAY:  Sunday, October 3, 2004

9th ANNUAL ROLLING BRITISH CAR DAY:  Saturday, April 17, 2004 @ Milton’s Deli

TEDDY BEAR RUN:  Sunday, July 25, 2004, meet at Boll Weevil in Kearny Mesa

 

CHARITY DONATIONS:  Since we’d previously agreed to support the Explorer Scout Post in Fallbrook that had (previously) provided the traffic direction, it seems “logical and normal” that we would now do the same for the Grossmont High School Cross Country Team that provided the traffic direction this year.  Under the direction of Sergeant Russ Moore, they provided approximately twice as many kids as previously.  The Cross Country team specifically did this as a fundraiser, and I’d like to make a pitch to support them as part of our charity donation—as we’d already agreed to for the Explorers.  Having had a child run for a high school cross country team, I can attest to the fact that they are always way under funded in comparison to other sports, yet serve a much broader population of kids, most of whom are not the “super jocks”.  My wife and I found high school cross country teams to fill a real, real need for many, many high school kids—a chance to belong to a team, to participate on a team, earn a letterman’s jacket, be recognized by your peers, etc.

 

THANK YOU LETTERS:  I’m going to try and get out Thank You letters to our advertisers, vendors and supporters in the next week.  (Then, I’m taking a long British Car Club Council break!!!)

 

A SATURDAY “BEFORE” GET TOGETHER???:  As you all know, the Las Vegas British Car Club has been supporting and coming to “our” BCD for several years.  Mike Williams of the Healey Club has been the “point man” for this great group.  In the past, we’ve gotten together for a casual evening on Saturday, prior to the “big day”.  This year, they organized a tour, which we were all invited to.  They were also out there helping us yesterday!!!  I looked around, and (at least one) of their members just jumped in and was helping with “day of” registration.

 

We are getting more-and-more people coming from “far away” and staying in local hotels Saturday night, and even staying through over Sunday evening.  Folks are making a weekend of it.  That’s great… and we should feel honored.

 

I’ve heard suggestions like “…make it a two day event”.  I say “Not!!!!!!” 

 

However, we could easily either “tie in” with what the Las Vegas folks are already doing (I’ve already e mailed them an “exploratory” idea in this regard), or simply have a “get together” at a pub, etc. on Saturday evening.  This would then be publicized on the Web site, on our application information page, press releases, etc.  It wouldn’t take a whole lot of extra effort, and would add a lot to the event, especially for those coming a long distance.  We’ll wait and see what response we get from the great folks in Las Vegas.

 

DASH PLAQUES:  Have also had some questions about dash plaques.  Apparently, there is a group of folks out there who are really “into’ dash plaques.  Our tradition, of course, has been the pins, which I would think we want to continue.  However, we might investigate the cost of a minimum number of dash plaques to sell at our Regalia Table.  We could even do a “generic” version without the date, and they would be good to sell for a long time.

 

TELEPHONE SERVICE:  We explored all ideas for a “telephone service” presented at our second meeting, and none of them materialized.  I’d like to pursue putting a second line into our home (rumored to be $12.00/month or so), and purchase an inexpensive answering machine.  The answering machine would be “loaded” with a very explanatory message.   We would not make outgoing calls on this number.  The phone line would be placed in my shop, so as not to annoy/bother us (up to 30 calls a day, prior to Sunday) in our house.  Any calls needing to be returned, I would do on my own phone line, as I’ve been doing the last “X” years.

 

We are at the point where this is necessary, in my opinion.   Thanks to Walt Norris of the Rolls Royce Owners Club, we had better publicity and exposure than ever. However, almost every press release demands a specific phone number—most will not accept a web site as the only “point of contact”. 

 

This “new” phone number could then be placed on ALL forms, press releases, the “sign”, the posters which the Sunbeam Club (Mark Coombs) made, the web site, etc.  

 

I feel we need the number year round.  If we only get it for say the 6 months prior to BCD, we’d probably have to get a new number each year.  For the sake of continuity, we need a consistent number from year to year.  Many people will save the number, or an article, or a piece of paper, with “that” number on it for years.

 

We could also use this “service” for the Teddy Bear Run, Ball Bearing Breaker Challenge Rallyes, and Rolling British Car Day.

 

I’ll wait till our first meeting to formally move on this.  I just wanted to “plant” the seed.  I will do nothing without Council approval.

 

DOGS:  Seems like we had a really high number of dogs this year.  I know in the past, there was a problem with dogs and the horses.  Second, there was more than one pile of dog @#%$& left for “us” to clean up, and finally, (having had a dog that did this…), I worry about a dog getting excited and jumping up on someone’s door or fender and sliding their paws/toenails down the paint job—ouch!!!!  I’m the world’s biggest dog lover, but I think we need to establish a policy of “No Dogs”.  This should be on the web site, the application information, etc. There were even about a dozen phone calls specifically about dogs.  Must be the “Year of the Dog”.

 

SIGN:  Following a hint from last year, I am now in possession of “numbers” for the next two years of BCD.  This will save us about $25.00/year.  Not a big deal, but a step in the right direction!!!!  I can remove the old number, clean the area, and apply the new number myself.

 

…and NOW THE BEST PART!!!!!!!

 

I always hesitate to start thanking people, for fear of omitting someone, or spelling someone’s name wrong, etc.  However, I’m willing to take my chances, because everyone just worked so very, very hard to make this a tremendous success.

 

We’ve already received tremendous kudos from a number of people already via e-mail.  I concur 200% with everything that has already been said.  Additionally, I just had a tremendous number of people come up to me during the event and say it was the best ever, etc.  I’ve had a number of calls today, from as far away as Los Angeles and Orange County, thanking us for a great day.

 

PLEASE BE SURE TO GET BACK TO YOUR CLUBS WITH A BIG THANK YOU TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.  RE PRINT THIS MESSAGE—ALL OR IN PART, IF YOU WISH.  WE NEED TO SHARE OUR ENTHUSIASM AND FEELING OF SUCCESS AND GRATITUDE FOR EVERYONES’ VERY HARD WORK.

 

Where to start?

 

How about Publicity?  Walt Norris of the Rolls Royce Owner’s Group took on this challenge this year, substituting for Dave Ely who is heading up some big national  (?) Rolls Royce event. (Sorry Dave, if I got that wrong) For the time I have been involved with this, I have NEVER seen such great, great fantastic publicity.  We were in virtually every magazine and marque newsletter I ran across!  Walt has a daughter in the “biz”, and between this connection and tremendous help from his wife, we just had fantastic press releases and publicity.  We had great articles in the Union Tribune and the North County Times Advocate, amongst others. 

 

Walt—we’re indebted to you.  For your “first time” as our “Publicity Person”, you really, really set a high standard.  The job is yours as long as you want it!!!!!!!

 

The San Diego MG Club again ably handled registration.  This is a “total club” effort. This is an awesome task, which is on going throughout the year.  It involves constantly adding to, correcting and updating the database.  Paul and Christine Brown are the major leaders of the “data base” team. Then, the application and information pages are made up (thanks, Maggie Conway).  I believe over 1500 applications were mailed out, which necessitated a “mailer work party”.  Once the applications start coming in, then another major task is created in organizing them by marques, numbering them, and getting the information to the trophy/judging folks in a timely manner. Although many people help with this, Mel and Debbie Morris are at the top of letterhead!!

 

Then, “another” party—this time a “stuffing party”, as both the packets for pre-registration, as well as those for “day of” are made up.  Each envelope (with printed information for attendees—and that’s another story!!) gets a program (that’s another story!), a ballot (that’s another story), and finally all the materials collected from our advertisers (and that’s another story!!!) are stuffed and organized by marque and number.  The Stuffing Party (together with a chance to change your oil!) has been hosted by Wayne and Dee Johnson for several years.

 

Then, there’s the “day of”.  Once again, Mel and Debbie Morris head up the Registration Table, for those Pre Registered, as well as those who unfortunately are not pre-registered.  Club members step up to provide a hour or two of help in shifts.  Oh yea, almost forgot, they also staff the “Walk In” area, which requires another entire staff of people.

 

Somewhere in here, I’ve got to mention Joe Buchmiller—current President of the San Diego MG Club.  Perhaps the easiest way to explain how much stuff Joe does, how many things he set up, how quietly he simply goes about just doing everything and getting everything done . . . is that he had to bring a car, a station wagon and an SUV to bring all the materials (tables, chairs, stakes, tools, canopies, etc., etc.—he recruited all the members of his family to drive these 3 vehicles to and from the event!).  These were partially used to set up the entire Registration area, which he pretty much did single-handedly.  Joe, you are a quiet, strong force—but know that we do see you and appreciate the heck out of you. 

 

You should read the nice message from the Las Vegas Club—which goes on and on about this “guy named Joe” who did everything in his power to get one of the Las Vegas Club member’s cars running.  Apparently, Joe made several trips back to his house to get parts, tools, battery chargers, parts off of his own car, etc.  What a guy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Look up “car enthusiast” in the dictionary, and Joe’s photo is there!!!!

 

Afterwards—it’s not over!!!  All the money has to be counted; the registration forms collected and organized, and readied for next year’s database.

 

By the way, we sold all “excess” programs for $3.00 within an hour or two of placing them out at the Walk In table.  We could have easily sold another 100 programs.

 

We also ran out of registration packets!  That’s great—we exceeded our wildest expectations. 

 

Darn shame more folks don’t pre register.  It would make our lives at Registration sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much easier!!!!!!!!  We can whisk pre-registered folks through there pretty darn quick, and at a $5.00 savings.  I thought we were incredibly efficient with the “day of” registration folks, but it still takes time compared to pre-registration.  Really perplexing to see folks pull up with the application we mailed them, or downloaded from the Web site, all filled out, but not mailed in!!!!!!

 

The Triumph Club really nailed the layout!!!!!!  Of all the compliments I heard, most were directed at the “new” layout . . . and later on, the trophy and awards presentation.  Every attendee that said something to me about the layout was ecstatic about the new layout!   Mega congratulations to the Triumph Club—headed up by Jim Porter and Frank Conklin.  Great, great job you guys . . . and to the rest of your club members whom I know helped you.

 

We made so much better use of the space.  There were no “major areas” left unused, and the cars had ample space between them.  The wider “roads” left between the marques and areas was really helpful.  We gained a lot of space by not driving in “the old way”, which was particularly appreciated by the marques, which were always close to that “route”.  I had a number of folks in that area say how much nicer it was to not have the cars entering and exiting “right behind us.”  Although there was some concern about driving in on the “dirt” road, it worked out great.  So much better access, and kept the cars “off” the field proper.  It also gave the registration folks a longer line to work with.  As one of the marques closest to the “dirt” road, we noticed no more “dust” than in other years.

 

Marking off the areas, and not marking “individual” car spots worked out great, and was actually a tad easier for the layout folks.

 

Having maps of the site layout available was a big, big help.  The Triumph club provided a “big” blown up map for the internal parking folks (The Healey Club) to use, as well as small 8 ½ x 11 maps for individual clubs.  Next year, a second big “blown up” map for the Walk In table will help at that end too.

 

Jim Porter and I have already briefly discussed a small improvement for next year, which will solve the “exit” problem in the early am hours, when some non-British cars, trucks, etc. had to enter the field and then leave.

 

All in all, a tremendous, tremendous thanks to the Triumph Club and Jim and Frank.  A marked improvement—which everybody seemed to love. 

So where did folks go as soon as they got registered?  That was always the question when they got their registration packet?  “OK, so where do I go?”

“Right over there, to the friendly folks at the BIG MAP”.  The Austin-Healey Club of San Diego handles “internal parking and signage”.  Mike Williams was instrumental in organizing work parties to get all the signs we needed made up by club members.  We concentrated this year on getting folks directed to the Overflow Parking area, and then (as pedestrians) back to the Walk In table.  Great job Mike and crew(s).

 

The internal parking was handled smoothly and efficiently.  The Healey folks were able to keep the line moving quickly.  I never saw a back up during the “heat of” intense registration during the first few hours.  Great Job folks!!!!

 

The biggest-ever 56-page program, with color centerfold, was put together by Dr. Mike Shack of the San Diego MG T Register.  Mike does this so professionally and “seamlessly” that most of you probably don’t even notice!  I have yet to see another program from a similar event that is even in the same league as our program.  Once again, a fantastic job Mike!!  We appreciate your talent, creativity and dedication to this awesome task!  In his spare time, Mike is a neurologist!

The solicitation of advertisers and vendors and (some of the) raffle prizes are handled by yours truly, with a lot of help from fellow club member John Barnard.  This tends to be about a 6-month process, as many of these folks require several letters, several more phone calls, a FAX or two, and sometimes even personal visits (not so bad to the pubs, but others  . . . ).  John Barnard and I are proud to report that we had more advertisers than ever before, which helps offset the cost of the program.  Now folks—you and your club members get out there and support those advertisers!  Always tell these folks you saw their ad in  the BCD program!!!!  It really, really makes a difference when we go to “solicit” next year.

 

Perhaps one of the biggest “improvements”, together with the site layout, was the Mini Club completely taking over the areas of ballot counting, awards presentation and purchasing/organizing the trophies.  This task had previously been split up among various clubs and folks—all of whom did a great job, but it was “time” to put it under “one umbrella”.

 

Mini Folks—WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

You know, in retrospect, we probably could have “broken in” the Mini Club a little easier than we did!  Not only did they take on the awesome task, for the first time, of completely handling the Awards Presentation/Balloting and Trophy purchasing… but they were also Marque of the Year!!!!!   I hope everyone saw their incredible Marque of the Year Display.  They have set an awfully high standard for the next group to follow.  Their Club display and Marque of the Year was absolutely top notch.

 

The awards have never gone smoother, at least in the years that I’ve been involved.  With Dr. Cy handling the “mike” (thanks again Cy for being our emcee—you did a great job, as always!), cars were lined up (thanks to their sending a  “card of winners” to the various marques –very, very good idea –taken to each marque by a staff of fleet-footed “runners”) for a very neat “drive through”, as the trophies were presented.  I have a feeling that Sue and Lee Casad, and Megan and Mike Spangler were feeling a little “stressed” at the time, but it was certainly not apparent.  Everything from “our” perspective seemed totally organized (BECAUSE IT WAS!!!!!), thought out and highly, highly efficient.

 

You folks dun good!!!!!! Real Good!!!!!!

 

There was an 8 way tie for First Place (out of 8 cars!) in the “Other” category . . .  but we’ll talk about that later!!!!!  (like over a beer at a pub!!!)

 

Mini Club—we’re so proud of you, and so very thankful and appreciative of the superb job you did.  We are still in shock that you “just nailed it”, and it was your first time!!!!!  The amount of work and organizing you all did in the weeks and months prior to this day really, really showed.  The day went so smooth. 

 

I know the Mini Club would like to say thanks to Mel Morris for sharing the pre-registration stuff with them on a timely basis, and for Rudy Shappee and Anita Johnson for serving as the “transition” team in providing information on “how it was done before”.

 

The Jensen Owners Club was a big assist in the judging also.  They handled the task of selecting the “Best Beater”, “Best Picnic” and “Best Club Display”.  Again, this was a task sort of “handed around” from one person or club from year-to-year.  Sometimes, it didn’t get done at all!  It was nice to know that a specific group of dedicated folks was taking charge of this important task.  Thanks to Bob Adams and his crew for getting this bit of judging done for us!

 

The Best Raffle Ever!!!!!  Rhoda and John Yoder, heading up the efforts for the San Diego Jaguar Club, once again put together the best and classiest raffle ever.  I think the way that Rhoda and John have “re done” the raffle (which, let’s be honest, was pretty much a collection of “rags” and “wrenches” before!), has added more “class” to our event than any single thing.  Not only have they rounded up fabulous raffle prizes (and that would be about 99.99% Rhoda!!!), but they have assembled them together in lovely presentations.  Gosh—trips, entertainment packages, car covers, convertible tops, dine out packages, sporting events, spa packages, harbor cruises, tonneaus, multiple gift certificates, car care kits, Disneyland!!, Zoological Society passes… Absolutely the best.

 

And the best part?  We keep 10%, and donate the rest to charity – which makes us special, and allows us to give back and be part of our community.  Rhoda and John—you’re the best!!!

 

This year, Mark Coombs represented the Sunbeam Club.  Mark took on a new task, without much direction or leadership, I might add!  Mark came up with very, very nice large posters.  Mark went “above and beyond” and then distributed these posters to many of the pubs and businesses that advertise in our program, as well as others.  This was a great task, which we’ve not been able to do previously.  We really appreciate Mark taking this on – and doing it again next year!!!!!

 

Of course, we cannot express enough thanks, gratitude and appreciation to David Zumstein and his wife and family for sharing their lovely property with us.  How lucky are we to have this site, owned by a car enthusiast, who goes way, way out of his way to do all kinds of little (and not so little!!!!) things to make this site so perfect for our needs.  It takes a lot of love and preparation, and attention to detail to keep this site looking like the way it does, and the weeks and days of immediate preparation prior to the “big day”.  Without this site, and David’s and his family’s hospitality, where would we be?  I’d quit!!!!

 

I’d also like to thank a few people on the Council who served specific offices (now that is sounding pretty formal, for our loosely knit little group!!!).  Cindy Hunt does a phenomenal job as our Treasurer.  Thanks Ms. Hunt!!!!  Anita Johnson does a number of super things for us—as Secretary, and also our “E-mail Coordinator”.  Anita also brings years of car show experience to the table. Thanks Anita.

 

We also had two “official” photographers this year—both from the MG Clubs—Ruth Hoffman and Diane Kirby.  Thanks ladies – we’ll look forward to seeing your photos on the web site and next year’s program.

 

Finally, I’d like to thank everyone for coming to our meetings.  As car enthusiasts, I know we all have plenty of meetings to attend.  That’s one reason we’ve “got them down” to only three meetings.  We’ll endeavor to make them as efficient as possible . . . even as much as we can.  With e-mail, it makes getting lots of little things done so much easier, particularly without the need for meetings.  I’ve never been a proponnent of having a “meeting for the sake of a meeting.”

 

I would encourage y’all to bring several folks from your club to the meetings.  It makes it more fun for you, and creates a lot more energy in the meeting.  Obviously, is also “creates” some folks in your club that can back you up, fill-in as a substitute, and just generally make it gooooooder!!!!!!  The more the merrier.

 

Well folks, sorry this is sooooooooooooooo long, but there are just so many thanks and acknowledgements that deserved to be said. 

 

Again, please share this with your club.

 

See y’all on the 26th at Penny Lane.

 

Steve