The "Driving Event of 2005!" is now complete.

I arrived in Terre Haute on Wednesday...and immediately drove over to the local newspaper offices where a photographer took a ride in one of three V8 conversions for a photo shoot that was to accompany a write-up on our event the following morning.

Many registrants arrived at the hotel that same afternoon...most of us shared supper together at "M.Moggers"..a great pub in an old brew house.

We broke our first car that evening, Pete Mantell's 342 Ford V8 conversion.

Thursday morning I headed out to the Hulman Airport where Ron Davis (1986 Morgan Plus 8) helped me set up a rther challenging autocross course. (Only one of the first twelve runs did not receive an "O/C" before familiarity finally allowed for some successful runs.) Carl Floyd retained his title as "Top Dog" in this event. (Some travelling trophy, eh?!)

Thursday evening was spent kicking tyres and lying in the parking lot as even more registrants arrived.

Friday found us driving out to Putnam Park Road Course where 13 drivers tried to tame the course. We also had a dynometer available, which most participants took advantage of during the stay at the track. Bill Yobi (Buick 215 conversion) was the first (and only) driver to take a scenic tour off track during the day....although we did manage to break two cars (Pete Mantell's Lancia and Mike Moor's Buick 300 conversion) during the day.

Friday was again spent in the parking lot for a Natter n' Noggin courtesy of D&D Fabrication, Coyote
Engineering, Classic Conversions, and Fast Cars, Inc.

Saturday morning was spent at the Wabash Valley Drag Strip for Bracket Elimination racing for our group. 18 cars participated in this event, with Peter Smith of Ontario, Canada being named "top eliminator" of the day with his Rover powered MGB. Mike Moor spent the day replacing the bearing on the bottom end of his Buick 300, and it was running by the time our group returned to the hotel later that afternoon from their visit to the amazing car and automobilia collection of Terre Haute native, Frank Kleptz.

Saturday evening found us a banquet room of the hotel for our banquet and auction. Our guest, Ken Costello was kind to give us all a few words of advise and encouragement.

We had Buick, Oldsmobile, Rover, Ford conversions, both V8 and V6 (as well as one inline Ford powered Triumph Spitfire. Over 50 registrations in all!

One Avenger Fiberfab kitcar, one Morgan Plus 8, one Nissan 300ZX, two "big" Austin Healeys, a Triumph TR6, a Lancia, and a multitude of MGBs and MGB/GTs could be found in the parking lot.

This morning (Sunday) came much too rapidly as we said our good-byes....and now wait anxiously for British V8 2006 which will be held in Townend, Tennessee immediately before the all-MG Register meet, MG 2006, "A Driving Experience in the Smokies" that will be located in Gatlinburg, TN.

It was certainly great seeing old friends and making new ones at "The Driving Event of 2005!"

Regards....

rick "moe" ingram

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1968 MGC - 1969 MGC - 1974.1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com

[www.MG2011.com]
[www.rallyetoreno.com]

Sounds like a fantastic time, Rick. Maybe next time!

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MGB 76/V6

Excellent job of organization!

Rick, Pete and David excelled with this show.

Article the featured the V8 group in the local newspaper is here:

[www.tribstar.com]

-bcw

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Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel. - Benjamin Disraeli

Thanks for the report.
I WILL be at Townsend next year. Hell or highwater.

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David

I had a good time a the meet, and I've been daydreaming about having my conversion ready to go to Townsend next year. If you guys could see the state of the conversion right now you'd laugh. Believe me, I could find the time to get the work done if only I had the cash. The credit card is so tempting sometimes, but I've resisted it so far! Debt sucks.

Ryan

Ryan...We've all been there. My conversion is stil scattered throughout the barn waiting for assembly....Patience is a virtue.....Great meeting you and yur dad in Terre Haute!

rick

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1968 MGC - 1969 MGC - 1974.1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com

[www.MG2011.com]
[www.rallyetoreno.com]

hey Rick,
Thanks again for a great weekend. I had a blast. Im trying to track down Graham ?. I believe he's from Cananda and he was driving that beautiful maroon mg with the ford 302.
I bought a 302 last week and I'd love to be able to ask him some questions. Can you help?
Brian Coleman (B8Scole@entouch.net)



Post Edited (07-01-05 16:09)

Brian....

I just sent you a post off-list.

Sorry for the delayed response...I've been on the road for MG 2005 in Olympia, WA, and not due to return home until Thursday.

rick

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1968 MGC - 1969 MGC - 1974.1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com

[www.MG2011.com]
[www.rallyetoreno.com]