Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains of South Carolina is one of the most modern vehicle production plants in the world producing an average of thirty SUV’s every working hour, five days a week, fifty two weeks a year. I am of course referring to the BMW production complex in Greenville, S.C. For the past sixteen years a unique Motor Event has taken place every October, a major car display presented on thirty acres of landscape grounds adjacent to the main BMW building. The name of this event is the EURO FESTIVAL. Which attracts cars and their owners from all over the country. This year British vehicles were the feature for 2011 with the MG and Austin Healey being the chosen Marque However, not to be outdone Jaguar owners presented a formative display inspired I think by the fact that 2011 was/is the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Jaguar E Type. This reminded me of two things, first what a wonderful expression of car design the E Type represents and, that I am certainly getting old as I remember seeing my first E Type at the Earle’s Court Motor Show back in 1961! Like the Jaguar 120 that was first exhibited in 1949 at the same Motor Display the E Type stole the show. It would not be wrong to say that this vehicle was a true legend in its life time! This year BMW restricted the number of display entries to 400 divided into twenty four groups. Obviously both MG and Austin Healey, the featured manufacturers were highlighted and the display of cars certainly lived up to all expectations. From the popular MGB to the T Types and of course the attractive MGA. If you are into Italian cars there was a broad range including Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and a special section called Italian Exotic . One car certainly caught my eye, a concept vehicle produced in Italy in 1953 for the American Hudson Motor company. It certainly was a very attractive car and way ahead of the styling for that period. Was America ready for such design in 1953? I fear I have to say; “Certainly Not” it was still chrome everywhere with shining teeth for the front grill. It has been suggested that this was the result of the Cold War, a show of strength etc!… (I leave it at that!) What British car buff is not hooked on Morgan and there were some excellent examples including the three wheel version. Triumph also had a very good showing starting with the early TR2 through to several TR6 versions again most in Concour’s condition. In the Mini section the display was a little disappointing. I had expected to see a number of the original Mini’s that I recall back in the early sixties and of course always associated with the original version of the movie “The Italian Job”.( A short personal story about that film, saw it on a Monday and by the weekend had purchased a Mini Cooper. Who says advertising “Don’t Work? There were a number of the BMW versions on display all quite attractive but not quite the Mini that I remember… It’s had to realize that the first Mini rolled out of the Longbridge factory in the fall of 1959. A nice display of Lotus cars caught my eye also a Mini Moke standing alone and attracting quite a lot of attention. If you are not sure what a Moke is the best way to describe the car is an open Jeep type Mini that back in the 1960’s you would see dashing up and down the sun soaked beach. Not very practical and certainly not weather friendly but a fun vehicle. Eventually they were banned from such activity throughout Europe and the UK as being dangerous. Don’t know if they ever caught on in the US and I have to say that my only experience with this car was in England which on reflection was never subject to sub soaked beaches for more than a few days each summer. Obviously the BMW display was by any standards impressive. Vehicles from the early 60’s through to the last decade graced the field and the display of several BMW Motor Cycles was for me, the cherry on the cake. If you were a Volkswagen fan there was more than enough to make your day. I have never been that keen on the brand but I think this goes back to my short ownership of an early Beetle. The heater its that’s the correct name, did more to kill me with engine fumes than warm any part of my lower body. Starting was easy but stopping was another matter. Also noticed was an early Austin Cambridge, and a 1947 Rover that looked like it should have been in the Rolls section had there been one! What a magnificent example of prewar car design for a medium priced car. Obviously one of the last to come out of the Rover factory before their postwar designs took over such as the Rover P4 that hit the showroom floors in 1950 and was a success. The selection of Porsche on display was also impressive but you expect that with this manufacturer no matter what is on show. The whole experience of Euro Festival 2011 was both enjoyable and certainly educational even for an old car buff like me. There are not many events where you still have cars to see by the end of the day and wish you had come earlier. For anyone who has never been to Greenville plan to visit Euro Fest 2012 you won’t regret it. Geoff Wheatley — October 2011 DVC Members Adam and Eva Ilnicki went down to the shore to see the Rallye to Reno participants off on their journey. They traveled with them for the first 150 miles, before tearfully heading back north to home. In the meantime, they were able to take some pictures which they have shared with us! John has entered his ’53 TD in the Rallye to Reno to raise money for CURE Childhood Cancer, an organization that supports cutting edge research, training and services directly for young patients and their families. CURE is a non-profit organization that has been repeatedly top-rated (Four Stars) by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator. Having undergone treatment himself for cancer of the larynx at the University of Michigan Cancer Center in 1998, John said that it was the site of the youngsters who shared the waiting room with him over the years that has stuck in his memory. When he learned how few cancer research dollars are devoted to the needs of dying kids, he decided to make his cross-country trip about more than just driving his TD. John is asking DVC members to consider “sponsoring” him with a donation directly to CURE. You can do this at their website www.CUREChildhood.org identifying his campaign, or directly through the secure FirstGiving portal, found by following this shortcut: www.tinyURL.com/kidsCURE. John says if you look closely at the recent photo of his car, you can see that his DVC badge is still prominently displayed between the driving lights. John has started a blog about his car preparations and intends to publish updates as he crosses the country in June. You can follow along at www.kidsCURE.blogspot.com. The MG Vintage Racers will celebrate their 30th anniversary with two designated “Focus Events” for 2011! One on the west coast, and one on the east coast. A MGVR “Focus Event” is a selected vintage race event where MGVR gets a vintage race sanctioning body to include some “all MG races” in their weekend’s schedule. Plus MGVR compliments the weekend with some of their own awards and social functions. All MG racers are encouraged to attend these events for an enjoyable weekend of MG racing and camaraderie. This tradition has grown over the years and now includes both east and west coast events. Plus MGVR’s 30th anniversary will include a special celebration at the Lime Rock event, where MG and British car clubs are strongly encourage to have their members come watch and meet the MG racers. This Focus Event will be at Infineon Raceway in California with CSRG (Classic Sports Racing Group – on the web at: www.csrgracing.org), the weekend of April 8-10th. This 2.53 mile racecourse is located in the heart of the California Wine Country in Sonoma, some 35 miles south of San Francisco. Friday will be a test day, with racing on Saturday and Sunday. MGVR will celebrate their 30th anniversary in Connecticut at Lime Rock Park’s 29th “Historic Festival” on Labor Day weekend (September 3-5). This beautiful historic race track is a great place for racers and spectators alike, where Lime Rock will also celebrate its 55th year of racing. A large turnout of MG racers is expected. MG and British Car enthusiasts are highly encouraged to attend to meet these MG racers, see their MG race cars, and watch them in action on the track. Friday, Saturday, and Monday will be race days for about 300 vintage race cars of all types. No racing on Sunday as they will have a fabulous car show presented on the track. Anyone interested in attending is encouraged to make room reservations early, as area lodging gets sold out quickly for this weekend (or you can camp at the track). Track and lodging information can be found at Lime Rock’s web site: www.limerock.com This event is supported by the Vintage Sports Car Club of America. More details on this event will be released as it nears. To find out more about MGVR – including their history since 1981 – visit their web site at: MGVR.org. British Marque Car Club News is very excited to announce that Triathlon IX will be held at the Point Lookout Resort in Northport, Maine (just north of Camden) on August 26-28, 2011! The registration form is available on their website at www.britishmarque.com. We hope that you will want to experience another fun-filled Triathlon and look forward to seeing you next August!
Euro-fest 2011 (Geoff Wheatley)
Webmaster : 10/23/2011 2:37 PM : Members Only, Other News, Special Interest
Rallye to Reno – 2011
Webmaster : 06/20/2011 12:27 PM : Members Only, Other News, Pictures, Special Interest
June 3, 2011
Twenty years ago, John Deikis was an active member of the DVC, served on the board, and even edited T-Talk. After moving to Michigan, he remained involved in the T-Register’s Michigan Chapter and occasionally returned to the east coast for GOF’s or to race is red and white “works-replica” ’68 MG Midget.
MG Vintage Racers Celebrating 30 years in 2011 Both East and West
Webmaster : 10/22/2010 12:12 PM : Other News
MGVR Focus Event West for 2011 – April
MGVR Focus Event East for 2011 – September
