NAMGAR Articles, News and Event Information

GT-38 Asheville: Final Call!

2013-05-19T20:27:05+00:00

Last call for GT-38! Time is quickly running out for you to join all of us in Asheville, NC from June 10-14th. Some folks are arriving a day earlier so they can do some extra activities. Hope you’ve made your room reservations, filled out your registration form, and mailed it in! If that is not the case, what are you waiting for? Get moving, phone for a room before our block and rate disappear, May 11th.

You'll find the registration form on the event website . You still must print it out and mail it in, along with payment.

After May 11th, you must call 1-800-733- 3211 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday for reservation assistance as the previous listed phone number and 24/7 room reservation site will no longer be available. Reservations will be taken on a space available basis and at the prevailing rate, which may be higher. Hotel is the Crowne Plaza Tennis & Golf Resort, One Resort Drive, Asheville, NC.

Even if you have registered, you should go back to the GT-38 website as there are some additional activities that didn’t make it to the paper form. There you will find more information on the Paint & Mingle Session, where even if you have zero artistic talent, you’ll be guided through the painting of the Blue Ridge Parkway that will become your personalized memento. If interested in signing up for one or more of them, please fill out the form, enclose payment, and mail that in to Jim Brown, GT-38 Registration, P.O. Box 1866, Salisbury, NC 28145. Also, for those of you coming a day early, there is a drive and lunch scheduled on Monday morning that you might wish to join.

This year the Hospitality Room will have a different Chapter or Interest Group highlighted each evening as our hosts. We also have scheduled a wine-tasting event on Tuesday evening with Saint Paul Mountain Vineyards and then on Wednesday they will be vending in our vendor room. Due to the hotel’s regulations, we are unable to have any open bottles in any of the hotel’s meeting rooms unless they are provided by the hotel. So we’ve worked out a very acceptable compromise! The other evenings will certainly provide their surprises; so be sure to stop by and join the fun.

One last thing, be sure to have a safe trip to Asheville no matter your means of transportation. Upon arriving at the hotel, check in with the hotel registration desk, get settled in your room, get your car (and trailer) situated, and then come to the GT-38 registration area where you will find a bunch of happy faces to greet you. See you there!

Categories: GT-38: Asheville, NC

Mac Spears 1929-2002 - A Tribute to McGehee (Mac) Harrod Spears

2013-05-16T22:05:02+00:00

This tribute to NAMGAR founder, Mac Spears, was originally published in the September/October 2002 edition of MGA! magazine. The tribute, which was written by long-time NAMGAR member Bob Vitrikas, is re-published as a reminder of NAMGAR's heritage.

On July 7, 2002, we lost a dear friend and an inspirational leader whose warm, engaging personality lives on in the membership of NAMGAR.

"Chairman Mac," as we called him, was our first Chairman. Being first in a competitive event brings distinction and acclaim to the winner, usually after a long period of struggle. Being the first leader of a volunteer organization means your peers see you as someone who has a clear vision of where to take them and the ability to get them there. Then the real struggle begins!

In an organization like NAMGAR, members join because of the cars but they stay because of the people. That's why NAMGAR keeps on growing year after year. And that is the legacy of Mac Spears. Mac's vision for NAMGAR naturally flowed from his personality, leaving a deep and lasting imprint on our club. If you didn't know Mac, here are some anecdotes to help you better understand this extraordinary man and by extension, the "personality" of our club. I'll bet you'll see a little of yourself in Mac. If you were Mac's friend, perhaps these will bring back a fond memory or two.

- Mac loved to be around MGA enthusiasts. You could easily pick his lanky 6' 4", grey hair-topped frame out in a crowd, and his wide, engaging smile could light up a room like a Lucas Flamethrower driving light. The first time you met him, you felt as though you had been friends for life, and you would be. Think about who your best friends are. I'll bet there is at least one NAMGAR member on your list.

- Mac loved to drive his MGAs. His daily driver was his trusty MGA, "Old Blue." He loved to take his MGA on trips, too. Mac's height meant he had to modify the seat tracks to fit comfortably, but somehow his long left arm frequently found its way out the window, down the door and occasionally he dragged his fingernails on the pavement as he motored on. NAMGAR has always been a driving enthusiasts club, offering distance awards at our GTs. Three members drove over 3,000 miles to get to GT-27!

- Mac's MGs were anything but concours original. They were what he liked, not what the Parts Manual dictated. His TO had a tooled leather dash, and his show MGA 1600 was "beer bottle brown." Tooled leather and "beer bottle brown" are pretty good reflections of Mac's Arkansas/Texas personality. How many MGAs have you seen that reflect their owner's personality?

- Mac loved cars of all types, but especially MGs. He owned all sorts of MGs, but the MGA was his favorite. How many NAMGAR members do you know who own more than one MG or interesting old car?

- Mac loved to work on his MGAs, taking pride in keeping them running, and when they didn't, figuring out why and fixing them. Mac's last car project was the restoration of an MGA coupe, which he completed this past winter. NAMGAR's first event was a tech session and every issue of MGA! has had at least one technical article. Don't you enjoy tinkering with your MGA?

- Mac was a family man, whose wife Billie and their three daughters shared Mac's love for MGs. Our events are attended by young and old alike and usually include activities for members who aren't quite of driving age yet.

- Mac was very relaxed and easy going. If he got tired at an event, he would take off his shoes, lie down on the grass and put his shoes under his head for a pillow and take a snooze. I can't ever remember seeing Mac in a tie. It was his idea to name our annual gathering "Get Togethers" or GTs as we call them. You won't see any black tie affairs on our activities calendar.

- Mac was one of the friendliest people you'd ever meet. His warm, outgoing personality and southern drawl would pull you into a conversation and hold you there for as long as your beer or bladder could hold out. In one of his columns in MGA! Mac urged our members to wave to fellow MG drivers as a way to reach out to them and acknowledge our special bond.

As you can see, Mac's spirit lives on in each of us and the contribution each of us makes to keep NAMGAR a true reflection of our first Chairman's wonderful personality. I can't think of a better legacy. The next time you pass an MG, give them a friendly wave and quietly say to yourself, "Hi Mac."

Categories: NAMGAR Member News

The Victoria MG Club Recognizes Neil Fawdry with the Renkenberger Spirit Award

2013-05-16T01:43:38+00:00

The Victoria MG Club (NAMGAR's newest Chapter) is pleased to announce that Neil Fawdry has been awarded the Renkenberger Spirit Award.

Neil joined the Club in August 1986 after seeing a close friend slalom on the Sears parking lot in the spring of 1986. Shortly thereafter, he bought a 1973 MGB and began participating in slalom events.

After starting restoration work on the MGB in the late 1990’s, he heard about an MGA stored in a barn near Victoria, BC. It was a 1962 MGA Mark ll that was in need of a lot of work. Neil eagerly took on the challenge. By 2005, he had completed the restoration and since then he has won numerous awards. These include: “Best in Show” at the British Car Rally at Mt. Washington, “Third Place” at the NAMGAR GT at Whistler in 2007, “Second Place” in the Judged Class at the Filberg Car Show in August 2009, Comox, and numerous awards at various Club events in Victoria. Since Neil completed the restoration of his MGA, it has become his car of choice for all events.

Over the years, Neil has worked hard on behalf of the Club. He was an enthusiastic participant in touring events to Lake Tahoe and Kamloops as well as Club camping trips. He was responsible for initiating the Club’s participation in the Oak Bay Tea Party Parade every June. More recently, he has joined in many “Over the Malahat Runs” and the Club “brunch” run to Port Renfrew. He has shown his car at the Cowichan/Mill Bay Car Show and is always attends the All British Car Event in Beacon Hill Park for Father’s Day. For the 30th Anniversary of the Club, he hosted a BBQ for the membership and served fresh salmon which he had caught.

Neil has served on the Executive as President in 1996 and 1997 and more recently in 2012. Neil is well liked by the membership. He is always willing to help others solve their car problems and encourages others to enjoy and drive their cars. He has a great sense of humour and can laugh at himself about car situations. While he still owns the MGB, he can most often be seen in the MGA cruising along our winding roads with the top down.

Neil has been outstanding as an enthusiastic member of the Victoria MG Club, promoting the MG marque while encouraging friendship and fellowship among the membership.

Categories: NAMGAR News

Jefferson 500 Event Information and Reminders

2013-05-11T01:46:11+00:00

In less than two weeks many of us will be joining our MG Vintage Racing friends for another Focus Event at the Jefferson 500 (May 16-19). As of May 6 there are 74 MG vintage racers entered among a total of 263 vintage racers! It's not too late to enter! Visit the website to register online.

Tech Info

Tech Central will be at Tivvy Shenton's trailer next to pit out and the restrooms. Extra tech personnel have been called upon due to event turnout. There will also be roving tech, including Storm Field, who will concentrate on MGVR tech. You do not need to be tech'd for Thursday's test day; instead you will find a window sticker in your entry packet to display. With the large number of MGs at this event, please consider getting tech'd between test sessions on Thursday, or even Wednesday evening if Tech is up and running. You can assist the overworked Tech crew by clicking on this link to download a copy of VRG's tech form. Storm recommends that everyone 'pre-tech' their MGs before coming to the track - thus reducing the chance that something will trip you up at the track. If you have any tech questions, please email Storm.

Reminders

Don't forget about Thursday evening's MGVR Wine and Cheese gathering at MGVR Central, slated to begin around 6pm. Please bring a sampling of your favorite beer, wine, or cheese to share with your fellow MG vintage racer.

Our MGVR Group Photo is scheduled for 5.30pm Friday at the Start/Finish line. Plan to meet at pit out at 5.15pm so we can quickly assemble as soon as the track goes cold.

You can download an event schedule and paddock map from the VRG's web site. The paddock map locates the MGVR paddock, which will also be designated by MG signage and caution tape. Please come to MGVR Central near the restrooms if you have questions.

Your entry includes two banquet tickets. If you need additional tickets, now is the time to contact VRG event co-chairs Jim Karaminis or Cal Trumbo. If you have suggestions for MGVR awards, please contact Chris Meyers. More on traditional awards in the next bulletin.

We will have coffee and tasties in the morning at MGVR Central. We need volunteers to bring donuts/pastries for Thursday-Sunday mornings - please contact Chris Meyers to sign up.

Categories: NAMGAR & Chapter Events

Sunshine Plus Classic Cars = Beautiful Day

2013-05-08T03:52:34+00:00

On May 4th, NAMGAR's Drive Your MGA Day, the Canadian Classic MG Club organized a Koffee Klatch (weird name for a meeting at a cafe), followed by a short drive of about 60 kms (40 miles) to a sunny spot for lunch.

The bright sunshine brought out thirty five sparkling cars, including eighteen MG’s and fifteen Jaguars. The group met at the Milsean Shoppe (pronounced Milshawn Shop Eh!) for tea, coffee, and tasty pastries and basked in the unseasonably warm weather – remember this is at a latitude of 49°, in Canada, where some people are still skiing on the mountains.

The cars then departed for a drive through the countryside of the Fraser Valley covering narrow twisty roads, with very little traffic. This made complying with the posted speed limits very difficult, but resulted in some fun driving.

Fifty one people enjoyed lunch at “Legends at the Lake” in Cultus Lake, but of course this was just the half way point of the drive. Participants then chose to return home either on the freeway, or by retracing the fun route of the morning.

Categories: NAMGAR & Chapter Events

NAMGAR Welcomes a New Advertising Manager

2013-05-06T17:54:42+00:00

NAMGAR is very pleased to announce the appointment of a new Advertising Manager, Randy Grossman.

I’ve been a car guy since I first got my driver’s license at 16 years of age. All in all I’ve probably owned 25 cars, my motto being drive ‘em, enjoy ‘em, and then move on. I’ve owned a string of cars, from a Chevy Camaro to a couple of corvettes, to a couple of Porsches, and eventually on to British cars. I can’t seem to get them out of my blood, and today I have a 2005 Lotus Elise and my 1962 MGA MK II which is really the car that I baby. The MGA is concourse level, but not a trailer queen as I insist on driving it as much as time permits. Why have a great MGA and not drive it?

I joined NAMGAR in 2004 when I got my first MGA, a beautiful 1956 MGA which now lives in Europe, but that’s a whole story onto itself. I really wanted to find a national club of MG enthusiasts where I could get technical advice, find out about national and regional events, but most importantly meet and develop friendships of fellow MGA lovers. NAMGAR fits that bill. In fact, when I bought my current MGA MK II in Virginia, I had a fellow NAMGAR member inspect the car, thus saving me the trip from California to check out the car. That’s how much I trust our club members. I have gone to a couple GTs and a regional event and have enjoyed meeting new friends and talking about MGs with people from all over the United States and Canada, gaining their perspectives on our hobby. I have every intention of going to more of these events and meeting and enjoying more of our club members. As I am now retired I have decided to take on this new role as your NAMGAR Advertising Manager as I feel that it’s now time to give back to the club in a meaningful way.

Originally I grew up in Michigan and am a rabid University of Michigan fan, having earned three degrees there, a BA, an MPH, and Ph.D. However, my career (primarily in health care management consulting) led me out west, and since 1984 I have lived with my wife Melissa in the Bay area of Northern California where we go on many scenic tours with our local club, the MG Owners Club, for which I also serve as Secretary. I am also raising a beautiful English springer spaniel puppy and training her for the show ring. Our time is further now occupied by the joy of having just welcomed our first grandchild into the family! Ah, grandchildren, MGs, and dogs. Who’s got it better than us?

I am pleased to be your new Advertising Manager, serving NAMGAR in a manner that utilizes my market planning skills. I hope to help us build membership as well as grow our advertising revenue for both the MGA! Magazine and our web site. I also intend to develop more visibility for NAMGAR through advertising our club and its benefits in other car-related media. So any suggestions you have, don’t hesitate to contact me. I love meeting new NAMGAR friends.

Categories: NAMGAR News

More Body Work

2013-05-02T01:10:14+00:00

Bob returns to do some further repair work on the inner sill and panels. Worked on the inner sill somemore today. I need to cut away rust but only after I have a really good mock up on the inner sill and lots of witness marks. This is the only…

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Categories: Restoration Play-by-Play

The Eleventh Annual Wild Hare Run

2013-05-02T00:21:10+00:00

After what seemed like a never-ending Winter, we finally got an answer to the question we were all asking; “Yes Virginia, there would be a racing season this year”. Mother Nature graciously threw off the bonds of a dreary Winter to grace the event with “Chamber of Commerce” weather, warm temperatures and clear skies.

The Eleventh Annual Wild Hare Run kicked off the 2013 vintage racing season in Southern Virginia. VDCA (Vintage Drivers Club of America) and VRG (Vintage Racer Group) combined to furnish the vintage field. Competitors fielded a varied field of cars ranging from small bore production racers to big engined thundering beasts with a fascinating collection of everything in between. The paddock was filled with frantic preparation and the renewal of acquaintances and friendships stilled along with racing engines since the end of last season. All of that was over as everyone turned back into a competitor on track. But vintage incidents were few and everyone enjoyed themselves.

BMWCCA brought their club racing program. Thirty-two BMW’s of every model and color strung out along the 3.27 miles (5.26 km) course with skirmishes for nearly every position. It may be club racing, but don’t underestimate the passion, skill and preparation of these Roundel aficionados.

Something for every racing taste was assured as F1600 & F2000 kickoffed their 2013 season. Both series represent lower rungs on the ladder to the upper echelons of racing. An international field of drivers took to the course to prove their prowess and try to grasp that brass ring. Sometimes their learning curve brought cheers and sometimes it brought tears, but it was always entertaining racing.

Our grateful thanks to Mike Matune for this article and photos.

Categories: NAMGAR & Chapter Events

VRG 2013 Focus Event Update

2013-04-13T20:08:58+00:00

Six weeks and counting until our Focus Event with VRG at Summit Point Motorsports Park! Are you registered yet? Complete your entry on, or before the April 15 Early Bird Deadline to receive a free test day, an entry into a drawing for free event entry, 2 Jeff 500/MGVR Banquet tickets, and three days of fantastic racing!

Regular entry entitles you to everything above except for the free test day...What are you waiting for? Visit the VRG website and click on events and details to register online. Please email Chris Meyers if you need assistance. 46 MG Vintage Racers have already signed up!

Highlights and Reminders

Looking for a competitive edge (or do you plan to miss the free test day)? Click here for a hot lap description countesy of Pete Cage.
Don’t trust Pete Cage? Join Brian Redman’s Friday evening Wounded Warrior Walk. Not only will you learn the fast way around Summit Point, your donation will go to a good cause. Last year Peter Krause led this walk and in the process shaved seconds off my lap time and raised over $1600 for a good cause! See you there Friday evening!
Don’t forget MGVR’s Thursday evening Wine and Cheese Meet and Greet at MGVR Central. I ask each of you to please bring something from home (local brew, wine, snack etc) to share with your MGVR friends. Hint to my Canadian friends ‐ 10W‐30 is good.
VRG is assigning us our own paddock‐come join your MGVR friends for fulltime bench racing, story telling and parts swapping. Look for the MG Paddock signs as you enter the paddock.

Categories: NAMGAR & Chapter Events

NAMGAR Loses a Great Friend

2013-04-06T03:28:34+00:00

NAMGAR Member, Jonathan Stein, provides an insight into the life of long-time member, Don Haynam, who passed away on March 28, 2013 at the age of 76.

The MG community lost a great friend on March 28th when Don Haynam passed away at his Indianapolis home after a lengthy Illness. Most of us remember Don as a quietly enthusiastic presence at MG meets and British Car shows throughout the Midwest and points east.

Originally from Ohio, where he graduated from Minerva High School, Don spent close to 30 years as a salesman for TRW servicing the airline industry. MGs weren’t Don’s only outside interests. An avid skydiver, he was a member of the US Parachute association and made close to 2000 jumps ― and some people think owning two MGs is crazy! Don was also a private pilot and logged most of his flight hours with his local jump club.

Anyone who ever saw Don behind the wheel of his TD or MGA Twin Cam knows how much he loved driving them. But they might not know that he personally restored both cars. After acquiring the TD in 1983, he embarked on a comprehensive restoration, personally taking on the metalwork and mechanical rebuild, although he did need to send out for machine work and paint. After 11 years with the TD, Don came across a somewhat rough MGA Twin Cam Roadster. Attracted by the rarity of the model, he once again dove into a full restoration. And again, he took on most of the work himself, including the rebuild of the somewhat sensitive Twin Cam engine. When it was complete after a whirlwind 9 ½ month restoration, the lovely Orient Red roadster was ready for touring and show. Not content with restoring his own cars, following the Twin Cam restoration, he also rebuilt a Triumph TR6 for a local friend.

Sadly, several years ago Don took the decision to sell the Twin Cam as his health worsened. He remained in contact with many members of the Twin Cam community up until shortly before his death.

Don is survived by wife Norma, to whom he was married for 54 years, son Steven, daughters Susan and Sharon, two sisters, six grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Everyone who encountered Don through MGs will remember him as a kind and cheerful enthusiast who was always happy to talk MGs and remained positive regardless of his health.

Memories of Don from NAMGAR Members

Note from the NAMGAR Internet Coordinators: If you would like to share your memories and photos of Don, please email them to the NAMGAR Internet Coordinators for posting on this page.

"I am so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a true gentleman. At GT-33 I was honored to win a ride with Don in his Twin Cam. He made sure that I was securely fastened in the passenger’s seat before he took off on the most exciting ride I’ve ever experienced (OK, except for Space Mountain). He took all the turns at a fast clip, but he knew his car so well that I was never scared… maybe a little. He made sure that I was safe after each turn and could actually gauge my imminent reaction to the turns and speed of his Twinkie. I enjoyed a special interlude with him and later thanked him for his care and respect for my comfort. He will be missed by many. Diane Mazurek

Categories: NAMGAR News