The Beemer Takes to the Road

"What news on the Beemer Banger?" I hear you asking. Less than two weeks to go before departure and no mention of the star of the show for quite some time. Well here she is at her first official engagement - a meeting of the West Lancs MG Owners Club (photo by club member Andrew Dickenson).

Thanks to the sterling efforts of "Dr" Keith Banks, who has generously donated his time and all required parts, the car has a clean bill of health and is now fully rally-prepared. Well almost - there are still the cosmetics to attend to but more about that later. As far as the mechanical bits go the car has new rear brakes, windscreen wipers, fan-belts and bulbs where necessary. It has also had a full oil service, wheel balancing AND the silencer has been "fixed". For those medically informed shall we say it's had a silencectomy and leave it at that? It sounds fantastic and she is running very well. Thanks Keith.

A vote of thanks is also due to WLMGOC member Martin Pagett of Lynbrook Insurance who has arranged classic car insurance for the beemer. Yes, as a 16 year-old car it counts as a classic - and so it should. Martin's car is the red E-Type Jaguar on the right in the far background. We had hoped he may be prepared to do a swap but for some reason seemed reluctant!

"Why the West Lancs MG Owners Club?". Well Chris is a member and so too is next-door neighbour Nigel, who with fellow co-driver Ray, has also entered a team into the Banger Run. Their banger - more of a hairdressers car really - is pictured alongside Paul and Chris's green beast. Nigel and Ray (or should that be Toni & Guy?) are raising money for Derian House Childrens Hospice in Lancashire.

Other members of the WLMGOC are intending to give us a send off on 21st May by escorting us from Southport to the motorway. But before then comes the task of decorating our banger - weather-permitting the official map-sticking ceremony takes place this weekend. Watch this space for an update and photos.....