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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 23/02/2023 : 17:43:59
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The MG100 Cavalcade at Pre-War Prescott. I'm beginning to develop the lineup. I'm taking the M.G. entry list as it grows and selecting one model of each type. Initial selection is on a first come - first selected basis. If your car has a C before it in the list below, then you are allocated to the cavalcade. If you have been selected and do NOT wish to take part, just let me know. No pressure! The cavalcade cars will be parked in date order along the foot of the Paddock where they will be on display, and this will have the added benefit of making more space in the regular MMM parking rows.
Early cars will comprise 14/28, 14/40, 18/80, 18/100 and the T Types will comprise TA, B, C, D and F. So the bulk of the cavalcade will be made up of MMM models.
So far, we have MMM examples of M, D, J2, J3, PA, PB and NB. If you own a type not yet included, and would like to take part in the cavalcade, you know what to do! I will need to get the entire list to the BOC in good time, to obtain their blessing - the cavalcade is covered by a separate clause in the MSUK event permit.
Any questions, please contact me.
1 C 1932 M.G. D Vincent Dransart (VMR) 2 C 1935 M.G. NB Michael Lees (VMR) 3 C 1933 M.G. J2 Dr. Mike Gardiner 4 1933 M.G. J2 Bernard Scott 5 NYK Col Schiller (VMR) 6 1933 M.G. J2 Hugh Back 7 C 1934 M.G. PA Keith Riches 8 1932 M.G. D Dr. John Emmett (VMR) 9 C 1935 M.G. PB Roger Tushingham (VMR) 10 C 1932 M.G. M Steffi Broch (VMR) 11 1932 M.G. D Dr. Huw Davies 12 1934 M.G. PA Colin Murrell (VMR) 13 1933 M.G. J2 John Dorney (VMR) 14 1934 M.G. PA Colin Butchers 15 1930 M.G. M Mike Dalby (VMR) 16 1933 M.G. J2 John McClelland 17 1933 M.G. J2 Simon Johnston (VMR) 18 1933 M.G. P/Q Gaston Lenaerts 19 C 1933 M.G. J3 David Kempton (VMR)
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 17/03/2023 : 14:45:13
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Fantastic news this morning from the BBMF. We've been provisionally allocated a Spitfire AND a Hurricane, to display together at 14:25 in the afternoon.
To have not one but two BBMF fighters over Prescott is a tremendous first for PWP and underlines the massive level of support we receive every year from the Flight.
Of course, the allocation is provisional at this stage and will be confirmed in May, but the already announced presence of the Flight at nearby RIAT for that weekend gives me confidence that this provisional allocation will be confirmed, barring any catastrophic event.
Because the hill must be closed during aerial activity, I will be requesting the BOC hold their lunch break slightly later this year, from 1:30 to 2:30 and the MG100 cavalcade to re-open the hill for the afternoon climbs as soon as the fighters have departed. |
Edited by - Ian Grace on 17/03/2023 14:46:03 |
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colintf
United Kingdom
1525 Posts |
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 26/03/2023 : 15:12:27
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Latest MMM entry list as of this morning - looking good! C prefix indicates cavalcade.
1 C 1932 M.G. D Vincent Dransart (VMR) 2 C 1935 M.G. NB Michael Lees (VMR) 3 C 1933 M.G. J2 Dr. Mike Gardiner 4 1933 M.G. J2 Bernard Scott 5 NYK Col Schiller (VMR) 6 1933 M.G. J2 Hugh Back 7 C 1934 M.G. PA Keith Riches 8 1932 M.G. D Dr. John Emmett (VMR) 9 C 1935 M.G. PB Roger Tushingham (VMR) 10 C 1932 M.G. M Steffi Broch (VMR) 11 1932 M.G. D Dr. Huw Davies 12 1934 M.G. PA Colin Murrell (VMR) 13 1933 M.G. J2 John Dorney (VMR) 14 1934 M.G. PA Colin Butchers 15 1930 M.G. M Mike Dalby (VMR) 16 1933 M.G. J2 John McClelland 17 C 1933 M.G. J2 Simon Johnston (VMR) 18 1933 M.G. P/Q Gaston Lenaerts 19 C 1933 M.G. J3 David Kempton (VMR) 20 1932 M.G. M Matt Harnden (VMR) 21 1934 M.G. PA Mike Wevill (VMR) 22 C 1934 M.G. NA Graham Finch 23 1933 M.G. J2 s/c Nigel Harper 24 1934 M.G. NA 2-seater Martin Latimer 25 1930 M.G. M Valerie Davison (VMR) 26 C 1931 M.G. M Sportsman's Coupe Roger and Inka Burnett (VMR) 27 1933 M.G. J2 Colin Bird
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 27/03/2023 : 15:29:10
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28 1935 M.G. PA Richard Holl (VMR) 29 1932 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR) 30 1931 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR)
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 14/04/2023 : 17:02:18
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1 C 1932 M.G. D Vincent Dransart (VMR) 2 C 1935 M.G. NB Michael Lees (VMR) 3 C 1933 M.G. J2 Dr. Mike Gardiner 4 1933 M.G. J2 Bernard Scott 5 NYK Col Schiller (VMR) 6 1933 M.G. J2 Hugh Back 7 C 1934 M.G. PA Keith Riches 8 1932 M.G. D Dr. John Emmett (VMR) 9 C 1935 M.G. PB Roger Tushingham (VMR) 10 C 1932 M.G. M Steffi Broch (VMR) 11 1932 M.G. D Dr. Huw Davies 12 1934 M.G. PA Colin Murrell (VMR) 13 1933 M.G. J2 John Dorney (VMR) 14 1934 M.G. PA Colin Butchers 15 1930 M.G. M Mike Dalby (VMR) 16 1933 M.G. J2 John McClelland 17 C 1933 M.G. J2 Simon Johnston (VMR) 18 1933 M.G. P/Q Gaston Lenaerts 19 C 1933 M.G. J3 David Kempton (VMR) 20 1932 M.G. M Matt Harnden (VMR) 21 1934 M.G. PA Mike Wevill (VMR) 22 C 1934 M.G. NA Graham Finch 23 1933 M.G. J2 s/c Nigel Harper 24 1934 M.G. NA 2-seater Martin Latimer 25 1930 M.G. M Valerie Davison (VMR) 26 C 1931 M.G. M Sportsman's Coupe Roger and Inka Burnett (VMR) 27 1933 M.G. J2 Colin Bird 28 1935 M.G. PA Richard Holl (VMR) 29 1932 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR) 30 1931 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR) 31 1936 M.G. PB Barry Smith 32 1930 M.G. M Mark Smith 33 1930 M.G. M Roger Payn (VMR) 34 1933 M.G. J2 Josephine Salmon (VMR) 35 1935 M.G. PB William Opie
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2023 : 20:43:07
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1 C 1932 M.G. D Vincent Dransart (VMR) 2 C 1935 M.G. NB Michael Lees (VMR) 3 C 1933 M.G. J2 Dr. Mike Gardiner 4 1933 M.G. J2 Bernard Scott 5 NYK Col Schiller (VMR) 6 1933 M.G. J2 Hugh Back 7 C 1934 M.G. PA Keith Riches 8 1932 M.G. D Dr. John Emmett (VMR) 9 C 1935 M.G. PB Roger Tushingham (VMR) 10 C 1932 M.G. M Steffi Broch (VMR) 11 1932 M.G. D Dr. Huw Davies 12 1934 M.G. PA Colin Murrell (VMR) 13 1933 M.G. J2 John Dorney (VMR) 14 1934 M.G. PA Colin Butchers 15 1930 M.G. M Mike Dalby (VMR) 16 1933 M.G. J2 John McClelland 17 C 1933 M.G. J2 Simon Johnston (VMR) 18 1933 M.G. P/Q Gaston Lenaerts 19 C 1933 M.G. J3 David Kempton (VMR) 20 1932 M.G. M Matt Harnden (VMR) 21 1934 M.G. PA Mike Wevill (VMR) 22 C 1934 M.G. NA Graham Finch 23 1933 M.G. J2 s/c Nigel Harper 24 1934 M.G. NA 2-seater Martin Latimer 25 1930 M.G. M Valerie Davison (VMR) 26 C 1931 M.G. M Sportsman's Coupe Roger and Inka Burnett (VMR) 27 1933 M.G. J2 Colin Bird 28 1935 M.G. PA Richard Holl (VMR) 29 1932 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR) 30 1931 M.G. D Ted Hack (VMR) 31 1936 M.G. PB Barry Smith 32 1930 M.G. M Mark Smith 33 1930 M.G. M Roger Payn (VMR) 34 1933 M.G. J2 Josephine Salmon (VMR) 35 1935 M.G. PB William Opie 36 C 1929 M.G. M Tim Milvain (VMR) 37 C 1934 M.G. K1 Mark Caroe 38 1932 M.G. D Peter Chapman (VMR) 39 1934 M.G. PA Roger and Sue Davies (VMR) 40 1935 M.G. PA Graham Williams (VMR) 41 1935 M.G. NB Chris Little (VMR)
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 11/05/2023 : 00:19:16
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An update.
Here's what I, and all other clubs who hire Prescott are currently being told about Prescott 2024 dates by the Bugatti Owners' Club:
"With regards to 2024 dates, council are still in discussions as to how many private hire events we will be allowing, and which ones they will be, so I’m sorry, but I can’t confirm anything on this front at the moment and most likely won’t be able to until the latter part of the year. All date confirmations are on hold for 2024 at the moment. Council are reviewing all the events on the hill and the financial / diversity / PR they create for the club in order to ensure we are maximising the 30 days use we have, so please continue to debate internally and let me know your preference, but I’m not currently in a position to confirm."
It would appear therefore that Pre-War Prescott 2024 may or may not go ahead. And worse, we won't know until the latter part of this year, which gives little time to plan. (Remember, for example that requests for RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight air support need to be lodged by the end of September for the following season). I also like to put the date for the next PWP in the current PWP Programme, which I will not be able to do this year. Additionally, some of our overseas visitors need to plan their travel plans at least a year in advance. So this is all very frustrating.
Therefore contingency plans for an alternative venue/date must be made - and made soon. Jayne and I are repatriating to the UK in June next year, so I was already looking at possibilities for an autumn 2024 rally. So the plan right now is to organize an event in September 2024 on a moderate scale, but one which could be throttled up into a much more significant weekend, should we be unsuccessful in securing a date for Pre-War Prescott 2024.
To that end I am in discussions with a number of potential venues. As for a date, I'm looking at the weekend of 14th/15th September 2024, which happens to coincide with Battle of Britain Day. (The first weekend in September is the Beaulieu Autojumble, and the second weekend is the Goodwood Revival.)
So I guess the bottom line is - if you have always wanted to experience Pre-War Prescott but have never dared, you know what to do! |
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colintf
United Kingdom
1525 Posts |
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 17/05/2023 : 01:00:47
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PWP is just two months today. Let's hope I can find some 30 hours days to complete the planning before we fly on 30th June!
Here are the latest MMM entries:
42 1932 M.G. J2 James Mills 43 1930 M.G. M 12/12 Rep. Greg Smith (VMR) 44 1935 M.G. NB William Abbott
We had 46 MMM entries last year, but we still have two months to go this year, so I think we might be looking at a record gathering to mark MG100.
As for the MG100 Cavalcade, we have examples of:
M M Sportsman's Coupe D J2 J3 PA PB NA NB K
If you have an MMM car that is NOT on the above list, please consider entering and you will be entered for free in the cavalcade.
The earliest M.G. in the cavalcade will be a 14/28 and bringing up the rear will be one of the last real M.G's built - a 1980 MGB GT LE. It was a Limited Edition model and one of the last 1,000 cars built at Abingdon before the factory closed.
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 26/05/2023 : 18:29:49
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So I nearly have the Programme ready to go to the printers. It is the usual 52 pages and I have about 9 pages spare. I have included a four-page article by Peter Seymour on Old Number One but I'd welcome any input for the remaining spare pages if there is a suitable piece out there relating the history of M.G. to mark MG100. Please PM me if you have any material or suggestions. Also happy to include trade advertisements. |
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
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colintf
United Kingdom
1525 Posts |
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Ian Grace
USA
673 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2023 : 20:51:59
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Apologies up front for a lengthy post, but the short story is that Pre-War Prescott next month will be the LAST. We are moving the entire weekend to Bicester Heritage, starting in 2024. Let's go out on a high - currently 45 MMM entries and counting.
So here's the long story. The following is an extract from our June Newsletter, circulated today:
In early May, while preparing the Pre-War Prescott Programme for the printers, I contacted the Bugatti Owners Club to confirm our date for PWP 2024, as I always like to include next year’s date in this year’s Programme. This helps people who book their accommodation from year to year and also helps our overseas visitors make their travel plans. I was therefore surprised to receive the following response from the Prescott manager:
"With regards to 2024 dates, council are still in discussions as to how many private hire events we will be allowing, and which ones they will be, so I’m sorry, but I can’t confirm anything on this front at the moment and most likely won’t be able to until the latter part of the year. All date confirmations are on hold for 2024 at the moment. Council are reviewing all the events on the hill and the financial / diversity / PR they create for the club in order to ensure we are maximising the 30 days use we have, so please continue to debate internally and let me know your preference, but I’m not currently in a position to confirm."
It would appear that several, if not all of the clubs that hire Prescott have received a similar response. Not knowing until the latter part of this year whether we will be offered a date or not gives little time to plan. Remember, for example that requests for RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight air support need to be lodged by the end of September for the following season.
Therefore, contingency plans for an alternative venue/date must be made. My first thought has already been mentioned in our recent Newsletters. As Jayne and I are relocating to the UK in June next year, I was already looking at possibilities for an autumn 2024 rally. So my initial thought was to organize an event in September 2024 on a moderate scale, but one which could be throttled up into a much more significant weekend, should we be unsuccessful in securing a date for Pre-War Prescott 2024.
That would be one option. Another would be to make a clean break, inaugurate a brand new main event - on the same weekend in July as Pre-War Prescott - and throw everything into making it a great success, without one event dragging on the other.
To that end, I have spent the last few weeks researching possible alternative venues including hill climbs, stately homes, ‘green field’ venues, closed road hill climbs and more. I have spoken to numerous Register supporters, events managers and teams across the area and, to cut to the chase, one venue stood head and shoulders above the rest, and that venue is Bicester Heritage. Bicester Heritage is based on the old RAF Bicester airfield in Oxfordshire, which is the best-preserved pre-war and wartime RAF airfield in the country. Ten years ago, the Bicester Heritage team was formed and took over the entire airfield and associated RAF hangars and buildings. The site is now home to around 50 motoring businesses, including MSUK. The team has added a test track and the vast grass airfield has become popular among the vintage aircraft community.
After a number of meetings with the Bicester events team, the date of Saturday 20th July 2024 has been booked for the inaugural Pre-War Bicester. The day will include untimed runs on the test track (in a very similar fashion to our untimed climbs at Prescott, but more suitable for lower-powered cars and cyclecars, etc.) and a number of vintage aircraft owners have already penciled in the date including the Tiger Nine display team of nine Tiger Moths and the Vintage Aircraft Club who are looking to join us as they celebrate their 60th Anniversary. Also, Chris Thompson who runs Finest Hour Experiences and generously donates a Tiger Moth flight to our charity auction every year is based at Bicester, so whoever wins the flight next year will be able to take to the skies immediately! Bicester also offers far more space than is available in the Prescott Paddock for Clubs and Registers to gather their members’ cars, club gazebos, spares stalls, etc.
All of this is seismic news after having run rallies at Prescott since 2003 and then our inaugural Pre- War Prescot in 2011. Of course Prescott is a wonderful venue and I will be sorry to leave it after so many people have put in so much work over the years to develop the day. However, as one close friend noted recently, the success of Pre-War Prescott is not so much due to the hill, but to the wonderful people and their cars that it attracts.
And perhaps, after all those years, it is time for something fresh. This year, I have heard from several entrants that they do not wish to climb the hill, as they have done so very many times in the past. Bicester gives us a unique opportunity to forge something fresh, new and exciting, while carrying over the relaxed, garden party atmosphere that Pre-War Prescot has become so well known for. The fact that we can hold the day on the same third Saturday in July is also a real bonus, not only for continuity but also because it will continue to be on the same weekend as the nearby Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at Fairford, which always greatly enhances our chances of securing a display by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight who always attend RIAT in force. And of course the day will be bookended with our traditional Friday and Sunday road runs and evening social gatherings. Bicester is almost exactly 40 miles east of Prescott as the crow flies, so the area to explore on Friday and Sunday just overlaps the area we have all become familiar with but also opens up all sorts of wonderful new Oxfordshire countryside and places of interest to visit. Additionally, the test track offers a fresh change from the hill and the space available also opens up the possibility of running VSCC style driving tests.
And there’s one more piece of good news. Unlike Prescott, the airfield is completely covered by high speed wi-fi which means that we will be able to use hand-held credit card devices on the gate and also switch to online ticketing, removing the time-consuming and expensive task of printing and posting carboard tickets to everyone. And I should also mention that, unlike Prescott, there will be NO need for entrants to hold MSUK licenses or to have to pre-register after they have submitted their entry. As we get into the detailed planning, the good news just keeps coming!
Clearly, there is much to think through, but there is time to do so and hopefully develop Pre-War Bicester into something really special that will take the Register into the future.
There will be more video conferences with the Bicester events team in the coming weeks and we will be holding a site meeting in early July to nail down more details. But for now, please make a note of the date – Saturday 20th July 2024.
And finally, all this means that Pre-War Prescott next month will be the last running of this much loved annual event for the foreseeable future, so if you have never been before but always thought you would like to visit some year, or if you attended one of our early days at Prescott or if you would simply like to join in our farewell to Prescott, please submit your entry without delay.
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bernard.scott
United Kingdom
195 Posts |
Posted - 01/06/2023 : 21:48:26
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Ian,
We are all indebted to you as an amazing, driving force behind this wonderful event.
I think that you have discovered a superbly, appropriate venue which, from my point of view, amplifies the association between the RAF and MG: Douglas Bader, Bill Bedford and Tangmere based pilots racing MGs around the peri-track at RAF Westhampnett (Goodwood)during World War 2.
A brilliant new venue. Thank you, Ian, for putting your heart and soul into organising this event for our benefit.
Bernie Scott |
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