EDITORIAL

Well, we are into the second Acorn of the Foot and Mouth epidemic (it is now officially an epidemic and out of control--brilliant!) and of course it has been very quiet in the lanes.  Still no motorsport of a local nature, so I can only imagine that everyone is busy in their   garages/workshops finishing those car preps and sorting out those spare parts that you have all been meaning to sell/throw out!  Don't forget that members can place an advert in Acorn for free (private sales only) in order to find new homes for all those unwanted bits/cars. 
Inside this month, there are a couple of retrospective articles, which should make nostalgic reading from a couple of our more experienced members.
At the Noggin' and Natter way back in December, we had a conversation with John Milligan and Alan Pearson on the subject of the RAC Recovery and Rescue being extremely unhelpful in rescuing and recovering broken down vehicles at venues plus they were getting more expensive.  Well, at the last committee meeting, Andy Elcomb produced some literature which had been sent to him by the AA (no, not Alcoholics Anonymous!), introducing "a new scheme specifically designed for the motoring enthusiast...which allows members of motoring clubs to benefit from AA Personal membership at reduced ongoing rates…".  Andy has registered the Club and 7Oaks members will benefit from a saving of up to £21 off the normal annual AA membership fee.  The AA membership includes Caravan and Trailer Recovery, Reasonable off road access and no age limit on vehicles covered, amongst other things.
The club also benefits from this offer by getting a small commission for each member who joins. There will be an Application Form either in this issue or in May's issue of Acorn, with full details of this offer, if you are interested, dear reader. 
We have also been sent details of some social and other motor events that neighbouring clubs are putting on and 7Oaks members are invited to. Details are within.
Talking of coming events, please do put the date of the club's Annual General Meeting in your diaries and make sure you attend.  The date is Wednesday 18th April, time-8.30pm, Venue-The Bell, Kemsing.  If you want to know what the committee gets up to on your behalf, this is a good time to find out.  We need you there.  There will be a business part to the meeting when the accounts will be presented and you will have your chance to ask questions relating to anything relevant to the Club's activities, past, present and future!
The Competitor's Forum in March was an interesting evening and it was nice that a few of the new members came along.   Hope you found it helpful, chaps.  During the evening, Graham Baker offered to have a crack at organising a few Social events.  Graham has now arranged a visit to Quaife Engineering at Otford for the May Club Night, Wednesday 16th May. This should be an interesting evening as the chaps at Quaife will be showing you how they build their racing gearboxes and you can have a good look round the factory and at their GT car. Places are limited to 30 max.  The evening begins at 7pm for 7.30pm and will end with a trip back to The Bell at Kemsing with the Quaife guys, so you can have your chance to chat and ask any burning questions you may have.  Put your name down by ringing Graham --leave a message on his anwerphone if he is not there.
Alan Pearson has put together the 2001 Summer Autotest Series and the Regulations and Entry form are found within.  Of course the Series will only go ahead subject to the Foot and Mouth Restrictions being lifted, but when they are, we will be ready! (Let's be optimistic if we can!)
The plethora of photographs on the front cover this month were taken at soggy Lydden and come courtesy of Colin Shipway.  Sorry we couldn't include everyone but some of you should recognise your vehicle (whether it has two wheels or four)!
See you all at the AGM!

Dawn Travers

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