EDITORIAL

The merry month of May is here and I would love to be able to say things like “ The first summer Autotest of the year is under way shortly!”  but of course I can’t.  Sadly no permit has been issued and we are no nearer to knowing when this will be.
Some of you may have noticed that our website address has changed.  BT have withdrawn their “sponsorship” and Ian Crocker has been hard at work of the new site.  His article tells you about the changes and new ideas he has had.  Take a look and let us know what you think.  I would also like to try a new feature on Motorsport websites.  There are a lot of sites tackling this large and diverse subject.  Ian has set up some links to some members’ websites for you to peruse and I thought it might be a good idea if you lot out there reading this could perhaps do a spot of research and let the rest of us know about a particularly good (or bad) motorsport site, what you liked (or hated) about it etc.  As  I rather admire Colin McRae, I took a look at his website www.colinmcrae.com. It has got flashy graphics and music, reports on his progress in the World Rally Championship so far and his thoughts and comments on the opposition e.g. Richard Burns “He does whinge a lot…!”.  Have to say I agree with you there, Colin!  It also has a  noticeboard section with some really sad people leaving messages on it and a merchandising page for that must have fleece or baseball cap etc with the Colin McRae logo (perhaps someone can design something similar for the Darren Hall fanclub)!
Anyway I am sure you can all come up with some good websites (motorsport content only please!) for review.  I look forward to receiving your attachments!!
In a similar vein, I got to thinking (steady!) about those of you who are without sport at the moment and have polished the hubcaps on the immaculately prepared vehicle sitting in the garage, and have decorated the hall, landing and stairs and done all those odd jobs etc, you now must have had time to borrow your children’s Playstation 2, Gameboy, PC etc to try out those driving games your spouse/kids seem to have mastered.  Any good ones you can recommend? Has the spouse/kids beaten you hollow at the “Colin McRae Rally” Game?  Drop us a line and let the world know of your victory/humiliation (*delete as appropriate)!
The AGM seemed to go well.  It would have been nice to see a few more members. An “& District member” managed to make it for the evening all the way from Suffolk, well done Rob Hume, hope you made it back safely!
Bill Shewan raised a question about the Acorn cover.  Now this comes up for discussion from time to time, whether a static full colour cover is better than the topical pictures cover we use at the moment.  The full colour cover was good looking but expensive as it incurred the cost of Printers etc.  Some people felt that having a topical cover was great as it showed an active club with active members.  It was decided at the meeting to stick with the topical cover, and to look at improving the quality of the paper.  Perhaps you have a different view dear reader, please let us know!
I had a phone call from our own dear Chin a week or so back to say he had been to The Southern Region Association meeting and 7Oaks had won an award for “Best Club Magazine 2000”.  On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank our regular and occasional contributors; letter writers; photo editor Colin Shipway; photocopier person Gordon Franks; previous editor Chin who was editing during this time; Andy and Viv Elcomb collators and envelope stuffers extraordinaire; my dad;  my rabbit …….etc etc (sniff! Lovie, where is my hankie?)
The trophy/award should be appearing at the Committee meeting in May and perhaps a photo of it will appear in the June issue!

See you next month!

Dawn Travers

The Acorn : May Edition