Phew! Hot and Busy!  That just about sums up August. North Weald was unbelievable and black fireproof overalls are not the thing to wear in temperatures soaring to over 40°C.  Had a great day though, despite being a bit rusty at this sprinting lark and not quite making it round the course either consistently quickly or correctly!  Never mind! Was good to get back into the racing driver's seat again, and I will be doing more next year.
Spotted Dick just scrapes a mention this time round, good event, good weather and great competition.
Watch out for a more detailed mention in Compost this time and pics next month.  We signed up about 18 new members on the day, some were very “and District”, but we warmly welcome you all, and hope you feel you can stay with us for a while.  A more detailed mention for you all next month.
The racer chaps strike back in this Acorn, after a couple of months of rally antics. Sprinting, circuit racing and drag racing make an appearance with reports from Ian Crocker, an update from Colin Rodger and a welcome return for Dave Gibbons.
Golden Jubilee 2004. 
At our last meeting, I was instructed to “wind up”, You, the membership into a veritable frenzy of excitement about next year’s events.  Planning is well underway for the “must not miss” Jubilee Ball, but to make this a successful and enjoyable night to remember, we would like a bit of help from you lot out there.  Plans are afoot for the gala dinner to start with a champagne reception on arrival, whilst admiring a static display of cars from every decade the club has been going.  Now, last time the committee looked in their garages, they couldn’t quite fill the gap of fifty years, but they knew that there are those of you who can, or at least have contacts that may be able to help.  It is not too early to offer your vehicle.  This is not a concourse competition, we just would like a range of vehicles that club members may have competed in over the years.  From Moggy Minors to Mini Coopers to the Ford Escorts Mks 1, 2, 3 and 4 to the modern Japanese machinery, single seaters and kit cars.  Basically, anything  that shows the range of the clubman’s transport.
We would also like a really good display of photos , again from the decades, of members and their cars competing at events since the 1950’s.  Please have a good look through your archives (come on we all have them) don’t be embarrassed by the flares you were wearing at the time or the big hair-do, it all makes for a great trip down memory lane.  Although we don’t want them just yet, look them out, put them to one side and we will print further details of when to let us have them, ready for the display to be put together.  If you have photos that are a bit precious, we can scan them in and let you have them back straightaway—we have the technology!  Andy Elcomb has kindly volunteered to be the photo co-ordinator, so if you have any questions, please contact Andy.
We will have a band rather than the usual disco, our table magician is back by popular demand as well as other amusing distractions and one of our special guests, club vice-president, Vic Elford has confirmed he will be attending.
The Jubilee 2004 sub-committee comprises of Colin Rodger, Karen Webber, Andy Elcomb, myself,  and Neil Brooks-Johnson. We are waiting for suggestions, and volunteers of help.  Please don’t keep us waiting too long!
As far as events for next year go, I will be putting  more information in the Acorn, as soon as arrangements are firmed up.  Again enquiries, plans and suggestions are starting to come together, and along with the usual array of events 7Oaks puts together, we are trying hard to get that all important flagship event up and running.
And finally please continue to let us have your feedback and comments.  It is important that you let us know if you are happy with all this.  If we don’t hear anything and we assume it is all ticking along nicely, then you can’t complain if something gets left out.
See you at the next Noggin on the 17th September. 

Dawn Travers