Sunday 4th September 2005 - Pub Meet at "The Woodman" Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent

For those who didn’t make the pub meeting in September at the Woodman they missed a spectacle of cars on one of the sunniest days of the year.

The Woodman pub is used by a variety of car clubs throughout the year and very occasionally we meet one or two of the clubs when we have our meets there. However, this day it seems that all the car clubs had decided to hold their meeting on the same day.

MR2s from both the MK1 club and the Drivers Club from the south east regions were first to arrive, shortly joined by the Lotus club, TVR club, Cobra Club, a few Jags, a Ferrari 360 and two rare Ultima Can-Ams, a lightweight sports car, powered by a 6.3-litre Chevrolet V8. 0-60mph in 3.3 seconds! There must have been over 50 cars from various clubs. We had never seen that car park full before.

Needless to say we enjoyed the sun, chat, drinks and of course the cars.

Sunday 10th April 2005 - Pub Meet at "Hanrahans" Maidstone

This was one of the biggest pub meetings we’ve have for a long while. What with the weather being good, with lots of sunshine, it bought everyone out.

At one point there must have been at least 14 cars in the car park.

Pete Kyte had been vigorously polishing ‘Burt’ all morning, as it was his local meet so the car would still be shiny when he got to us which it always is. Karl Thomas was showing off his nice new roof rack, which is very rare on a MK1.

We were pleased that a few cars had turned up because they had seen the meet advertised on the web site and came along just to have a look. This included a couple of MK2s. The one which Alan especially had been waiting for turned up, a MK1 with nitrous, and a big pot of it at that!!!! The owner, Ian Royal was very helpful to many of us as he is a Toyota engineer and extremely knowledgeable about the MK1s. One of our old friends Robert Hexter came along whom it is always good to see him and his nicely restored red MK1.

We were very happy to have another supercharger arrive that we had not seen before. It used to be owned by Mark Nias, Being an automatic, which I had never seen before I had to go out in it and was very surprised by its performance.

Today was also the day I returned Steve Kingsnorth‘s supercharger back to him with a nice new big Fensport oversized pulley. Which after a few test drives he was very pleased but realised he now needs a new clutch as his was now slipping big time with the extra power.

Today was a day for many old faces to turn up as Chris Falcke and his partner turned up in their GT4 Celica, which he took great pride in showing us his Bling engine that had Pete’s ‘Burt’ a run for its money. Many went off and had some food some, other just had a drink. Soon it was Steve’s turn to cause his usual mayhem when he noticed his alternator belt tensioner at an alarming angle. After everyone had given their opinion and diagnosis, the RAC was duly called. As time was now pushing on people started to disperse us what a nice pub it was and a nice turn out, good to see many MK1s in one place. Thanks go to Clare (Pete Kyte’s wife) for the choice of venue.

As the many MR2s left the RAC eventually arrived. The very helpful man from the RAC was soon under Steve’s car and quickly determined he needed a new bolt (M12 fine). Of course had every size but the one he wanted. So instead of giving up he called on the assistance of another RAC van. We heard we had to wait for him to come from Cliffe and was stopping at his own home to pick up a box of odd bolts to see if he had any to get Steve’s pulley sorted. Eventually, everyone else had gone, leaving Kelly, myself, Steve and Karl.

We were all soon having a laugh as two RAC men were under Steve’s car and to his delight they found a bolt to fit the pulley, A big thanks goes to those men from the RAC from Steve.

This was an excellent pub meet with a great turnout, Many thanks to those that came and we hope this continues and we see many of you at the shows. We hope everyone enjoyed the day also.

Pete Mason

Chris Falke’s Bling GT4

A nitrous MK1

A Blinging Burt

Steve’s Heroes

Sunday 6th March 2005 - Essex Pub Meet at the “Halfway House”

The meeting was very much smaller on attendance at the Halfway house than anticipated. We believe this is for 2 reasons: The date was held on Mother’s day (my fault) and the weather was not nice either, Still, we had a few turn up and nearly all were members that we had not met before so it was nice to see some new faces.

First to arrive at noon was myself, followed closely by a new member that did not wish there name to be mentioned, shortly followed by Eddie Pagdin with his MK1 rev1/2. (We still can’t decide whether it’s a late 1A or early 1B t bar) Steve Kingsnorth then arrived in his supercharger and finally another member arrived, who’s name I cannot remember (I am very sorry) but was his first time and seemed to enjoy the company so perhaps you could contact me and let me know who you are.

The Halfway House pub is also a meeting place for the International MR2 Owners Club (IMOC) and some of there members arrived which bumped up the number of MR2s a bit, but there turn out was poor for them also. One of them brought along his MR2 MK2 spider (convertible) which many have never seen before and generated a lot of interest.

We went inside the pub for a very nice bit of food and a good chat. As the weather improved everyone went outside to have a good look at the cars and some, gave rides to others to test out the difference between the MK1s and MK2s. A MK2 owner from IMOC was somewhat surprised by the MK1 Supercharger.

All had a good day out and hopefully later in the year when we have another meet there it will be a bit better timing for every one so we hope to see you there later on in the year, Sunday 2nd October.

Cheers,

Pete Mason

Sunday 6th February 2005 - Pub Meet at "The Woodman" Ide Hill, Sevenoaks, Kent.

A good turnout for the first pub meeting of the year with the regulars Alan, Linda and Mark, Pete Mason and Kelly, Pete Kyte and all his family, Karl Thomas and Bill Carlson. Plus for the first time at the pub was Andrew Jackson from Banstead whom we had met previously on last years Brighton Run, Stuart Gregory from Harlow and finally Kevin Crane who arrived with his outstanding silver Mk1A. Kevin has recently had the car fully restored and it must now surely be one of, if not the best Mk1A example in the country.

Once we had completed the usual chit chat we left the Woodman, as planned to drive the 5 miles to the Grasshopper Inn at Westerham where the Drivers Club were holding their meeting. The Grasshopper has a huge car park and is a popular venue for car club meets. That day there was at least four other car clubs present. Unfortunately, the pub itself is not that big and can become very crowded. Personally, we prefer the Woodman. Anyway it was good the meet the Driver club crowd.

Many thanks to all those MK1s who came.

ALAN CAYZER

The girls were starting to get cold

Kevin Cranes MK1A. Possibly the best example in the country

7th January 2005

Hello everybody,
Happy new year to you all and safe motoring for the year
From Steve K, Alan C , and Pete M (your local friendly organizers)

SOUTH EAST AREA REPORT - FEBRUARY 2005

We hope you all have had a good year so far and we are looking forward to the summer months – longer days and warm weather we hope.

The south east organisers have spent a lot of time over the winter period planning for 2005. After much deliberation we have now “almost” finalised the list of events for the south east region. As we have hinted previously, this year there will be more pub meets, and to make things more interesting we are having them at various venues. Sevenoaks, Epping Forest and Maidstone. See below for the details.

Outings this year will include a visit to Brands Hatch in April to watch and support the MR2 Challenge. This was very popular last year. In June we have the MR2 Brighton Run which seems to grow in popularity, so much so that we have had to re-arrange the starting point to the Pease Pottage services to accommodate all the cars. The MR2 Kent Run will be arranged for August.

We have applied to attend the Enfield Pageant of Motoring show this year on the May Bank Holiday weekend. This is a sought after occasion and a very popular classic car show so we are keeping our fingers crossed that we will be able to participate in it. This show is held on the same weekend as the Crawley Classic and American car show so at present we are keeping our options open. If we don’t get to the show at Enfield then we will attend the show at Crawley.

The biggest one day classic car show in the world is the Bromley Pageant of motoring held on the last Sunday of June. We have been part of this show for the past three years with a limited, three car display. However, since we have a celebratory year, the organizers are allowing us to have a special club stand with space for up to 15 cars. So, we would like to hear from anyone as soon as possible who would be willing to put their car on the club pitch, particularly those with early 1A models. The car’s condition is not important. In July we will be visiting the Lydden race circuit to watch the race action, plus we get to parade around the race track.

We are currently considering three further shows. We have been invited to a Mean Street Cruise show at the Arena Essex on a Saturday evening 4th June with a promise of some free track time on the oval circuit. The European Fast Car show at the Hop Farm in mid August and also the Japanese Performance Car show held indoors at the Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey in September. All three of these shows look promising and will be different to the normal classic shows that we attend.

The south east region have now just under 50 contacts that we issue information to. That’s a fair number. However, there is still only an enthusiastic minority that enjoy coming out with us. The best attendance last year was at November’s pub meeting at the Woodman where we had 14 cars. On a couple of occasions we struggled to get 5 or 6 which was rather disappointing. Still, hopefully the events we have described for this year will encourage a few more of you to bring along your cars and meet us for a friendly chat or a bit of advice and a good look around at the shows. It should be noted that we are not petrol heads! Often wives and girlfriends come along which is really appreciated and makes the occasion very social.

If anyone would like further information on any of the anticipated events or pub meetings please contact us. We would be pleased to hear from you.

ALAN, STEVE, PETE.

UPDATED 10th FEBRUARY 2005

Sunday 6th February. Pub Meet at the Woodman. Commencing at Noon
The Woodman can be found by leaving the M25 at J5 heading for Riverhead. The Pub is on B2042 (Cold Arbor Road) between Riverhead and Edenbridge Road. Alternatively meet on the roundabout above J4 on M25, departing 11.45am

Sunday 6th March. Essex Pub Meet at the “Halfway House”. Commencing at Noon
The venue has changed from the pub in Epping Forest. The meeting will now be held at “The Halfway House” to join the IMOC meeting. The Pub is located on the A127 at Brentwood. Southern Arterial Road, East Hornden, Essex. CM13 3LL.

Sunday 10th April. Pub Meet at "Hanrahans" Maidstone. Commencing at Noon. Please note the revised date! 78 London Road, Maidstone, Kent. ME16 0DR Tel: 01622 750747

Sunday 24th April – MR2 Challenge – Brands Hatch, Kent
A days racing, including a round of the MR2 Challenge 2005. Entry approx £10

Saturday 28th – Monday 30th May – Enfield Pageant of Motoring
We have written to the organisers to get an invite to this spectacular show.
If we cannot get booked into this show, then we will attend the show below.

Sunday 29th May – Crawley Classic and American Car Show. Crawley, Sussex.
The show at Crawley is fast rising in popularity particularly following last year’s award winning display.

Sunday June 5th – MR2 Brighton Run
The Brighton classic car run is on 12th and the bike run is on 19th. Therefore the MR2 run will be held the week before on 5th. The run starts at 12.30pm from the Pease Pottage Services located at the southern end of the M23. With the exception of the starting venue, the route will be the same as last year. From Pease Pottage to Beachy Head. Beachy Head to Brighton Marina. Finishing by 4pm.

Sunday 26th June – Bromley Pageant
The south east’s major event of the year with a special combined display with the Drivers Club to celebrate the club’s 10th anniversary and 20 years of the MR2.

Sunday 17th July – Lydden Race Day, nr. Canterbury, Kent.
An exciting day out at the Lydden race circuit. Apart from the club stands there is a full race meeting. You even get the opportunity take part in the classic car parade around the circuit before te racing commences.

Friday to Sunday July 22nd – 24th – Japanese Auto Extravaganza
This nationally attended show has moved from Billing to the East of England Showground near Peterborough (A1) make a weekend of it with the rest of the south east gang!

Sunday August 15th – MR2 Kent Run
The MR2 Kent Run is routed around the Kent countryside. Starting at the Eureka Business Park, Ashford. Located just off J9 M20. The run will take you through the Romney Marshes to Duneness where we will stop for lunch then continue through Rye and Tenterden before heading back to the starting point in Ashford.

Sunday 4th September – Pub Meeting at the Woodman. Commencing at Noon
The Woodman can be found by leaving the M25 at junction 5 heading for Riverhead. The Pub is on B2042 (Cold Arbor Road) between Riverhead and Edenbridge Road. Alternatively meet on the roundabout above junction 4 on M25, departing 11.45pm

Saturday and Sunday – 24th and 25th September - Japanese Performance Car show
The Japanese Performance Car show is held indoors at the Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey. More details to follow.

Sunday 2nd October - Essex Pub Meet at the "Halfway House".
to join the IMOC meeting. The Pub is located on the A127 at Brentwood, East Hornden, Essex. CM13 3LL.

Sunday 6th November – Pub Meet at "Hanrahans" Maidstone. Commencing at Noon
78 London Road, Maidstone, Kent. ME16 0DR Tel: 01622 750747