If you were not able to be at the recent Knockhill event and if you are not a very recent member, you will find enclosed a couple of “cling” VSMA windscreen badges with our compliments. I hope you will display them discreetly “front and rear” – more can be purchased if required. What a most enjoyable event the Classic Speedfair at Knockhill turned out to be. Despite the attraction of the Open at Carnoustie, we had over 50 members drop in to our “tent” in the Media Centre, where they managed to consume a fair amount of coffee, tea, pies and biscuits. One or two celebrates also called in including Stirling Moss and his delightful wife Susie. Alan Carlaw managed to persuade Stirling to become a member, as he was eligible to join our ranks having competed in a race meeting at Turnberry in the early ’50s!
Following the event we had a very nice thankyou letter from Knockhill……”Please thank all your committee and members for the excellent help and enthusiasm for the 2nd classic speedfair event from the Friday dinner to the finale on Sunday it was a most enjoyable days motorsport.
With best regards from Derek Butcher”…..
I recently learned from Gus Carnegie of the death of Dr John Butson. In July, while swimming in Cyprus he had a massive fatal heart attack. John competed on many Road and Forest Rallies during the 1970s and was club champion of Dunfermline Car Club more than once. He scored many class wins in his Escorts and Avenger. Quite often he would do a forest event on the Saturday and then go on to do a navigational event the same night. He also competed in the Motoring News road rallies series and was Sector Marshal for the RAC rally when it visited the Tweed Valley. He is survived by his second wife Rose and his 2 children Kim and James. He had been planning to attend the Reunion Dinner in October.
Membership – Since the June Newsletter, we have added 30+ new members to our ranks which is indeed most encouraging.
Missing people – may I thank those who kindly gave me the whereabouts of some of the “missing people” in the June Newsletter. I was able to track a few of them down. However I still get some mail returned. Here are two of the most recent:
Bob Barnett, 30 Inchkeith Avene, Broughty Ferry – this seemingly was the wrong Bob Barnett! !!??
Iain McLaren, 3 Greenfield Avenue, Alloway, Ayr – addressee “gone away”
Email addresses – Of our 230+ members, almost 180 have supplied email addresses which is great for getting information out to members easily and at no cost at all. It would be great if the 50+ members were also to join the electronic community. Emailing is very easy and great fun, plus it is secure. When I send out a “bulk” email to our members I make sure that the email addresses are not available to anyone other than the individual recipients.
One problem that does arise occasionally – when people change their email address and don’t let me know about the change! So, can I make a plea, if you have changed to your addresses (email or otherwise) please let me know.
VSMA Anoraks – Those at Knockhill would have noticed that some of our members were displaying our new VSMA badged anoraks. Indeed we took orders for more than 1 dozen there and then! If you would like to be a proud owner of such a garment please get in touch with me. They are lightweight, waterproof, water resistant and windproof garments manufactured to a very high standard, complete with concealed hood, several pockets including a very handy “mobile” pocket. The colour is dark navy and costs only £35 which includes P & P. All sizes are catered for: Small, Medium, Large, XL and XXL.
Motorsport Survey – as a follow-up from the paragraph in the last Newsletter I received the following from Motorsport Scotland:
“At the end of April, an online survey was sent to over 300 people involved in some way with motorsport in Scotland. When the survey was closed 220 responses had been collated. The following hyperlink details all the responses and comments received.
http://www.surveymonkey.comsr.aspx?smAExnLOLHtBbBi4aPjr_2fSiCwQOlx8qfz0pMApqidAFbM_3d
From the results, we are encouraged to see that the findings wholly support our objectives for Motorsport Scotland. The level of support for the specific objectives gives us some direction on which areas to target. The written comments give us a valuable insight into the views and passion that there is for our sport. We are grateful to those who forwarded our initial e-mail and would ask if you could do the same with this mail detailing the results of the survey”.
Reunion – Entries are coming in at a steady pace for our October bash. We have decided not to have the photographic competition this year but we will have the usual photographic displays of old events, memorabilia, etc. Indeed if you have any such items you feel would be of interest to members drop Alan Carlaw or me a line. As you know the main purpose of the Reunion is to renew old acquaintances and meeting new friends. We think we have prepared an interesting and hopefully enjoyable evening for everyone.
Arkive – For some time now the idea of keeping an archive of Scottish Motorsport memorabilia has been mooted between some members. This has taken a step further by the very kind gift to the Association by Nigel Kennedy of some of his collection of motorsport photographs plus other memorabilia. One of which is bound copies of “Top Gear” Magazine going back to …………. ???? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????/ ???????????????? Thought has to be given to storage of such items plus the availability to our members. Photographs can certainly be stored electronically but magazines, etc., are another matter. More on this later, but if you think you have anything of interest to our members and would wish to donate them, please let any of the Directors know.
Annual General Meeting – Enclosed you will find a Notice regarding our first AGM which will be held just before the Reunion Dinner in the Glynhill Hotel. Do come along. It shouldn’t last very long – hopefully – but you may find it interesting. More importantly, it is a time when you can air your views and give your suggestions/complaints!
Stuart Parker