Just a Simple Wrench
by Jake &Ann Snyder
There has been so much interest in Abingdon 2000 that it is easy, this year, to forget that the summer promises other great trips and weekends. In addition to rallyes and autocross events, there are opportunities for an MG road trip every month from May through September. One of the larger events will be the annual convention of the North American MBG Register, of which this club is a chapter. This year’s convention will be held from Wednesday, June 14th to Sunday the 18th and is being hosted by the Emerald Necklace MG Register. The theme is “Cleveland Rocks- MGs Roll,” and three full days of activities have been planned.
The first real event, on Thursday morning is the Early Bird Car Show described as “A fun, come as you are event. Cars (and drivers) will be judged by how they arrive at the hotel. No hoses, pails, or hairbrushes required. Points given for bug splats, road dirt, and sunburn.” Thursday afternoon, the Industrio-Urban Rally or Tour will show “a side of Cleveland that few Clevelanders have even seen. Negotiate narrow alleys, cross the many bridges that lace the Cuyahoga River, and experience unique vantage points of our fair city.” This rally or tour (your choice) will be followed by an Evening in the Flats, a previously industrial area that is now Cleveland’s entertainment district, with over 100 pubs, restaurants and night spots. And you won’t have to drive to there (or back to the hotel at 2 am), because shuttle buses will be available.
Friday’s events will include a tour to the south through a more rustic section of the Cuyahoga Valley, a Funkhana involving “the world’s largest juke box,” shuttle buses to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and other downtown attractions, and a river and harbor cruise. As at previous conventions, John Twist will conduct his Rolling Tech Session, and there will be a Friday night PARKING LOT PARTY, complete with DJ, valve cover races, and MG Olympics, a team competition of mechanical skills, such as the distance you can roll a T-type tyre or how fast you can change spark plugs.
A popular vote car show and concours judging will be held downtown on Saturday, and there is a promise of no boring speeches at the banquet Saturday evening. Awards will be presented in the parking lot after the banquet. A special feature at this convention will be Preferred Club Parking - anyone staying at the host hotel will be assigned parking with their local club if they indicate that on their registration form.
You can find more information on the convention and registration forms in the latest MGB Driver or at http://www.mgcleveland.com/. Some events require pre-registration before May 21st. The host hotel is the Holiday Inn, 6001Rockside Road, Independence, OH (216-524-8050). Kim and Diane Tonry are planning a tour for those interested in driving together to the convention. Watch your Driveline for details!
And the folks from the Emerald Necklace have assured us that Mimi doesn’t really live there.
 
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