The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

Greeting my fellow MG enthusiast.

So what is it about these British cars that draws our attention and devotion? The sleek styling and line that unmistakably identifies them as the classic cars thy are or is it the thrill of driving, top down with the wind in you hair. Maybe just maybe it's the uncertainty, the anticipation of the possible no inevitable dreaded BREAK-DOWN!

There are two thoughts on this feared dilemma. Do you have towing on your insurance and have you brought tool and spare parts to hopefully make the road side repair. I've found its always advisable to travel in packs when possible. Not only will you have company if and when you do breakdown but more than likely they will also document the incident with pictures and maybe if you lucky videos.

Aside from that it's very surprising what might come out of the boot of your fellow MG companions — the tool you forgot to bring. (Thanks Tim S.) A spare fuel pump. (Thanks Jim E. ) Or even a spare tire or piece of wire (Thanks Phil).

The collective effort by " The Pack " of drivers might just be enough to get you back on the road and home with the "HOOK". Of course there will be the times your driving solo. My advice is make sure you have a few tools and spare parts because you never know when or where you might need them. Oh, and add towing if it's not already on your insurance. Aside from all this it really is surprising how reliable these little Brits are.

Rememeber .Safety Fast!

~~ Dean Hickenlooper your humble servant

	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

As I write this the Highland games have just passed. Bob and I went out to Blackhawk Farms Raceway to see Cowboy race instead of going to the Highland Games.

My car seems to have issues with Blackhawk farms for some reason. Two years ago, I went there for indoor driving school. I had to get towed home because I fried the starter. This time I got out there but the car began running rough. I thought it was timing. I tried to adjust the timing on the fly, but it only got worse when we left. Bob and I made it about 5 miles before it quit. Once again I had to call for a tow — the same guy that towed me two years ago!

And then we waited in the hot sun. We had a few folks stop to see it they could help. A mother and her daughter stopped by about 15 min after we broke down. I had already called the tow truck and expected him in about 15 minutes so they left. Next a cop stopped by about 5 min later. Since we expected the tow soon, he moved on. After about 30 minutes more a fellow on a motorcycle stopped by. Nothing he could do so we chatted for a bit before he left. I called the tow truck that now was more than 30 minutes late to find out when he would be there. It was 95 degrees and we were getting very hot. After we had been in the sun for over an hour and 20 min a fellow in a pick-up stopped by bring us nice cold water bottles and let us sit in his air conditioned truck until the tow finally arrived. Bob and I were very thankful to all that stopped to help. Especially the last fellow with the water and the air conditioned truck.

After another expensive tow home. I later confirmed the problem to be a failed condenser. I usually carry a condenser and points with me. But, I had changed out the distributor to a Mallory dual point the previous week and decided that I didn’t need the points and condenser for a 45D. So I left those with my 45D distributor back at home. Had I kept my other distributor in the boot like I had planned to originally, I would have saved myself loads of time and money. Maybe next time I’ll listen to that little voice, that says be prepared.

~~ Jim Compton

Safety Fast