Special Events

16 Oct

Posted at 15:12h in Non-VRCBC News & Events, Special Events by
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[caption id="attachment_11216" align="aligncenter" width="450"]A classic English moment at the Shuttleworth Collection's 'Best of British Airshow' captured by Linda and Manny Zumm A classic English moment at the Shuttleworth Collection's 'Best of British Airshow' captured by Linda and Manny Zumm[/caption] Posted: October 16, 2015

The VRCBC's very own international ambassadors. Linda and Manny Zumm have been at it again! When they aren't helping with racing at Mission, they are travelling somewhere interesting. In the past, they have provided us with photos of their visit to the famous Goodwood Revival (here) and of the fascinating 'vintage' cars of Havana (here). This past July they were back in England and some friends surprised them with tickets to the "Best of British Airshow" at The Shuttleworth Collection (here) located at the Old Warden Aerodrome near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

The event showcased aircraft designed and built by the best of the many historic British manufacturers from the earliest days. In addition, the TVR Car Club was invited to drop by and celebrate the 75th (!) anniversary of that famous British sports car.

The Shuttleworth pre-event promotional video (on You Tube here) describes the plans for the show and the post-event video (here) shows many of the historic aircraft in action. Two World War 1 era fighters - a Sopwith Snipe and an Albatros DVa - were brought all of the way from New Zealand for the show.

The weather was perfect as you can see from Linda and Manny's photos below. Thanks for the trip report guys; we look forward to the next one!

09 Jul

Posted at 11:26h in Racing Related, Special Events by
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[caption id="attachment_9977" align="aligncenter" width="450"]The M3 Class Podium with the third place man, our boy Geoff on the right, runner-up Richard Paterson on the left and the winner, UK Mini-legend Nick Swift (of Swiftune fame) in the centre. - photo courtesy Can-Am Mini Challenge Can-Am Mini Challenge: The M3 Class Podium with the third place man, our boy Geoff on the right, runner-up Richard Paterson on the left and the winner, UK Mini-legend Nick Swift (of Swiftune fame) in the centre. - photo courtesy Can-Am Mini Challenge[/caption] Posted: July 9, 2014 Classic Mini enthusiasts gathered at the famous Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the Can-Am Mini Challenge, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the 'real' Mini. The Mini Challenge was one of the feature races in the Sports Car Vintage Racing Association's (SVRA) big '2014 The Mechanics Bank Vintage Grand Prix of Mid Ohio' over the June 26th-29th weekend. [caption id="attachment_9967" align="alignleft" width="300"]Class M4 Winner Bob Beauchemin - photo courtesy Can-Am Mini Challenge Class M4 Winner Bob Beauchemin - photo courtesy Can-Am Mini Challenge[/caption] The VRCBC was very well represented. Two of the biggest Mini enthusiasts anywhere, VRCBC members Geoff Tupholme and Bob Beauchemin made the long trek from the BC interior to Ohio, and they did us proud. In a field of 48 racing Minis of every description ('standard' Vintage eligibility rules didn't really apply!), Geoff finished 8th overall and third in class and Bob (after a slight off-course excursion on the last lap) came 10th overall and won his class. (See the results pages here and here courtesy of the SVRA.) But the VRCBC connection didn't stop with our two local heroes. Club 'alumni' (and 'monster' Mini enthusiasts) Rachel and Andy Nelson (who now live in Ontario) were also heavily involved in the event. Andy took 14th overall in their beautifully restored 1965 Cooper S. He also loaned their very fast 1963 Cooper S to well-known British Mini tuner Nick Swift, who proceeded to take second overall and win his class. (Check out his story of the event on the Swiftune web site here.) And last but certainly not least, Rachel was the lead organizer of the Mini-Challenge. It will not surprise VRCBC members who remember her great contribution as a member of our Executive, that this event was a huge success. Click here to see a short video of the start of the race; Geoff goes by in 10th place and Bob in 12th. (Mission Raceway Road Course racers will be interested to know that there are no sound level restrictions at Mid-Ohio!) The Can-Am Mini Challenge Facebook page (here) has many more photos and videos. And an online album with over 300 photos of the full SVRA event (not just the Minis) can be viewed here. That great 'Montage of Minis' below was created by Richard Coburn. You can visit his Facebook page here.

14 Mar

Posted at 17:50h in All British Field Meet, Car Shows, Special Events by
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Updated: April 1, 2013 Brent Martin has posted some of his photos of the 'Brit Car Drive Up'on the VRCBC Facebook page here. They are great examples of the wide cross-section of cars that will be on display at the All British Field Meet at the Van Dusen Gardens on Saturday, May 18th. Posted: March 14, 2013 A press release from our friends at the All British Field Meet and Wilkinson's Automobilia.

Announcing The 'BRIT CAR' DRIVE UP

Brit Car Drive Up posterThe Olympic Torch Plaza at the Vancouver Convention Centre will come to life in a display of glorious British-built classic saloons and sports cars from the 1950's and 1960's as the Vancouver International Auto Show (VIAS) celebrates Brit Car Drive Up on Saturday March 30th, from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm.There will be two free Auto Show Passes for all registered Drive Up entrants courtesy of the Automotive Dealers of B.C., and  you could also win A $100 Gift Certificate from Wilkinson's Automobilia. (web site)

The Brit Car Drive Up is presented by the All British Field Meet - The Greatest Show on British Wheels and will feature and promote classics from the ABFM. This year's ABFM will again be held at the VanDusen Gardens on Saturday May 18, 2013. (ABFM web site)

Please join us for a brisk Saturday morning drive to the Convention Centre followed by a visit to the big Auto Show. Cars will assemble between 9:30am and 10:00 am at the Vancouver Planetarium parking lot, Vanier Park, Kits Point, Vancouver. (location) From there we will convoy down Burrard Street to the Convention Centre.

We anticipate a good showing with at least one Aston Martin DB5 leading the parade to celebrate Aston's 100th anniversary. Also, we would like Austin Healey's 60th anniversary to be well represented as well. But all 'Brit' cars are welcome to join in the fun as we take over the streets of downtown Vancouver. Clubs are welcome to bring membership promotion material and banners, as the VIAS will be promoting this event and a large crowd of spectators and media coverage is anticipated.

24 Feb

Posted at 14:22h in Special Events, Special Meetings by
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1938 BMW 327/328 Unveiled at Jellybean Autocrafters
VRCBC Members were among those invited to attend the unveiling of a beautifully restored 1938 BMW 327/328 at Jellybean Autocrafters in Surrey, on February 23rd. This BMW model is generally acknowledged as one of the most significant automobiles in history.  It had leading-edge performance and handling for its time, with its tubular frame and 2 litre, inline six cylinder engine, featuring triple carburetors and hemispherical combustion chambers.