2006: The Year in Review

March The Adirondack Triumph Association had a tech session at Bob Ensign's shop in Colonie, NY on Saturday the 25th of March. Bob, his family and employees fed us lunch and had some cars on display for our group, which varied in size from 15 - 25 throughout the afternoon. James Perry was the only one who arrived in his LBC, a red MGA with an aluminum top. He is partners with Bob on a few cars so I guess we'd expect him to have a driver in this season. Bob and James had a number of fine autos on display in the shop. I recollect a 1935 Bentley, a 1973 XJS, a 1927 Buick, a 1973 Masserati, a 911 Porsche and at least two T series MGs (one prewar and the other from 1953 onwards). He had an MGA and an MGB undergoing active restorations in addition to his own T series MG. Bob showed us how he takes a restoration from existing metal to ordered parts or through fabricated parts. He likes to use heavy gauge paper for his template then he stretches, shrinks, bends, folds and pounds aluminum to fit the space he needs. He has a nice collection of "antique" metal working machines and tools that suit him just fine for his projects. He also uses a computer guided laser system to correct the datum lines of a car before he begins adding new parts from the bottom up. He is working on an aluminum top for his 1953 T series based on the top James Perry has on his MGA. Aluminum welding creates a lot of challenges. And if we are lucky we'll see the MG with new top at our next British Auto Invasion this July in Saratoga at the Saratoga Auto Museum. Good luck to Bob and anyone should feel free to contact him for complete restorations or repairs to the British car of your choice. Call his shop at 518 435 0641. And by the way this is a fully equipped shop with lifts, spray booth and plenty of space for many cars at once, all inside too...

April April 12 was the date for our 12th annual tax night pot luck supper, and it was once again a huge success. Over 50 club members and their families got together at the Alplaus Fire House to share an evening of food and conversation. The weather was threatening rain, but a few club members drove their British Automobiles to shake off some of the winter storage dust. The food was plentiful and delicious and everyone, both children and adults, found foods that were enjoyable to them. After dinner, introductions were held around the room and each member spoke about their automobile. Stories of interesting and funny incidents with their cars were also told. President John Iseman conducted a short business meeting. Bill Cook gave a report on the upcoming British Motorfest car show that will take place on July 15th at the Saratoga Auto Museum. He also reported on the Fun Car Show that will be held in Lake George Village on August 26th. A report was gave on club events that are coming up in May and June. A 50/50 was held and the winners were: British Motorfest 200 entries fees - won by Herb Broestler (this should be an incentive for Herb to complete the restoration on his TR4A) 50/50 – won by Joe Bertino There were also several Napa Racing Sports hats and shirts won by various club members. The hats and shirts were donated by Napa located on Wolf Road in Colonie. What a fun night we all had at our annual Tax Night Pot Luck Supper! After clean up, everyone headed home excited about this year's club events. -- Joe Bena

May The Celts and ATA members celebrated their Celtic heritage at the day-long Celebration of Celts held May 6 at the Columbia County Fair Grounds in Chatham, NY. Bag piping bands from all over the Celtic world were in attendance and participated in the band competitions, and a parade around the fair grounds. Many of the Celtic Clans set up information booths conveying information regarding the history and origin of the clan names. Tartans and all sorts of other Celtic goods were available for purchase. Knights of various clans gave sword and jousting demonstrations. Plenty of Guinness was on tap along with haggis pies and other assorted meat pies. The haggis was not of original Scottish recipe as it went down quite easy with a pint of Guinness. Genetic testing was also available to aid in searching your family lineage. Approximately 20 ATA members arrived in 15 Triumphs, MGs, Lotuses, Jaguars and Rovers. Dash plaques were given to participants and ribbons for first through third places were awarded. The weather initially threatened to dampen the festivities but soon gave way to sunny and warm conditions. [Click the picture below to see a larger version.] Put this event on your schedule for next year. The celebration has been a yearly event in past years and promises to provide much fun and entertainment in the future. For more information go to the web site. -- John C. Iseman

June The ATA rolled into the First Prize Paintball/Checkered Flag track on June 19th for the club's annual night of go-kart racing in powered vehicles smaller than a Mini. Ten club members along with three futures members buckled themselves in for a series of 10 lap races around the track. With the "Lets start racing" command the 1st six Formula 1 want-a-bees put the pedal to the metal and were off on the course. No NASCAR here there was both left and right turns. Every driver at least once became up close and personal with the tire barriers that outlined the track. This driver became friendly enough with "Miss Firestone" to get some digits besides 30 psi. After the first half-hour of racing was done and with hunger and thirst making an appearance it was time for pizza and soft drinks. The discussion beside typical auto club stuff turned to which kart had the best "giddy up and go" and what was better taking the inside track or outside track around the pit house turn. Now with our hunger satisfied and another half-hour of track time to go, the race was on. Just to make the final 20 minutes of racing interesting the remaining drivers nine in all were all out on the track for some bumping and grinding through the turns. While taking pictures and observing the racing action it appeared that J.D. Iseman, John Watson and club Secretary Doug Shaver were taking turns lapping the field. Not to be out done, Jim Beil, Steve Shaver and the Grandfather, son and grandson trio of Pete Fullman, Rich Fullman with Steven Fullman riding shotgun did their best to stay close by. Slowing down the pack at times was club President John Iseman, which is a first that I know of. The red light appeared on the traffic light to signal the end of the night. Everyone unbuckled and climbed out of their respected karts thanking our hosts Dale and his staff as we all walked to the gate and to the parking lot beyond. Only two club members braved the threat of thunderstorms and drove their English cars. Jim Beil with his yellow 1979 TR7 and club President John Iseman along with his son riding shotgun in a yellow Capri. Also, tagging along was John Watson with his red Datsun Z. Many thanks to Dale and his staff at Checkered Flag for a highly enjoyable time of racing and opening the track up on a usual dark day at the track. -- Dave Faulkner

July British Motor Fest 2006 July 15, 2006 Results Awards: Class 1 - Triumph TR 2/3 Joe Bena TR3A Steve Kurowski 1959 TR3 Karen Warzek 1962 TR3 Class 2 - Triumph TR 4 / 4A / 250 Len Shapiro 1968 TR250 Mitch Meisler 1968 TR 250 Pete Fullam 1963 TR4 Class 3 - Triumph TR6: 1969-72 Denise Palumbo 1972 TR6 Victor St. Peter 1972 TR6 Class 4 - Triumph TR6: 1973-76 Gary Brenenstuhl 1973 TR6 Barry Isbister 1975 TR6 Phillip Stoddard 1973 TR6 Class 5 - TR7/8 John Iseman 1980 TR8 Joel Spiro 1980 TR8 James Biel 1979 TR7 Class 6 - Spitfire/GT6 Peter and Kathy Coon 1970 Spitfire David Pendergast 1967 Spitfire Martin Ferrillo 1973 GT6 Class 7 - MG "T" Series Wayne Harrison 1954 MGTF Bob Stokes 1954 MGTF Robert Ensign 1936 MGTA Class 8 - MGA William and Terri Cook 1957 MGA Yvonne Perry-Hulbert 1958 MGA Stephen Knoll MGA Class 9 - MGB Chrome Bumper John Moore 1970 MGB Al Dufault 1974 MGB Wayne Harrison 1965 MGB Class 10 - MGB Rubber Bumper Todd Rulison 1980 MGB Scott Zirlin 1978 MGB Doug and Ann Shaver 1979 MGB Class 11 - Austin-Healey Sprite/MG Midget Richard Delorey 1965 Midget Aaron Cooper 1962 Sprite Tie: Ken Burchill 1961 Sprite Bill Brett 1960 Sprite Gary Pararotto 1979 Midget Class 12 - Austin-Healey 100 / 3000 Gerry Dwkeski 1967 Austin Healey 3000 Ross Mackinnon Austin Healey 3000 Robert Anschutz Austin Healey 100 Class 13 - Jaguar Sedan Jean and Vic Handy 1948 Little Saloon Jim Taylor 1960 Jaguar MK II Class 14 - Jaguar Sports Mark Kellett 1952 XK120 Jim Taylor 1938 SS100 Ernie Burkart, Jr. 1961 XKE Class 15 - Morgan David Brownell 1961 Morgan Tom OConnor 1966 Morgan 4/4 Class 16 - Other British Stefano Bruno 1963 Aston Martin DB4 Vantage Wendy and Joe Gawlik 1961 Land Rover Tie: Raymond Haines 1974 TVR 2500M Richard Schaeffer MG Magnette Class 17 - Kit/Replicar Walter Welsh MGTD Kit Russell Moore 1963 Healey Kit Larry Laurence Cobra Replicar Class 18 - Daily Driver Steven Shuttleton 1965 Sunbeam Alpine Class 19 - Motorcycles Joseph Redding 1975 850 Commando Matt Nolella 1970 Triumph Class 20 - Modern British Chris Bowens 2002 Mini Perry Hatch 2005 Mini Cooper Lyn Vogel Caterham Super 7 Longest Distance Traveled Jay Neuschatz 1957 Bentley Best in Show Jim Taylor 1938 Jaguar SS100

August On August 7th, 40 club members and their families attended the Summer Freebie Annual Picnic held a River Road Park in Niskayuna. The weather man was promising us afternoon showers but the sky was blue all day. In spite of the weather forecast and with blue skies overhead, 19 of our club members drove their British automobiles to this event. The assortment of vehicles was spectacular, and club members as well as community members out for an evening stroll enjoyed viewing these beautiful machines. This event is one of our most popular outings, and once again food was outstanding, as Jim Beil and Joe Bena cooked and served up hamburgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob. Club members provided a pot luck array of food to add to the main meal. A 50-50 raffle added to the fun of the evening. Dave Faulkner was the big winner in the 50/50 and John Moore and Ann Shaver won club tee shirts. Joe Bena’s beautiful red 1960 TR3A won the voted for the favorite car award, and the longest distance award went to our past secretary and her husband, Linda and Jim Shea, who drove their 1966 TR4A from Gansevoort, NY (north of Saratoga Springs). The weather man eventually got his way when the skies opened up as the awards were being handed out. The rains were heavy for about a half hour but since we were in a covered pavilion, it gave us a chance to clean up and say our goodbyes. By the time we cleaned up and said our goodbyes, the rains had stopped and we were able to drove home in the cool but dry evening air. What a great ATA event we had!. -- Joe Bena

September The ATA was well represented this year with 18 vehicles traveling to the British Invasion Car Show held in Stowe, Vt. Two caravans traveled up on Friday, one from the Johnstown area and the other from the Albany area. We traveled with the Albany group and had rain part of the way up on Friday and a light shower on the way home on Sunday. Otherwise, the weather was perfect for a top down car show. There were over 650 vehicles on display at the field. We had 3 award winners from the ATA beginning with our newest member, Anthony Brennan winning 1st place with his 1980 Triumph Spider. Two second place winners were Steve Busch with his 1962 Daimler SP250 and Ann and Doug Shaver with their 1979 MGB. Click on any of the pictures below for a larger version. Left to right: Doug and Ann Shaver with their 1979 MGB; ATA members at the British Invasion reception on Friday3; and nighttime get together at the Town and Country Resort. Some of the best fun was away from the car show and back at the Town and Country Resort where some of the Albany group (8 vehicles) stayed. A very popular liquor store was right next door so drinks and snacks were easily obtained and luckily it stayed open until midnight. We gathered nightly for sidewalk cocktail parties outside the Cook and Warzak rooms to talk about the day, share some jokes and stories and watch the British Invasion traffic travel by. Only 3 vehicle problems were encountered by our group. Herb Broestler ran into some watered down gas, Scott and Sheila Zirlin had an alternator problem and Lynn Arnold won her battle with a corroded fuse. We look forward to an even bigger group from the ATA traveling to the show next year and staying at the same location. It was a great event with good friends from the ATA. -- Ann and Doug Shaver

November AOver 40 members attended the ATA Member Appreciation Night held on Saturday, November 11 at the Christ Church Hall in Duanesburg, NY. Pizza and drinks, provided by the club, was the menu for the evening, along with some great pictures provided by Dave Graff, a laptop slide show of this year's events and lots of talk and camaraderie. Joe Bena shared a couple of jokes with the group. Unless you have lots of time, do yourself a favor and never ask Joe the difference between a woman and a man when it comes to changing a vehicle's oil and filter!!!! President John Iseman provided a song /car quiz for members to complete with prizes for the most correct answers provided. Barney Brower and his son Doug took first place. Of course, it didn't hurt Barney being a professional DJ. We wonder how he would have done if the quiz involved plutonium enrichment or standards for DNA testing, etc. A 50/50 drawing was also held with the Club's proceeds donated to a needy family. The winner, Pete Fullam, also added his winnings for a total donation of $100. One of the main purposes for this annual event is to discuss ATA activities for the next year. President Iseman conducted a brief meeting and Dave Faulkner, our Activities Director, led the discussion concerning next year's tentative schedule of events. Event chairpersons were asked to speak about their particular event(s). We encourage all members for their input, so we can keep our events new and fun. Treasurer, Larry Laurence, and Secretaries, Ann and Doug Shaver, each gave a quick status report. Members are reminded that membership renewals were due on November 1. If you have not yet renewed, please do so as soon as possible. Al Dufault made a motion that Officers and Executive Committee members be granted an exemption from dues as recognition of the work they do for the club. This was seconded and the membership present voted and passed the motion. All of the officers appreciate this recognition.