Adirondack Triumph Association
2012 Events

February 19: ATA Banquet @ The Desmond

Colonie, NY – The ATA kicked off the 2012 event season with the annual banquet held at the Desmond Hotel and Convention Center in Colonie, NY. Fifty ATA members and guest enjoyed an evening of conversation, door prizes, trivia and The Desmond's Shaker Buffet. The evening started off with a cocktail hour featuring Hors d'Oeuvres of fruit, crackers and cheese in The Desmond courtyard. There was plenty of talk about winter projects that were begun, in progress or still in the planning stages and hope for a long and enjoyable driving season.

The flickering of the lights told everyone that the Fort Orange room was ready for us. After a few minutes of settling in, refreshing any cocktails and getting acquainted with the others at the table, our servers gave the go away to “step up” to the Shaker Buffet. The Desmond's Shaker Buffet has something for everyone’s taste: sirloin of beef, hunter style chicken, filet of sole, pasta along with accompaniments of roasted potatoes and a vegetable medley. Also, one can not forget the dinner's best part: the dessert table, featuring mini-pastries, chocolate layer cake and The Desmond's signature bread pudding.

The evening events following dinner began with ATA President Dave Faulkner welcoming everyone to the banquet and introducing new ATA club member in attendance Mike & Peggy Flinton and Andrew & Marilyn Mair. Then Dave briefed the room on the agenda for the evening starting with two rounds of trivia, then taking a break for raffling off the door prizes and the 50/50, followed by the final two round of trivia. Finally ending the evening would be the ATA “Wacky Auction.” In prior years, the there has been a game or puzzle of some type to whack the brain senseless at times. This year it was time for something new. Since trivia contest are a popular weekly or monthly event at many local pubs, why not have one at the banquet. The trivia contested consisted of 4 rounds with 3 questions each in round. The categories for the rounds were: “The ATA,” “ The Royals,” “Welcome to London” and “The UK.” There was also one tie-breaking question from each category, just in case there was a tie. All the trivia questions related to the category title.
The playing teams were based upon the tables where the members and guest were sitting. At the end of the first two rounds, the teams were fairly even in points. During the break between rounds, Dave -- with help from Spencer Trupiano -- raffled off the door prizes. Before the 50/50 drawing, ATA Vice President Lynn Arnold went over the 2012 ATA Event Schedule. The winner of the 50/50 drawing was Mike Flinton.

With the break over, it was time for everyone to get there thinking caps back on. It soon was becoming obvious that there were those that have been to London and the United Kingdom and those that had not. At the end of the last round of questions there was a tie between two tables. So it was onto the tie-breaking questions. After each tie-breaking question answered there was still a tie between the tables. After the fourth tie breaker was answered correctly, the two tables decided to split the 20 NYS scratch off tickets.

After a short break, the Wacky Auction began. Again this there was a variety of gifts to choose from. Notable gifts were three frame poster-size British car-related writings, a car trunk organizer, adult beverages that were “stolen” a few times and a few funny gag gifts. The auction moved along nicely, and there were plenty of laughs and token protests not to take a gift away.

After the Wacky Auction concluded the evening, was coming to a close. A few last minutes of car talk and wishing everyone well until the next event, and another successful ATA banquet concluded until next year. -- Dave Faulkner

March 18: Maple Syrup Run with Berkshire British Motor Club

Great, nay fantastic weather predicted for this Sunday's Maple Syrup Run II. Seems several members have liberated their LBC from hibernation, and have performed shakedown runs. Wake them up, and blow out the cob webs, and other winter accumulations. All roads are paved. The parking area at the 'sugar shack/ house' is not paved, but one should be able to park roadside. If you LBC complains profusely, let it be, and drive whatever else is in your stable. First car off at 10:00 AM from the Bennington Monument parking lot, 15 Monument Cr., Bennington, VT. 05201.

Awards after vitals, and libations with background CD of vintage races, Sebring 65, Ice races, Marlboro 65, Watkins Gelen, Gran Prix, Equinox, and Lime Rock.

Come join the fun, visit a 'sugar shack/ house,' enjoy the weather, etc. Give me a heads up so I can alert the 'Sugar shack/ house', and Pub, or just show up. Hope to see you Sunday. Contact: Al Chicote, calm@sover.net

April 7: Open House @ Ensign Autobody

I would like to start the event at 12:00 noon and it will continue for approximately two hours. We will drain and remove a fuel tank that has been renewed, remove the fuel sending unit, cover the two different sending unit gaskets available, different sealers that should not be used and the one that works well but is an unknown repair procedure, and how the fuel sending unit works. In addition, we will discuss the options of repair concerning dirty or rusted fuel tanks.

Here are directions to our facility:

From the North: NYS RT 87 South to Exit 6, take a left (east), go thru 3 traffic lights, 100 feet to a left on Gaffers Court. Drive straight ahead thru two pine trees.  We are the Copper colored building.

From the South: NYS RT 87 North to exit 6.  Take a right (east) ), go thru 2 traffic lights, 100 feet to a left on Gaffers Court. Drive straight ahead thru two pine trees.  We are the Copper colored building.

From the East: NYS RT 7 to NYS RT 87 South stay in right lane exit 6 (Latham / Schenectady), take a left (east), go thru 3 traffic lights, 100 feet to a left on Gaffers Court. Drive straight ahead thru two pine trees.  We are the Copper colored building.

From the West: NYS RT 7 East to NYS RT 87. Continue east over the Northway (RT 87 Interchange), go thru 2 traffic lights, 100 feet to a left on Gaffers Court. Drive straight ahead thru two pine trees.  We are the Copper colored building.

I hope that this will help club members in the motoring adventures. -- Bob Ensign

April 16: Tax Night Supper

Our seventeenth annual tax night potluck supper was once again one of our most popular events of the year. Over 50 club members and their families got together at the Alplaus Fire House on April 16th to share an evening of food and conversation. The weather was a perfect near-record-breaking temperature of 85+ degrees and very conducive to driving our sports cars. There were several British cars in the parking lot plus two Deloreans and a Corvette.

The LBCs in the parking lot keeping company with Joe Bertino and Tom Schwendler's Deloreans were two Jensen-Healeys owned by Bob Wall and Jim & Ruth Ralston.  Representing TR3 and TR3A models were Joe Bena and Rod & Linda Smith.  Rod and Linda drove down from Poultney, VT, and were given some good-natured ribbing about the headlights staying on during the return ride home.  Herb Broestler arrived in his TR4A while Denise Palumbo and navigator Bernadine Petersen traveled in Denise's TR6.  The only Jaguar parked in between soft tops was Bud Brickman's XKE. Almost next to the XKE was Bill & Terri Cook's newer model MINI.  The lone MGB and Austin Healey were driven by Deirdre Garland and Ross & Pat MacKinnon, respectively. Finally, Dave Faulkner had his Spitfire, for good measure.

The food was plentiful and delicious and all those present enjoyed the feast.  No one could say they didn't leave hungry. 

Before and after dinner those in attendance watched a DVD of a road race or test laps on a road course through the streets of Paris that Bub Brickman had. Thanks Bud for bringing along the DVD.   After the 2nd viewing of the DVD,  Joe Bena led a club participation quiz regarding old music, TV shows, commercials and sayings.  Many of our members knew most of the answers to the questions proving how good our memory is and also how old we really are.  Joe also conducted a short memorial message of admiration and wit for club member Paul Munson who passed away during the winter.  Paul was fondly remembered and will be missed.

After dinner, club president Dave Faulkner conducted a short business meeting. He talked about the many driving and dining events that the club sponsors. We look forward to the activities that our very active club sponsors during the pleasant months here in upstate New York.

The meeting was concluded with a 50/50, and Erik Gebhardt was the lucky winner.  We also raffled off several club T-shirts and hats.  After clean up, everyone headed home excited about this year’s club events. -- Joe Bena (pictures to follow soon!)

Berkshire British Motor Club 50/50 "Survive the Drive" Benefit Gimmick Rally

Sunday May 27, (rain or shine) 2012 the Berkshire British Motor Club will run a 50/ 50 gimmick rally to benefit Survive the Drive, a not-for-profit organization that promotes safe driving to teen drivers throughout the Northeast, and beyond. First car off at 10:00 AM. The 'Start' area is from the Rest Area, MA RT 8, opposite the Berkshire Mall, Pittsfield / Dalton, MA. If your British vehicle is not available feel free to drive whatever you have that is roadworthy. Anticipated distance is 80 to 100 miles over paved roads.

A preregistration donation of $25.00 per vehicle is requested. Registration is limited to the first 80 vehicles. The first fifty registered vehicles will receive a commemorative magnetic plaque. 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Survive the Drive. Of the remaining 50 % BBMC will use 20% to cover cost of the event. Remaining proceeds will be given to the first, second, and third place vehicles at 50, 35, and 15 %. Send checks payable to 'Berkshire British Motor Club' to: BBMC % John Werner, P. O. Box 28, Pownal, VT 05261. Deadline for pre-registration is May 21, 2012, and r egistration will be closed after that date.

For those unfamiliar with a Gimmick Rally: This is not a speed/distance rally, or timed event. Each vehicle will be given a set of directions which, if followed correctly, will get them to the finish location. The directions contain blank spaces which need to be filled in during the rally which requires observation of the route, keeping track of mileage, general knowledge, and a bit of trivia. Scoring is based on having the most correctly filled in blanks. There is also a 'Tie Breaker' set of questions.

The '50/ 50' finishes at a Pub where awards will be given, and participants can order off menu.

If you have any questions, or would like more information contact Al: calm@sover.net

June 2 (rain date June 3): Bill & Teri’s Spring Tour to the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake

We will leave Saratoga Auto Museum at 8:30, and have a pit stop in Lake Luzerne. Using back roads, travel to North Creek then open highway to Blue Mountain Lake, arriving about noon. We will have special roped off covered parking area. You can pack a picnic or have lunch in the Café. Admission is $15 cash per person, as ithas to be done as one transaction to get the group rate. The 22 exhibits on 32 acres cover many of the aspects of the Adirondacks. I am sure you will enjoy it.

Fill your fuel tank as gas stations are far apart!

Hope you can join Teri and me. -- Bill Cook

June 15-17: Berkshire British Motorcar Festival, grounds of Shakespeare Company, Lenox, MA

Berkshire British Motor Club has received the final approval to host the “Berkshire British Motorcar Festival” on the grounds of Shakespeare Company in Lenox, MA on Father’s Day Weekend (June 15-17). The grounds are within walking distance to downtown Lenox. The Lenox Chamber will host a Friday evening Street Party, as they did last year as part of the Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival.  Our new venue has a Tavern with Beer & Wine Service, which will be managed by Shakespeare & Company, inside modern bathrooms, and more.  Shakespeare & Company will have small troops of actors walking about in costume and character to add flavor to our British Lifestyle event, and possibly present skits in their outdoor theater.

As we continue to develop this new and expanded event we are considering the addition of new components. Based upon the number of inquiries from those who attended last year, we are certain to see a significant increase in participation for this new event over last year. Last year we attracted over 350 exceptional British Motorcars to Lenox.  In 2012, the Springfield Museum and the Larz Anderson Museum will return once again to our show grounds. We will have an expanded base of Food Vendors and offer British Ales and British Food to add to this event.  We are hoping to offer an expanded base of vendors and will present a large Vendor Tent as well as space for outside vendors.  If you know of any vendors we missed last year please let them and use know so we can follow-up.  We welcome your feedback and suggestions.

There will be a Lenox Fun Rally on Friday Afternoon followed by a Registrants’ Reception at Shakespeare & Company in and around the Tavern and the tent area with seating for 150 guests. A 60-minute morning back roads scenic drive will be planned for Sunday morning, while back at the show field we will be setting up for the Competition of Colors, the Tailgate Picnic Competition, and a Driving Review of those who won awards in Saturday Competitions.

Last year’s event, the Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival, received two pages of coverage in the September issue of Hemmings Motor News.  In addition CTSBTV (www.ctsbtv.org) produced and offers for purchase a 30-minute DVD of the event on their website.  The Tanglewood British Motorcar Festival Website contains a roster of last year’s winners for your review.  We have asked our webmaster to link to three albums created on my KODAKGALLERY site of pictures taken at last year’s Lenox event. 

We are happy to add New Classes based upon Pre-Registered Marques and Models.  As we get closer to the show we will cut or combine those classes that do not have enough motorcars to continue as a Class and consolidate motorcar into established classes or Special Interest Classes. At the same time, if we note enough cars of a single marque and model, we may then create a New Class. Once we have submitted our final class roster to the printer to produce ballot books and we have finalized our class layout for the show grounds, no additional class changes can be made. By this time all individual Car Cards containing Class Numbers have been printed and inserted into individual registration packages.

A challenge for us is basing the Field layout upon pre-registered cars and those who register on Friday at the Show Grounds. Those who pre-register receive computer generated personalized name badges and card cards versus generic name badges and fill-in the blank card cards for those registered on Friday. The first 250 to pre-register also will receive a Meet Gift. It is noted that in the event of a tie in voting in the British Classic People’s Choice Competition the Winner is the car with the lower registration number will be the winner. (It is a system that works). 

We are not quite ready for Prime Time, but are about to go to Breakout Mode with a new website (www.berkshiremotorcarfestival.com).  Google will find us with a week or so.  We are working on getting the Registration Form On-Line and PayPal working.

Here's the link for an early look

http://berkshiremotorcarfestival.com

July 15: Drive to Rhinebeck Aerodrome, with Berkshire British Motor Club

BBMC will be leaving from the Pittsfield area. Figure ATA could meet us in route, or at The Aerodome. Admission: Adults $15.00; Teens and seniors (65 years & older) $10.00; Juniors (6 - 12 years) $2.00. Hal Kramer would like a head count to secure reserved (display) parking, and make arrangements at an eatery on the return trip. Contact: Hal Kramer, hkramer@nycap.rr.com.