News Flash!

It is with deep remorse that I write these lines, but I feel now is the time for the Club to move on. It has been a fantastic 10 years since we started this Club (believe it or not!), and now it is ready for some new direction. Yes what I am saying is that I am not going to be on the ballot when we hold Club officer elections next January. Believe me when I say there is no personal animosity towards anyone, no ill feelings of any kind. It has truly been a wonderful experience with a group of people who have no equal. I do feel the Club has grown somewhat stagnant, but that is probably a sign of the times rather than a reflection of the members. There are just too many things going on in life these days. Either way it is time for some new leadership to carry us on into the next decade. Yes we want to be actively involved with the Club and yes we will be here for any support necessary. But someone else will be driving. Now there are 2 ways to approach this. 1) Some one step up now and make it a seamless transition or 2) Wait until January when I will no longer perform any official duties, let the Club cease all activities and begrudgingly take over later when I am much less likely to help. You folks decide because come January I am through. Weather someone steps up or not. There are 3 large shows coming up next year which I will be heavily involved with and they will take up most of my time. Those being Eurofest, the Jaguar Nationals, and the Austin-Healey Club Southeastern Classic. Yes it has been 5 years already! Not to mention we hope to start on our final home next year and that will take quite a lot of time. Well there you have it. Now lets make the best of it and shift this Club into overdrive! JD

P.S. All those interested in this position contact me so your name can be placed on the ballot.

1959-Mini-2000

After 41 years and just under 5.4 million examples, Mini production has ended as of Oct. 4, ‘00. Production saw nearly 140 different models and many corporate owners before ending at the MG Rover Group factory in Longbridge, Birmingham. The plant has been retooled to produce the new Rover 75 luxury sedan, and BMW will introduce a new version of the Mini next year at its nearby factory in Oxford. Most of you have already seen this new model in magazines or on the Internet. It is on display at the Paris Auto Show through the 15th of this month and you can see the unveiling on the Internet at www.Mini.com and take a virtual tour of the car. I have not heard if or when they plan on bringing the Mini to the US.