Club Awards for 2024 were presented at the Christmas Party. The time and energy devoted to planning and coordinating driving and other events that generate these awards cannot be understated. Well done officers and volunteers!

(Detail about each award can be seen on the website tab ABOUT/AWARDS.)

500 MILE AWARDS

Dash plaques, recognizing 500 or more miles driven in an MG, were provided to:

SAFETY FAST AWARD (Most Events in an MG)

• Mike Craven, attended 18 events

KIMBER SPIRIT AWARD (Most Events in any Car)

• Dwight and Candy Dawson

MG DRIVER AWARD (Most Miles in an MG)

• Ron Redding, 1849 miles (many in his 1958 MG Magnette)

ALAN RAYNE MEMORIAL AWARD (also known as Broken Crankshaft Award

• Ray Holtzapple

RALPH DIEBERT AWARD

• Arnel Brown, 1953 MG TD

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ AWARD

• Ron Redding

PRESIDENT’S AWARD for member who has provided exceptional leadership or service 

• Jim Goldmeyer

BACK SEAT DRIVER AWARD

• Greg Fleischer & Tony Galt

PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

Bob Chalker was honored for his leadership and accomplishments as President in 2023 and 2024. This included recognition from the North American MGB Register for coordination of a most successful NAMGBR national convention…MG2024 in Katy, Texas.

The Worst Road Trip… Ever!! NAMGBR 2025 in Crystal Lake, IL

(NOTE:  Before you ask, Driver's Award miles are only accepted if 3 or more Members make the trip. This was decided by our Board of Directors.)

So ever since Katy, you’ve been thinking about going to Crystal Lake, IL for NAMGBR 2025? You’d love to see how Chicagoland puts on a show, but don’t know how you’re going to get there? You thought you’d make the long trek to Calgary in 2023, but didn’t and now you have regrets? Well, you’re outa luck, because our drive to the Land of Lincoln will be THE WORST ROAD TRIP… EVER!!

We hear you asking, “Why is it going to be THE WORST ROAD TRIP… EVER!! ?” Well, for one thing, you could make the trip in two days. Just hit the interstate and the cruise control on your MG and wake up in Chicago two days later. But no, not us! We’re going to take six friggin’ days! And those nice, comfortable interstates? Fugetaboudit! We’re going to take those miserable, two-lane, twisty roads that will make every day about 30 hours long!

What else, you say? How about the scenery? We could choose to view the enchanting expanses of suburbia, with their arrays of neat strip malls and outlet stores. But instead, we’re going to expose you to fences, pastures, trees and hills. For mile after mile after endless mile.

But surely it gets better when it comes to food, right? HAH! No more Chilis and Applebees for you! You better like those run-down local diners, with their “character” and “diverse” menus. And fast food? What advantage does a local drive-in have over the consistency and predictability of a McDonald’s or Chick Fil A?

How about hotels? If you just hit the interstate, you could comfortably overnight in, say, Springfield, MO and cruise into Chi town the following day. But with us, you get an endless procession of roadside flop houses in every flea-bitten town in flyover country.

So if we still haven’t convinced you that this road trip is entirely underwhelming, just check out this proposed itinerary:

• ·       Day 1: Meet up in aptly named Suphur Springs, TX.
• ·       Day 2: Bake in the sweltering Texas summer heat on your way to Hot Springs, AK. Where it also smells.
• ·       Day 3: Fight off mosquitos in the Ozark National Forest and just try to get some rest in Branson, MO.
• ·       Day 4: Get your kicks on Route 66 instead of the better interstate they replaced it with decades ago. Stop somewhere in the most boring part of the state.
• ·       Day 5: Try to avoid crime ridden St. Louis, endure more Rte 66 and stay in Springfield, IL – a town that still celebrates log cabins. Really.
• ·       Day 6: Try to not let the endless corn fields put you to sleep as you finally spill out of your car exhausted in Crystal Lake.

If you’re still thinking of going to NAMGBR 2025, and if we haven’t convinced you that our route there will be THE WORST ROAD TRIP… EVER!!, then you have our deepest sympathy. If you would like to further discuss this or your other poor life choices, please contact Scott Hardy at scott.b.hardy@gmail.com and we will be glad to offer you a consultation. Offer only available until the end of April, 2025.

Our 34th Annual All British Car (and Motorcycle!) Day on October 12th was a great success! 

We had over 70 cars registered this year and once again the weather cooperated giving us a beautiful day to show off our cars and enjoy everyone else’s pride and joy.   In addition to our MGs, we had a beautiful 2 owner original 1961 Rolls Royce along with other Rolls and Bentleys, Jags, Triumphs, and a nice turnout of our marque car this year, the Mini, including a rare example owned by David Fowler who won First Place.  

The Butler House Restaurant was once again our host and they came through by opening up their patio for us even though they are closed for remodeling. A special thanks to them for all their help.  Again this year we had people driving by that wanted to participate and entered their cars that day. 

In addition to our club’s great display of cars, our own Club band, Abingdon Express, provided live music!    Thanks goes to John Bowyer on Guitar and vocals, Walter Bernard on keyboards and vocals, Al Slayter on Bass, Ken Evesson on Drums and Ed Evesson as the sound guy and roadie.

Our Show would not be possible without the great  help of volunteers that gave their time and efforts during the show to make it the success it was:

Libby Nash, Doty Goldmeyer, Dwight and Candy Dawson...Silent Auction

Byron Nash…Parking

Scott Kalish and Roger Sykes…Entrance Directions/Handouts

Steve Session…Show Co-Chair, art design, voting process, late Registration.  

Our Annual British Car Day attracted the attention of the Houston area British Consulate who attended our festivities and handed out the winner awards. This was a treat and added British authenticity.  

The biggest thanks goes to all that attended and participated this year! Without you there would only be an empty parking lot instead of little puddles of oil in each parking space! See y’all at the 35th Annual all British Car Day next year! 

Lee Drum, Chairman

The Awards:

MGTD - Tracey Davidson

MGA - James McWhinne

MGB Chrome Bumper - 3 tied for first place 

               James McWhinne

               Ron Redding

               Gavin Kidd

MGB Rubber Bumper - David Lawrence 

Austin Healey 100 - Neville Skead

British Customized - Steve Session

British Luxury - Ed Stacey

British Special Interest - John Mottershaw

British Vintage - Franklin Carpenter 

Jaguar E Type - Erik Lipper

Jaguar 1969 & Earlier - Eddie Doughty

Jaguar 1970 & Later - Mike Woodward 

Lotus 1988 & Later - Neil Humphries

Mini - Dave Fowler

Mini 2020 & Later - Doty Goldmeir

Morgan - Kim Freeman 

Triumph TR2 & TR3 -Kenny Daves 

Triumph TR4 & TR250 Mike Hado

Triumph TR6 - Neville Skead

Triumph TR7 & TR8 - Williams Fickle

Triumph Spitfire & GT6 - John Barrett

Triumph Stag - Nik Jindal

Motorcycle - Al Dykes

Best in Show - Neville Skead

People’s Choice - James McWhinnie

Dear All,

Here are the results.

Published Results.pdf

 A September Run To Shiner, TX 

The trip to Shiner was nicely organized by Jim Goldmeyer and Scott Hardy.  The Houston group showed up at Katy’s Bucee’s at 9AM.  We had 10 cars including a mixture of British and modern for support.  The 100 mile drive to Shiner started with some shade and cooler temperatures.  The Alamo Club from San Antonio and the Capital City Club from Austin met us at the Shiner Brewery.  There we enjoyed some live music, barbecue and cool Shiner’s beer.  There was a good turnout of automobiles from all 3 clubs. 

...by Mike Craven

Saturday, October 26.  It was a great day for topless driving.  For the Buckner Parkway Place Senior Living Facility, the Club showed 8 cars including a Triumph and a 1956 Austin Healey...owned by one of the Residents.  A number of the Seniors showed up at 11 AM to take a look.  As usual many of them had an interesting story about when they had an LBC or something like the show cars.  As the photograph suggests, Jim Chase’s MG TC was likely the biggest hit of the show.  Five MGB’s, including both rubber & chrome bumpers,  rounded out the show.  A number of the facility staff members made a second visit to the show once the Residents finished, to get a closer look at the cars.  Just think of the day as you might  experience it...someday in the future...as a Resident!  

Photos and Text by Mike Craven

Club member Rich Colwell wrote a great article about his 36 years of fun with his MG's.  Definitely worth the read -- many of us resonate with his experiences!

The article is shared here with permission of NAMGAR’s MGA! Magazine.

Rich Colwell MGAR Magazine Article.pdf

Anytime the members of the Houston MG Car Club gather it is a special time with the driving of our cars, sharing a meal, helping each other keep our cars running and most importantly enjoying the friendship of fellow members.  But every once in awhile a day stands out as being truly special.  This month's monthly meeting was one of those days.

It began with a moment of silence in memory of club member and friend Ralph Ratta.  He will be greatly missed by all of us.  From the many posts on Facebook it is clear that he touched many, many people across Texas and throughout the U.S. MG Community. 

Next was the planned program for the meeting, the presenting of financial support to two local charities.  Each year the NAMGBR and the local host chapter commit to present 25% of the net proceeds from the NAMGBR Annual Conference and Car Show to support charitable organizations in the local community where the event was held.  The decision as to which charities to support is made by the local club.  We chose to support Katy Christian Ministries and The Brookwood Community.

Presentation of check to Deysi Crespo, Katy Christian Ministries by Ron Redding and Bob Chalker

Deysi Crespo, Executive Director of Katy Christian Ministries was on hand to receive their check and to share with us a little about the great work they are doing in the community.  KCM is a social services non-profit serving Katy/West Houston with programing that includes a food pantry, a crisis center for domestic abuse and sexual assault, emergency financial assistance, resiliency programs and a resale store to provide affordable, and often free, clothing and home goods.  In 2023 KCM served over 22,000 families with social services.  They also provided nearly 1.5 million meals, distributing 1.7 million pounds of food through the food pantry.  The crisis center served more than 3000 victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse and mental health issues.  If you would like to learn more about the ministry, make a further donation, or you need their help please go to their website https://ktcm.org. 

Carol Thornburgh and Jeremy Weisinger, from The Brookwood Community, receiving their check.

We also presented a check to The Brookwood Community.  Joining us to receive the check was Carol Thornburg, Chief Advancement Officer, Jeremy Weisinger, a resident of the community and his parents Janna and Mike Fries.  Brookwood's mission is "Through the grace of God, to providing an educational environment that creates meaningful work, builds a sense of belonging and awakens genuine purpose in the lives of adults with disabilities".  Brookwood is a residential community that provides work programs, health & wellness activities, fine arts and spiritual growth for the more than 200 citizens they are serving.  They also operate a gift & garden center, where the works of the residents are made available for purchase, and a restaurant staffed by the residents.  If you are in the Katy, area make it a point to visit this community, you will leave with a full stomach, gifts for your loved ones and a changed heart.  To learn more about The Brookwood Community or to make a donation go to https://www.brookwoodcommunity.org/

You should take great pride in knowing that the Houston MG Car Club has provided financial support to local charities nearing $10,000 over the past two years.  This club truly is something special.

The lastest standings for the Driver and the Safety Fast Award.  Results are through the end of September.  This is the last posting for the year.  Award winners will be announced at the Christmas Party!

As was shared recently, Ralph Ratta, a member of our club and of the Texas MG Registry, died in an automobile accident at the Southeast British Motor Car Festival which was hosted by the Peachtree MG Registry in Dillard, GA.

As many of our club knew and were friends with Ralph, his wife, Fay, asked that we share the following:

The memorial service for Ralph will be held Saturday, October 5 at 11am at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. Afterwards, we invite everyone to make the short drive to Ninfa's Restaurant for a complimentary lunch & celebration of his life. 

Please wear casual colorful attire in celebration of Ralph’s casual and colorful spirit.

Fay will need an approximate count for Ninfa's so if you plan to attend the lunch, please let me know by emailing me at CustomV8MGB@gmail.com.

Rob Ficalora, HMGCC Membership Chair