Car Show for The Gator Wilderness Camp School

by Fred CookPosted on Posted in Events — No Comments ↓
By a vote of the student-campers of The Gator Wilderness Camp, Jay Royce was awarded the trophy for Most Popular Car, his 2015 Jaguar F-Type.

On March 27, the club was joined by the staff and student-campers of the Gator Wilderness Camp for a car show and picnic lunch, just off Fruitville Road in Sarasota. This event is a legacy of Duane and Ellen Magnuson who began hosting it annually 10 to 12 years ago on the grounds of their Sarasota home. It was one of the more popular events on the club’s calendar until suspended due to the pandemic, coinciding with the couple’s untimely passing. Thus, it was great to see such an enthusiastic turnout upon its return. Our 29 vehicles were joined by some members of the local Antique Automobile Club (AACA), bringing the total count to 35 cars and 50 plus members. The school cadre brought their entire population of 30 boys, plus all the fixings for a grilled lunch!

The Gator Wilderness Camp in a faith-based year around camping program for boys 11-15. According to their website, “This group of boys is significantly struggling to interpret a myriad of issues in their families, schools and communities.” Translation: Some come from a difficult home life and some have run afoul of the law. The camp school is located on 250 acres in Charlotte County, really in the “middle of nowhere” in southwest Florida. It’s seen as an alternative to placement in a government social services program, to include the juvenile detention system. The boys must apply to be accepted. The costs are covered by the church and donations from the public. There is no cost to the Florida taxpayer. 

Back to March 27. Part of the day’s activities consist of the lads going from to car to car and sitting in the driver’s seat where they can start and rev up the engine. Then, they vote for the car they like best. This year’s winner of the club trophy was Jay Royce and his 2015 Jaguar F Type. While this was going on, the camp counselors grilled burgers and hot dogs. After lunch, the boys were challenged to design their own car. Judges selected the winning drawings and the club awarded trophies to the designers. It’s likely this may have been the first time some of these boys have ever won anything and the joy on the faces of those holding the trophies was priceless. Note to car owners for next year: A large number of the boys’ designs depicted flames coming out of the rear of the car. While this is probably best avoided real-life in a picnic setting, a raucous exhaust is clearly a plus in the running for the most popular car trophy.

Credits: Bruce Skaggs for report input. Photos from Pat Kelly, and also Bruce.

Hagerty Car Show at Sebring

by Fred CookPosted on Posted in Events — No Comments ↓
Cars lined up for judging at the Hagerty Car Show held at the Sebring International Racetrack on February 26, 2022. That’s Jim Wilson’s 1973 TR6 in the foreground.

On Saturday, February 26, six members in five cars drove the hour and a half to the Hagerty Cars and Caffeine Car Show at the legendary Sebring International Racetrack in the middle of the state. The car show added to the festivities of a weekend of racing organized by the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association. This event drew a large number of vintage race cars from all eras, makes and models. 

Jim Wilson was one of those who made the trip from the Suncoast and he reported: “There were 130 collector cars in the car show, including those from our club: two TR6’s, a Jaguar XK8, a Lotus +2S 130, and a MINI Cooper Monte Carlo. Members did some track touring and Mike Browne won a ribbon for his MINI. We saw all models and years of cars including a 1967 Aston Martin DB6 with 16,000 miles on it. It was all original and it sounded great when it drove up. Very few at the event had any idea what this DB6 was worth. We also were treated to vintage sports car racing taking place all day long. The weather was perfect, making it was a great ‘car guy’ day.”  

I asked Mike Browne for details on his award. He related that because there were so many different kinds of cars, judging by marque would have been almost impossible. And, no doubt, requiring dozens of ribbons from the sponsor. Mike said the award he received was for “Best in Class” for import car within a particular year timeframe. Congratulations to Mike on the award for his MINI !

Many thanks to Mike and Jim for the input on this event. Photos also supplied by Jim Wilson.

SBCC 1st Annual Car Show

by Fred CookPosted on Posted in Events — No Comments ↓
The parking lot at Rattan, Wicker and Cane in Venice, Florida is awash with a variety of British automotive marques and plenty of spectators at the club’s own car show.

February 20, 2022, will be forever remembered (for those of us on Prevagen) as the date of the first Annual Suncoast British Car Club Car Show. Graciously hosted by Woody and Diane Schaub in the parking lot of their fine furniture and furnishings store in Venice, the show featured an impressive turnout of 35 members’ cars. Thanks to the work of show organizers Bruce and Carolyn Skaggs, this initiative was a huge success. The weather was perfect and it was a great opportunity to catch up with long time members as well as getting to know five new members.

There were three classes for judging. The oldest class had the largest number of entries and awards were made as follows:

First, Bob Faria’s ’34 Austin 7 Nippy. (File Photo)
Second, Bill Isenstein’s 1973 TR6
Third Place was Jerry Jurgensen’s 1973 Lotus Europa. [Photo provided by Cathy Jurgensen. That’s their border collie, Dakota, who navigates by sense of smell.]

Awards in the other two classes were:

First, Mike Browne’s 1994 Rover MINI Cooper
And, First for Ron McLeod’s 2001 Jaguar XK8. 
 

Unfortunately, the specially commissioned trophies were held up by “supply chain issues” and were to be awarded later. 

About two dozen of the participants then moved on to a late lunch at the Tarpon Point Grill & Marina on the Myakka River in South Venice. All in all, a great day to be alive and out, especially if you were in your LBC with the top down.

Thanks to Bruce Skaggs and Jim Wilson for input on details, as well as Bill Isenstein and Joe Malaney for some of the photos. 

Additional photos from the day are below:

2022 Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival

by Fred CookPosted on Posted in Events — No Comments ↓
What would the Highland Games be without pipers in kilts?

The 27th Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival was held on Saturday, February 5th, at the Sarasota County Fairgrounds. The annual event is organized by the Scottish Heritage Society of Sarasota and always offers a full day of fun entertainment for the whole community. There were tartans galore with dozens of clans represented. This year’s list of attractions included highland athletics, soccer dog and sheep herding demonstrations, competitive dancing, music, food and drink, as well as a car display by the SBCC. This was our 11th year participating in what is one of the club’s favorite events.

Attendance at this year’s festival was somewhat dampened by cloudy skies, a stiff northern wind and the continual threat of rain. The Scottish settlers who landed on Sarasota Bay in 1885 would have felt right at home. Our participation was likewise affected by the weather, although we did have 15 fine examples of British motorcars present.

For our showing, the following Highland Games rosettes were presented by Bonnie Perkins, President of the Scottish Heritage Society of Sarasota.

1st Place: John Magine’s 1966 Austin Healey 3000.
2nd Place: Pat Kelly’s 1961 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite
3rd Place: Mike Browne’s newly acquired 1994 Rover MINI Cooper 

Photos by the author, except as noted.


Christmas Trolley Ride & Election

by Fred CookPosted on Posted in Events — No Comments ↓
SBCC President-elect Bruce and First Lady Carolyn Skaggs prepare to board the trolley for the Holiday Tour of Lights.

In what is now its own holiday tradition for the club, on December 14, thirty-two members went on a trolley ride to view Christmas decorations in Sarasota. The Sarasota Trolley Company annually scopes out the best home displays and maps a tour that lasts about an hour and a half. And what a great show it has become! You just sit back, sip your BYOB, and listen to holiday music while enjoying what Sarasota’s residents have created. Our Club filled up the trolley and it was nice to have it all to ourselves.

On the Club business front, in November, 60 members were present at the Red Lobster for the election of officers for 2022. A full slate of candidates for the various positions was presented, and all were elected by acclamation. They are: President-Bruce Skaggs, Vice President and Activities Director-Jim Wilson, Secretary-Walt Mainberger and Treasurer- Debbie Wilson. The Board of Directors includes the foregoing officers, plus Jack Knuese and Woody Schaub. There were no reports of voter irregularities.

On an historical note, this was our club’s last meeting at the Red Lobster. For at least the past 15 years, this accomodating eatery has been the site of our club’s regular monthly meetings. This particular franchise has now shuttered its doors, reportedly because of a significant increase in the rent requested by the landlord, along with the negative effects of the pandemic on custom.

Thanks to Bruce Skaggs for the input and photos. RIP, Red Lobster.

Just one of dozens of the family holiday light creations seen at homes along the tour.
Top