Spring Roundup

by Fred CookPosted on June 5, 2021 Posted in Events — No Comments ↓

The club continued to organize activities throughout the spring months, which was a boon for those of us who felt the need to get out from under the shadow of the pandemic, or maybe, just out from the gloom of the garage.

On March 21, Jim Wilson led one of his spirited drives over about 70 miles of backroads eastward around Arcadia, returning for lunch at Stottlemyer’s BBQ in Sarasota. Ten cars participated in a route that had sharp turns, sweeping curves and exhaust-clearing straightaways. It also included the narrow road pop-up hazards of an oversize citrus truck, motorcycle wolf packs and a pair of sandhill cranes, the latter of which knew they clearly had the right-of-way.

April 18 featured a leisurely drive towards Myakka City and the BellaBlue Berry Farm, which is currently oopen for a U-Pick blueberry season. Seven cars and 14 members took part in this event and it’s reported several members apparently ate more berries than they took home. More and more citrus groves are being converted to blueberry crops as the citrus greening disease continues to ravage Florida. This is BellaBlue Berry Farm’s eighth year in business. For those who still had room, the group stopped for lunch at the Silver Star East Restaurant.

Later in April, a few club members linked up with friends in the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) of Sarasota to take part in an AACA tour of central Florida. The excursion included Tommy Small’s “unbelievable collection of everything collectable” and the amazing car collection in the National Parts Depot.

On May 8, there was a drive to one of the Breakfast Drive Club’s favorite haunts, Wheeler’s Cafe in Arcadia. The group included 6 cars and 14 members. Wheeler’s is an “Old Florida-style” restaurant dating back to 1929. According to Bruce, the food’s great, service good, prices cheap and the plumbing outdoors.

May 16 featured an hour’s drive to the NAV-A-GATOR Grill for Sunday lunch. The NAV-A-GATOR is another Old Florida dive. The group had 10 cars with 18 members. The weather cooperated with a lower temperature and less humidity.

Finally, to celebrate “Drive Your British Car Week,” on May 22, a group of 10 cars went on a 50-mile run to Wauchula, Florida and breakfast at Paul’s Kitchen. Paul’s is a noteworthy “local find” off the beaten path, with great service and good food. And, unlike Wheeler’s, the restrooms are in the building!

Whew! Thanks to Bruce Skaggs, Anita Woods and Jim Wilson for input on these events.

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A Return to Normal

by Fred CookPosted on May 15, 2021 Posted in Events — No Comments ↓

As the number of vaccinated Americans increases, the pandemic’s death grip on the US population is disappearing. However, after such a long disruption, much of the country is going forward under a so-called “new normal.” Not so with the SBCC! We are happy to just be able to return to the old normal, with monthly club meetings held in the familiar surroundings of the Red Lobster, a tradition now approaching some 20 years. After over a year’s absence from any meetings at all, our first two gatherings were significant events.

We began with a “transitional” outdoor meeting April 10th at Twin Lakes County Park in Sarasota. A Pavilion was reserved for noontime and, as a bonus for attendees, the club provided a box lunch with made-to-order sandwiches from a local sub shop. Yes, there is such a thing as a free lunch! Debbie Wilson’s superb organizational skills were again on display as she coordinated the fifty plus orders without an error or misguided mustard packet.

As befitting the first monthly meeting of 2021, it was led by our new President, Walt Mainberger. Walt was one of the founding members of the club back in 1993. President-for-life, Jim Wilson, has now stepped down to apparently be Vice President-for-life and Debbie has taken over the Treasurer duties.

And finally, on May 12th, we returned to the Red Lobster. There were some 30 members in attendance, which is a good figure considering the absence of the snowbirds who have migrated back north, and a few members who are still cautious about indoor dining. Needless to say, the Red Lobster crew (staff, not the ones in the tank) were very happy to see us back.

Thanks to Anita Wood and Bruce Skaggs for input.

B.I.G. Car Show 2021

by Fred CookPosted on March 31, 2021 Posted in Events — No Comments ↓

On March 7^th, the Triumphs of Southwest Florida hosted their Ninth Annual B.I.G. (British, Italian, German) European Car Show in Cape Coral, FL. This has been a popular participatory event for our club several years now, and we generally pick up a good share of the available hardware when the awards are handed out. This year, 10 cars under the guidance of Wagon Master and Club VP, Jim Wilson, caravanned the approximately 65-mile trip From Nokomis to Rotary Park in Cape Coral. 

The popular event drew 172 entrants, which is the most ever. It was a sunny day and the British car division scored welcome parking under a tree-shaded portion of the park. As in past years, the Boy Scouts took care of the lunch menu.

The Suncoast British Car Club again acquitted itself well, bringing home four trophies:

• John Magine – First with his 1966 Austin Healey 3000 BJ8
• Bruce Skaggs – First for his 1980 TR8
• Len Claudias – First in his 1995 Morgan Plus 8
• Pat Kondrat – Second with his 1960 MGA

Details and photos courtesy of Bruce Skaggs.

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Trip to Sebring SpeedTour 2021

by Fred CookPosted on March 6, 2021 Posted in Events — No Comments ↓

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) was at Sebring International Raceway February 18-21 for a weekend of racing at the historic flat, 3.7-mile, 17-turn track. The former military airfield has acquired a remarkable motorsports history with just about every legendary series and racing driver passing through. The 12-Hours of Sebring, first held in 1952, is famous around the world. The SVRA’s Sebring SpeedTour routinely draws hundreds of vintage race cars from all eras, makes and models. Many LBC’s were entered in the different competition racing classes.

Saturday, February 20, featured a Hagerty Cars & Caffeine car show open to all classic, vintage, exotic and collectible cars. Participants in the show could also take part in a lap around the track in their show car with the other entrants.

Beginning at Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse (where else?) in Sarasota, Jim Wilson led seven other members of the club in their LBC’s on the trip to participate in the Saturday show, and to watch the vintage races that day. Jim managed to find some of Florida’s best curvy roads for the approximately 80-mile journey. He reported the show as huge, with hundreds of every kind of collector car on displayfrom vintage models to hot rods to new Corvettes. Notably, club members Steve and Patti Phillips won a First in Class for their 1960 MGB!

As for the lap around the famous track, Bruce Skaggs related that, with the huge turnout, the ride was a joke. There were so many cars that wanted a drive on the track he never out of first gear and was riding the clutch most of the way around.  Not to mention the overheating problem that most of us have in our LBC’s at such a slow pace. But, it was a beautiful day and a good time was had by all.

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January Events

by Fred CookPosted on February 16, 2021 Posted in Events — No Comments ↓

Throughout club history, we have always had a very active schedule in January. (Readers are invited to look at event reports in this column from prior years.) For as long as anyone can remember, each year always began with our traditional January 1^st White Elephant Gift Exchange & Potluck Picnic at Turtle Beach on Siesta Key. This would be followed at mid-month by a car-display at the Venice Rotary Arts Festival next to the airport. And finally, another display at the Sarasota Highland Games and Celtic Festival at the County Fair Grounds at the end of the month. Unfortunately, under the pall of the pandemic, all of these events were cancelled for 2021. However, the club still managed three smaller-scale events following precautions that the CDC could appreciate. 

On January 10, there was a “drive to nowhere” led by (now) VP Jim Wilson. Seven cars started the drive and, which is not usually the case, all seven finished at the same time and place!

January 24 featured another driving event led by Jim. Enticed by the forecast for blue skies and a temperature approaching 80 degrees, 13 cars participated in a 80-mile tour of the countryside. As is the case with most of these drives into the Florida interior, the circuit began and ended at Stottlemyers Smokehouse on the eastern edge of Sarasota. And, in the continuation of a positive trend, all cars finished this time also.

To end the month, on January 27, the Suncoast British Car Club joined with the Sunshine Region Antique Automobile Club of America in a Drive-By-Parade to visit four ALF/Skilled Nursing Homes. At each facility the staff and residents were outside as the caravan slowly drove by. Twenty cars participated in the two-hour drive around Sarasota. We’ve done these parades before at assisted living facilities and this one was a great success, both in terms of the variety of our cars, and also the turnout of appreciative residents. The SBCC had 12 cars – 3 Jaguars, a Triumph TR3, 2 TR6’s, a TR7, a TR8, a MGB, a MGTD, a Sprite and a Morris. It was a beautiful warm day, ideal for the event.

Thanks to faithful correspondent Bruce Skaggs for the reports and photos of these events. And a thanks also to Anita Woods for additional input.  

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