On the topic of FABAC 10th Anniversary in 2011

2011 is FABAC's 10th Anniversary. Celebration suggestions
run from 12 different activities each month to a single major event
such as a visit to England or the States.

It shouldn't be difficult creating a year-long series of activities.
During the spring, summer and fall a tie-in with the BATANS
program could include visits to PEI, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

For the single major event, two possibilities exist. One is to
visit the Goodwood Revival event near Chichester, England,
the other is the British Invasion in Stowe, Vermont.

The Goodwood Revival is the world's most popular historic motor
race meeting set to a period theme of the Fifties and Sixties. The
cars, not just British, are from that period; the spectators can if they
like dress up accordingly; and adding to the atmosphere are flypasts
of WW11 aircraft, displays of cherished pre-1966 vehicles and all
kinds of period characters from Marilyn Monroe to Dad's Army Home
Guard. Even the food has a 1950s flavour!

Dates for the 2011 Goodwood Revival are September 16-18 with
practice on Day One and races on Days Two and Three. General
admission is by advance ticket only. Cost for one day is around
45 GBP and for the three days is around 95 GBP. Around the
race circuit, there are covered grandstands for which advance
tickets are also required. Costs are almost the same as for the
general admission tickets. So, for example, a per person cost
for the two tickets would be some 190GBP or at the current
exchange rate about C$360. More information is available on
the Goodwood Revival 2011 website.

To these costs, of course, are hotel, airfare and other transportation
estimated costs; $750 for five hotel nights, $1,400 for airfare and
say another $400 for car rental or train/taxi travel could bring the per
person cost to close to $3,000. The Chichester Park Hotel is half
a mile from the event's main gates.

It is possible to rent a trackside pavilion. This gives a privileged and
exclusive view of the track as well as superb food and service in the
comfort of your own private area. But at a considerable cost!!

The event's popularity is such that hotels and guest houses near
to Goodwood get booked up very early. When the event tickets
go on sale, they too get snapped up quickly. But if you can arrange
it, its a lifetime event.

The British Invasion in Stowe is a lot less complicated and cheaper
to attend. The attraction of seeing some 700 stationary British cars
on show is different to the excitement and drama of watching a series
of motor races. There's more opportunity to talk to the owners and
the Town of Stowe becomes a "Little England" for the weekend which
in 2011 is also on September 16-18. Advance registration is required.
The cost is around $70 for one car and two people.

The route to Stowe is attractive and travel plans typically would involve
leaving Fredericton Thursday the15th and returning Monday the 19th.
Once again early accommodation booking is required. The Town and
Country Resort Hotel is a favourite spot being close to the show area.
For more information go to the British Invasion website.

So there you are. Something to discuss and resolve soon. In both
scenarios, early booking is required. A footnote: Shirley Ann and
I will be choosing to go to Stowe in 2011.

John B.