British Car Days - PEI

   Just back from the British Car Day show at the Cymbria Lions Club near Rustico PEI. A good time was had by all those attending. FABAC had 6 cars participating and 3 members drove over in support and attended the days events. Those FABAC attending cars and members were:

     Jim W. ( Jag XKE)
     Ralph H. (MGA with many new parts!)
     Alex and John H. (Triumph TR6)
     Karen and Terry J.  (Triumph TR7)
     Shirley Anne and John B. (MGB)
     Barb B and Gary A (Triumph TR6)
     Kelvin P.
     Barb and Dwight B.

So as you can see we had a pretty good turn out.

The Friday evening event again was held at the recently renovated Lions Club. PEI mussels, cold cuts and an open bar were the order of the day. It was well attended and gave everyone attending an opportunity to meet old friends.

 Saturday's weather was perfect for a car show. It was cooler in the morning and warmed up to almost perfect weather conditions in the afternoon with bright blue skies.The event was held at the Cymbria Lions Club situated overlooking beautiful PEI farmlands and a small bay. An almost perfect setting if there was one. I understand from organizers that there were close to 80 cars participating (to be confirmed) in which we seen many of the regulars as well as some new entries. It was nice to see old and meet new friends from BATANS, the Moncton Club, the PEI Club and of course the Cape Breton Club as well as many others.

  The event did not have all the competitive awards for each marque as it did when it was organized by the PEI British car club with its partners but it did have several other types of choice awards including participants and peoples choice awards, most senior and youngest attending, oldest car, furthest distance etc. More on those later. This type of show, I thought, gave it a more relaxed and less competitive feel in which you could mix and mingle more with the attendees or just speak with people about your car or sit back enjoy the weather and read a book. While I did miss the opportunity to compete in class, personally speaking, I must say I found this level of show quite enjoyable and very relaxed. 
         
  The awards banquet was also held at the Lions Club with your choice of Roast Beef or Turkey with hot beverage and dessert. Again, the bar was open and from my view quite busy! After everyone finished their meals the awards were presented and in true FABAC fashion we did well...really well! Jim Woodford took the "Peoples Choice Award" and Alex Hoffman took the "Most Senior Participant Award".  A large congratulations to both. I'm sure there are pictures circulating so maybe they will appear here?

  After the banquet, Jim W in usual festive form wanted to celebrate his and Alex's win with us and some bubbly, but there were no open lounges or bars in the near area so several of us made due in our small but comfortable room at the St. Nicholas Motel. I will always remember this show and this small but very enjoyable celebration as a "good time" and very much a cherished memory.

  I will also be sending comments onto the Lions Club as to our experiences there and would like your comments as to what worked and what would make it an even more enjoyable event.

 While not part of the car show event, if interested, ask me about our near disaster with a failed oil filter late Friday afternoon in the small town of Rustico when the one and only service station there was near closing time! 

 I'm sure too there are other memorable stories that other attending members will discuss as well and please too ask them what they thought of the show. It should be one you consider for next year.
 
  Best,
  Gary