Raising The Bar.

12 months ago, we reflected on how we had raised the bar for club displays at the Intermarque Concourse d’Elegance at Ellerslie. After having been convincing winners in 2006, we had placed 3^rd in 07 and came away probably feeling a little disappointed after the efforts that had been put into that display, but proud of what we had achieved.

This year, rather than raising the bar, I think all members need to go to the bar and raise a toast to Mike and Jan Bates and their team who put the display together again. The theme for 2008 was to be “Our Golden Years”, an ideal theme for the Mini. The Pukekohe Crew must have spent a few hours at the bar, raising ideas, as well as glasses, for the display because the result was absolutely fantastic.

Wandering around the event, it quickly became obvious that we were again way out in front of all the other displays and it would be a travesty if the MCCoA was not declared the winner. I had to wonder why this would be the case after the efforts many clubs had gone to in 2007. Eventually, a simple reason dawned on me - “Our Golden Years”! As we all know, the Mini, in its various forms, has had a rather lengthy golden period. From the cool, must have icon of the Swinging 60’s, the World Rally Championship winning cars, filling the first 9 places overall at Bathurst to taking second place in the “Car of the 20^th Century” award, the Mini has had 50 Golden Years, with many more to come. There was plenty of material from which to choose a display. Our problem was what to leave out.

Now, think of the other marques. When and what were their Golden Years. Thinking about last year’s winners, there is nothing specific which stands out apart from being a very desirable soft top sports car over a period of time. Hardly golden! The big American V8 muscle marque has no real race pedigree – it was a very desirable soft top sports car over a period of time. Hardly golden!

Other marques that might come close to us with their golden years simply could not compete with the PC brigade (that’s Pukekohe Crew, not the other PC Brigade we all know and love) and the design and setting of their display.

Meanwhile the motokhana crews dishing it out to the other teams, eventually Lee and Paul making the final against the 'semi-pro" MG team. Unfortunatley, after beating them in the heats, it wasn't repeated, but coming 2nd to these guys is no disgrace.

The prize giving turned out to be very good for us. Kevin T winning the “People’s Choice” award with his beautiful Rover Cooper, Kevin P and George taking 5^th place in the Team Event with their Mark 2 Aussie Cooper S’s, Lee and Paul 2nd in the motorkhana and finally the MCCoA winning the Best Club Display.

We had done it again. I hope Mike felt a little glow of pride when he collected the prize on our behalf. It was, to quote a well known beer advertisement – “Earned”.

Our thanks and appreciation go to Mike and his team – another job very well done.

Now, I’m off to the bar to raise a glass…….