Ridin’ with Ralph & Susan
April 2025 – Blount British Car Club Newsletter
Our Own GOF (Gathering of Faithful)
I am again writing a review of yet another “great day” to be in a British car. But especially for those club members who are new or otherwise have not participated in one of these events, I would reinforce the fact that this is such a good way to meet new people, make new friends and also find those folks who know these cars well and can help you mechanically in so many ways!
The “April Fool’s Bash” is by no means for fools! It is something very special for the British Car Faithful of Eastern Tennessee. I guess, in a way, it is our take on a “get the dust off because top-down weather is here” celebration! Warmer weather, budding trees and yes, the redbuds are looking especially brilliant this year! East Tennessee has been both lucky and blessed with good weather, great scenery and of course arguably the best MG roads anywhere. East Tennessee is home to not 1 but 5 British Car Clubs i.e. the Morristown, EAS, BBC, East Tenn and Plateau clubs.
Our own BBC group met at Hwy 70/Rt 321at 915A, and left a dozen cars strong, at 9:30. Travelling Hwy 70, even in partly cloudy weather, was scenic and enjoyable. It took only about 30 minutes to make our destination at the Kingston, TN city park which is situated by water, (of course). The redbuds along the way were really just coming into their own as we travelled to the meet. Coming from a rather flat Illinois, this MG enthusiast can appreciate the many Tennessee roads that just seem to beckon my 1972 MGB to them.
Every year there is an April Fools Bash which is where all clubs come to gather in one place to talk, eat, check out cars and simply enjoy each other’s company. This year was no exception with 50+ cars and over 100 people. Susan and I, hailing from a large MG Club (Chicagoland MG Club) which is one of the most active, are always amazed at how many British cars and active clubs there are here in East Tennessee. Another positive that any British car enthusiast can appreciate is how clubs work together. Not only do these 5 clubs come together but there is a presentation period where each club president talks about their club and upcoming events….some real cross-politization!
This year’s April Fools Bash, hosted by the EAS (European Auto Society) of Knoxville, was a success! I had lost count of how many chili crock pots there were as well as corn breads and desserts. Debbie Montgomery and her team did a great job. The weather cooperated, somewhat cloudy/sunny with temps hovering to 70F. It was the crowd of faithful gatherers… laughing, telling their war stories and histories, while the little English motorized gems adorned the parking lot. Susan and I met new people from the other clubs, ate well, and had a great time.
After lunch (by the way, too much great chili to ignore), there were presentations with club presidents discussing their club and events. Springtime In Smokies (May 10th) and Return of the British to Rugby (Aug 14th) were featured future shows. The club presidents are as follows: Blount British Car – Jim Watson, English Auto Society – Deborah Montgomery, East Tn British Car Club – Mike Flood – Jack Spradling, Appalachian British Car Society – Paul Mc Roy.
The ride home was just as good as the ride there. What a great day to be in a British car!