META TRIVIA

On February 12, 1976 it was decided to have a club newsletter. It was decided to call the newsletter "MAYDAY' as that was the term used at the time for an Alert. The first issue was published in April, 1976. The initial staff consisted of Terry Ireland, Donalda Webb and Joe Proud.

From 1959 to the end of 1980 Coms used a landline telephone system instead of radios. Dialing "38" got them thru to the tower as an emergency, and only one call came in at a time. (Other numbers were used for various departments). In 1981 SCCBC switched to radios and the "MAYDAY" term had to be changed as it was an internationally used radio distress call. So "MAYDAY" became "Alerts & Scrambles" instead. (For several months both systems were used. JEP)

An excerpt from the March 1991 Mayday
(Volume 16, No. 3)

Hooray! Racing season is about to start ....and not a moment too soon. My feet are dry, there is no sand in my eyes, and I am running out of stories to amuse myself [and everyone else] with. But with no racing at home [sob] what do we do? Simple! We go south and mooch off our American friends. After all, what are friends for? Expensive? Only if you stay at ritzy hotels and eat at fancy restaurants. What you can do [remembering that the operative word above is "mooch"] is to find out who is going to an out-of-town race and join their party. Caravans are lots of fun and give you a chance to get better acquainted with your fellow workers.

People at the various tracks are always willing to open their homes - just bring your sleeping bag and your security blanket. Or, if you are the out-doorsy type, bring a tent and stay right at the track - especially nice in the hot weather. There is really no excuse for missing all the fun at the track[s] this year! Just grab your bucket, PJ's and teddy [bear, that is] and head on south. The only hard part is learning their language. See y'all there!

Dani Kasburg

An excerpt from the July 12, 1978 Mayday
(Volume 3, No. 9)

TRANS-AM

After experiencing problems on Saturday [a broken timing belt], Ludwig Heimrath won on Sunday with a steady drive after pre race favourite Gregg Pickett's highly modified Vette started loosing gears, ending up with only fourth [he also had a blistered hand from holding the gear lever in fourth], Hal Shaw Jr. in another Turbo Porsche took second place while Nick Engle [Vette] as third and Bob Tullius [Jaguar XJS] in fourth, with Pickett finally placing fifth.

The most interesting race of the day was between Engel's Vette and Tullius in the Jaguar, as not more than 5 seconds separating the cars at the finish. Engels was pushing the Jag. hard in the early stages until its brakes started to go then he went on to take first in Category 1 and 3rd overall.

Overall it was a nice clean race and the SCCA officials present were more than happy with the job done. Rumors have it that as a result of the good show we put on, we may even have an IMSA Camel GT next year.

Joe Proud

An excerpt from the July 1976 Mayday
(Volume 1, No. 4)

DRIVER PROFILE - AL ORES

Well known Formula Vee driver Al Ores, father of four [enough for a pit crew] has been racing since 1968. Racing in both CASC and Conference events, al has listed among his accomplishments SCCBC Sportsman of the year in 1969 and 1971, BC Overall Championship and the 1975 CASC Formula Vee Championship.

Voted the Most Improved Driver in 1972, the general shop foreman of Bert's Automotive also belongs to the Westwood Committee and is a member of the RDC.

Al's most recent accomplishment was a strong 3rd place in the recent money Formula Vee race at Westwood; his son Mike won the race and also had the audacity to beat Al on the previous weekend too!! [Father's Day]

In an intrpeid attempt to keep up with track conditions, Al has even been known to tape a flashlight to the top of his helmet and do two laps in a bold endeavour to press on, regardless. Plans for next year include taking over son Mike's factory FV if Mike can establish himself in a Formula Ford.

Also in the same issue in the letters to the Editor.

I always wondered how good race drivers get to the top, well I sure found out how at the last CASC race at Westwood. If one driver gets out and beats the track record eight times in the same race he's got one hell of a future in front of him. Who is that driver? Well you guessedit. Mike Ores in a Formula Vee. Congratulations from all the META members and lots of luck in the future Mike!

Roger Roger Salomon

An excerpt from the July 8, 1985 Mayday
(Volume 10, No. 6)

Westwood WCAR, Pro FF Weekend - July 20/21

This is our biggie, folks! Come one, come all and come prepared. Traditionally it's been hot and sunny. Fluid therapy is vital, as is a hat, preferably with a wide brim. Bring all the usual bells, whistles and other turn-working paraphernalia, especially your wits. You know what happens when Formula Ford drivers hear the word ":money". And lastly, not to cast a damper [hee hee] on things but maybe if we all bring our rain gear too, the sun will stay out.

An excerpt from the January 10, 1988 Mayday
(Volume 13 No. 1)

[Joke Awards]

The Condom Look-Alike Winner----Merv New
[As presented by Barb & Shari, for Merv's all-star performance in a feature event, wearing a white rain poncho for effect].

The "I AM Standing up" Award------Lori Nerada
[Lori received her own Starter's Stand, so drivers can see that there is indeed a person behind those flags!]

The Betsy Ross of Westwood--------Grace Lassen
[For all her hard work in making our flags, Grace received her own miniature set, in the shape of a trophy. If only the ones you made were that small, eh, Grace?]

The Forgotten Handbrake Award----Grace Lassen, again
[A breakable car, in memory of what could have happened to her own, after sliding down the hill at Turn 4!]

The "Bud Light" Award--------------Dave Forster
[A strap to hold the light bar onto the Course Marshal's car - must've heard someone say "Gimme a Light" between Turn 3 and the Leap!]

The "My Boy Lollipop" Award-------Larry Wiseman
[A BIG candy sucker to our supplier of sweets-makes our hearts go giddy-up!- as if the racing didn't do that already!]

An excerpt from the June 1976 Mayday
(Volume 1, No. 3)

Camping Weekend At Copper Creek

On the Victoria Day weekend about ten club members and their families enjoyed a few days away from "it all". Seth Adams allowed us the use of his property at Copper Creek, just 8 miles outside of Manning Park. A caravan to the campsite left Guildford Shopping Centre at 6:30 Saturday morning and, driving through the wilds of British Columbia, the caravan observed such creatures as the ferocious four-wheeled one-eyed speedy lane-changer, the ever present hidden-shrill radar-trap, and the elusive "driver normallus"!

After setting up camp Saturday morning, the afternoon was spent playing badminton and volley-ball, lazing in the sun, exploring the surrounding woods and imbibing in river cooled "hop water". As evening fell, a sing-song developed around the campfire. Needles to say, the next morning found a few nameless members with the dreaded 26 oz. flu.

Sunday's weather was not as warm and clear as Saturday's but in spite of this a baseball game was arranged between ourselves and a group of dirt-biking families, who were camping near by. The causalities were high in the game, ranging from baseball bats in the groin to tripping in gopher holes and spraining one's ankle. Did these injuries affect our playing ability? Sure a hell did! We lost 27-14! That evening the fireside sing-song was considerably tamer than Saturday's.

Monday morning found some of us exploring and panning for gold in the Similkameen River, found a few flakes, but nothing to retire on and by lunch time the camp began to break-up.

I am sure everyone there thoroughly enjoyed themselves and look forward to our next outing. Thanks go out to Seth Adams for allowing us to use his property for the weekend.

An excerpt from the Oct. 1985 Mayday

Project Committee-Vic Kennedy-Vic has been onto Ron Livingston, a stunt car driver friend and scrap car pick-up dealer who is on the lookout for a vehicle in the $75-$100 range for use in the project. *

He has also given his assistance in recommendations on retro-fitting safety equipment and external crash protection to the car. Discussion on the size/type of vehicle boiled down to something on the Chevelle/Maverick size with a definite bias towards the GM product or equivalent. Vic will pass this onto Ron. We'll get the vehicle to Janusc at F1 Automotive in North Vancouver who will do the prep work.

META will pay for materials required for the retro-fit. Vic presented a draft of the data recording sheet we will use to plot the results of the impacts.

* The project was introduced in the May 8, 1985 issue of the Mayday as follows:

In a nutshell, the project will endeavour to test the effectiveness of various types of barrier/bumper construction under impact with the view to offering the local racing world suggestions and recommendations on construction and maintenance of crash barriers. A committee was struck to investigate the feasibility of the project. Members are Dennis Paul, Grace Lassen, Vic Kennedy and Dwayne Mattson.