OVTC Activities
2022 Event Photos
Club Meeting 28 June - Long Distance Awards
At our first meeting since the Covid shutdown, Gary K. and Mike S. were awarded the BCCI long distance award for driving their cars more than 1000 miles/1600 km. They both easily made the grade and were congratulated on driving their cars all summer long.
Club Meeting 26 July - Order of British Car Enthusiasts
Our second meeting of the post-Covid break was held on a wonderful sunny evening. Congratulations to Paul W and Chuck H. on their induction into the the Order of British Car Enthusiasts, which recognizes their ongoing contributions to the OVTC.
Glengarry Highland Games - 29 July
Claude and Nicole G. and Mike and Marjorie G. represented the club at the British Car Display at the Glengarry Highland Games this year. Great day for a drive and a chance to renew some acquaintances.
Chuck Hobbs Garage Tour - 13 August (by Bob Thomas)
Club President Chuck Hobbs hosted a garage tour at his home in Orleans to display Mike Solonynko's new RATCO TR6 frame, and to demonstrate the progress of his own TR6 restoration. A total of 9 OVTC members attended this interesting and informative session.
The primary appeal of a RATCO replacement frame for a TR4A/5/250/6 is that it is a cost effective way to replace a damaged or rusted frame with one that is of heavier construction and engineered with reinforcement at known weak spots in the original design. They are powder coated outside and injected with closed cell foam in the boxed tube rails for rust protection. A welcome byproduct of a more rigid frame, is a marked improvement in ride and handling. RATCO also supplies suspension improvements to take full advantage of their new frame.
Mike's RATCO frame is being temporarily stored at Chuck's garage, and Chuck demonstrated how he has been using it as a template to determine where the frame of his project TR6 is out of spec which makes it impossible to mount the body shell correctly. Chuck also showed us the progress he's made with restoring the body shell, along with the differences between the stock wiring harness and the uprated one he bought from Dan Masters to install in the car.
Mike Solonynko gave a brief demonstration of how the trailing arm repair kit from Patton Machine works to install either Helicoils (acceptable) or Keenserts (preferable because they lock in) into the aluminum trailing arms of a TR4A/5/6. This can literally be a life or death upgrade because all that holds the hub and brake assembly to the trailing arm is 6 fine thread studs in an aluminum casting, which can, and often do, fail over time causing the wheel and hub assembly to separate from the car. The Patton Machine kit consists of a clever template and drilling guides which Mike has offered to loan to any club member wishing to use it.
The OVTC thanks Chuck for hosting this garage tour and for making a lot of valuable information available to those who attended.
The primary appeal of a RATCO replacement frame for a TR4A/5/250/6 is that it is a cost effective way to replace a damaged or rusted frame with one that is of heavier construction and engineered with reinforcement at known weak spots in the original design. They are powder coated outside and injected with closed cell foam in the boxed tube rails for rust protection. A welcome byproduct of a more rigid frame, is a marked improvement in ride and handling. RATCO also supplies suspension improvements to take full advantage of their new frame.
Mike's RATCO frame is being temporarily stored at Chuck's garage, and Chuck demonstrated how he has been using it as a template to determine where the frame of his project TR6 is out of spec which makes it impossible to mount the body shell correctly. Chuck also showed us the progress he's made with restoring the body shell, along with the differences between the stock wiring harness and the uprated one he bought from Dan Masters to install in the car.
Mike Solonynko gave a brief demonstration of how the trailing arm repair kit from Patton Machine works to install either Helicoils (acceptable) or Keenserts (preferable because they lock in) into the aluminum trailing arms of a TR4A/5/6. This can literally be a life or death upgrade because all that holds the hub and brake assembly to the trailing arm is 6 fine thread studs in an aluminum casting, which can, and often do, fail over time causing the wheel and hub assembly to separate from the car. The Patton Machine kit consists of a clever template and drilling guides which Mike has offered to loan to any club member wishing to use it.
The OVTC thanks Chuck for hosting this garage tour and for making a lot of valuable information available to those who attended.
European Car Show, Merrickville - 25 September (By Bob Thomas)
For the first time since 2019 the European Classic Car show was held again this year in Merrickville on Sunday, 25 September. Presented by the Ottawa MG Club, Trish Adams and her hard working crew held this year's show at the Merrickville Fairgrounds where there was more parking for participants and the public.
Unlike the previous day which had hot, sunny weather like southern Italy, the day of the show was more like the United Kingdom with overcast skies and the threat of rain. Even so, there was a very respectable turnout of 75 cars that ranged from an early MG to a late model Aston-Martin. The European Classic Car Show had a bit of something for everyone. Time travellers had a unique choice between the Tardis or a Delorean; there was a Land Rover for off-roaders; several VW Westfalias for campers; Aston-Martin, Ferrari and Porsches for the performance crowd; and Alfas, MGs Triumphs and Volvos for the rest. There was even one fellow who apparently couldn't decide if he wanted a boat or a car, so he bought an Amphicar. He delighted the show attendees with two excursions into the Rideau River from the beach at the Fairgrounds.
In the end, Mother Nature wouldn't be denied and around 2:30 pm it started to rain steadily and the show came to an end. OVTC members who attended the show were Mike Pilon, Paul and Kathy MacDonald, David and Lynda Huddleson, Bob Thomas and Fran Wright. We all agreed that the new location was better, the Lions Club food concession was excellent and that the show organizers did a fantastic job. With so many car shows defined by marque, vintage or country of manufacture, it's nice to attend an event that crosses those boundaries and brings such a wide range of cars together in one place.
Unlike the previous day which had hot, sunny weather like southern Italy, the day of the show was more like the United Kingdom with overcast skies and the threat of rain. Even so, there was a very respectable turnout of 75 cars that ranged from an early MG to a late model Aston-Martin. The European Classic Car Show had a bit of something for everyone. Time travellers had a unique choice between the Tardis or a Delorean; there was a Land Rover for off-roaders; several VW Westfalias for campers; Aston-Martin, Ferrari and Porsches for the performance crowd; and Alfas, MGs Triumphs and Volvos for the rest. There was even one fellow who apparently couldn't decide if he wanted a boat or a car, so he bought an Amphicar. He delighted the show attendees with two excursions into the Rideau River from the beach at the Fairgrounds.
In the end, Mother Nature wouldn't be denied and around 2:30 pm it started to rain steadily and the show came to an end. OVTC members who attended the show were Mike Pilon, Paul and Kathy MacDonald, David and Lynda Huddleson, Bob Thomas and Fran Wright. We all agreed that the new location was better, the Lions Club food concession was excellent and that the show organizers did a fantastic job. With so many car shows defined by marque, vintage or country of manufacture, it's nice to attend an event that crosses those boundaries and brings such a wide range of cars together in one place.
Fall Colours Run, Calabogie - 1 October
What a wonderful day for a drive up to the Calabogie Highlands. A little cool to start, but a nice sunny day and the leaves were showing their colours. En route, we were treated to a great BBQ lunch complements of John and Sheila F. at their gorgeous lakefront home just outside Calabogie. Finally, we took a ride on the cable car at the Calabogie Peaks ski resort. Thanks to Mike S. for organizing the event, and to Terry L., Bob T., Claude G., Mike S., Gary K., and Marjorie G. for the pictures.
MG Inter-Club Trivia Challenge - 27 November
It's a three-peat for the OVTC at the Inter-Club Trivia Challenge. Congratulations to our team of Michael S., Chuck H., Gary K., Guy V., and Craig T. (of the Jag club). Thanks to the MG club for organizing this event again this year.
OVTC Christmas Party - 6 December
Very nice evening at the Christmas Party. It was also a good opportunity to present John and Sheila F. with a token of our appreciation for hosting our Fall Colours Drive.
