Interbranch Challenge: Mini Moke Race

Post by **rsawatson** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:58 pm

Driving the Mini Moke has got to be one of the coolest experiences I've had so far during my 'driving career' (albeit <2 years atm!)!!! What with insurance being so restrictive it was amazing to be let loose with such an awesome little car.

Was pleased with our result (Team West Sussex came 2nd

), but which branch won? Well done to them.

I had to leave before the awards ceremony and was called by phone with the result later, and the person who rang had forgotten who'd won - hence why I'm asking!

Post by **alex_holden** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:28 am

Oh so that's why I saw a Mini Moke on the track on Sunday! This is the first I've heard of it. Did the website enter a team?

Post by **8009STEVE** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:54 am

Did the website enter a team?

No we did not, because nobody told us anything about it!

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:13 am

At around noon on Sunday Rosie Hamilton was talking to the Police Register branch, next to us on branch avenue, about the challenge. I asked her if it was too late for the website to enter a team and the response was no, but you need to have three entrants, plus supporters, at the track "right now". Although we had no idea what the challenge was, myself, Matt and Kris had a quick look round the rally site to see if we could find anyone else from the website to take part but no-one was about

The challenge was not well advertised at the rally but I think this is because branches are sent all the details in advance. Unfortunately, as the website is not a registered branch, we tend to miss out on things. We also couldn't book a space on branch avenue - this was all sorted out 'on the hoof' on Friday.

Post by **rsawatson** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:33 am

I heard that websiters did manage to round up 3 contestants - but couldn't round up many supporters. You should have come along anyway because it was great fun!

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:56 am

Well there was myself, Matt and Kris who could have acted as 'contestants', but only because we were the only three there! Far fairer to ask the other websiters if they wanted to take part though. The trouble was we had to be there "right this minute" so there was no time to round up any supporters. It wasn't a case of "couldn't round up many supporters" as you have heard.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:14 am

LouiseM wrote:The challenge was not well advertised at the rally but I think this is because branches are sent all the details in advance. Unfortunately, as the website is not a registered branch, we tend to miss out on things. We also couldn't book a space on branch avenue - this was all sorted out 'on the hoof' on Friday.

Another good use for the Members Area of this site?

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:48 am

Not sure how use of the Members Area could have helped. I'm assuming that details of the timing and location of the challenge were sent out to branches, as it is a branch challenge. They weren't sent out to individual members so why would they be included in a Members Area?

The problem is that the website is an 'anomaly' within the club. We are not registered as a branch but can take part in branch avenue and the inter branch challenge like a registered branch, but can't enter these in advance, as we are not a registered branch

Some website members are members of the MMOC but others are not. Likewise, some website members are also members of a branch but others are not.

I just think that we need to be a little more organised next year if we want to take part in the inter branch challenge. There's nothing to stop those that are members of a branch posting the details on here. We can then decide in advance whether the website wants to take part, and if so, identify any willing volunteers.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:00 pm

that sounds a good idea

tho i did not attend this year, and now a non member of the main club

i suspect quite a few who use this website are not members of the main club

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:05 pm

It was just a suggestion, one of many I have made previously to improve our Club for all of it's members.

As you yourself have pointed out in the past, there seems to be a lack of communication (an observation, not a criticism) within the MMOC, which you have apparently seen as secrecy.

Again this was something I tried hard to get put right whilst a member of the committee.

As I have said above, this is an observation. I say this because it seems that my suggestions have been regarded as 'knocking' the Club when nothing could be further from the truth. In fact they have always been intended to make it better, and yes, I have offered to help achieve them.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:17 pm

i agree bill

another reason why i have not re joined this year

Post by **LouiseM** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:22 pm

Surely posting details in a 'members only area' would increase secrecy? In my view it would be better to post them on the main forum for all to see, whether they are members or not.

A thread about why we didn't take part in the inter branch challenge seems to be going somewhat off topic

PM sent Bill, as suggested.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:20 pm

PM replied to.

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:43 pm

another reason why i have not re joined this year

Me too. Although it was the lack of family entertainment at last years National that clinched it for me.

Post by **dalebrignall** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:54 pm

the clowns were there ,when i was a kid i was scared of clowns,kids like to get mucky how about hand and feet painting,and the scruffest dog competion.something that kids can get involed in.

Post by **aupickup** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:22 pm

the clowns well glad i didnt go

lets have something different
i agree face painting would be good for the kids and adults as well

these rallies definately need to be family orientated and not just the same old thing year in ane year out

maybe the mmoc need a bit more imagination

Post by **lynda** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 7:37 pm

As one of the police register people that Rosie was talking to, we'd had no advance warning either. We could only find two volunteers to take part (me and my Dad), which was a shame as it sounded fun! If we'd known you needed some more supporters though, we'd have happily been rounded up to wave at you all

Hopefully next year they will let people know a little earlier if there is something similar, so that all the registers and the messageboard group get chance to prepare!

I thought it was a great idea though, and I enjoyed the national more than other years. Possibly because of knowing more people, or maybe because I had more parts shopping to do this time, and had fun hunting out bargains

Post by **Sidney'61** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:08 pm

My dad and I entered with Rugby branch last minute just for fun and somehow managed to come third!
It was great fun but agree it needed to be advertised much clearer.

It was the Manchester branch seniors (The oldest team of the three they entered:)) that won, I don't know if any of their members are messagboard users.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:10 pm

Although we had no idea what the challenge was, myself, Matt and Kris had a quick look round the rally site to see if we could find anyone else from the website to take part but no-one was about

Well I was up for it, and know of someone else who could have been convinced to take part... So will have to be a bit more proactive next year.
We have been looking at the branch challenges in previous years but as most have involved building something it's not been very practical for a wide geographical group.

Nobody from my current branch went to the branch Liason meeting, so that's my excuse for not knowing before the day.

Post by **rsawatson** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:17 pm

Does anyone know who won...?