2024 Awards Luncheon
Club Awards Luncheon
Our annual Awards Luncheon format has changed a bit over the years, but it is still an important part of our Club’s DNA. January has been the favored month for this activity as it allows us to gather and celebrate those who have contributed significantly to or distinguished themselves in Club activities over the past year. The luncheon provides several hours of MG fellowship, while our cars remain either under car covers or tucked away in garages (or both).
PJ Skidoo’s in Fairfax, VA again provided the venue on January 25th and did not disappoint. We had 35 enthusiastic attendees, including John Tokar from Vintage Restorations and Nick Vadala and his wife, Dave Shillersturm and his wife, plus four other London Auto team members. 
Ed Johannemann ably served as Master of Ceremonies and brought along his usual passel of one-liners, PG-13 jokes and lively quips. Ed was also entrusted with ensuring the smooth and entirely above-board operation of the door prize drawing. Once again Chelsea Wells graced us with her presence and assisted the drawing of the ticket stubs for 11 coveted prizes, including a case of Pennzoil 20W-50 racing oil that was generously donated by London Auto.
Our Club Vice-President, Melissa Gudger, and her husband Greg pulled out all the stops with their splendid automotive themed table decorations and centerpieces. Many of us were even able to take home at least one of the imaginative arrangements. Everyone loved the shop rag (clean of course) wrapped around a tool shaped pen and fastened with a zip tie which was strategically positioned on the bread plate at each table setting. Great job, Melissa!
Now for the MG Car Club Washington DC Centre awardees for the 2024 Club Year:
Morris
This very exclusive and possibly embarrassing award is presented to one of our Club members who has performed some ignominious or illogical act related to the Club or a Club activity. The recipient for 2024 is a true contributor. Unfortunately, mistakes can happen, and they did during the lead-up to a wiring tech session on Saturday, February 24, 2024. Eric Newman and Alphonso Stewart intended to deliver a repeat performance of their well-received tech session. “British Car Wiring Troubleshooting, Gremlins, and Modifications 101” at the Woodrow Wilson Library 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 324, Fairfax, VA. It turned out that the Library was not at the address stated in the Blast E-Mail. The mistake was discovered just before the tech session was to begin. After Troubleshooting, it was determined the Gremlin was right library, wrong address. This led to the Modification of the event and sent Tom Renda to the Fairfax Government Center to round up stray participants. Lucas, the Prince of Darkness, struck again! Morris goes to Eric Newman, board member, webmaster and all-around great guy.
The Broken Plank
While generally awarded to a Club member who was unfortunate enough to have had some breakdown, fender bender or other misfortune during a club event, it was necessary to slightly expand the scope this year. Last year, one of our esteemed members while exuberantly driving his MGB-GT in March, 2024 on a gravel road in the true spirit of “Safety Fast,” forgot to also keep in mind “Safety First.” The result was our awardee lost traction and rolled his car 360 degrees into an upright position. Now the damage was quite clear—a heavily dented roof and likely totaled vehicle. Not to be deterred by an incident of this nature, our member drove the vehicle 200 miles back to his home the next day. The awardee is none other than our past president Tom Renda who tested both the endurance of his MG and himself. Note, Tom’s car was shipped to England late last year so that Frontline could begin to convert it to a bespoke MGB-GT. Tom was able to replace his B-GT and even has spare parts from the donor car.
The Bill Scott Memorial Broken Wheel
This award recognizes active participation and support of competitive events by a member of our club. This prestigious Club award is named in honor of Bill Scott, a dedicated Club member and racecar driver who passed in 2009. Despite having a Yale Doctorate degree in Geophysics, Bill found his passion as a racecar driver. From 1965-1972, he entered 124 races, winning 42 times and finishing in the top three 77 times. Bill later purchased Summit Point Raceway in Jefferson County, WV and opened a track to coach competition drivers and promote motorsports. This year’s award goes to Heather Richards who has continued to race competitively, with her husband Kevin in the supporting role—the “Racing Richards.” There is a track picture of Heather behind the wheel of her Midget at Lime Rock Park in September 2023 in the October 2023 edition of The Spark.
The Golden Wrench
Presented to one of our members who has demonstrated knowledge of things mechanical and a willingness to use that knowledge to help others. This is the one award that our mechanically inclined members respect the most. As the list of awardees attests, the previous recipients know their way around the innards of an MG that leaves some of us who don’t know much in total awe. The award doesn’t just recognize mechanical talent, but the willingness, even an eagerness to share that talent with others. This year’s recipient is Chris Lutz, board member and Natter and Noggin Committee chair, who proposed and has led the Club’s “Lend a Hand” program. Chris has also driven the chase vehicle filled with tools for several club driving events. Chris has a lot of experience on vehicle repairs with his stable of nine vehicles, the youngest of which is a 2007 model.
The John Thornley Spirit Award
This award recognizes a member who demonstrates true spirit and enthusiasm regarding MGs, our club, our events and our members. The award is named after Sir John Thornley who was one of the founders of the parent UK MG Car Club, served as its first secretary, and later became a Director and General Manager of the MG Car Company. In fact, our Club in Washington, which is an affiliated centre of the UK MG Car Club exists in large part because of John Thornley’s original enthusiasm for MGs
The 2024 award is presented to Ed Johannemann who has served as Club Secretary, Regalia Coordinator and Board member. Together with fellow Club member Randy Shuck continue to rescue MGs from uncertain fates and rehabilitate them for new homes. Ed has given freely of his time to help Club members in need of a trailer, used his garage and driveway for Club Detail Days and even supported Board meetings at his home. Yes, Ed can fix MGs, but he can also fix omelets to order.
