The MX-5 Owners Club Spring Rally 18 May 2008

You are invited to the Spring Rally at Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford, in Somerset.

Haynes are well known for their car manuals, perhaps less so for their museum, which is stocked not only with cars used during the production of their manuals, but also on loan or bought by John Haynes for the museum. These are driven on the adjacent test track periodically, so aren't just static pieces, but living history. They are truly International, with cars from the U.K., Europe and America on display.

Website is: www.haynesmotormuseum.com

Postcode:  BA22 7LH

Entry to the rally is free with discounted admission to the actual museum for MX-5 Owners Club members on production of a membership card.

Directions:

Haynes International Motor Museum is located on the North side of the A303, (off the A359) heading west past Wincanton and before Yeovil. If you’ve never traveled this road, both Woodhenge and Stonehenge are also on the North side, after you pass Amesbury. (Take time out to visit one)

Accommodation:  NOTE - We are advised that early booking is essential - don't wait - do it now!

Some of the hotels listed are booked already - like the Sparkford Inn for one. The Travelodge and Premier Inn may have some rooms left. All prices are for bed and breakfast only. Dinner may be available at some Inns and Hotels, - ask when booking. Most are within ten miles of Haynes. You may find others not on this list - grab what you can! None of the places listed would offer a discount, or let us reserve rooms.

You may locate a B & B in the area, when you get there - if all else fails.

Travelodge, Travelodge Yeovil Podimore Hotel, A303 Podimore, Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 8JG.  Tel: 0871 984 8484 (press option 2) Fax: 01935 841349 Rates: £65 per room per night. Twenty five rooms available either double or double and a single (family room). Single rate is same as a double. None reserved. No Discount.  There is a Burger King and a Little Chef adjacent plus a petrol station (Sevice area)

Premier Inn, Yeovil (S/W). 1 Alvington Lane, Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 8UX  Telephone: 0870 850 6364. Fax: 0870 850 6365 Rates: £60 per room per night. (Discount not offered). Only twenty rooms available (none reserved) There was a Brewers Fayre next door, but it's been sold, and is now "A quality food restaurant"

The George Hotel: Castle Cary Tel: 01963 350761. Seventeen rooms available Rates: £59.50 single, £79.50 double (per room per night) None reserved.

The Sparkford Inn: Sparkford. Tel: 01963 440218 Ten rooms only - both twin single and double bedded. Rates: £55 to £65 per night per room singles £40 to £65 None reserved.

Ashlea House: High Street, North Cadbury. Tel:01963 440891. Two rooms only, 1 double bed and one twin bed, Rates: £62/£64 per night per room Single £60. None reserved

The Walnut Tree: West Camel, Tel: 01935 851292.  Thirteen rooms available Rates: £110 double, £78 single per room, per night. None reserved. Dinners from £10.95 to £19.95

Camping:

Camping will not be available on the showground at Haynes.  Instead, we recommend Long Hazel Park, High Street, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset. BA22 7JH

This has room for at least thirty pitches, is well laid out and very well kept. A toilet/shower block is in the centre of the site, with a separate washing up sink with H & C water.  Electric hook-up is available, and there is a washer/dryer and a coin box phone in the office

The site is adults only - no children under 18 we are afraid. Cost per pitch is £16 per night, if you wish to leave the tent up on Sunday, you can do so by paying an extra £5, which means you don't have to rush and pack everything in the morning.. Credit Cards are not accepted however, so pay by cheque or cash. The Park is less than 2 miles by road from Haynes.

See www.sparkford.f9.co.uk/lhi.htm

Email longhazelpark@hotmail.com or telephone 01963 440002.

If you intend to take a BBQ - it must be on a stand, and you are asked to seek permission from the site owners first - when you book. They are Alan & Pamela Walton.

Note ; The site is within the village, so please be considerate at night to residents.

Saturday Activities:

The Western Area of the club will arrange scenic drives, worth exploring - Sherborne Castle and the Fleet Arm Museum are both nearby. Also Wookey Hole, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury Tor and Abbey, Wells Cathedral, Clarks Village and the Dorset Heritage Coastline are all within easy driving distance. If you are a petrolhead, then Japfest at Castle Coombe is also on Saturday. Once off the A303 - this is "Far From the Madding Crowd" Country, so enjoy, and be careful!

Saturday Evening Event:

We have arranged a Buffet/Barbeque with a veggie option at Haynes - we are using the Merlin Suite. This will also be available to us all day Sunday, in case of inclement weather.  you will either need to drive yourselves or arrange a taxi for this. Don't drink and drive!

The evening starts at 7 p.m. and will end before midnight. Just turn up - there will be no booking, or dinner tickets for sale - just bring cash, you pay for what you eat and drink! There will be a bar, adjoining washrooms, and entertainment will be provided.

The Rally - Sunday:

Mazda and a dealer will be there (Vospers,), along with Mx-5 Parts, Megiuars, AON and up to ten others (we are promised). Autolink are also promising some additional fun and we are holding a non-competitive track event on the adjoining test track. - Keep an eye on the Motorsport Section at www.mx5ocforum.co.uk for more news and information on that. You can vote for the two car competitions and compete in the museum quiz - First 'all correct, out the hat'  will win a prize! A burger/hot dog stand is laid on, and if the weather turns unkind you can go into the Merlin Suite to picnic and chat. The Restaurant will also be open. We wish to welcome you to this event!

Where else would you go in May, but the West Country? (The Daff's were out last week!)

Gerry Nichols, National Events