With the Slalom racing/Autocross and Funkhama set in a large Mall parking lot in Magog, everyone was up early to clear the buffet breakfast and get down the hill by 10 a.m. and we were no exception, even though I would not be entering Pooh.

In fact, I had finally got my hands on a compression guage late yesterday and confirmed that number 3 had lost part of a valve. We will go in to Montreal to Keith Degauque's on Tuesday to pull the head and install a new valve. There is no indication of other trouble and I hope my first look at the piston crown and combustion chamber confirms that guess.

Keith is famous for the Silver Bullet, which the club champion climbed into at the end of the day and knocked off a single 26+ second run almost fastest on the day - against everything including a mid-engine, Porsche powered screamer. Most entrants had difficulty getting to 30 seconds. There were a few spins, burnouts, and lots of tire smoke, hot exhaust fumes, cheers and laughs.

After watching and driving on slalom courses I still can not believe the number of entrants who fail to fix the course in their minds - wandering off between gates, missing clear directions, totally losing their way. Some go in too hot and over shoot, others just don't shoot straight.

The Funkhana ended the day and in the rain yet again. Early runners were up to seven minutes on the course, later entrants got down to 3 minutes. All drove the same car with reversed steering and pedals/tranny operated by the passenger. A back seat safety passenger held the kill switch in the event the car got out of control. There were "events".

Jeff and Leanne did reasonably well timewise after an "event" (hurtling towards a concrete wall). Leanne knew that she should steer from the bottom of the wheel, pulling the wheel to the right to go right etc. However when Jeff gave the car too much gas, Leanne's hands spung to the top of the wheel, turning to the left, sending the car to the right and concrete wall. (The best laid plans....)

Keith Calver spent the weekend telling people their fans were on backwards. So many were that he is considering printing a card that says "p.s. your fan is on backwards" Engine side"

With all back to the hotel, many attempted a personal cleanup before the banquet at 6 for 7 p.m. The ballroom was full with Mini enthusiasts of all ages from stroller occupants on up to full blown nodders. That is an interesting aspect to this meet...a full range of ages, interests and experiences with and or about the Mini.

Keith Dodd got off lightly as the speaker. Awards went on forever and Jeff achieved a 2nd place in Mk III unrestored. Elaine, Pooh and I took longest driven distance. We told the truth...Canada is a marvelous country...drive it and enjoy as we did in our Mini. The good part is that almost everyone won something!

Closing meet notes...the new $21,000 (US) Countryman hybrid was purchased by Canadians. Full leather etc. etc. It will never see the rain (after it gets home).

There were 23 classes in the Concourse, we might want to look at their standard rules for our next meet.

Received a generous donation for 'Wheels' from an Illinois entrant whose wife has MS and needs a wheel chair on "bad" days. He was really encouraged by what we are trying to do for the Ridge Meadows Hospital. In fact, we were invited to his club meeting next saturday afternoon in Dekalb, Illinois. We may not get there from Quebec City, assuming repairs go as planned.