PUGET SOUND MIATA CLUB

President’s Message

Ah summertime, brings me back to the summer of ’69 when I graduated from high school and was awaiting my entry into the U.S. Coast Guard. “Hot Fun in the Summertime”, by Sly and the Family Stone, was playing on the AM car radio and life was good, without a care in the world. Having just graduated from Skyline High School in Oakland, CA that June I thought I had the world by the tail. Little did I know that life was about to change in a profound way for this eighteen-year-old lad as “real life” was about to set in!

Cindy and I recently returned from the Willamette Valley Miata Club’s now famous Explore Oregon event, held in Grants Pass this year. This was a fabulous time, memories of which we shall cherish. One of the highlights of the event was meeting and talking with Tom Matano, a picture of Tom and I is included in this writing. For those of you who may not know, Tom Matano is the original designer of the Miata. Tom frequently makes an appearance at large Miata events and is a key-note speaker; telling the story of the Miata, its’ inception and getting to the final result. I felt fortunate when Tom signed the inside of my trunk lid with the inscription, “Always Inspired”.

The month of June kicked off our summer events with Bill Bell leading the pack with two great rides while I hosted the “Summer Splendor” drive which proved to be a bit on the wet side but great fun nonetheless.

The momentum kept going in July with Dee and Duncan’s Two Lanes to Oregon ride which took participants on the back roads through Washington and Oregon, meeting up with Explore Oregon. Bill Bell hosted a couple of rides, including a first-ever drive which included a mini-golf event! Ingvar Carlson resurrected an old time favorite, “Miata Fly-In”, which by all accounts was a great success, especially as it brought in some 19 participants!

Our momentum continues in August with Ross and Nancy Scott hosting a “First Tuesday North End Social” at the outdoor, Burgermaster, in Bothell, fitting for a nice summer evening! Be sure to take in our annual Gathering of Miata’s at Griot’s Garage in Tacoma which will feature a Miata car show, a complimentary lunch for PSMC members, a raffle and a “people’s choice” & trophy presentation for the best car, awarded by Miata generation: NA-ND. This event is always a big draw and by my count this morning we are up to 42 participants, with a couple of weeks to go! Later in the month Bill Bell will a lead a reprise of his ever-popular Olympic Drive Northwest and I will conclude the month’s ride lineup by hosting a revised Mount Baker ride which is still under construction.

As summer wanes in September, we will see a new ride event, “Kruze Kitsap”, hosted by Jim Alexander which is already boasting some 20 participants! Doug’s Miata is hosting a “Miata Mingle”, with details to follow. At the end of the month, I will be leading the Mahogany & Merlot overnight event to check out some cool vintage hydroplane racing boats, classic mahogany wood boats and some great Chelan wineries.

With summer in full swing, we are seeing some great participation in our rides and while conversing with folks at our events I am sensing people are having a wonderful time. I look forward to seeing everyone on our drives as our summer season continues. In the meantime, keep on “zoom-zoom’in”!