GoF West 2003
RHS Queen Mary Long Beach, California
GoF West 2003 was held on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California, July 21-25. The BMCU had a rather small representation consisting of David and Muriel Machovec; Steven Nelson, and Kathy and Floyd Inman. Considering the venue we will consider this a huge turnout, as rallying around the Los Angeles Freeway System is not the most attractive of ideas.

The event management changed the order of events somewhat from previous years, in that the rallye was held on a Tuesday and the Car Show on Wednesday. This change didn’t seem to excite those who had spent the better part of Sunday and Monday driving to get there.

The rallye began with a drive down Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach, across the Terminal Island Bridge, through the Long Beach Harbor District, across the Vincent Thomas Bridge and into the Palos Verde area. I mention this for those familiar with the area to give an idea of “Rallye in Traffic”. This area is congested with the harbor truck traffic, so we started off with the smell of diesel fuel and heat.

We proceeded into the traffic of two lane roads of Palos Verde. Once we got past the congestion caused by an accident and our LBCs vapor locking we preceded into the coastal regions for some magnificent views. Then it was back to the Queen through the traffic where we prepared our cars for the Show on Wednesday.

As could be expected in the Los Angeles area, the best part of the trip was meeting with and lying to all of our old and dear friends.

For the first year in many the BMCU did not come away with any trophies. Hyacinth was not eligible as she won Premier Class last year and had to show as “Display Only”; David had won the Mechanics Contest two of the past three years (finishing second the third) so decided to give someone a chance. As for the Sacagawea (Lady that drives the greatest distance in a “T” Type) Muriel had it won but the event planners forgot to award it, so maybe she will receive it in the mail as she did a few years back.

Well, there is always next year! ! ! And what a trip it should be! ! !