CONCLAVE TEXAS! - By Don Bundrant

Sunday — “Howdy Day” — Following check-in, Joyce and I hung around the lobby and adjoining areas to visit with Healey friends from all around. The layout of the lobby, courtyard, and surrounding areas of the Raddison allowed several groups of varying sizes to mix and mingle without bumping in to each other. The North Texas bunch moved out to the courtyard to take advantage of the cool evening and to indulge in eating. “All you can eat” burgers and hotdogs were being served at a reasonable price, and we certainly took advantage of that.

Monday — “Show Off Day” — began with a Popularity Parade to the Alamodome for a photo of all the cars. This turned out to be a great photo, taken with a remote-controlled panoramic camera mounted atop a 25 ft. telescoping pole. Following the photo shoot, we drove a couple more miles to La Villita, near the River Walk, where the Healeys were staged for the Popularity event.

Of particular interest to Dick Solomon, Jerry Wall and me was the Concours judging of Kirk Phillips’ beautiful BT7 Tri-carb. We were extremely pleased when it was awarded a “Gold”. The second Concours car, a 100M, was driven down from Canada and also received a “Gold”.

Announcements were scheduled for 10:30 at the Arneson River Theater-La Villita, which straddles the river, with the seating on one side of the river and the stage on the other. — Don’t recall any earth-shattering announcements, but did observe John May motoring along the river in his Healey boat — but with nary a Healey riding in it….

Following lunch on the River Walk with other NTAHC’ers, popularity voting, and shopping/site-seeing, we trailed along with Lou & Pat Ballard (Atlanta Club) and Dick & Sue Solomon for our return to the hotel.

Note: A police escort was provided for the Popularity Parade, which began at the hotel parking lot and ended roughly 17 miles later at the Alamodome. This was a significant undertaking, as we were routed over some of San Antonio’s major traffic arteries. All parade participants owe San Antonio’s Finest a great big “Thanks”!

Tuesday — “Trail Drive Day” — Rally Day! We were awakened to the sound of loud thunder accompanied by a hard rain. Hoping the rainy weather would subside, we dressed in preparation to run the rally. Through breakfast, the rains continued. Next, the rally driver’s meeting was postponed about an hour, giving the more severe storm cells time to move out of the area. Though it was still raining, the rally got off to a rousing start. Joyce and I elected not to run. Several of those who did brave the weather indicated that about ten minutes out, they ran out of the rain and had a very nice run for the duration of the rally.

A couple of cars did have a bit of bad luck — one probably attributed to hydroplaning. The other to an unobservant pickup driver. The latter, a Bugeye, driven from Indiana, didn’t fare too well.

Tuesday evening was again spent out in the hotel courtyard. Cowboy Joe and S’mores were supposed to be the fare. The hotel provided several fires for those wanting to make S’mores. Cowboy Joe evidently was a “no show”. At least we didn’t find him. But the S’mores seemed to make a hit with all ages. Later in the evening we attended a question and answer session held by special guests, John & Joy and Bic & Mary Healey .

Wednesday — “Rodeo Day” — Gymkhana and Funkhana events were staged in the Sea World Employee Parking Lot. Instead of participating in these events, several NTAHC’ers chose to spend the day at Sea World. Later in the evening, a barbecue picnic and the first awards presentation were held in the Sea World Grand Pavilion. Wednesday, like Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, was a most enjoyable day.

Thursday — “Kick Back Day” — We were greeted in the lobby by Cowboy Bob, busy performing rope tricks and gun tricks. — Don’t know if Cowboy “Bob” knew Cowboy “Joe”…. But I digress. He was pretty good! The Cowboy Breakfast was being served in the courtyard, and Cowboy Bob moseyed on out to entertain the Healey troops as they ate.

Later on, Hilary Cooper did a good job representing the NTAHC in the Pinewood Derby with the car she had built a couple of days before. Then, Don & Kay Lenschow wowed the masses with their individual driving skills in the Radio Controlled car races. Good show, gang!

The official festivities wound down with the Banquet buffet and Awards presentation. The Tex Mex buffet was quite pleasing to the palate, and the awards presentation was speeded up by having the younger kids courier the awards to the winners. The NTAHC was a winner all around. 1st, by winning the Club Participation Award by having more club members in attendance than any other national club. 2nd, by winning the Donald M. Healey Commemorative Award for having the greatest number of club members win more competitive events than any other club. 3rd, by enjoying participating in the planned events. And last, by being comprised of a bunch of people who like to have fun!

Friday — As I sat on the hotel room veranda, enjoying the cool morning air and a hot cup of coffee, I watched Hilary Cooper lead her group out into the great wide open on the Post Conclave Driving Tour and pondered about the happenings of the previous five days…. Great Weather! Great People! Well Organized! Lots of Fun! The temperature was surprisingly moderate for June in Texas. Counting kids and grandkids, over 50 people represented the NTAHC; plus, we were with Healey friends from all over the United States. All the events pretty well came off without a hitch. The Event CONCLAVE TEXAS! (Continued) Sponsors received sincere recognition for their support. In summary, it was a fantastic time spent with super friends, having a barrel full of fun sharing our love for the Austin Healey. It was good to see John & Joy and Bic & Mary Healey again. They seemed to be having as much fun as we were!

Thanks to the Gulf Coast and South Texas Austin Healey Clubs for all their work coordinating and pulling this event together, and making it happen. It was a job well done!

A follow-up note; we were saddened to learn of sudden death of Jim Albeck upon his return to California. Jim believed Healeys were meant to be driven. His unique JH was a CONCLAVE TEXAS! award winner. Our condolences go out to Shirley and the Albeck family.

AWARDS In addition to the awards listed in the last issue of Healey Trails, the following were also awarded to North Texas Austin Healey Club members:

Pride & Joy 2nd — Bob & Lynda Lindsey

Funkana 9th — Frazier & Taelor Monroe; 7th — Don Lenschow & Tom Taff.

Rally 3rd — Bob O'Neil ( Driver) Carl White (Navigator)

Future 50s Popularity Awards Note: Future 50s, a program for the younger set, designed to maintain the interest in the Healey marque is the result of the combined effort of Ben Moore (Bluegrass) and Kate O‘Leary (Atlanta). Part of this effort at CONCLAVE TEXAS! was a Popularity Voting by the kids.

Categories were by car color:
Blue - No Winners from NTAHC
White - No Winners from NTAHC
Red 1st - Chris and Judy Kellner
Two-tone 3rd - Jerry & Tammie Wall
Green 2nd - Tim & Sherry Moran
Other 2nd - Don & Kay Lenschow
Black 3rd - Bob & Lynda Lindsey
Popularity - 100-6 Bob & Lynda Lindsey
Handicraft - Sr. Don Lenschow

Statistics:
146 Registrants - 95 to 100 Cars - 307 People

Two Long Distance Drivers Recognized:
Point-to-point — Steve Cloyes (Walnut Creek, CA To San Antonio)
Most Miles — Michael Oritt (4636 miles).