Driving Award
AHCA National Long Distance Driving Program
Donald Healey, who drove across North America in a Healey, stated that these cars were meant to be driven then raced. AHCA is a club that drives their cars and is proud to present a Long- Distance Driving Award to members who accumulate 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000 miles and longer annually.
Two of the "General Objectives" in the "By-laws" of the "Austin Healey Club of America" are:
- The enjoyment and sharing of goodwill and fellowship engendered by owning an Austin-Healey automobile.
- The maintenance of the highest standards of operation and performance of the marque.
Many awards are being given to members for "Concours cars", "Popularity cars", "Healey Photos", "Fastest car", but there is one "Healey person and event" that we forget in our club. This person is called a "Driver".
This following program does not overlap or conflict in any way with Moss Motors Long Distance Driven Award for the Annual Conclave. That separate award is currently administered by AHCA Vice President / Conclave Neil Anderson. It also does not prevent Area Clubs from establishing their own version to recognize select drivers if they so choose.
The specifics:
Q1: What is being recognized?
A1: Annual mileage driven by one driver in an Austin-Healey broken into several categories of length.
Q2: What are those categories?
A2: The categories of recognized distance are:
- 2,000 miles = Bronze Certificate.
- 4,000 miles = Silver Certificate.
- 6,000 miles = Gold Certificate.
- 8,000 miles = Platinum Certificate
Because this is now an annual accumulation, many drivers may exceed 8,000 miles in a year. We are establishing a Diamond Award for any that exceed 10,000 miles driven in their Healey in the defined year.
Q3: I have several Healeys. Can I add up the miles I drive in all of the cars in that one year?
A3: Miles can be accumulated in one or more Austin-Healeys.
Q4: What kind of record keeping is required? When does the “Year” begin?
A4: The record of annual mileage driven is easy. The “Year” is a calendar year from January 1 until December 31. A simple form will be loaded up to the AHCA website for initial registration of a driver and cars. Record your mileage and evidence throughout the year, record the results on the form and submit to Jim Cox at tappiokie@gmail.com by the end of the next January. A file will be created under your name for that and future years. AHCA Long Distance Award Score Sheet
If your odometer does not work, the submission of a collection of Mapquest (or equivalent) routes driven (and dated) during the same time period will be acceptable.
Q5: How will the results be communicated?
A5: I or my representative will announce the Long-Distance Award winners by category for the prior year at each Conclave.
Q6: What form of recognition will be provided?
A6: Each driver will be awarded a Certificate to recognize their accomplishment. You do not have to be present for the award. We are also looking into some unique regalia options that would be available for purchase.
As Donald said, these cars are meant to be driven. We want to better recognize those drivers.
Any questions, please contact me at tappiokie@gmail.com or 804-512-1869. Drive on!!
Jim Cox, AHCA National Member, Tappahannock, VA
Home page for safety
Safety and Driving Events Standards:
These standards have been drawn up to help all chapters conduct a safe and fun gymkhana. Gymkhanas and autocrosses can be an enjoyable way to have some friendly competition and really get the old adrenalin pumping without damaging your Healeys or each other.
It is important that everyone be as safety minded as possible. Whoever is coordinating an event for your club should review and adhere to these rules. These Safety Guidelines can't help your club if they don't get to the people that are responsible for your driving events.
Our current insurance company, J. C. Taylor, allows us to hold gymkhanas with no additional costs to participants. But we must make every effort to keep a clean record with our carrier.
So........ get out your stopwatches and pylons and head for the biggest parking lot you can find and have some fun!
Don Klein Vice President, Safety and Driving Events