AutoRama 2002! by Jeff Harris and Mike Hado Late November brings family and friends, turkey and dressing and AutoRama.  This year, the car show and auction moved to a new venue, the Reliant Center.  And once again, TTR participated with our classy club display and six of Coventry’s finest.  Car exhibitors were Jim & Sandra Biggerstaff (TR-6), Jim & Patty Blake (Spitfire), Jim & Melissa Farrell (TR-3B), Jim & Cynthia McAndrew (TR-3 Rally & Race Car), Mike & Cindy McElmurray (TR-6) and Bill & Diane Parker (Stag).   All exhibitors received an award.  Here are the results of the “Foreign Sports” class:   Pre-1974 1st Place:  1965 Triumph GT-6, Vic Janovich (from Arizona) 2nd Place (tie):  Jim & Cynthia McAndrew, 1957 TR3 Jim & Melissa Farrell, 1962 TR-3B Participation Awards: Bill & Diane Parker, 1972 Triumph Stag Jim & Patty Blake, 1972 Spitfire 1974 & Later 1st Place: David Canard, 1984 Nissan 300 ZX 2nd Place: Mike & Cindy McElmurray, 1974 TR-6 Participation Award: Jim & Sandra Biggerstaff, 1974 TR-6 The biggest news this year was the unveiling of a new TTR sign. This replaces the dealer sign that had been loaned to us for many years by Steve Foster but was retired a few years ago due to its fragile condition.  Don Carter worked with A&E Products Company to create the new sign, which is about 4 feet square.  One side has the TTR logo in red, white and blue.  The other side has the Triumph “book” emblem in red and black.  Don Carter made a wooden frame for the sign and a wheeled dolly.  The sign mounts on our old rotating pole.  Spotlights mounted on our display light it beautifully.  The end result is dramatic and impressive.  So much so, in fact, that the TTR was awarded 2nd place for “Best Club Display” out of about 30 participating Houston-area car clubs. The Reliant Center was also a hit.  It has an easier to use rectangular shape, better lighting and more even temperatures.  There were some serious delays in getting the show set up on Wednesday, but organizers promised to work on these problems before next time.  Organizers have also decided that the next AutoRama will be a 2 or 3-day event and will not be scheduled during the Thanksgiving weekend. AutoRama requires lots of volunteers.  Thanks to Mike Hado who made all the show arrangements.  Thanks, also, to those who helped with the Wednesday setup.  The crew included Jim Blake, Ray and Andrew Bradford, the Farrell’s, Don Carter, Mike Hado, Jeff Harris, Jay Jablonski and Dusty Nicholson.  I was out of town for the Sunday evening take-down party so I don’t have a list of names, but thanks to all who helped.  And, a big thanks to Melissa and Jim Farrell for storing our display at no charge. AutoRama 2002 was another exciting TTR event. Thanks to all who volunteered to make this event a success.  Click here for more Triumph Tales!   Click the globefor a list of upcoming Texas Triumph Register events. Drive your Triumph!