Club President Mike Foster called the March 3 meeting to order at 7:23 p.m. at the Mandarin home of Bob and Norma Pippin. In addition to the hosts, attending were Bill and Judy Young, Paul and Judy Sandefer, Rick Stevenson, Erling Onsager, Tony Martini and Ron Keysor.

The minutes of the Feb. 3, 2025, member meeting were approved. Treasurer Paul Sandefer said the club’s bank balance stands at $$$$$$. Club dues totaling $60 received from our national parent, Austin Healey Club of America and $25 in local dues from Bill Blackard account for the increase. Bill’s continued membership was welcomed. The lone expense, $25, was to renew club membership in the First Coast Car Council.

Mike reports the club’s annual St. Valentine’s dinner held Feb 15 at Bella Vista restaurant was successful. Those attending included Mike and wife Joan, Bill and Judy Young, Rick and Marilynn Stevenson, Bill and Char Maroney, and Tony Martini. The secretary apologizes if he overlooked any other attendees, as the names came faster than he writes.

There followed a discussion of future potential club activities. The likelihood of a third British car gathering hosted by SJAHC was discussed, with a tentative date of May 3. Whether we return to Green Cove Springs for the third year is uncertain as other possible sites were suggested. In the more immediate future, Paul Sandefer will host a shop meet at his well-equipped garage alongside Doctors Lake in Clay County on March 20, a Thursday, beginning at 9:30 a.m. These events generally include a club-paid lunch. The theme Mike suggests is a kind of annual spring review of your car’s status, oil checks, lube, filters, etc. Paul’s shop includes a lift plus an abundance of tools. Members will receive a reminder heads up closer to March 20 date.

Bill Young reminded members that the Cars and Coffee event that precedes the Amelia Island Concours is being held Saturday, followed by the concours on Sunday. The secretary believes the Saturday event is free, the Sunday big show now owned by Hagerty costs (?) $$$$. Bill, who judged at the concours for years when it was locally controlled, says he will be there. Noticing that the event promotion advertised a provision for media people, and since he has long been a columnist for the AHCA publication Healey Marque, and that’s media, Bill took the opportunity to get a free pass this year and happily will ever after.

Members should have received an emailed photo of Bill with the really nifty plaque honoring his 50 years of membership/service to our club before these minutes arrive. Tony Martini had the award created and presented it to the club’s only and likely only-ever life member last night. The secretary is remiss in not identifying the photographer. Sorry!

In car reports, Tony said he put a new battery in the lesser-used of his two BJ8s and, after a brief test run, is planning on venturing forth soon longer outings if the car doesn’t fail him. Ron Keysor said that the British firm, Rawles, which brought its racing Healeys to the U.S. for the Road America races associated with last fall’s AHCA Conclave at Sheboygan and Elkhart Lake, has posted race videos on You Tube. Rawles won both races featured though it looked like a Sprite (??) almost nipped the Rawles fully race-prepped Healey 3000 at the track’s uphill finish. It looks like the big six’s power prevailed. Type in Rawles on the You Tube search function.