Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have just received notification from Jerry that I have won the 'Most Improved' 2010 competition and I must say that it feels like I have won an Oscar. My thanks go to all of the worthy participants and all those who took the time to vote. This year has started particularly well for me with fellow forum member Davamb featuring two of my bikes in his Commando calendar and L.A.B. sending me a scan of the latest RGM catalogue also featuring two of my bikes on the front cover.
Having won the competition I would like at this juncture to table for discussion a change to the rules and title for next year to simply 'Best Commando Project'. I do feel that some very worthy competition entries were handicapped by not starting from the same appalling collection of bits as my own, or perhaps simply not having a suitable 'before' photo to post. Under the current rules a quite unremarkable bike could win against absolute jewelery if the starting condition was bad enough. I am proud of my S-Type but in all honesty I am hard pressed to see how it is any better than the other three presented by Mark, Alan and Dave (Dog-T), in fact mine in yellow looks positively conservative compared to these glittering examples - I do however have the best growth of bamboo. Other entries that might have won on innovative merit or uniqueness are Grandpaul's mono-shock with Kenny Dreer bodywork, Roy's Dunstall and Dave's proddy Racer. Finally the standard Roadster's classic good looks are a perenial favourite and Frank's understated example and Jim and Tim's Corbin equipped versions just look right to me.
I myself voted for Dave Thomas (Dog-T) because he restored a genuine S-Type back to standard and his regular postings were a great help with my own project and those of many other forum members. Under more flexible criteria and a different title I believe that all of these factors could be taken into account by members when casting their votes, thus hopefully making the competition more competitive and perhaps offering the chance for more entries. I must however state that if the rules remain unchanged, I have another project in an equally parlous state waiting to be entered as soon as entries for 2011 open.
Now down to business, I have given some thought as to the use of the prize money that gives the greatest value to the highest number of people and have been leaning heavily in the direction of providing vicarious pleasure to fellow forum members by investing the money in wine, women and song!
On behalf of all forum members, regarding Wine; I would like Jerry to purchase a bottle of his choice. Women; Jerry is to take the undoubtedly long-suffering Mrs Doe out for a candle-lit dinner where they can consume the aforementioned wine in salubrious surroundings, all the while serenading the good lady with Italian love songs. The remaining funds (if any are left after this gastronomic and terpsichorian extravagance) are to be used for the ongoing running costs of a site that has been a source of information, inspiration and pleasure to so many of us Commando enthusiasts.
All the best for 2011
Dave M
I have just received notification from Jerry that I have won the 'Most Improved' 2010 competition and I must say that it feels like I have won an Oscar. My thanks go to all of the worthy participants and all those who took the time to vote. This year has started particularly well for me with fellow forum member Davamb featuring two of my bikes in his Commando calendar and L.A.B. sending me a scan of the latest RGM catalogue also featuring two of my bikes on the front cover.
Having won the competition I would like at this juncture to table for discussion a change to the rules and title for next year to simply 'Best Commando Project'. I do feel that some very worthy competition entries were handicapped by not starting from the same appalling collection of bits as my own, or perhaps simply not having a suitable 'before' photo to post. Under the current rules a quite unremarkable bike could win against absolute jewelery if the starting condition was bad enough. I am proud of my S-Type but in all honesty I am hard pressed to see how it is any better than the other three presented by Mark, Alan and Dave (Dog-T), in fact mine in yellow looks positively conservative compared to these glittering examples - I do however have the best growth of bamboo. Other entries that might have won on innovative merit or uniqueness are Grandpaul's mono-shock with Kenny Dreer bodywork, Roy's Dunstall and Dave's proddy Racer. Finally the standard Roadster's classic good looks are a perenial favourite and Frank's understated example and Jim and Tim's Corbin equipped versions just look right to me.
I myself voted for Dave Thomas (Dog-T) because he restored a genuine S-Type back to standard and his regular postings were a great help with my own project and those of many other forum members. Under more flexible criteria and a different title I believe that all of these factors could be taken into account by members when casting their votes, thus hopefully making the competition more competitive and perhaps offering the chance for more entries. I must however state that if the rules remain unchanged, I have another project in an equally parlous state waiting to be entered as soon as entries for 2011 open.
Now down to business, I have given some thought as to the use of the prize money that gives the greatest value to the highest number of people and have been leaning heavily in the direction of providing vicarious pleasure to fellow forum members by investing the money in wine, women and song!
On behalf of all forum members, regarding Wine; I would like Jerry to purchase a bottle of his choice. Women; Jerry is to take the undoubtedly long-suffering Mrs Doe out for a candle-lit dinner where they can consume the aforementioned wine in salubrious surroundings, all the while serenading the good lady with Italian love songs. The remaining funds (if any are left after this gastronomic and terpsichorian extravagance) are to be used for the ongoing running costs of a site that has been a source of information, inspiration and pleasure to so many of us Commando enthusiasts.
All the best for 2011
Dave M
