During the late 1980’s two MG enthusiasts from St.Joseph, IL (internationally known as “Frank & Ernie, MG Mechanics at Large”) began having a late autumn cookout for local MG enthusiasts in the Champaign area. Held at the residence of Frank (Dik Sleeth), this picnic would draw a dozen or so MGs and their owners each year. The idea of forming a local MG club was first kicked around here.
 
But it was at a national MGB convention held in Atlanta, Georgia in June of 1990 that Frank and Ernie sat at the bar of the Holiday Inn with Jerome Rosenberger and Ken Smith and the pressure was applied to formally organize what would become the POMGC (and of course become an affiliate of the newest MG Register on the block, the NAMGBR).
 
The Prairie Octagon enjoys its relationship with other British car clubs in the Midwest; many friendships have developed over the years. . . all of this precipitated by the antics . . and friendship. . of two MG nuts . . Frank and Ernie.
 
The POMGC was recognized as an affiliated chapter of the North American MGB Register in the summer of 1992.
 
Safety/Fast!  

It has been a long time in the making but I want to welcome everyone to the new POMGC website (or at least the start of it).
 
Designing a site can be a challenging process that sometimes can make someone such as myself over-analyze every detail…paralysis by analysis I guess you could call it.  To get this ball rolling, Pete and I discussed just putting the basics up to start out with and go from there.

 

We have tossed around many interesting ideas for this site including the addition of picture galleries, classified ads, a member’s area, ad space, event listings and many others.  Some of these features have had some progress made on them while others are still up on the lift so to speak.

 

As a ‘computer-guy’ by trade, I will attest that things can get very complex very quickly when you want to do things right. I’m sure we will expand on the site as we determine what features will be the most beneficial to our members and how the information will be maintained.  It is worse than rebuilding a Weber carb!

 

I am looking forward to working more on this site as well as my 1972 MGBGT in my spare time and I welcome any comments or suggestions you may have on either!