Welcome return of a New Safety Fast!
The July 2007 issue of Safety Fast! is a major turning point for our Club as we will get back full editorial and production control of the Club magazine following the termination of the seriously expensive publishing arrangements with a commercial motor magazine group. The New Safety Fast! has been well received by many V8 members - here are some of their comments. (6.7.07)

Hugh Boddington was clearly delighted with the new Club magazine saying "I think the new "Safety Fast" is superb and it is nice that the Club is producing it and the print is easy to read".

Victor Smith commented on the V8BB "The New Safety Fast! just released as the July 2007 issue is a welcome return to a full bodied Club magazine full of features and interest. I feel it is looking very good and it is a credit to the good teamwork of the Editorial Group and the essential support work of Nick and Richenda Hine at Hine Marketing with their advertising and publishing skills. The style and feel of the magazine is attractive and the scope of the content very good, particularly the prompt Silverstone reports which give the magazine an up to the minute feel. I am also pleased to see life and colour back in the magazine with the adverts. Well done to the Editorial Group lead by John Day with John James and Andy Knott (Editor)".

George Wilder posted a note on the V8BB "I wholeheartedly agree with you and in fact phoned Andy on Wednesday to congratulate him and the team. With time the adverts for cars etc will develop which, with the short lead time for events reporting, will improve it still further".


Cover of the first issue of the New Safety Fast! out in July 2007 packed with 100 pages full of features and interest. together with adverts bringing life and colour back to the magazine.

Safety Fast! news item 9.6.07

Feedback from John Day 18.7.07
Terry Starkey sent in his views after reviewing the first issue of the New Safety Fast! "I promised to let you have more thoughts on the content of Safety Fast! Firstly, let me say this is a vast improvement over the old one and is a credit to all involved. It's also easy to be critical and, as the editor of a newsletter with international circulation, I am well aware of how upsetting criticism can be. I hope therefore, that my comments will be taken in the right spirit. I discussed this with George Wilder on Friday at the Needham natter so he'll probably contact Andy Knott with similar thoughts.

1. It is wrong to have great slabs of copy. To make a story more readable, copy should be broken up with good photographs which should not be ganged up into blocks. Overall, the layout and page style is good. I particularly like the style of page 34 where a relatively ordinary story has been brought to life with good layout and typography.

2. Stories should be as short, concise and relevant as possible with good headlines.

3. The front cover pic was so boring. One can have a shot of an MGB racing at any time. The potential material from MG International was remarkable (the unique VA Coupe from AUS for a start). There was so much more to go for than a boring shot of a B in action. I hasten to add that I have nothing against MGBs - in fact I love them!

4. It would be interesting to have interviews with leading figures in the MG world. Motor Sport do this with leading racing personalities and, while I realise we can't have their budget, it shouldn't be too difficult to do this. Our club has a plentiful source of interesting personalities.

5. I like history of MG stuff. I would like to read more of this e.g. profiles of K3, J2, and why PA and PB. What models really made MG so famous. Let's not forget the downside, too, e.g. the stupid mismanagement that led to MG's downfall (loads of material there!!)

6. I'd like to see more contributions from overseas. As you well know, the MG family is well represented in countries like Australia and we should not ignore those good people. Incidentally, I have made so many friends all over the world through the gearknob thing and much of that is due to you including that piece on our website for which I am grateful.

I can't think of much else for the moment, but is it OK if I pass comment from time to time? I would only do this because I care about the subject and one day I hope I may even be able to contribute in a more creative manner. For the moment though, thanks to all for such a great effort. (15.7.07)

John Day, the Board director leading the new Editorial Subcommittee with John James (T Type) and Andy Knott (Editor), responded saying "many thanks for your comments re the new magazine. We very much appreciate your input which will be discussed at our Editorial meeting next Tuesday". (15.7.07)