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While in Arkansas for the GT-34 NAMGAR show, I had a lesson in preparedness. I had driven to Hot Springs with fellow club member John Youens. We were following another club member, Ed Greene. I trailered my 1961 MGA and Ed was pulling his 1961 MGA. We made the trip with no problems (other than a sneaky red light camera in Marshall, Texas – be warned).

We arrived late Monday afternoon and everyone got settled into their rooms. Tuesday morning we met for breakfast and discussed our options for the days activities. There was a planned tour of a local restoration shop that was about a ½ hour drive. By the time we decided to go on the tour and got our cars out of the trailers, the tour group had already left. We had directions so we headed off to find the shop. John & I were leading with Ed following behind.

We had driven about 20 miles when our route turned into a private gated community. The guard at the gate recognized our cars as many others had been through 30 minutes earlier and waved us in. Inside the hilly gated community we were driving on a small two lane road with traffic in front of us and traffic heading at us (some MGAs and some modern cars). As we were going up a rather steep hill, traffic in front of me abruptly stopped and I hit my brakes.

Behind me all I could see was Ed approaching at full speed and not slowing at all (we later found out his rear wheel cylinder had given way and dumped all his brake fluid). There was no shoulder to the road so I pulled as far right and as far forward as I could so as to try to get out of the way. Ed had nowhere to go except up the middle splitting the traffic as he went. We lost sight of Ed as he passed the car in front of me and I kept listening for the inevitable crashing sound. I heard nothing.

The traffic in front of me started moving again and as we started up the next hill, here was Ed stopped on the side of the road. Miraculously oncoming traffic was able to pull over enough for him to get by. We were able to get to a side street and pull off the road. Ed & I drove back in my car and returned with his trailer, while John sat with Ed’s car.

We never made it to the restoration shop but I learned the importance of following distance and the emergency brake. If Ed had been far enough back and used his emergency brake, he probably could have stopped. I hope I learned something that day – always being sure safety equipment is working and always allowing enough time to use it.

Any questions or comments can be directed to ron@5RRestorations.com or call 281-346-2417.