MCR-VTEC was born in mid October 2007 and was spewed forth from the joint efforts of Loud and Pierrot (forum names, obviously) during an exercise to gauge interest in regular meets and drive-outs in and around the Manchester area for Honda performance car owners. At the first MCR-VTEC we expected two or three local owners to turn up, chat about the cars for an hour or so, maybe head off for a quick spin and then call it a day and go home. 14 Honda cars arrived in quick succession after a worrying half an hour of waiting. It was at that point that it became obvious that there is a desire for a regular meet in this area and towards the end of the meet when we asked everyone what they thought of the day, the consensus was simple: “Great, when’s the next one?” Each MCR-VTEC meet has allowed us to meet some great people and take a look at some excellent cars, we’re all looking forward to the next one and the next and the next. Bigger and better? You’d better tag along to find out!
The Story So Far:
August 2007
Loud researches Japanese performance cars, joins Honda specific forums to gain more info on the Type R range, particularly the acclaimed Integra Type R.
Pierrot makes contact with Loud and kindly offers to introduce him to an ITR, his 96 JDM track car, and proceeded to scare the crap out of him whilst making him grin from ear to ear.
September 2007
Loud sources his own Integra Type R, finally deciding on a 98 spec UK car in all round good condition sourced from a private owner.
October 2007
Loud gauges interest on the Honda forums for a regular Manchester area meet, MCR-VTEC I
Pierrot plans a route for a drive starting from a meeting point near the Trafford Centre.
MCR-VTEC I is graced with over a dozen VTEC vehicles within 20 minutes, MCR-VTEC is born!
November 2007
The first MCR-VTEC website is created with very limited knowledge of website building.
MCR-VTEC is listed in “Japanese Performance Magazine” club directory, club members will receive subscription discount when ordered online (e-mail admin for club password).
A Forum is created to run alongside the MCR-VTEC website allowing users to stay in touch and keep up to date on all things MCR-VTEC.
December 2007
MCR-VTEC II - The Christmas Meet at Rivington Barn Sunday December 16th. 24 Honda performance cars converge on a very cold car park, followed by a drive out in the local area. The convoy was a fantastic sight and the meet a great success! All models were represented including NSXs, S2000s, Civics and Integras.
January 2008
MCR-VTEC now listed in Banzai Magazine club directory and interest from them to print an article on our next meet!
Club window stickers made available.
First MCR-VTEC Rolling Road Day @ TDi North, Warrington. Saturday 19th January 10am. 17 Hondas on the rollers to gain bhp/torque levels.
February 2008
MCR-VTEC III - The Mags Meet in Knutsford Sunday 24th. Approximately 70 cars attend the third meet, with a drive planned out for some. Photographs have been selected for another magazine club feature.
Club Feature in Banzai Magazine Issue 77
March 2008
Club Feature in Japanese Performance Magazine Issue 88
April 2008
MCR-VTEC IV - The VTEC Strikes Back at The ChillFactor in Manchester Sunday 13th. 35 cars attend the fourth meet, dismal weather but the rain held off for most of the day, including the drive out.
June 2008
MCR-VTEC V - The Dyno Meet in Neston, Wirral @ Dyno Demon June 14th. Another great turnout for our Rolling Road meet. 20 Cars went on the rollers and another 15 came along to catch up. Great weather for the drive down.
July 2008
Work begins on the new MCR-VTEC website and forum.
August 2008
MCR-VTECs new website and forum are tested successfully and a “go live” date is discussed.
MCR-VTEC VI - The Showing Out Meet @ Haigh Hall near Wigan August 17th. To run in conjunction with the Japan North event and MCR-VTECs first apperarance at a professional show with 25 cars booked onto the clubstand and a great deal more in attendance to show support.
October 2008
MCR-VTEC VII - The Return Of The VTEC @ The Chillfactor October 5th. Huge turnout again for our 7th meet with around 60 cars at the meet and over 40 joining us on the drive out. Another fantastic day out for all those that love Honda.
November 2008
MCR-VTEC VIII - The Birthday Bash @ The Chillfactor November 23rd. To celebrate our first year and the bad weather didn’t put the die-hard members off with again over 60 cars converging at our regular meet venue. Around 50 joined us on the drive out to the Rivington barn area and our “Birthday Dinner” at the Cotton Kiers pub. One lucky member won £150 worth of track camera in our raffle and “party bags” were dished out to members as a thank you for their support.
January 2009
MCR-VTEC IX - A New Hope @ The Chillfactor January 18th. A huge turnout of around 60 cars of which 50 joined us on the drive and took in the Manchester Tunnel Run. Awesome cars, people and sounds through those tunnels too. Alot of new faces made it their first MCR-VTEC meet and great feedback from them always helps. Most models were well represented except S2Ks, maybe they can’t keep up.
March 2009
MCR-VTEC X - The ‘X’ Factor @ The Chillfactor March 15th. What can I say, the turnout again was fantastic with around 70 cars meeting at our usual hook up point and again about 45 cars joining us on the driveout round the “Cat & Fiddle”. Lots of new members and all a benefit to the day.
April 2009
MCR-VTEC The Ring Thing @ The Nurburgring. Back in August 2008 Pierrot began to organise a trip to the infamous track we all dream of. In April 2009 his plans came to fruition and he along with the rest of the MCR-VTEC Track Team headed off to The ‘Ring for some serious fun and to show the rest how MCR-VTEC like to do things.
May 2009
MCR-VTEC XI - The Wait @ The Chillfactor May 17th. The weather wasn’t very kind to us this time around. Rain put a damper on the drive out with only a few taking part, decent turnout for the meet though considering the bad weather.
July 2009
MCR-VTEC XII - Feed The Faithfull @ The Chillfactor July 5th. Another hook up at the Chillfactor for some pics and a catch up with all things Honda. The weather held out most of the time and we had a good drive out to the Oaklands Hotel for our Club Lunch. Some great cars and some great progress on some of them too.
August 2009
MCR-VTEC XIII - Showing Out-Part Deux @ the Japan North Show August 16th. Our second annual outing for the only Northern show for all things Japanese at Haigh Hall in Wigan. Another great turn out of support for our guys on the club stand, proven by MCR-VTEC winning the “Best Club Stand 2009″. Well done to everyone!
October 2009
MCR-VTEC XIV - Autumnal VTEC October 11th 2009 saw another successful meet and drive out taking in a well liked route and food stop. Approximately 45 cars joined us on this meet, great sights, great sounds and a great bunch of people.
November 2009
MCR-VTEC XV - The Birthday Bash 2 November 22nd saw us return to the same venue we used at our first birthday meet, a raffle of over 15 quality prizes, a great drive out and some good company. Looking forward to our next birthday.
