When I started the MLR back in 1997 little did I know we’d create an amazing worldwide community of Lancer Evo owners, enthusiasts and petrolheads, a club which spearheaded Japanese car club culture in the UK, influence the tuning scene, produce a specialist magazine and created some of the best and most unique performance car events across the country.
Looking back at those achievements over the last 21 years makes me extremely proud of what we’ve done together. Yes it’s been an immense amount of work with some ludicrous hours, but due to an unhealthy amount of enthusiasm and being blessed by having an incredible team of people that have all worked together to make it possible, the MLR became a household name (well, almost!).
Of course we have witnessed changes over the years which have affected the club in both good ways and not-so-good, such as the ceasing production of the Lancer Evo, and more recently the advent of social media which has affected all forums - although it’s a great testament to our club that the MLR Forum is still an active community.
On a personal basis the last couple of years have been more difficult than usual, as I’ve had family bereavements and health issues to contend with. Thankfully I believe these are now behind me, but they have made me consider the ‘big picture’ so after 21 years of running the MLR (and a lot of thought) I am now stepping down to concentrate on “life & health”, which includes building a new house and getting married . . . two things I never thought I’d do!
To ensure everything continues to run as normal, there are a few positions I’d like to find, so this is where you come in! Please PM me if you’re interested in any of the following positions and I’ll run through the details with you;
1 - MLR Event Co-ordinator: Predominantly for ‘Shows’ such as Japfest, JDM Combe, Rallyday etc, but could include trackdays and other events. All this person would need to do is simply liaise with the event organisers and post the relevant details in the Events section of the forum as the majority of events manage their own ticket bookings now.
2 - MLR Facebook Administrator: As the name suggests, someone to take over posting and managing of the MLR’s Facebook page.
3 - MLR Headlines; Add regular ‘headlines’ on the Home Page with a small image to let everyone know what’s happening, eg: upcoming events, Group Buys, Evo news etc
4 - MLR Group Buy Co-ordinator: For someone who likes talking to the MLR traders and Evo Shop (seat covers, mat sets, etc in Evo Shop) and posting details of new group buys and maintaining these threads. A valuable role which can be as busy as you’d like it to be!
Talking of Evo Shop - I’m very pleased to announce that this will continue in the very safe hands of Ross Walker - the #1 Evo parts retailer who you’ll all know as MD of Ross Sport and Sumo Power, and who has supported the MLR over many years as an MLR trader and sponsor of the MLR Sprint Series and Evo Festival.
The MLR has been such a huge part of my life for so long now it will certainly be very strange to step down, but looking ahead, Caren & I are still searching for that elusive standard yellow Evo V so we can attend events as members rather than organisers, so I hope we find it and I’ll still see you at some of the shows and events throughout 2019.
Thanks to all of you past and present for making the last 21 years so memorable, it’s been an absolute pleasure and I hope the MLR continues for many years to come.
Looking back at those achievements over the last 21 years makes me extremely proud of what we’ve done together. Yes it’s been an immense amount of work with some ludicrous hours, but due to an unhealthy amount of enthusiasm and being blessed by having an incredible team of people that have all worked together to make it possible, the MLR became a household name (well, almost!).
Of course we have witnessed changes over the years which have affected the club in both good ways and not-so-good, such as the ceasing production of the Lancer Evo, and more recently the advent of social media which has affected all forums - although it’s a great testament to our club that the MLR Forum is still an active community.
On a personal basis the last couple of years have been more difficult than usual, as I’ve had family bereavements and health issues to contend with. Thankfully I believe these are now behind me, but they have made me consider the ‘big picture’ so after 21 years of running the MLR (and a lot of thought) I am now stepping down to concentrate on “life & health”, which includes building a new house and getting married . . . two things I never thought I’d do!
To ensure everything continues to run as normal, there are a few positions I’d like to find, so this is where you come in! Please PM me if you’re interested in any of the following positions and I’ll run through the details with you;
1 - MLR Event Co-ordinator: Predominantly for ‘Shows’ such as Japfest, JDM Combe, Rallyday etc, but could include trackdays and other events. All this person would need to do is simply liaise with the event organisers and post the relevant details in the Events section of the forum as the majority of events manage their own ticket bookings now.
2 - MLR Facebook Administrator: As the name suggests, someone to take over posting and managing of the MLR’s Facebook page.
3 - MLR Headlines; Add regular ‘headlines’ on the Home Page with a small image to let everyone know what’s happening, eg: upcoming events, Group Buys, Evo news etc
4 - MLR Group Buy Co-ordinator: For someone who likes talking to the MLR traders and Evo Shop (seat covers, mat sets, etc in Evo Shop) and posting details of new group buys and maintaining these threads. A valuable role which can be as busy as you’d like it to be!
Talking of Evo Shop - I’m very pleased to announce that this will continue in the very safe hands of Ross Walker - the #1 Evo parts retailer who you’ll all know as MD of Ross Sport and Sumo Power, and who has supported the MLR over many years as an MLR trader and sponsor of the MLR Sprint Series and Evo Festival.
The MLR has been such a huge part of my life for so long now it will certainly be very strange to step down, but looking ahead, Caren & I are still searching for that elusive standard yellow Evo V so we can attend events as members rather than organisers, so I hope we find it and I’ll still see you at some of the shows and events throughout 2019.
Thanks to all of you past and present for making the last 21 years so memorable, it’s been an absolute pleasure and I hope the MLR continues for many years to come.