Knowledge Base

Written by Ben F for the Feb 07 MR2 Only Magazine

A Brief History of IMOC-UK

The International MR2 Owners Club - UK (IMOC-UK) originally started back in 1996, as a free, Internet based MR2 Club allowing MR2 enthusiasts to meet and discuss anything and everything MR2 ' whether it was the Mk1 with its futuristic looks and nippy handling, the curvaceous Mk2 with powerful Turbo through to today's convertible Roadster.

The Club grew steadily, with members arranging local meets as well as the first events, which were Skidpan sessions and Airfield trackdays.
The Club was originally based around an email discussion list, but with the launch of the Club website in 1998 the online forum became increasingly popular and today is the main hub of Club activity. The site has MR2 specific forums as well as a general area of discussion, with 'Off Topic' being a popular place to meet and discuss things as varied buying a cat for a Mk2 to buying a cat as a pet!

Not only are we an online Club but there are regular local meets all over the UK, as well as larger national events which the Club runs such as Handling days, Trackday weekends, Rolling Road sessions as well as arranging stands at Car Shows such as the Japanese Auto Extravaganza. The Club also has negotiated a number of discounts for members to take advantage of ' the insurance scheme being particularly popular.

Today, the Club has 6,800 members on the website who read over 30,000 pages a day. The Club is non profit making ' all our income comes through an optional Premium Membership scheme and Businesses who can become IMOC Affiliates. This in turn covers the website hosting and other Club events though the year. The Club is run by a group of volunteers who form the Committee and Moderation teams ' they donate their time and effort for free.

Highlights of 2006

The Anglesey Trackday weekend in March proved to be an excellent event for novices and experienced drivers alike ' even getting there is an experience around the twisty and scenic roads of North Wales. The Club arranged the hire of a number of Cottages allowing us to arrange a party on Saturday night where the stories from a good days driving were told. We woke the following morning to an unexpectedly late fall of snow ' those returning to England early in the morning found the A5 only just passable through Snowdonia!

Japanese Auto Extravaganza (JAE) in July saw the for the first time the MR2 MK1 Club, MR2 Roadster Owners Club and IMOC-UK combining together to produce the MR2 Village which included a designated camping area for the members as well. It was a great weekend, complete with IMOC members joining us from Holland with their immaculate Mk1 and Mk2s. Although we were warned of a summer thunderstorm on Saturday we didn't expect the high winds and pelting rain we received. I won't forget the image of everyone holding onto the gazebos to stop the wind blowing them away, whilst dodging the rain streaming down from the roofs and watching the less secured tents being chased by their owners as they were blown across the site. Once the storm was over it was back to business as usual with the BBQ running through the day. After the show closed to the public on Saturday, the Evening's entertainment included a film show, PS2 GT4 competitions and a Bouncy Castle Boxing ring - who said camping couldn't be fun'

July bought us Ten of the Best V just outside York. In the summer heat Team IMOC and their seven cars, were up against a tough field of tuner demonstration cars. There were solid ' mile runs from all, with some low 12 second times from the 500bhp cars but our hopes were on a good result at the handling course with its technical and narrow layout. Just before 1pm Neil Johnson put in a storming time to end up top placed RWD - car only to be beaten late in the day by a rapid Dax Rush.

Later in the year a number of other events should get honourable mentions: The North Wield car handing day (for '40), Llandow South Wales trackday in September, The Essex Rolling Road Day IV, and popular meets in Guildford, Milkton Keynes and Norwich.

Looking ahead to 2007

Currently planned events are listed on Calendar on the Website and also the Events forum - currently there is a local meet on the 11th as well as a few people going to a Trackday at Cadwell park, and the first Guildford meet is at the end of the month.

Looking further ahead we are looking at arranging some trackdays ' one suitable for Novices and possibly one at a more challenging circuit suited to more experienced drivers, if there is sufficient interest. Dates, venues and costs are currently under discussion and will be confirmed on the website.

Ideas and suggestions for events and meets by our members are welcome '

JAE 2007 as ever will be the main Club event for the year. This year it will be held on July 20-22nd so get the dates in your diaries now. This year we will be looking to further develop the MR2 Village that proved a success last year.

TOTB VI will be the following weekend, Saturday 29th July ' cars should be further refined from this year, with confirmed 11 second ' mile MR2s and the talk of a possible 10 second ' mile MR2 being part of the Team ' come along and see these impressive '2s perform yourself!