Life in a Bubble• Exploring the Wild Atlantic Way • Moving

October 2018

Lowﬂfor Caterham and Lotus Seven enthusiasts ying

t: 01732 445782 w: www.gpsevens.co.uk e: [email protected] f: www.facebook.com/GPSevens a: GP Sevens, 1 Winkhurst Farm, Ide Hill Road, Coopers Corner, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN14 6LB Lowﬂ ying

October 2018

Lowﬂfor Caterham and Lotus Seven enthusiasts ying Introduction...

THIS MONTH: THE LONGEST BUILD EVER? • LIFE IN A BUBBLE • EXPLORING THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY • MOVING REDLINE FORWARDS • TOM PRYCE – MAN OF DENBIGH • THE TRIP THE CLUB SAVED • CLUB SPEED CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE • NEWS AND EVENTS Ian Mellor and his son George boarding the ferry on their return from Classic Le Mans. Club administration and membership services including membership enquiries, changes of address, Event Support Vehicle (ESV) bookings, Event Diary entries and advertising in Lowfl ying Sam Pearce – [email protected] t: +44 (0)1873 777303 Lotus Seven Club, PO Box 7, Abergavenny NP7 5WQ. Annual membership £49·50 or £45·50 if paying by direct debit (UK or Overseas; membership includes Lowfl ying). Go to “Join us today” on the Club website, or contact the Membership Secretary Lowfl ying magazine Submissions By post:see Club administration, above By email to: lowfl [email protected] Advertising: see Club administration, above Editor: Michael Calvert – [email protected] Editorial support John Aston – [email protected] Andy Couchman – [email protected] Designer: Paul Sander – [email protected] To report non-receipt of Lowfl ying, change of address or to request back issues (where available), please write my introduction this month having just Contrast this with the following extract contact the Membership Secretary. Lowfl ying is printed by Shanleys Ltd returned from the inaugural meeting of the from an article which I’m very much looking Units 38–39 Britannia Way, Bolton BL2 2HH. t: 01204 523773 www.shanleys.co.uk recently-formed “Heritage” group within the forward to running soon about the history Contacts Lotus Seven Club, held at the Phoenix Inn, of the “Lotus Seven Northern Owners Club” Directors I Hartley Witney. Just the venue was something (I bet it’s only the old hands who have any Christine Abbott,Shaun Elwell, Chris Bramall, Roger Needham, Martin Phipps Chair of a trip down memory lane for me as this used recollection that such an organisation even Christine Abbott – [email protected] General Secretary to be the meeting point of the Reading, North existed!) which was later folded into the L7 Roger Needham - [email protected] Hants and Berks (ReHab) group back in those Club. In it, author Ron Wood recalls that Company Secretary Terence McCarthy - [email protected] pre-children days when I used to have the time ‘During the 1980s, the Caterham Seven Membership Secretary Sam Pearce – see above to attend. We’ll hopefully carry a full story of became very popular with the emerging Advertising Manager Geoff Brown – t: 01793 876465 the meeting in next month’s edition, but suffi ce “yuppies” who started coming to our [email protected] Treasurer to say that it was a wonderful gathering. As meetings with their colour coded cars, coats Martin Phipps – [email protected] AR regional coordination you’d expect, the original Lotus 7s were the and hats! Unfortunately, this grated with Regional Coordinator – North, Paul Richards [email protected] stars (I counted sixteen parked up at one time) some of the long standing “traditional” Regional Coordinator – South, Mark Lawrence and they rightly had pride of place in front Lotus 7 owners and they began to drift [email protected] Regional Coordinator – West, Mike Scott of the pub. But plenty of drivers of modern away.’ What a good job that this perceived [email protected] Regional Coordinator - Midlands, Marcus Adams Caterhams had came along to join in the ‘division’ is dead and buried and that we can [email protected] Competition Secretary celebration too, and owners of cars new and freely share our passion for all the models Chris Bramall – [email protected] Event Support Vehicle Manager old mingled, compared notes and talked cars. It with a lineage to Chapman’s genius Dave Clarke - [email protected] Social Media really was a situation where you could see our original designs. Tom Slatter – [email protected] Email Administrator tagline “The Lotus Seven Club for Caterham Michael Calvert, Tim Pollard – [email protected] IT Support and Lotus Seven Enthusiasts” in action. Editor Shaun Elwell – [email protected] Members’ Benefi ts Coordinator Geoff Brown – t: 01793 876465 [email protected] Regalia Manager Stephen Hubbard – [email protected] Management Team Member this month in Lowfl ying: Robert Jacobs – [email protected] Trackday Coordinators: 4 News and Events 18 Fridge Door Dave Rothwell - [email protected] James Batchelor - [email protected] 8 Moving Redline Forwards 20 Life in a bubble Lotus Seven Historian John Watson – t: 07958 272559 Lowfl ying catches up with Chris Mintoft, owner of this Martin Brazill reports on his experience of different [email protected] Tour Organiser popular Seven parts supplier approaches to Seven storage both indoors and Dave Rothwell – [email protected] outdoors Valuations of Sevens for insurance purposes only 10 Tom Pryce – Man of Denbigh Guy Munday – t: 07718 385168 (work hours) We visit a museum tribute to this talented F1 driver 24 Exploring the Wild Atlantic Way GP Cars: [email protected] Millwood Motor Company [email protected] who died too soon. Adrian Corser is our guide around Eire’s Caterham Cars Archivist [email protected] 12 The longest build ever? Atlantic coastline Our former Chairmen David Mirylees (founder), Lol Pilfold, Nick Richens, Roger Swift, Part one of the story of John Kelly’s Seven kit build 28 Area Meetings Keith Jecks, Andrew Walker, which may prove to be the longest ever Steve Winterberg, Mark Durrant, Martin Bushaway. 30 Club Diary The Lotus Seven Club is the trading name of Seven Club Limited. Registered 16 The trip the Club saved 32 Club Speed Championship Update offi ce: 9 Nevill Street, Abergavenny NP7 5AA, UK. Company reg. number A careless driver made it look unlikely that Martin 3880568. A copy of the Company’s constitution and rules is available on 34 Parting Shot written request to the Company Secretary. Please note: Views expressed herein are not necessarily those of Seven Club Limited (‘the Club’), merely Phipps would make his planned trip to France. Could the views and experiences of individual writers. Opinions, whether technical Club members help fi nd a solution in time? or otherwise, should not be construed as precise authoritative advice. The Club recommends readers to take specifi c professional advice and that technical and/or mechanical work is only undertaken by suitable qualifi ed individuals. The Club does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered by any reader after reading this publication, acting upon matters Lowfl y i n g October 2018 3 discussed or taking part in the events promoted or mentioned. Editorial coverage or advertising does not imply endorsement. Stallard Members’ Exclusive: Introduction to Track Days David Donington Park, 20th August 2016 CREDIT:

News and events The International Seven Network No, it’s not the latest spy novel, rather a recently established afﬁ liation of international Seven Clubs which aims to improve overseas cooperation, make all members’ lives easier when travelling and boost our ability to organise international events… Lowﬂ ying spoke to L7 Club Chair Christine Abbott to get the lowdown…

he idea of pooling Sevening knowledge from different clubs came to me about T ten years ago when, with a larger group, we were planning our fi rst major European trip in the Seven. Before we left, I spent some considerable time trying to research on the internet overseas contacts who might provide us with relevant information and support. It proved to be time well spent when one of our party hit mechanical problems on the Austria/Swiss border. Using the details I’d downloaded, we put out an SOS call to contacts in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Italy, and within around 30 minutes, we’d had messages back from them all. Some offered to bring informal – a monthly conference call where  Finally, (for now at least!) each member tools to help, while another pointed us to a the clubs are each represented by their chairs. club will be writing an article about who recommended garage not far away. In summary, So, from this beginning, what is planned they are and what they do to appear in these contacts rescued the trip, and it has since for members? the magazines of the others. been my ambition to establish a more formal  First and foremost, clubs in the network You will appreciate that it is still very early arrangement that could help other members will have space on each others’ websites stage for the international Seven Network traveling overseas in their Sevens. where they can provide their contact details. and we hope to be able to announce plenty The idea was resurrected when a couple Therefore if, say, you are planning a trip to more in the coming months. However, of years back, Roger and I were planning to the Netherlands, you will have the details I thought I should share a message I tour Sweden. Having made contact with the of someone who speaks fl uent English received this week from Jan Tell, chair of Swedish owners club, we were supplied with and who you know you can approach if the Caterham Club Sweden which I think the best routes to drive, the places to go… It you are looking for help, advice, routes etc. sums up the enthusiasm for this cooperation was information that helped make the trip Network clubs will also be able to use this perfectly – “We announced the International memorable that we would never have been facility to invite members of other clubs Seven Network at our annual meeting earlier able to fi nd otherwise. to their events etc. Currently on our UK this month and it received a standing ovation. Back in the UK, now as Chair of the Club website, these details are held within the To all our new Sevening friends - SKOL!” I started to think about how we could set up “Area” pages. a more formal structure that would help any  To facilitate the above, all network Our members outside UK member planning their own overseas trip, so members will be able to have guest UK CLUB NETWORK that they wouldn’t have to go through the same member access to other network MEMBERS MEMBERS research exercise I had. Having extended a websites and forums. The one caveat is AUSTRIA 2 welcome to members of all the overseas Seven that any posting that is done should be AUSTRALIA 8 Clubs we knew of to our 60th Anniversary event in the host language. BELGIUM 31 at Donington last year, we had the opportunity  We are working on joint events and tours CANADA 9 to talk to many overseas representatives who between the clubs in the network that CYPRESS 1 expressed a real interest in setting up an will of course be open to all members. DENMARK 8 affi liation scheme between clubs. The MT, These are currently in the planning stage FINLAND 1 fully behind the idea recognised that there was – watch this space. FRANCE 24 another benefi t for the UK club too… We are  Our recently-launched BlatMaps service GERMANY 26 150 fairly unique in having so many members of has been opened to all network members GREECE 1 the Lotus Seven Club based overseas and have and the secretaries in the different ITALY 2 60 active Area Representatives in countries such member clubs are planning to upload the JAPAN 9 as France and Belgium. However, other than favourite routes in their regions for the LUXEMBURG 1 Lowfl ying and access to BlatChat, there is only benefi t of all. NEW ZEALAND 6 a limited amount that the core club can offer  Sponsored by our tour organiser Scenic and NORWAY 2 such overseas members. An international Seven Continental, we will be making available NETHERLANDS 6 190 network seemed to be part of the solution. to all datasheets providing driving tips for POLAND 1 It’s still early days, but after some six each country in the network. We hope that PORTUGAL 3 months of discussion, the network was sharing “real life” experience from owners SPAIN 9 formally established in July this year, and in these countries will be of great benefi t to currently comprises the Lotus 7 Club visiting drivers. SWEDEN 6 120 Germany, Lotus Seven Owners Club  A landing website is currently being SWITZERLAND 8 200 Switzerland, Lotus and Caterham Club designed which will guide any new URUGUAY 1 Sweden, Lotus 7 Club Italy, Super Seven Club members / owners towards the most UAE 1 Netherlands and of course, the Lotus Seven appropriate club(s) in the network for USA 43 Club in the UK. The structure is relatively their location. WEST INDIES 1

4 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 Members’ Exclusive: Introduction to Track Days Donington Park, 20th August 2016

Halfords 10% Photo Competition - Discount Scheme Please note that the ever popular 10% Club Calendar 2019 discount scheme (voucher downloadable n what is now something of an annual ritual, • 2nd Prize £30 credit towards a Club via “Member Deals and Discounts” we are pleased to announce that we are once product or service. on homepage) is set to expire on 31st Iagain planning to produce a Club calendar • The remaining selected entrants will October 2018. We hope to be able to for next year, 2019. This will be sent out to all receive a £15 credit towards a Club arrange to extend this for another year members with December’s Lowfl ying. product or service. (watch the website news section and LF Once again, we are looking to illustrate Terms and Conditions. for updates) but if you have any Halfords each month using members’ own photos. 1) The closing date for the competition purchases in the pipeline, we suggest that So, not only is this your chance to have your is Friday 2nd November 2018. Images you look to make these before the end of photographs immortalised in print, and received after this date will not be eligible for the month to be sure to benefi t. hanging on members’ walls around the world, consideration. but those whose shots get selected for use will 2) The competition is open to Club members be rewarded with vouchers that can be used only. Although you are welcome to submit Maiden fl ights: welcome to to pay for, or contribute towards, any product up to fi ve pictures per membership number, our new members or service that the Club sells, including typically no more than one from any merchandise, Club-organised events, trackdays member’s set will be chosen for the fi nal Mr David Thornton, Sandy or even membership renewals! winning selection. Mr S & Mrs M Lee, Bury St. Edmunds We always receive a fantastic range of 3) No images submitted to previous years’ Mr Richard Truman, Redditch Mr J Lovett & Miss J Ogden, Stockton-On-Tees photographs for the calendar, and we are once competition will be considered. Mr Steve Dudka, USA again going to retain the general theme for 4) Entrants must warrant that the photograph Mr S & Mrs K Green, Nottingham the photo competition as “Lotus 7 Club Life”. that they are submitting is their own work, Dr John Mackay, Chester Le Street This could include themes of touring, events, that they own the copyright for it and that Mr George Williams, Epsom track days, cars – the only real limit is your they have obtained any necessary consents Mr Neil Robinson, Hereford imagination. We particularly look forward relating to its capture and reproduction. Mr Philip Coomes, Bishop’s Stortford to receiving photos that show the diversity 5) Entrants will retain the copyright to Mr William Askew, London that we have within our members in terms the image, but by entering, agree to allow Mr Guy Palmer, Droitwich of location, age, gender, hobbies etc. A short the Lotus 7 Club licence to reproduce the Mr Ralph Bennett, Crowborough caption for each picture submitted would be submitted images royalty free in any manner Dr Neil Rowson, Etchingham Mr Aurelien Chevalier, Stratford-Upon-Avon greatly appreciated, as any photo that is not that the Club deems fi t for Club purposes. Mr Dan Falconer, Fleet used on the calendar may well be chosen to 6) The prizes of credit towards a Club Mr Peter Hancock, Stockton-On-Tees appear in Lowfl ying at a later date. product or service can be redeemed until Mr Warren North, Hemel Hempstead PLEASE NOTE: Because of the calendar’s 31 December 2019 either by placing an Mr Anthony Marinos, Warminster layout, pictures will need to be in landscape order via the Club offi ce or purchasing Mr Adrian Swift, Hailsham format. Please also make sure that fi les are merchandise from the ESV. Any remaining Mr Miles Webber, Sherborne sent in the highest resolution possible to credit after this date will expire. Mr Nick Puxted, Faversham ensure good quality reproduction. 7) The Club will endeavour to credit your Peter Felskau, Muenchen, Germany Please send entries to lowfl ying@lotus7. picture wherever possible with an appropriate Mr Robert Garthwaite, Filey Mr Anthony Wicks, Bury St. Edmunds club with a single picture and caption per attribution, but this is not guaranteed. Mr Mark Atherton, Preston email. A maximum of fi ve pictures is allowed 8) Late, incomplete or corrupt entries will not Mr N & Mrs T Apps, Eastleigh per person and membership number. be accepted. No responsibility can be accepted Mr Christopher Lloyd, Guildford Please mark all entries with the subject title for lost entries and proof of transmission will Mr Adrian Mortimer, High Wycombe “Club Calendar 2019 Photo Competition”. not be accepted as proof of receipt. Mr Andrew Pepperrell, Cambridge Submissions should include your name, phone 9) The judges’ decision is fi nal. Mr Neil Speed, Braintree number and Club membership number. 10) The Club reserves the right to alter the 12 entries will be selected for the calendar, prizes awarded in the event of unforeseen Returning members and the following prizes will be on offer: circumstances. Mr Tim Jones, Stourbridge • 1st Prize £50 credit towards a Club 11) Submission of an entry implies acceptance Dr Carl Stow, Neston Mr S & Mrs S Holland, Portsmouth product or service. of these terms and conditions in full.

Lowfl y i n g October 2018 5 News and events MOTORSPORT EVENTS Club Merchandise Stephen Hubbard reports: ach August I review the range of Club merchandise, seeing what has sold well E and how the lines complement each other. BY SCENIC & CONTINENTAL CAR TOURS I think it important to revise the range regularly, so that there is something fresh each year. Lines which will not be re-ordered are the pottery mugs, the present design of fl eeces and of soft-shell jackets. Introduced new are re-useable, insulated, non-spill mugs, suitable for tea, coffee or indeed cold drinks. Rather than a simple Club logo, I have used a fabulous photograph taken by Antony Hawkins to decorate it and there will be a tyre-shaped insulating grip around SPA CLASSIC the mug. I hope this stylish item can appeal to 17-20 MAY 2019 I CIRCUIT DE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, BELGIUM people beyond Club members For 2019, on sale from the Stoneleigh Kit Car Show will be a new "When it's gone, it's gone" T-shirt design. I was delighted with the sales of the “Tracks” design, of which there are a few left, particularly in the larger sizes. These will be available only from the ESV which will be at the Castle Coombe Kids' t-shirts available now Autumn Classic and at Handcross for the London to Brighton car run. There will also be a very small batch of wicking long sleeved In general, the Club will buy smaller no longer be available! With autumn roaring T-shirts, a base layer if you like, to see if batches of each line, so if you see something in, I’d like to remind you that hoodies, fl eeces, technical fabric shirts are popular. you like, buy it straight away, otherwise it may beanies and buffs are in all stock. FROM £269.00 PER PERSON Our Package Includes: • Return P&O Ferry Crossing from Dover to Calais (other crossings available on request) Racing • 3 Nights Hotel Accommodation (choice of hotel) • Bu et breakfast each morning Classic

• General Admission to the Spa-Classic from Friday to Sunday including Paddock & Grandstands Photo / • Designated Parking at Spa Francorchamps • Commemorative Tour Rally Plate • Detailed Road Book featuring Maps, Great Drives & Event Information • Car Parking at all Hotels (charges may be payable locally) www.peterauto.peter.fr © Image:

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6 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 CALL 01732 879153 • VISIT WWW.CLASSICMOTORSPORTEVENTS.CO.UK

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Classic & Historic Motorsport Events A4 Advert SPA CLASSIC FINAL 2018.indd 1 06/09/2018 10:29:24 News and events Moving Redline forwards Redline Components has been supplying parts to Lotus and Caterham Seven owners from its base in Caterham for nearly thirty years. I suspect that if you were to pick mobile phones from any ten random Seven owners, you’d fi nd that at least eight were programmed with Redline’s number and that at least one would have it on speed dial! The announcement that, eleven months after having taken over the business, Chris Mintoft was moving Redline out of Caterham town could possibly have caused an outcry, but thankfully, the wonders of modern telephony mean that Redline’s 01883 number lives on, and customers can continue to use it for all their Seven spares needs. Lowfl ying caught up with Chris to fi nd out more.

Hi Chris. It’s been almost a year since you Chris is looking forward to having took over Redline, how has it gone? the time to get back behind the It’s been great, since October 2017 I have wheel of his 1981 Twin Cam Seven been on a steep learning curve. It has been hard work but also very satisfying. Customers have been really supportive – some of them have been very much aware that the business has changed hands while others haven’t even realised. Either way, as long as I can supply the parts they need in an effi cient manner, I’m doing my job I’ve also been working to set up the processes that in the long run, will help me to manage the business in a more effi cient way. I’ve effectively been living away from home for the last year, which has meant that I’ve been able to put the hours in to get this done. If I can liken the process to a motor sport discipline, it’s been a hillclimb – a steep and or email; although it is always nice to be in Stevenage. With the technology I’ve put complex one at that, but like all racing, I’ve able to meet customers in person, the cost in place, I am free to deal with customers by had to move fast. Luckily, there haven’t been of maintaining a town centre premises was phone or email from absolutely anywhere. any major offs! just too high a price to pay. So, the new set Having confi rmed the orders, I then personally So, why did you decide to move out of up means that I am able to give everybody, deal with packing and dispatch. Another Caterham? wherever they are, the same level of service. benefi t of the new setup is that the warehouse Redline has a long history in the town, but So how are you managing things now? handles the secure receipt of all incoming sadly it just didn’t make business sense to As I said, all of my stock is held in a warehouse stock from my suppliers at any time of the day, remain. As you are probably aware, the old premises included a workshop space in addition to the stockroom. The workshop was no longer required so I really had far too much space for what today’s business needs. What with one thing and another in the end, it was a fairly easy business decision. So where is Redline based now? I’ve moved the stock to a professionally managed warehouse in Stevenage, the space I have is fl exible to allow for growth which may be required as time goes by. This set up does mean that I can’t currently invite customers to visit personally, but at this point in the development of the business the whole process is going to run more smoothly from here. When I fi rst started considering a move, I took into account the number of customers who visited Redline personally and the number who placed orders via the phone

8 Lowfl y i n g October 2018 What else is new? Redline has always been best known for supplying parts for older Sevens whether Lotus or Caterham, and I have certainly been working to add to the stocks that we hold for such models. Recent examples include the full set of body panels for the Series 4 Lotus 7 as well as new weather equipment and interior trim for early cars like the Series 2, Prisoner cars etc. At the same time, Redline is an offi cial Caterham Spares dealer and I enjoy a really good working relationship with Caterham Cars. So in addition to spares for the older models we can supply parts for the more modern Sevens too. So, what comes next? A signifi cant project, but one that I would like to achieve is to publish a parts catalogue on Redline’s website. Customers are asking for this on a regular basis and I see the value in providing a view of the range of parts that are available. Customers could then create a wish list that can form the basis of their initial enquiry. It would save time and make it easier for customers to describe what they need, and once confi rmed, it will lead smoothly into the meaning there is no risk of deliveries being following the relocation my aim is to ensure ordering process. delayed either because I am offsite or busy next day dispatch on every item in stock; Other than that, as things start to calm dealing with customer enquiries. once the dust settles I can look to improve down after the move, and with the new Redline has been known for its rapid this. I also know how important it is to systems in place, I’m really hoping to fi nd time turnaround of parts and reasonable shipping be fair with carriage charges. I can choose to drive one of my Sevens - they have been charges. Is that still going to be the case? between a number of courier companies rather neglected this past year… That’s certainly the plan! I have been very now so can offer express or economy Thanks for your time Chris, and best of luck open with customers; in the initial phase options depending on the customers’ needs. with the business going forward.

Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 9 Days Out

Joanne tries out the Formula Student car in Tom Pryce Shadow homage livery Man of Denbigh John Aston recommends visiting Denbigh’s homage to the talented F1 driver who died at Kyalami in 1977. Be quick though, it’s only on until the end of the month...

he fewer grey hairs you have, the more unlikely it is that the name Tom Pryce will mean much to you. But, if you T are as grey as I am, and/or you are a keen student of Grand Prix racing’s history, you will remember his name and then you’ll sigh, shake your head and wonder about ‘what might have been’. Tom was a ferociously quick racing driver who had made his name in club racing in the early Seventies, succeeding in just about everything he tried. He had won in Formula Ford, dominated the near forgotten F100 series and graduated to Super Vee, Formula Atlantic (a sort of poor man’s Formula 2), Formula 3 and then ‘proper’ Formula 2, where he drove for Ron Dennis’ Rondel Racing. It was inevitable that we would see Tom in Formula 1; he made his debut in the Token F1 car in 1974 at Silverstone. The Token lived down to its name and was never going to trouble the sharp end of any grid but, indirectly, it helped put Tom’s name on the map. He had been refused an entry to that points-scoring Grand Prix perhaps, but he was In August 2018 I learned that the Denbigh year’s Monaco Grand Prix because he was sharing a grid with the likes of Fittipaldi and Museum in North Wales was holding an ‘too inexperienced’, or so people like Bernie Peterson, Lauda and Hunt. I wasn’t the only one exhibition dedicated to Tom Pryce and, as Ecclestone thought. So what did Thomas who, on that freezing cold March day at Brands, we were heading for a short break on the Maldwyn Pryce do then? He got an F3 was quite sure Tom Pryce would be the next Lleyn Peninsula, we arranged to visit en drive at Monaco and in this - then the most Briton who would be winning Grands Prix. route. The museum is run by volunteers important F3 race in the world - he annihilated But he was destined never to do so, and, who were happy to open up especially for all comers, winning by over 20 seconds... just like Revson, he died in a Shadow, and at us, which in a sense made the occasion all Suddenly he was hot property and was quickly Kyalami. The circumstances of his death, on 5 the more poignant, as we were the only signed by Shadow, whose lead driver, Peter March 1977, were as banal as they were tragic. visitors. If you have been to The Jim Clark Revson had been killed in a testing accident at Renzo Zorzi, his team mate, had come to a Rooms at Duns, you will have an idea of Kyalami. Pryce didn’t win a Grand Prix in the halt during the South African Grand Prix and what to expect. The only racing car you will next two seasons but it was obvious that he his car was smoking slightly. A young marshal, see is the Formula Student car in Shadow was going to. Third on the grid in his second Jansen van Vuuren, ran across the track carrying livery but there’s lots of memorabilia, race for Shadow, he went on to finish as high a heavy fire extinguisher. Pryce’s Shadow hit including photographs, trophies and one of as third in later Grands Prix, and was on pole him at 170 mph and both were killed instantly. Tom’s simply-liveried race helmets, in plain for the British Grand Prix in 1975. And, a few Pryce was 27 and Van Vuuren just 19. white with five vertical black stripes above months earlier, he won his first F1 race, the Britain was to lose three Grand Prix drivers the visor. There are also various ephemera Race of Champions at Brands Hatch. Not a in the space of less than four years as Roger including race programmes, one of which Williamson had died in Tom Wheatcroft’s is from Oulton Park in 1971 when Tom was March at Zandvoort in 1973, while Tony racing in F100. It will look better in Denbigh Brise died in the plane crash which killed than sitting in my attic. Graham Hill in 1975. The three young The exhibition is only open until the drivers were called ‘The Lost Generation’ by end of October but if the life of Tom Pryce David Tremayne in his wonderful book of interests you, please do visit. More details the same name, which I recommend without are available from Gwyneth Kensler, for reservation. I saw all three men race and had whose help on the day I am very grateful - followed their careers from club racing. I [email protected] don’t mind admitting that the book made me or for Welsh speakers One of Tom’s helmets mourn their loss all over again. [email protected] LF

10 Lowflying October 2018 WESTERMANN MOTORSPORT

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Lowflying October 2018 11 The longest build ever?

The longest build ever? (Well it was a great idea at the time) John Kelly has been a long-standing Lotus Seven Club member who built his first Seven in the late 1980s. He sold it however, and in this first of a three-part series, John sets the scene for what is likely to prove one of the longest kit builds there’s ever been...

always wanted an old Morgan three wheeler. Still do. When I was a lad you could pick up an early ‘30s Matchless 3 speeder out of Ithe Manchester Evening News for a fiver. Even now I look at “The Floggery” in the club mag every month to see if there’s anything eye catching (though the prices these days are more eye watering than eye catching). So why, in the late ‘80s I found myself in the office at Town End with Andy Steel and Guy Munday putting in my order for a Caterham Supersprint kit I’m not really sure, however, money changed hands and it had to be red. Of course. In the phone call before they got all the packages ready I learned that it would be just the fibreglass bits that would be coloured and I thought that red and ali might look a bit naff when the shine wore off so the order was changed to black. To save a few bob I borrowed a mate’s trailer and went down to paint the engine bay satin black. It was always the road with change from 9 grand and the collect all the bits and oddly enough, the first going to be on a “Q” plate, many were in those ultimate insult to the porker was that having thing I did when I got it home was to take the days and it was a badge worn with pride as it been smoked, it was by a home-built with a chassis down the road to the local body shop said to the wider world “Hey! I built this.” And Cortina engine and Morris Ital axle. Part of the and get that sprayed black too. Next job was to it was cheap. Really cheap. A Porsche eater on joy back then was crawling around in breakers

12 Lowflying October 2018 yards and finding a decent 1600 engine (1/2” do a whole lot for the Lumenition, or the Maidenhead. The stories I could tell about taller above the water pump than a 1300) and nerves for that matter. On one occasion him and Michael so go on, the next time you counting teeth for your Escort Sport box. No following the latest minor bonfire it packed see him ask him about the time they sold need to find the Ital axle as ‘80s Caterham up on the M25 so the AA man towed me off Joseph’s computer. Great story. racing legend Graham Sykes would supply to the Godstone roundabout. On his knees The car was also well-known within the the whole thing ready to go. And so a quick and working under the inlet manifold, he club, at the Oxford meet and at Club social MOT (no IVA in those days) and a visit to the painstakingly rebuilt the LT with a contact do’s including the one at Moreton where local (yes, local) DVLA office and Q501YRX breaker set from out of the back of his van. Dikko’s car pitched up sporting zebra stripes was born. It was a cracking little car, the back True dedication. and our Fran blew away the opposition to axle would hop around some on bumpy roads One of the car’s claims to fame is that it take the fastest lady accolade once she’d mind but it was a dream on track. The engine played a part in setting a certain M. Calvert decided that on balance it was quicker though was a bit of a dud having the slightly esq, our esteemed editor, on the road to with the handbrake off. There were regular alarming tendency to catch fire. Well it was the esoteric pleasures of Sevening with his track days but by the early ‘90s with nearly cheap. Restarting when the engine was hot own visit to Guy who was by now at SGT in 20,000 miles on the clock, a good slice of would cause it to spit out a gob of petrol Taplow. Michael is bestest mate with the No1 them on track, the engine was getting a bit which would land on the distributor and son (blown Elise, 250ish in the horsepower wheezy so a deal was struck with another off it went - no major damage but it didn’t department), they go back to school days in Mike, a great friend and erstwhile Superlight racer (that is when he could remember to fasten up his helmet) and who would later become Godfather to the No2 son. In return for knocking down Mike’s old bathroom, he’d rebuild the engine for me. It turns out that the original engine had the old BCF2 cam - no valve pockets in the pistons and a standard cam dowel. It could of course have been a fluke that that was the one to get the valve timing right but more likely that it was the cause of the engine fires. So I ended up with a sweet 140bhp+ engine and Mike with a hole in the side of his house. With the extra oomph and a set of Yokohama 001s it was more and more track days, Cadwell Park at every opportunity. Graham Sykes, ex deep sea welder, engineering perfectionist and by now good mate lived up the road and so he came along one time. He did a session in the car and in his Mansfield drawl declared “That’s a good ‘un is that” and then next session came out for a passenger ride, at the end of which an ashen faced Graham pulled himself out of the car and suggested that it might be time to go racing.

Lowflying October 2018 13 The longest build ever?

Centre: Commemorative sweatshirt by Barry Foley (of Catchpole fame). Right: Not every outing was quite so successful

And so it was one chilly For the ‘99 season Glen Eagling we pressed praying that there was enough Northamptonshire morning I found myself Motorsport looked after the car so it was petrol on board to get us there. We arrived round the back of the BRDC Centre in the the luxury of “arrive and drive” which was in the paddock with vapour in the tanks and Silverstone collecting area behind the wheel just as well as having broken the back axle in joyous elation leapt out of the cab and of a Mk27 Mallock for round 1 of the 1995 in qualifying at Knockhill, the guys had to switched off. It was as expected, stone dead. Clubmans Sport 1600 series. There’s been cancel their evening out and spend it instead Surrounded by an assortment of mechanical much written in this mag about Clubmans searching for a suitable welding kit. Two and electrical engineers we were pushed into and its links with Sevens, save to say that podiums the next day. The year also saw our parking slot and they all got to work. it’s probably the best value on the club the birth of the No2 son; if fatherhood was Hours later they were all still scratching their motorsport scene, slicks and wings and for good enough for George Clooney in his ‘50s, heads when it was suggested that we gave most, it’s the right side of 100mph average it was fi ne by me too. it a try and lo, everything was back so we round Mallory. For the full story you’ll The drive across to Croix turned into gave a few Gallic shrugs and that was that, it need to see Paul Lawrence’s excellent “The something of a challenge as with a youngster ran perfectly all the way home. Sold it to a Lone Furrow”, now out of print but you’re in tow we’d acquired Harvey (the RV geddit?) Silverstone marshal shortly after. welcome to borrow my copy. an aged Bedford with a Pioneer conversion. Other than the racing itself there were some The racing was epic, massively competitive Towing the trailer, on a good day we could magic times - night stops with Lavender, a with rounds all over the UK and at Criox, get 11mpg out of it and that was on leaded bonkers lady who ran the quaintest B&B near Zolder and Spa, and yes, been fl at through Eau petrol. We’d swung by Carrefour to pick up Snetterton, chuckling at being charged extra Rouge, even with a mighty 135bhp and slicks the prawns and Gros Plant for lunch and as we by a Welsh landlady for charging the battery, ‘n wings it still causes a sharp intake of breath. left the car park the fuel gauge failed followed sea bathing at the Pembrey Country Park, I still have the commemorative sweatshirt by half the indicators, then the temp gauge pints of Batemans XXXB at the Masons Arms designed by the late, and much lamented and just about everything else then fi nally Louth, taking my aging Mum and days old son Barry Foley of Catchpole fame who was the the alternator light started to glow. Fearful to Knockhill then latterly JH, this youngest very devil to keep up with on track. that if we stopped we’d never get going again, boy at age 2½ and dressed in his yellow race I ended up with a sweet 140bhp+ engine and Mike with a hole in the side of his house

Mallock at Mountain

14 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 No1 and No2 sons in overalls learning to ride his two wheeler in the Mallock, in front of the Silverstone Paddock to a raucous round of Harvey (the RV) applause from all the guys. There were of course the un-magic moments too. Season 1 hitting the bump around Honda at Pembrey and doing the perfect oversteer to hit the infield tyre wall; leaving the wets behind on a fine sunny weekend then having to sit out the Oulton race in the Cheshire monsoon; the Silverstone Spring Trophy meeting in a blizzard - snowflakes the size of Oreo biscuits; watching as the car got T boned in slow motion and seeing the look on the other guy’s face; finding out that the outrageous front splitter and the even more outrageous rear diffuser doesn’t make you flat round Copse, it just makes the car undrivable; having qualified the car P2 in a two-driver race at Brands and watching the No1 son trash it into the Armco first lap exiting Druids - didn’t even have the exhaust pipe warm let alone the tyres. By the late ‘90s the Seven was languishing on axle stands when Superlight Mike says “I’ve got a plan…” Caterham were knocking out “starter kits” at discount and he knew where there was a trick XFlow and straight cut gear box going begging and he had a garage full of bits that he wanted to shift so why not sell the black job (now sporting a yellow stripe) and build a more up to date one? Great idea. Truly, a great idea. LF To be continued... Modern Technology Classic Look

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Lowflying October 2018 15 The Trip the Club saved

The Trip the Club saved A careless driver made it look unlikely that Martin Phipps would make his planned trip to France. Could Club members help fi nd a solution in time? t was early Saturday evening and I was minutes, I received many replies and some and found out that he was close by at the walking my dog on Godstone Green in great suggestions, but most of these involved Kenley Aerodrome Custom Car & Bike show Surrey. I was thinking ahead to my planned work that was beyond my almost non-existent where he was exhibiting his gorgeous 1934 I early morning departure on Monday when mechanical competence and required tools Austin 10. He suggested that I should go to I’d be setting off for a few days driving around that I do not own. However, one suggestion the aerodrome and show him pictures of the northern France. As we walked back towards from Mark Lawrence, South Area Regional damage. Having looked at them, he told me the car however, I heard a sickening crunch Coordinator, was that I should contact Club he could do a fi x and invited me to go over and it was immediately clear that my Seven member and Tech7 proprietor Andy Belcher to to his house once the show had fi nished, at had been hit. The car that had been parked see if he could help. Interesting idea. around 5pm. It was an incredibly generous next to me had reversed out of the space at an So… would Andy be willing and able to offer to make on a Sunday after he had already angle and contact had been made. The result look at my car on a Sunday? I called him as spent a long day in the sun. Andy quickly - a rear wing that had been half ripped off. early as I thought acceptable next morning started to work his magic, fi rstly reshaping Having exchanged details with the culprit, my fi rst concern was that there was no chance now that I was going to make the trip, as surely it would be impossible to fi nd anyone who could work on my car on a Sunday. First to the scene was Club member Paul Sharp who was having a drink in the Godstone Club (a popular local watering hole, situated right on the green). Having heard the noise of the impact, Paul came out to inspect the damage. He then went home (he lives right next door!) and came back with a bunge e cord which we used to hook the wing back onto the wheel arch, which – driving very slowly – allowed me to get the car home. Before heading off though, I went into the club with Paul for a calming beer. Shortly after getting home I sent a message to the WhatsApp group used amongst the Club’s Management Team to ask if anyone had any ideas for a quick fi x that might still allow me to make my planned trip. Within

16 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 the holes where the rivnuts had been torn Loire region, the highlight of which was the Grandcamp meant that I had to make rapid through, then removing the wheel, fitting extraordinary Château de Chenonceau. Then progress back to Cherbourg, but I made it new rivnuts, replacing the wheel and then it was back north towards the Normandy in good time. Just as well, as the Normandie making the arch fully secure with gaffer tape. beaches, and an overnight stop in the highly Express is a once-per-day service. It was a temporary solution, but it was all recommended Château des Chevaliers Events like this are a great reminder done in less than hour and suddenly, my trip de Grand Tonne in Saint-Croix, midway of the value of the community of our to France was back on! between Caen and Bayeux. The following Club. Without the advice and support of After the early morning drive to day I visited Juno Beach, the highly moving members, the trip to France would not Portsmouth, I took the high speed (less than American Cemetery and Memorial (which have happened. Enormous thanks are due 3 hours) Normandie Express to Cherbourg Samuel L. Jackson was also visiting at the to all those from the Club who came up and then enjoyed four days driving on the time) at Omaha Beach and the coastal towns with useful suggestions during my time almost empty, superbly surfaced French along the D514 including Arromanches-les- of need, to Paul Sharp but particularly to roads. The first overnight stop was in Le Bains, Vierville-sur-Mer and the delightfully Andy Belcher, whose late Sunday Mans, and after visiting the circuit, the named and less touristy Grandcamp-Maisy. afternoon plans had definitely not following morning I headed south to the Spending a little longer than I should have at included fixing my car! LF

Events like this are a great reminder of the value of the community of our Club

Lowflying October 2018 17 Fridge Door

this year, having Cheryl and Lee Bulman got married for the second time in May celebrated their ﬁ rst marriage in Cuba back in December 2014. As Lee reports, they clearly like wedding cake! And what a cake - made to honour the second lady in Lee’s life, Katie, his 1996 1.8 K Series Roadsport. Lee conﬁ rmed that both the ladies in his life look as good today as they ever have!

Summer snow? Well, yes, if like Richard Stratton, you happen to be blatting from the UK to Milan via the Gotthard and Furka passes, with plans to take in the Rhône glacier and the Splügen Pass on way home.

18 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 Above: Nick and Angie Hopper had their Seven fully loaded as they took to the roads of Normandy as part of their Silver Wedding anniversary celebrations. A broken 12v outlet normally used for their sat nav resulted in the purchase of an impossibly large Michelin map and some old style navigation for the 60 mile journey back from the Above: Stuart Robertson’s grandson was all smiles delightful port of Honfleur to their hotel in Crépon. as he got to ‘drive’ the Seven. Unfortunately, the A late night sump strike against a raised drain cover smile faded somewhat when he was refused the leaving Dover reminded them that they were back on ignition keys... UK roads but luckily caused no damage.

If you would like to see your pride and joy featured on the Fridge Door, please send your Seven photos (general photos of Seven life welcomed too of course!) to lowﬂ [email protected]

Richard Owen-Hughes read the article about the Club’s new Blatmaps online route sharing service, and thought the best way to say ‘thank you’ was to add a new route. He took this shot on the road from Kettlewell to Middleham on what he names the “Yorkshire Dales Loop”

LowﬂLowﬂ y yin i ng g October 22018018 19 The Trip the Club saved

Outdoor Bubble

Life in a Bubble As winter approaches, some owners may be thinking about tucking their cars away where they can be kept dry, clean and with a topped-up battery until next season. Others however want their Seven always to be available during the winter, and seek to ensure that it is ready to go when the opportunity arises. Martin Brazill reports on his experience of different approaches to Seven storage both indoors and outdoors. ver the years, I’ve experimented Basic bubble with a number of storage hanging options – from a second-hand from ceiling “Obedsheet to positive-pressure air chambers or ‘bubbles’. I’ve also had a brick and a wooden garage and a car port, so as I started to think about storage for the winter to come, I thought I’d share my personal experiences of the most common solutions with other members.

The old bed sheet. This is what I started with, before it was supplemented by some odd blankets that were left over from the removal men. Pros: It’s cheap and it keeps most of the dust off. It is very easy to take on and off and stores away quickly. Cons: It provides no protection from knocks e.g. passing children’s bikes or the lawnmower. Pros: It keeps the car snug and clean and off. It hugs the car quite well, is light, quick It tends to fall off and can attract moisture. protects against the odd bump. The shape to take on and off and stores back in its bag Old blankets on top provide a bit more prevents it from falling off or dragging on nicely when not in use. It is breathable, and protection but will attract damp and they will the ground. used under a car port is a good combination. also soak up any condensation that forms Cons: As with the old sheet, some can Cons: In winter it allows the car to get damp and on the car as it gets colder. If it drags on the be prone to attracting damp. Mine is I suspect that after a week or so of wet weather, garage floor it can also pick up dust and dirt. cumbersome to get on and off and is hard to the water might penetrate it. Strapping it down get back into its bag. ahead of windy weather means crawling on the Tailored indoor cover floor so you don’t bother and it blows off. Being This is usually designed for the specific car Tailored outdoor cover breathable, it seems to let dust in and finally it and will wrap around it – some more tightly Pros: This works well for three seasons - positively encourages insects – especially spiders than others. keeping the dirt and the worst of the weather in my case - to make their homes in the car.

20 Lowflying October 2018 Boxes with frame bubble packed away Frame bubble empty ‘Bubbles’ Mine came with strong sewn-in lugs so you car when needed without deflating the bubble. The final, most sophisticated (and therefore can hang the top layer from the ceiling (which The top does not touch the car at all during most expensive options) are what I refer to as I use) so you don’t need to carry it away before assembly. Again, my experience is that it works ‘bubbles’. I tend to erect a bubble only for longer you get the car out. well keeping the car condensation free. term storage and put the car into it around late Cons: Hard to get the top layer on and off over Cons: It takes a while to assemble and the kit November and take it out again in March (I also the car if not suspended, in which case it is not of poles is a bit confusing the first time you over-inflate the tyres if I don’t think the car will easy to get the car out for a quick drive when use them, although they are well marked and be used at all for a few months.) Bubbles also the sun comes out. It also takes up a lot of room the process does get quicker with experience. prevent mice from nesting in the car over the in the garage and it needs power. There is no It seems to take up a bit more room than the winter and as the indoor ones are mainly clear, ‘door’ to open, so the unit is deflated if access basic bubble and it is harder to move around you can still see your pride and joy. to the car is required. I also did not like the top if needed. It is also heavy to carry, as the The basic bubble. This comes in two halves layer dragging across the car while I constructed bubble and ground sheet come in one piece – a thick base sheet that you put down and it (there was no evidence it scratched the car and as it has an additional box of poles, it park the car on and then the flexible part of though) hence I use the hanging method. takes up even more storage when taken down. the bubble that forms the top half and which The bubble with a frame. The base and The outdoor bubble. Looking like a silver zips onto the base. It has a connection for a bubble come as a complete unit, along with a spaceship that has just landed, this is much trickle charger for the battery that also runs kit of poles to be assembled like an old frame more robust as it is designed to be kept the two small fans that inflate the whole unit. tent. On mine, the assembly is from the inside outside all winter. The basic elements are the This takes about ten minutes and thereafter the of the inflated bubble – which is a bit weird to same though – twin fans running off a trickle fans operate constantly, passing air through the watch. It has three zipped entrances - two for charger for the battery which keep the bubble bubble and (it is claimed) removing moisture personal access and one to drive the car in and inflated and waft air over the car, preventing from the environment whilst the car is in out of. As before, it has a trickle charger and condensation. In addition to the thicker storage. twin fans to pass air over the car to keep it dry. alloy-coated material for the bubble, the top Pros: Quite quick to assemble and in my Pros: The internal frame keeps the bubble in has an inner and outer layer which trap air experience over the last six years, it does keep place even when not inflated. It is therefore between them and help insulate the unit. The the car very dry and clean. It also protects the easy to get the car out for a run through an fans are shielded from the elements and the car from knocks when working in the garage. entrance at one end and it allows access to the whole unit is water-tight.

Caterham in frame bubble showing entrance Basic bubble inflated

Lowflying October 2018 21 The Trip the Club saved

Pros: Even though I keep my car under a carport, it still gets wet and frosty under there. Having now used the outdoor bubble for three winters, I can conﬁ rm it keeps the elements out and the car dry, both from rain and condensation. It also keeps insects etc. out. Cons: As with the basic bubble there are no openings so if you want to take the car out it is a slow process. In practice, it is harder to take down than the indoor unit as the twin layers of the top tend to trap air and become unwieldly to roll up. Again, the top will be laying on the car when ﬁ rst assembled and it has no lugs to hang from which made it hard work. However, I constructed some additional strops to feed though the layers so I can hang mine up which speeds the process up greatly. Finally, you will need an outdoor power supply.

Conclusion During the best nine months of the year, my Caterham alternates between a wooden garage (with no cover) and the carport (when I use a tailored outdoor cover), both of which work well. A wooden garage is less prone to condensation than a brick one, so in the winter the car either stays in the garage, or in my outdoor bubble. Caterham in basic bubble inﬂ ated There are various manufacturers of bubbles out there. I can only reference my own drive out a dry clean car again in March. I I am working on something – but then I do experience with the Carcoon brand but can would deﬁ nitely recommend one. have the advantage of having evicted report that this has worked extremely well for I have stopped using a cover inside at all all non-essential items (and people) from me. I can put a car away in November and - unless the car is sitting for a long period or my garage.” LF

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22 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 Club Merchandise

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Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 23 Wild Atlantic Way

EXPLORING THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY Much has been written about the North Coast 500, the now extremely popular 500 mile route which follows the north coast of Scotland, starting and ending at Inverness Castle. Much less known I suspect is the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2,500km route around the south and west coast of Eire from Kinsale, half way along the southern coast and around to Malin Head, the most northerly point of Ireland. However, as Adrian Corser outlines, the roads and scenery more than justify the ferry crossing.

quick bit of geography here. Ireland Pembroke to Rosslare, Holyhead to Dublin, Our fi rst night stop was in Waterford, Ireland’s consists of Northern Ireland (part of Liverpool to Dublin, Belfast to Liverpool and oldest city; it is home to the famous Waterford the UK) and Eire (an independent Belfast to Cairnryan. crystal as well as to a great many Viking tales. Acountry and part of the EU). The Wild Late in 2017, I started to think and plan Day two of our week long exploration Atlantic Way (WAW) route is entirely in Eire a trip to explore the WAW, having been started a little misty, but as we drove into although the trip can be extended to include convinced by the very professional marketing Kinsale, the offi cial start of the WAW, the sun the coast of Northern Ireland where you will website www.wildatlanticway.com that it really appeared. Just a few miles down the road at fi nd the Giant’s Causeway amongst other was a place that needed to be visited. I was not Old Head Golf course, the cliffs came into famous sights. There is virtually no border to be disappointed! view, and with them, the sight of the clear blue between the two countries and indeed if you So, in mid April 2018, fellow ReHaB sea crashing onto the beach far below. go by sea, a passport is not even required, just member Ian Withycombe and I left Reading Of course, one major bonus for we Brits is a form of identifi cation. services on the M4 just before the sun rose and that the Irish also drive on the left, although You can get your Seven from the UK to headed west all the way to Fishguard ready to the roads signs do seem to have become Ireland via a number of routes – Fishguard/ embark for a 3hr crossing to Rosslare. metricated! The major national roads are of a

24 Lowfl y i n g October 2018 The road down to Killarney twists and turns a couple of hundred meters offshore but can through moorland, forests and past crystal be reached by Ireland’s only cable car across a clear blue lakes. narrow sound. It’s not for the faint hearted! Killarney is full of hotels, guest houses and Lack of traffi c enabled us to make some B&Bs and was surprisingly busy for the end rapid progress around to the west end of the of April. It is a major tourist centre for the Ring of Kerry where the “Skellig Ring” winds south west area. You will not be lacking from itself around the cliff edge. Not a road to be a choice of restaurants, pubs and Irish whiskey driven with vigour - single track, sheer drops, bars. The Killarney Brewing Company has tunnels and the threat of a coach appearing some tasty beers to savour as well. tempers any need for speed! However, the On day three, we woke to cloudless skies views of the Skellig Islands and Puffi n Island and set off on a 235mile round trip around can only be described as spectacular. the Beara peninsular to be followed by a We had planned to use the ferry at the end tour of the famous “Ring of Kerry” circular of Valentia Island (having arrived at the other route. Knowing that all the coaches and tour end over a bridge) Unfortunately, the good buses go anti-clockwise, we headed around Irish folk had forgotten to return it from Cork clockwise; we met a few, but nothing like the where it was undergoing repairs. Needless to number I had been led to believe. say, we had a lengthy detour! These two peninsulas that jut out into the Time did not permit the exploration of the Atlantic have signifi cant mountain ranges mountains. The Ring of Kerry goes all around inland but with a coast route that twists its Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest mountain way around the extremities. There was little at 3,406ft. I am told the roads that cross this traffi c to spoil the views which seemed to open remote area can challenge some of the best out onto a different vista around each corner. that Scotland can offer. Our fi rst stop was Lambs Head at the tip of Returning to Killarney that evening (yes, the Beara Peninsular. Dursey Island lies just to all those bars, pubs and restaurants) Ian generally excellent standard and with a 100kph (62mph) limit, good progress can be made. We never seemed to be far away from a friendly wave from the Irish folk! Onwards to Mizen Head, the most south westerly point of Ireland. Here you start to appreciate the deeply indented coastline, cliffs and rocky shores with white sandy beaches in between. Villages abound along the route and we never seemed to be far away from a friendly wave from the Irish folk! Our 2nd and 3rd nights’ stops were in Killarney, so heading north and away from the coast. The main road heads over two mountain ranges, the second of which summits out at Molls Gap which provides a stunning view over Killarney National Park.

Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 25 Wild Atlantic Way

and I did wonder what else Ireland could Arriving in Galway for the first of our two the exact location where Alcock and Brown possibly offer! nights, we set off to explore the town which unintentionally crashed into a bog adjacent to Day four again saw a nice sunny start and proved - like most Irish towns - to be full, you Marconi’s radio station after the first non-stop off we headed up the west coast to Galway but have guessed it, of pubs, bars and restaurants transatlantic flight in June 1919. taking a little detour out around the Dingle with plenty of street bands which gave a great Our final night on the WAW was spent back Peninsular. The uninhabited Blasket Islands lie atmosphere to the place. in Galway, followed the next day by a leisurely off the westerly tip and our road (single track for Our last day of exploring the WAW saw us drive across Ireland to Dublin which is well the most part) clung to the coastline with waves heading north and west from Galway into the worth a visit in itself. An early morning ferry crashing onto the rocks below. Out of Dingle Connemara National Park, an area of mountains from Dublin to Holyhead brought us back town, the road climbs steeply to the Conor Pass and peat bogs where small bays and beaches to the UK where a drive though the Welsh (one of the highest Irish mountain passes served abound. We encountered the Connemara mountains was to be a fitting finale to our by an asphalted road), providing a 360 degree Marathon event en route, and followed a expedition. Having experienced very little rain viewpoint. Avoiding Tralee, the roads are inland stream of very tired runners or at this point in Ireland, Wales unfortunately managed to rather than coastal until Ballybunion is reached walkers! Now, at 26 miles, a marathon is a pretty turn the taps on fully! where there are miles of sand and another world daunting prospect, so spare a thought for those So some final thoughts. Ireland offers class golf course. Yes, golf is another of Ireland’s in the ‘ultra marathon’ category (50 miles), not roads and scenery in abundance that major tourist attractions! on the relative flat as in London but up and challenge the very best that mainland UK can We crossed the Shannon river on the Tarbet down mountain passes! offer. There is never the sense of remoteness ferry with our next stop planned for the Cliffs The whole area is remote and largely devoid that the very north of Scotland can offer; of Moher, one of the most visited tourist of cars but with excellent roads, too few of houses, farms and cottages are never far away. attractions in Ireland. Vertical cliffs rising which we had time to explore over the many We did not see any sports cars, very few bikes, to over 700ft stretch for nearly nine miles, passes and open moorland. camper vans or caravans (admittedly we offering stunning views. Unfortunately, as it Just south of Clifton lies the now abandoned were out of high season) and the pace of life was a Saturday afternoon and the weather was site of Marconi’s radio station, where the first seemed just to flow everywhere we went, with great, the place was very busy which, coupled transatlantic Morse code was transmitted. no one in a real hurry to get anywhere fast. with substantial infrastructure improvements, Nothing much remains from what was an Interest in the Caterhams abounded. If you sadly meant that the car parks were packed extensive array of masts and buildings which can spare the extra bit of effort it takes to get and we were forced to carry on with our trip once even had its own narrow gauge railway on a ferry, Ireland is well worth a visit - you without the opportunity to explore further. to reach this remote site. Famously, this is also will not be disappointed! LF Ireland offers roads and scenery that challenge the very best that mainland UK can offer

26 Lowflying October 2018 BLATMAPS – THE CLUB’S NEW ROUTE MAPPING AND PLANNING SERVICE Adrian has shared the routes that he and Ian drove on each of the five days of this trip through BlatMaps, the Club’s interactive route mapping and planning service. To access this, simply navigate to “Guides” from the www.lotus7.club homepage, then select “BlatMaps” from the main menu. At the time of writing, sixty three different routes had been shared by Club members, and the list is being added to all the time. To participate you must, the very first time you access the service, select one of the routes and then select the “View Complete Route” button. You will be taken to a registration page where you need to register for the free of charge service then select “participate”. Once we have linked your registration request to your Club membership, you will be fully active and the next time you select a route, you will be able to use it. In addition to viewing routed and downloading them to your satnav device, in preferred route file format, or even directly to your smartphone satnav software, you are free create your own routes to share back with other Club members. This is really the point of the new BlatMaps service, it allows us all to collaborate and create a wonderful set of great blat routes. Our international affiliated members can also gain access and share routes beyond the UK too! Each purple “7” icon is a single route, and blue bubbles with a number in them indicate that there is more than one route at that zoom level on the map. As you zoom in, you gain easy access to every route. We have a large Club membership and look forward to you enjoying this experience and sharing your favourite routes. And don’t forget that there is a new section on BlatChat called Blat/Tours so that we can all chat about our favourite routes and experiences!

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0037 Thatcham Lotus 7 Halfpage Advert.indd 1 05/06/2018 13:17 Lowflying October 2018 27 Enquiries and amendments to the AR Coordinator please email: [email protected]

Area Meetings Area Meetings Please refer to www.lotus7.club/area-meetings for most recent changes. The envelope symbol signifies that an email mailing list is available, to which those interested in receiving information on the area’s activities can subscribe (see sidebar for details)

Bristol & Bath Hampshire, South (‘Solent Se7ens’) Kentish Weald Norfolk & Suffolk (“Carrotland”) Venue: Boars Head, Aust, BS35 4AX. The Milbury’s, The Spotted Dog, 1st Monday, 7pm 3rd Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm Beauworth near Cheriton, Smarts Hill, nr. Penshurst, TN11 8EP The Scole Inn, Scole, Contact: Brian Hall 07751 816149 Alresford, Hampshire. SO24 0PB. 3rd Tuesday, 7.30pm near Diss, IP21 4DR [email protected] Last Friday 20.00 hrs AR – Position Vacant Contacts: Steve Wright 07789 907646 and Kingsley Young Buckinghamshire (‘Penn Sevens’) Contact: Steve Biggs [email protected] The Squirrel, Penn 07799 600318 07774 135220 Street, Penn,Bucks, HP7 0PX [email protected] Lancashire and District (‘LADS’) Email for both: carrotland@ last Saturday, 12 noon The Blundell Arms, Chorley Old Rd, lotus7.club Contact: Mark Williams Hampshire, West (‘New Forest Sevens’) Horwich, near Bolton, BL6 6PY Northants, Beds and Bucks 01908 521382(h) or Venue: Foresters Arms, 1st Wednesday, 8pm 07798 766696(m) The Old Swan, Astwood, Abbots Well Road, Frogham, Contact: Peter Haslam [email protected] Newport Pagnell, Bucks MK16 9JS Fordingbridge, SP6 2JA. 0161 724 6481 or 07719 541550 http://penn.lowflying.co.uk 3rd Wednesday, 7.30pm 1st Tuesday, 7.15-7.30pm Contact: Paul Richards Cambridgeshire Graham Howard, Contact: Nick Westbrook 0161 763 5410 or 07721 564742 The Red Lion 07711 640105 07784 832356 Email for both: [email protected] 47 High St, Stretham, Ely CB6 3JQ [email protected] On the 3rd Sunday of each month. [email protected] Contact: Andrew Gilbert Heritage Sevens Group www.lads7.co.uk North East 07968 591485 Meetings are random. Leics, Notts, Derbyshire The Old Mill, Metal Bridge, Thinford [email protected] Contact: Rod Thonger The King’s Arms, Road, Coxhoe, County Durham Cheshire and Staffordshire, North DH6 5NX 07836 271429 Hathern, LE12 5LD. The Swan Inn, 2nd Wednesday 7.00pm [email protected] 2nd Thursday 8pm. Main Rd, Wybunbury, Contact: Paul Mason 07974 215736 Edward Nettleship 07743 973318 Cheshire, CW5 7NA Hertfordshire [email protected] 2nd Wednesday, 8pm [email protected] 1st Wednesday, 8pm Contact: Nick Chan Refer to area webpage for directions Northern Ireland John Bunyan Pub, Coleman Green, 01782 621818 or 07590 841674 David McCrea Lincolnshire Or: Richard Price Wheathampstead, Herts, AL4 8ES Contact: 07787 863748 01782 616493 or 07770 617127 2nd Sunday, 12pm. The Three Kings, or 02893 350324 email for both: The Moon & Stars, Mill End, Saltersway, Threekingham, [email protected] [email protected] Rushden, Hertfordshire, SG9 0TA. nr. Sleaford, NG34 0AU Please ring for details of meetings. Cornwall See BlatChat or contact AR for info 1st Thursday, 7.30pm Contact: Dennis Scoging on pre-meeting blats. Contact: David Pattrick 07966 171947 Oxfordshire 07818 423289 or 01752 829157 Contact: Dick Dixon 01920 871153 Or: Liz Lukeman 07881 912827 The Flowing Well, Meeting date and venue tbc - contact [email protected] [email protected] Sunningwell, Abingdon, AR for details: [email protected] Oxfordshire, OX13 6RB Or: Paul Kennedy 07778 738428 London, Central Devon 1st Tuesday, from 7.30pm We meet on the third Sunday of Isle of Man GBM Anokha Contact: Robert Jacobs the month, normally for coffee/ The Crosby Hotel, St Paul’s Indian Restaurant & Bar, 01865285026 breakfast, with a blat to follow. Isle of Man, IM4 2DQ 4 Burgon St, London, EC4V 5DR [email protected] We have social evenings, and last Wednesday, 6.30pm impromptu blats as well! (for the 1st Tuesday, 8.30pm Reading, North Hants & Berks (‘ReHab’) Contact: Mike Scott 01608 239174 Contact: Fred Gustafsson latest information visit these pages 2nd Wednesday and 07740 944470 regularly or contact or 07754 084019 last Thursday, 7.30pm Terence McCarthy 07971 572820 [email protected] [email protected] The Barley Mow, The Hurst, [email protected] London, South Winchfield, RG27 8DE Dorset Jersey, Channel Islands GBJ All Bar One, 32 Northcote Road, Contact: Andy Webber 07721 722111 The Red Lion Hotel, Winfrith Roving venue, please contact for [email protected] Newburgh, Dorchester, DT2 8LE. details Clapham, SW11 1NZ 1st Wednesday, 7pm 3rd Sunday, 1pm 3rd Tuesday, 7.30pm 4th Sunday The ‘AWESOME’ Meet Contact: Christian Palmer Contact: Adil Patel 07763 477673 Contact: Mark Le Lay The Old Hatchet, Hatchet Lane, 07833455782 01534 867743 or 07797 728939 [email protected] [email protected] Cranbourne, [email protected] London, West and Middlesex Windsor SL4 2EE Essex Contact: Tony Whitley The Great Baddow Barn, Galleywood Kent, East The Ace Café London Ace Corner, Old North, Circular www.7rehab.co.uk Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 8NB. The Sun Inn, The Street, Bredgar, 3rd Tuesday, 7pm Road, Stonebridge, NW10 7UD Sittingbourne, ME9 8EY. Scotland, North Contact: Andrew Fielding 2nd Tuesday, 6.30pm 2nd Thursday, 7pm Roving venue – please 07884 318371 or AR position vacant contact for details AAR Mike Burnham, 07758 231051 Contact: Garry Hooton. [email protected] [email protected] 07778 392239 Contact: Nigel Simpson Merseyside & District Sevens (‘MADS’) 01561 362153 Gloucestershire [email protected] Thorn Inn, [email protected] The Bathurst Arms, Kent, North Grappenhall Lane, North Cerney GL7 7BZ, on the A435 Scotland, South The Fox and Hounds, Toy’s Hill Appleton, between Cheltenham Bothwell Bridge Hotel, 89 Main and Cirencester Road, Brasted Chart, Westerham Warrington, Cheshire Street, Bothwell, G71 8EU 1st Thursday, 7.30pm TN16 1QG. WA4 4QX Contact: Andy Couchman 4th Tuesday, 7 pm Last Wednesday, 7.30pm 3rd Thursday in the month 01451 821982 Contact: Richard Brunero Contact: Stuart Forshaw Darren Smith 07933 362221 and AAR: Mike Scott 07754 084019 07974 927618 07980 225642 John Wragg 07967 371933 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Contact: [email protected]

28 Lowflying Octobber 2018 Shropshire Wales, North Yorkshire, South and Derbyshire, North In order to facilitate email The Fox and Hounds, Roving Venue, please contact AR The 7th of each month, 7pm (ish) communications with local Shawbury SY4 4JG 1st Tuesday Ladybower Inn, Bamford, Hope members, mailing list facilities www.foxandhoundsshawbury.co.uk Contact: Chris Proudlove Valley, Derbyshire, S33 0AX (on the have been set up for the last Tuesday, 7.30pm 01492 544514 A57 at Ladybower Reservoir). majority of areas. The idea is Contact: Clive Bridges [email protected] Contact: Antony & Liz Hawkins that Area Representatives and 01743 232466 or 07793244017 Wales, South (‘Taffia’) 07800 875428 local Event Organisers will email: [email protected] be able to send out details of Steel Horse Cafe [email protected] local events, special offers, ad- Somerset and Wessex Llanvihangel Gobion, Abergavenny hoc meetings, blats, etc to any NP7 9AY which is located between Yorkshire, West and Pennines The Worlds End Pub, Bradford on member who has registered Usk and Abergavenny. Tone, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 1ET The Fox, Menston (LS29 6EB) to receive updates for those First Saturday of the month and 3rd First Tuesday of each month, from specific areas(s). (on the A38 between Taunton and Friday of the month, both at 10am ‘Seven’ pm. Contact: Adrian Atkinson As a Club member, you are Wellington).1st Thursday, 8pm Contact: Alan Henderson 07932 979923 [email protected] automatically subscribed to Contact: Simon Houghton 01633 413020 or 07779 958937 your local area(s); these are 01458 445503 Wales, West (‘Nomads’) allocated by matching the first [email protected] The Halfway Inn, half of your postcode on the Staffordshire, Mid Nantgaredig, Dyfed, SA32 7NL Meetings outside the UK Membership Database against (on the A40, between Carmarthen a list of postcodes agreed by The Swan with Two and Llandeilo) Belgium (B) each AR as the most relevant

Necks, Longdon, WS15 4PN 1st Wednesday, 7pm Venue to be confirmed to their meeting. (off the A51, between Rugeley/ Contact: Paul Andrew 01550 740640 Please contact AR for more details However, if you wish to be Lichfield) [email protected] Contact: Jean-Marc Bikx kept informed of events and activities in other areas (perhaps +32.(0) 495.249.239 3rd Thursday, 7.30pm Warwickshire, North (‘Bear 7s’) adjacent areas to the one closest [email protected] Contact: Stuart Bates Blue Lias, Stockton Rd, Stockton, to your home, or perhaps close 07795 576993 Southam, CV47 8LD Finland (FIN) to work or to where friends and [email protected] 1st Thursday, 7.30 Venue and dates variable, contact AR family are located) then you Contact: Giles Hudson for details are free to subscribe to as many Surrey 07976 769022 Contact: Jouko Paloranta other areas’ lists as you wish. To do so, send an email 1st Monday, from 7pm Contact: Simon Cutler +35850 587 2823 (mobile) to the Area Representative of The Plough, Orestan Lane, 07732 615 204 [email protected] [email protected] the Area(s) you are interested Effingham, KT24 5SW France, South (FR) in, stating your name and Warwickshire, South (‘Warwickshire7s’) 3rd Tuesday, 7pm Contact: Peter Dunn, +33 (0)7 86 membership number, and ask The Woodman, Woodmansterne The Falcon, 52 50 29, [email protected] them to add you to their list. Warmington, OX17 1JJ Street, Banstead, SM7 3NL You may of course www.brunningandprice.co.uk/falcon France, North (FR) unsubscribe from any/all lists Contact: Mark Lawrence 2nd Wednesday, from 7.30pm. Contact: Nicolas Callewaert, (apart from your “Home” 07894 464900 or: Gordon Cross Contact: Philip Ambrose +33 (0)6 20 45 95 47 Area(s)) at any time, and 07990 822631. Email for both: 01608 810269 [email protected] your email address will not [email protected] be revealed to any other [email protected] Germany (D) parties (apart from the AR or Wiltshire, North Sussex, East Venue and dates variable, but mostly EO sending the messages to The Jolly Tar, Queens Road, last Sunday The Ash Tree Inn, the list). Hannington SN6 7RP, please contact for latest details They aren’t “discussion Brown Bread Street, Ashburnham, 1 mile off B4019 Contact:Florian Schlüter lists” but are intended for (take junction at the Freke Arms) East Sussex TN33 9NX +49 171 5842375 announcements, and any reply 2nd Wednesday, 8pm 2nd Tuesday, 7pm [email protected] to an email received will only be Daylight saving & weather Contact: Ian Bruce sent to the originator. prevailing, meeting starts with pre- Italy 07973 291144 The address to which meet Blat from Jolly Tar car park at Roberto Rizzo you will receive the emails [email protected] 7:30pm [email protected] will be the one that you Contact: Geoff Brown Sussex, Mid Netherlands have provided to the Club’s 01793 876465 membership secretary. Our Blat ‘N Chat is at The Red Lion, [email protected] Edward Westenberg If you change your email [email protected] Lewes Road, Chelwood Gate, RH17 Wiltshire, South address, please send updated 7DE on the last Tuesday of each Every third Wednesday of the New Zealand (NZ) details to: [email protected] month from 7pm onwards. New, month, at The Royal Oak, Meeting place and times currently existing and prospective members Corsley, BA12 7PR from between variable; please contact for latest details PROTECTING YOUR DATA 19:00 and 19:30 are very welcome. Any queries, Contact: Nigel Riches 00 64 3318 1440 The Lotus Seven Club takes the Contact: Paul Manning [email protected] protection of its Members’ data contact [email protected] 07989 600950 or 01380 828655 Sweden seriously and it should therefore Sussex, West [email protected] Tomas Bengtsson be noted that individuals may Worcestershire withdraw consent at any time Contact AR for details of venue as [email protected] currently roving The Vernon, Hanbury, B60 4DB for AR contact and/or Club Meet on the 2nd Wednesday of Switzerland (CH) event/marketing emails. 2nd Wednesday, 7.45pm every month at 7.30pm Lotus Seven Owners of Switzerland Similarly, individuals may Contact: Les Shepherd, Contact: Russell Gill meet. First Tuesday at 7pm; at ACE also request a copy of the 01243 376457 07549 953262 CAFÉ Luzern (Rothenburg). information that the Club holds [email protected] [email protected] Contact: Patriçck Vogt on them. An individual’s information Yorkshire, North and East +41 79 350 08 80 [email protected] Thames Valley may be deleted from Club The Gold Cup Inn, www.LSOS.ch The Pelican, records upon request; however, Low Catton, near Stamford Bridge, USA, Michigan (USA) certain information may be Froxfield (on the A4, 2 miles York YO41 1EA Meeting place and times currently retained in order for the Club to W of Hungerford), SN8 3JY 3rd Wednesday, 7pm meet its legislative requirements. Contact: AR Adrian Oates 07507 variable; please contact for latest details 1st Thursday, 8pm Contact: John Donohoe For any of the above, please 760567 and AAR Roger Abbott contact the Club Office: Contact: Nick Bassett 01757 288449 / 07837 227980 00 1 517-655-5125 (h) 07768 051428 [email protected] / +44 [email protected] [email protected] (0)1873 777303 [email protected] www.york7.org.uk www.simplesevens.org

Lowflying Octobber 2018 29 Club Diary

Tours. For more information or to book your places call: 01732 879153 or email: [email protected] Saturday 11th Dunsfold Handling Day Save the date! More info to follow Saturday 18th Tafﬁ a Fish & Chip run Save the Date! More info to follow

June 7th to 10th Lotus Seven Club Tour - Laon Historique & Black Forest Add-on. Following the success of our 2018 tour we’re heading back to Laon for the biggest Classic Car pilgrimage to Europe, the 2019 Circuit Historique de Laon. The highlights of the weekend are the Saturday run and Sunday’s closed street parade. As the name suggests, all of the streets are closed to Club Diary traffi c. The route extends over 6kms and includes a hill climb with hairpin bends as you make your way to the old town centre. October Black Forest Add on - Following the Laon Historique, we will be giving you the opportunity to continue on to the picturesque Black Forest, one Friday 5th of Germany’s largest and best-known regions. This tour is based in the Anglesey track day delightful village of Hornberg, set in a beautiful mountain valley of the Club exclusive sessions (40 minutes every hour) at this wonderful venue on Black Forest. From £159.00-£449.00 per person based on 2 persons a day that we will be sharing, again, with our friends at MGs on Track. occupying a car and a twin/double room. Organised for the Lotus Seven Saturday 6th Club by Scenic & Continental Car Tours. For more information or to book Castle Combe Autumn Classic your places call: 01732 879153 or email: [email protected] Now in its seventh year the ‘Revival of the West’ will have the theme of Le Mans & the GT40. Expect at least eight grids of vintage & classic July racers with an exciting mix of vehicles in the paddock displays. There will also be on track demos. Entry includes trackside parking with 11th to 16th (TBC) the ESV. Ticket & event info on the club web site in Exclusive Members Lotus Seven Club Tour - Waterford, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. Deals & Discounts. Club Ticket Offer ends 7th September This 6 day tour takes you along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the Contact: [email protected] world. Explore the rugged south coast of Ireland at your leisure, as you make your way to Ireland’s most popular tourist destination, Killarney. The Sunday 21st South Coast is steeped in history, prehistoric settlements, castles, abbeys The Rob Walker Festival and stately homes dot the landscape, not to mention the spectacular Celebrating one of the most successful F1 privateer motor race teams -the coastline and never-ending beaches or the harbour-side village of Kinsale Rob Walker Race Team. The Rob Walker Centenary Festival will bring laying claim to the title ‘Foodie capital of the South’. The Ring of Kerry together historic racing cars for a 1 mile parade lap starting off from takes you through 10,000 years of dramatic history. The road takes you Dorking Town Hall, Surrey and fi nishing to form a static display. Opening from deep forest to the crashing waters of the Atlantic and on to majestic on the day will also be an exhibition of unseen photographs and a recently landscapes where wild stag roam and tumbling waterfalls crash into crystal discovered model collection. The Lotus 7 Club has been commissioned streams teeming with wild salmon. From £699 per person based on 2 by the Dorking Town Partnership to operate and manage the parade. We persons occupying a car and a twin/double room. Organised for the Lotus urgently need to recruit a team of enthusiastic marshal offi cials to ensure Seven Club by Scenic & Continental Car Tours. For more information or to smooth running and safe operation of this prestigious event. No previous book your places call: 01732 879153 or email: [email protected] experience required. Be part of this unique opportunity to manage the parade, coordinating car arrival, paddock display and the parade lap. Sound exciting? Register for this fantastic event with Gordon Cross at surrey@ September lotus7.club leaving your contact details. 12th to 17th Lotus Seven Club Tour - Angoulême Circuit des Remparts. Enjoy November a nostalgic tour to Angoulême for the Historique ‘Circuit des Remparts’ where every year in September, the town fi lls with racing enthusiasts for Sunday 4th annual gathering of vintage and classic cars. This event is a must for fans of London to Brighton Veteran Car Run vintage cars. The International Circuit des Remparts turns Angoulême into Our traditional season-ending gathering at Handcross to watch the London a giant museum on wheels where old-timers and classic cars make fans’ to Brighton Veteran Car Run. Pop down for breakfast, coffee and a chat dreams come true. A choice of two hotels - The Ibis Nord or Appart’City with your friends from around 08:00 and enjoy the great spectacle of the Hotel and the tour includes grandstand tickets and paddock passes for veteran cars making their way south to the coast. The ESV will be present, Sunday racing. From £589 per person based on 2 persons occupying a car providing an ideal opportunity to top up your Christmas presents. and a twin/double room. Organised for the Lotus Seven Club by Scenic & As always, we will be raising money for the Club charity “Race Continental Car Tours. For more information or to book your places call: Against Dementia”. All profi ts from the £10 charge for breakfast will 01732 879153 or email: [email protected] go to the charity. Our set up will be outside Handcross Primary School, B2114, London Road, Handcross, RH17 6HB with parking at Handcross Health Centre’s car park, postcode RH17 6BN, just south of the school. Contact: [email protected]. 2019 May 8th to 17th Lotus Seven Club Tour – Portugal, the Douro Valley & Northern Spain - The highlights of Portugal’s attractions are culture, gastronomy and wines, beaches, golf, history, variety of landscapes and above all great drives! The Douro Valley is known locally as the enchanted valley. You’ll follow the route offering amazing vistas as you cross the river from north to south and back again. Along the way you’ll admire breathtaking landscapes, picturesque towns and villages as you make your way to Miranda do Douro. The N222 between Pinhão and Régua was voted the World’s Best Drive in 2015. Porto, which gave its name to a wine enjoyed all over the world, was voted ‘Best European Destination’ in 2012, 2014 and 2017 and is one of the top Trip Advisor European cities for tourists. From £1,399 per person based on 2 persons occupying a car and a twin/double room. Organised for the Lotus Seven Club by Scenic & Continental Car

30 Lowfl y i n g October 2018 From the archives… Roy Blyth, former Club General Secretary and editor of (possibly after a beer or two?) a few members lifted up the Lowfl ying unearthed a large box of material from his days as back of one of the cars and stuck some empty rubbish bins editor after an offi ce move recently. over the rear wheels. Later reports suggested that the cornering This shot was taken at the Club’s International meeting at performance was greatly improved, although driving was Moreton in Marsh, sometime in the 1990s. The story is that somewhat noisier than usual…

Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 31 2018 Club Speed Championship Club Speed Championship 2018 This year’s season is reaching its climax. The most recent three events couldn’t have been more different, nor have been conducted in more varied weather conditions...

300bhp, slicks and standing water. Only for the brave...

Curborough Figure 8 layout – excellent run in Class 1, fi nishing over two the conditions. Having proved he can handle 26th August 2018 seconds ahead of Paul Boston, his Curborough the power in his class 4 car, I understand that an To describe the Club’s second Curborough success securing him the 2018 class win. upgrade to ‘Busa power is well underway. visit of the year as wet would be to do a Continuing the ever-close competition in class Chris Alson took a very popular win in disservice to the weather gods. “Monsoon 2, Chris Whitlow pipped Rob Clay by 0.24 secs. Class 5 ahead of Mike Sankey. Shaun Elwell conditions” might have been more apt. On a It just wasn’t Matt Bramall’s day however; after lead Class 6 and Simon Rogers took Class day where events up and down the country, spinning in P1 and P2, he suffered ignition 7. Special mention should be given to Dave including the MotoGP at Silverstone were problems through water ingress on his fi rst Genzoe however. Driving his experimental cancelled, the Lotus Seven Club soldiered on. timed run, leaving him just T2 to set a time. Ecoboost-powered car in the wet, he somehow On the waterlogged track, competition was In class 3, rain-meister Dan Malkin carried handled 300bhp through slicks on the back, more of a game of survival than of speed, a wide grin all day, refl ecting how he revels and 12 year old road tyres on the front. Rather and a clean run without spinning was more in low grip conditions. Robert Jacobs did his him than me, but he made it look (relatively) the exception than the norm. The only saving best to remain in contention, but the other easy… Special thanks should be given to the grace was that the normally full spectator bank image of delight belonged to Tony Smith who marshals who braved the conditions to allow was understandably empty so blushes were fi nished ahead of Phil Matchwick after both us to compete, in particular at the start-line somewhat spared … of the weekend’s events. I can’t confi rm it was where they were stretched with only two With people doing their best to drive to the a rain dance he was performing, but he was on duty. Not only did they help ensure the conditions, it was more like a wet handling defi nitely dancing… smooth running of the day, but they ran a day, and those whose driving style excelled in In Class 4, the almost unheard of nearly slick umbrella rota, taking them from each the wet stood out in the results. 5.5 second gap between fi rst and second was driver at the start and returning them after Richard Abraham continued his season’s testament to just how well Tom Price dealt with the run. True dedication!

32 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 Three Sisters Double Lapper – 2nd September 2018 Just one week later, competitors made the trip to the Three Sisters Circuit near Wigan. Recently laid will all new tarmac, this was to be the Club’s ﬁ rst time on the double-lapper circuit. Under thankfully dry conditions, competitors greatly enjoyed this challenging tight and twisty track more often used for karting. It may have been a trek for many, but drivers were rewarded by an an enjoyable day and seven runs each. Crispin Scott took 100 points for winning class 1, while in the very large class 2 entry, Chris Witlow put in some storming runs for top spot. Dan Malkin took the class 3 win for the second time in a week, although Rob

Jacobs just retained the overall class lead. Ferguson Tony Smith’s Curborough delight lasted but seven days as Phil Matchwick put him ﬁ rmly Laura back in his box (or with Tony’s profession, should that read plant pot?) Credit: Curborough Figure 8 layout – 26th Aug 2018 2 Clive Marsden 82.66 99.64 Wiscombe Hillclimb – Name Time Points 3 Paul Collins 82.95 99.29 8th September 2018 CLASS 1 (9 Competitors) Class 3 (3 Competitors) 1 Richard Abraham 80.25 100.00 Again, there was little rest for the 1 Dan Malkin 77.08 100.00 2 Paul Boston 82.46 97.32 competitors as attention turned to the 2 Robert Jacobs 79.35 97.14 3 Steve Causey 83.37 96.26 Devon hills. After the washout the previous Class 5 (1 Competitor) CLASS 2 (16 Competitors) year, everyone was looking forward to a 1 Jeremy Davies 75.36 100.00 1 Chris Whitlow 80.57 100.00 Class 6 (3 Competitors) much better event and they weren’t to be 2 Rob Clay 80.81 99.71 1 Graham Denholm 76.50 100.00 disappointed. There’s always a rather special 3 David Nelson 81.16 99.28 2 Nigel Fox 77.09 99.24 atmosphere at Wiscombe, helped by the CLASS 3 (13 Competitors) variety of competing machinery from single 1 Dan Malkin 72.97 100.00 Wiscombe Hillclimb – 8th Sept 2018 seaters to vintage cars at this MG Club event. 2 Robert Jacobs 74.17 98.39 Name Time Points Richard Young was a novice entrant, but 3 Tony Smith 76.35 95.58 Class 1 (1 Competitor) still walked away with 100 points as class 1 CLASS 4 (8 Competitors) 1 Richard Young 50.28 100 competitor “You have to be in it to win it”… 1 Tom Price 72.39 100.00 Class 2 (5 Competitors) Class 2 was taken by Matt Bramall who 2 Mike Cocker 77.75 93.11 1 Matthew Bramall 45.49 100 was driving Wiscombe for the very ﬁ rst time. 3 Jon Davies 77.97 92.85 2 Rob Clay 46.13 98.62 It just wasn’t David Nelson’s weekend – he CLASS 5 (4 Competitors) Class 3 (6 Competitors) 1 Chris Alston 71.83 100.00 approached Wiscombe with the aim of 1 Richard Price 44.48 100 2 Michael Sankey 72.08 99.66 taking home the class trophy and an Edward 2 Michael Calvert 45.62 97.51 CLASS 6 (6 Competitors) Lewis cap. Unfortunately, neither was to Class 4 (4 Competitors) 1 Shaun Elwell 68.04 100.00 travel back to Wales with him, and even his 1 Mike Cocker 45.11 100 2 Mark Durrant 71.96 94.56 tow car had to be relayed by the RAC having 2 Jon Davies 47.44 95.09 Class 7 (2 Competitors) broken down en route. In Class 3, Richard Class 5 (2 Competitors) 1 Simon Rogers 67.98 100.00 Price smashed not only his previous PB, but 1 Michael Sankey 43.42 100 reset the class record, relegating Michael Three Sisters Double Lapper 2nd Sept 2018 2 Jeremy Davies 43.66 99.46 Calvert to second. Mike Cocker also set a Name Time Points Class 6 (3 Competitors) new record in class 4. Mike Sankey took Class 1 (3 Competitors) 1 Shaun Elwell 41.68 100 class 5, whilst in the perennial Duratec vs 1 Crispin Scott 86.83 100.00 2 Mark Durrant 42.73 97.55 ‘Busa battle, grunt won over revs as Shaun 2 Richard Young 87.59 99.14 Class 7 (4 Competitors) Elwell took class 6. Simon Rogers closed the Class 2 (10 Competitors) 1 Simon Rogers 40.86 100 day with a class 7 win. LF 1 Chris Whitlow 82.36 100.00 2 Steve Holland 43.33 94.3

Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 33 Parting Shot

Martin Brazill’s Seven in a night time scene at Ipswich Marina

34 Lowﬂ y i n g October 2018 Lowflying October 2018 35