Northants and Area Newsletter—June 2015

Robert Grounds at Prescott Hill Climb in May 2015 PHOTO THANKS TO PETER BAKER NEXT MEETINGS 8 pm Monday 29th June 8 pm Monday 27th July 8 pm Monday 24th August

rea meetings are usually held on the last Monday of each month—at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester. AGoing south on the A5 Watling Street turn left into Chantry Lane in the centre of Towcester. The nearest postcode for your sat nav is NN12 6AD. Map ref: 152/694488 For further information on area meetings contact HRCR N&B Area Co-ordinator, Northants and David Holmes Bedfordshire Area [email protected] Area Co-Ordinator’s Pace Notes… from David Holmes am pleased to report that Fredo Domaine Fourtanier’s wine travels well and was just as I had sampled it when Peter Collier delivered my purchases on his recent visit to the UK at the end I of May. Historic Marathon Rally Show Fun Farm Day After a pleasant evening, he and I then attended A little reminder from David the Historic Marathon Rally Show at Gaydon on Yorke, of the Midlands area is the Sunday. I am not sure what the organisers had that newly appointed HRCR planned but the cars on display were quite varied Vice President Richard and maybe not exactly connected to a Marathon Prosser has offered them event as far as I could see. Peter C spent time on a fun day at his farm on the the Club Triumph stand which at least did have 12th July. The farm is near Patrick Walker’s two pucker Marathon PI cars Junctions 9 and 10 on the on display. However it was nice to catch up with M42. They are assured that Tony Mason (I bought his book at last), Barrie the field will be smooth and Williams, Cal Withers, Rob Lyall and a few more unslurried(!). Catering will be of the more local faces, who brightened the damp self-service, people bringing and cold day. their own picnics. Organisers and helpers are needed for the running of the event which it is hoped will be Three Castles Rally supported by many of the Region’s Members and their For me it was then off to Llandudno on the friends. Tuesday for the Three Castles Rally. There is a report later on in the newsletter, but Anthony Where and time: Waste Farm, Hurley Common CV9 2LR: Proceedings to start at noon, with grass autotesting Garside and I finished th 12 overall and won the Team prize with Mark and Sue Godfrey, in their and the like beginning at about 1300hrs. MGA, who finished nd2 overall and Mike Cornwell Please contact David Y at [email protected] and Andrew Duerden in their MGB, 7th overall for further details. but missed their class win by one second! John Gearing navigating for Doug Carmichael, in Mercian Road Rally another MGB, were 9th o/a and 1st in class, while Later in the year is the Mercian Road Rally, on Alan Sayer with Willy Cave were further down September 19th/20th. A night road rally starting from the the order. It was a great event, good competition, Southam Tyres Depot in Southam and finishing at the good company and good hospitality. Fred Bent Great Western pub in Deppers Bridge. certainly put his stamp on it, but even so one to Mercia are inviting entries from the HRCR (it is a round do again next year. of the HRCR Premier Road Rally Championship). Meeting Plans There will be a special test on private land. They are offering goodie bags to marshals and I understand free My plans for a visit to Oselli Engineering in breakfasts to marshals. Milton Keynes have been put on hold as extensive building work has greatly overrun and There is a link from Rugby Motor Club’s web site. at the moment www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk they cannot accommodate us. At short notice I Also from the Rugby have invited Mike Motor Club website, Broad to join us on I found this picture our next meeting— of David all dressed Monday 29th June. up to accept the club presidency!—Ed I am still planning a Classic Car display for the 27th July and Travel safe and enjoy have invited Terry whatever you do in Kaby to join us the your Classic. following month, the 24th August. David H

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 2 W Down Under Editorial From Nick Wright—Editor In Chief ist, a big “Thank You” to Monica for producing the last R two newsletters while we were gallivanting around Europe. We managed to take in the May HRCR N&B I F meeting while we were there, so we caught up with a few of you and enjoyed John Davenport’s talk. Our European trip was enjoyable; Mitch and We then spent three weeks visiting friends and G the boys represented Australia well in the U19 relations in Sweden and the UK. We managed to World Floorball Championships in Helsingborg, take in some motorsport by travelling to Scotland Sweden. They raised their World ranking by two to the Colin McRae Rally Festival at Knockhill. As H places, so all in all it was a successful campaign. well as the single venue rally to watch, there were On a personal note, Mitch scored a goal in the several displays—both static and on-track—of final minute of each of the first two matches— various rally cars. They had assembled almost T not bad for a player selected as a defender and every car that Colin ever drove—from his Vauxhall who was transferred to a forward position after Nova to his WRC Citroën Xsara; there were the training camp held at Eerikkila in Finland the many, many Group B cars and lots of Subarus, I week before the championships. many that carried Colin’s name. While the boys were off at camp, Glad and The rally itself had many famous names and lots N I explored Helsinki and surrounds. We of interesting cars—I don’t think I’ve ever seen so have decided that Finland warrants further many Mk2 Escorts together at any time—but not exploration, so it’s on our list for next time one of them sounded like I remember an Escort G around! Maybe we will travel later in the year, did when new! Drivers included Alister McRae (in though—there was too much snow about in his replica works Proton Satria), Jimmy McRae April! We are not used to snow—especially in (Sierra Cosworth), Stig Blomqvist (V8 Firenza), S a capital city! Kris Meeke (the aforementioned Citroën Xsara), plus many well-known names from the Scottish During the championships, Glad and I did and British rally scenes as well as plenty of circuit nothing other than attend the matches with the other 15- racers. Fittingly, the event was won by Australian 20 Australians who had made the trip. Apart from the resident Alister McRae. Scandinavian countries and the nearby Baltic countries, I think Australia had the largest cheer squad of all! As After the event, many famous names sat in a forum the team had never played together as a team before to discuss their achievements and recount stories leaving home (the tyranny of Australian distance!), they about Colin McRae—and to have a go at other constantly improved throughout the championships. members of the panel! We were lucky enough We were very proud of Mitch’s performance; but we did to sit in the front row, within touching distance of have a scare during the 13th place play-off match against Alister, Jimmy, Stig, Kris as well as Derek Ringer, Canada. Approaching the end of the game, Mitch and Hannu Mikkola, Arne Hertz, Nicky Grist. one of the Canadians were racing for the ball and collided My own motorsport activities have heavily—the Canadians are all ice-hockey come to very little since returning. I players so know about physical contact— still haven’t sorted out my steering Mitch bounced off him and flew backwards problem, so couldn’t make it to over the side-boards, landing at the feet the recent Autocross. Every of the players on the Canadian bench; other event I had planned many reports suggest that a Canadian to do seems to have had a hand helped him on his way. When he change of date so there are didn’t surface for some time, Glad and many that I can no longer I quickly extricated ourselves do! Hopefully by next from our seat and went around month the picture will the court to where Mitch was look a little brighter! now on his feet on his way down the tunnel to the medical Thanks for the articles area. The doctor gave him a and photos that make full examination—his shoulder this a good read— was very sore and bruised— keep them coming. but announced there was no Till next month, from injury other than the bruising; Down Under— he suggested it would be wise Nick to sit out the rest of the game.

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 3 The Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial 3rd-6th June 2015 from David Holmes nthony Garside and I set off for Llandudno on the Tuesday and were met by improving weather as the days passed. After a pleasant evening meal with Mark and A Sue Godfrey, and my sister, the Wednesday morning dawned with Scrutineering and Documentation being achieved with no problems followed by the Prologue event in the afternoon. This was a “gentle” run, which included a light lunch Day two was slightly longer at 239 miles, and we at the Blind Veterans UK Hogwarts restaurant. were quickly into the swing of it, as tests followed by Then a practice twelve mile Regularity section and regularities became the norm. The first was clean; a Driving test at Bodelwyddan Castle (the scene of the second after coffee at Erddig Hall was a driver Tony Barron’s retirement last year), which led us only regularity around the perimeter track at Bangor into the event proper. The result didn’t count but as on Dee Racecourse. The organisers put tape over we managed to almost clean the regularity section, the Branz and Anthony had to do the first section at dropping one second and getting the test correct, we 29mph and the section at 25mph. He cleaned the felt all good so far. first but dropped 6 on the second bit, which we then repeated on the next 14 miler. Lunch was then at Day One saw a 179 mile route which started with Chirk Castle, where John and Dinah Pilkington‘s regularity on the Great Orme, being flagged off by 1929 Ford Model A was receiving attention to a fuel Ian and Sue Butcher. We dropped only one second leaking sight tube—right above Dinah’s feet! The at the Rest and Be Thankful Cafe control manned next regularity started on private land so it was no by Chris and Carol Fieldhouse—nice to see these surprise to have the first control at 1.9 miles! We then guys and ladies—even extremely briefly! A slalom test followed at Vaynol Hall. Two Regularities quickly visited Glan y Gors Kart track for the first time which is an FIA track. On the next regularity we, and the followed, before the first Go Kart test at Glasfyn Park. car in front of us who had dropped time, were caught On the next regularity we caught a local car, doing out by a series of cattle grids and a local car which 9mph as the road was newly surfaced, despite the treated the grids with slightly more decorum than we road sign saying 10 mph, and of course the control both wanted too. Our joker was played again! A revisit was too soon after. A 16 second penalty—which later to Glan Y Gors gave us a test with a difference—you was reduced to 5 thanks to the Joker rule. Later we had one familiarisation lap and then had to produce met Jim Jackson—Lotus Elan coming in from the left three laps at identical times. Clutching two stop having missed the slot we were about to take—only watches we achieved a 1m 21, then a 1m 20 only we then had to chase him into the next control! Lunch for the third watch to misbehave, Anthony’s seat of was taken at the Nant Gwrtheyrn Welsh Language the pants achievement of a 1m 24 was therefore and Heritage Centre at the bottom of a hill in an old creditable. Day two ended on the Conwy Quay. quarry. This secluded Victorian village has undergone a £5m restoration which fortunately included the The final day for us stared at a slightly later time of access road which was used as a hillclimb test on 8.11am but it was up on the top of the Orme. Two the way out. It was then back to Glasfryn Kart track tests took us down in to the town and onto a test where you had to match your morning’s time. Two at Kinmel Park. The next regularity again started on regularities followed with another hillclimb at the private land but it was only 0.45 miles on to the first Trawsfynydd Ranges Motorsport Centre, an old control. Fred Bent was being even sneakier, but it did army road resurfaced by Bala and District Motor not catch us out. Coffee and cakes followed at the club. The day finished at the Craig y Dderwen hotelbeautiful Mostyn Hall, dating from 1470, sandwiched on the outskirts of Betws y Coed. between two tests up and down the two drives to the house. I had a slight lack of concentration on the The results showed we were 14th on 56 seconds, with next road section misleading Anthony as to when to Mark and Sue leading on 2! But these results were leave the A55. Fortunately, again, seat of the pants then subject to change owing to a gremlin which had crept in—in fact we didn’t see any results until the driving and road finding got us back on the correct route and we started the next regularity on time, but start of the third day whilst it was corrected. we used our final Joker at the first control. It had only continued on page 5

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 4 The Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial 3rd-6th June 2015 continued from page 4 been at 25mph but you had to press on a bit. It was then back to Kinmel Park for possibly the best lunch on the Rally and the second Test in the Hall grounds, a reverse of the one earlier. The final run back to Llandudno saw us back on the great Orme with a Monica’s Note: there are some excellent combination of the earlier two tests. Starting downhill copyright photos by Three Castles Rally Official for a mile or so then steeply uphill, a great two mile Photographer—Max Earey, in the gallery on the final test. The finish was on the Promenade where Three Castles website. there was a bit of run in a Slow Running test between To see Anthony Garside and David Holmes in action two sets of cones, but the MGB’s tick over speed control/click on: was a little too high for this one. http://www.three-castles.co.uk/media/20354/max- At the Black Tie Dinner, later we found that we had earey-three-castles-wct-2015130.jpg?width=1200an th finished 12 overall. We actually tied on 176 seconds dheight=1200andmode=maxandquality=85 with Andy and Jackie Dougherty in their Austin Healey Sprite for both the Intermediates and the Class win. John and Dinah Pilkington can be seen at: Unfortunately on count back, the Sprite had pipped http://www.three-castles.co.uk/media/20484/max- us by one second. earey-three-castles-wht-2015089.jpg?width=1200a We did, however, win the Team prize with Mark and ndheight=1200andmode=maxandquality=85 Sue Godfrey, in their MGA, who finished second Ed’s Note: I found these gave a pretty poor quality; overall and Mike Cornwell and Andrew Duerden, in a better result can be found through these links (and their MGB, seventh overall but missed their class win there are lots of other great shots of other cars too): by one second! http://www.three-castles.co.uk/gallery/welsh-classic- A great event, good competition, good company and trial-2015/ and then scroll to picture number 70 for good hospitality. Fred Bent certainly put his stamp on AG & DH. it, but even so it’s one to do again next year. http://www.three-castles.co.uk/gallery/welsh- heritage-trial-2015/ and then scroll to picture number David 40 for JP & DP.

LAST OF THE SUMMER TOUR SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015 First of all—a great thank you to all those who supported us on the Tour in April. We have been able to give to the neo-natal unit £9,000 for new equipment and fittings for their ongoing development—again thank you. SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2015—New start venue at the “Super Sausage” on the A5 at Potterspury. A popular start for motor clubs and bikes. Tea/Coffee and with a bacon or sausage bap to see you on your way. We will visit the USAF Museum at the Bedford Autodrome—(last time was in 2012)—where refreshments will be served (included in entry fee). We will end at the Woburn Safari Park (also used in 2012) where you will have a cream tea. Total distance will be around 90 miles with a NEW ROUTE with no circuits—just a tour to end the summer. All food, drink and entry fees are included—maximum 60 cars. Come along and have a good day out! We look forward to seeing you. Best Wishes

Alison and Michael 01525 290 117—07710 578 109—[email protected]

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 5 Third Falcon Classic Car Tour 14th June 2015 By David Alderson fter two successful years under the guidance of the Bartram brothers, the Falcon Classic Tour C of C baton passed this A year into the hands of seasoned ‘tourer’ Mike Hayward. The popular Jacks Hill Café at Towcester once again The road book for this year relinquished the previous provided the start venue allowing crews to partake year’s Tulip Arrow system and reverted to a detailed in the traditional ‘trials drivers’ or ‘truckers’ breakfast ‘trials’ type route card showing total and intermediate before their departure distances time beckoned. The along with day was thankfully dry directions and and moderately warm notes. Snippets temperatures prevailed, of historical a great incentive to information many of the open cockpit interspersed car drivers to stow the the route hood or lower the roof instructions for the day’s motoring. adding extra Thirty-two crews interest to the departed from Jacks journey as Hill in a wide variety crews passed of machinery ranging through the from the diminutive, rural back yet surprisingly high roads. For the specification, 650cc Hillman Avenger—Tim and Jane Tugwell flora and fauna Diahatsu Copen sports enthusiasts the of Chris and Jan Rogers to the rumbling 4.7 litre 1966 passage through Woburn Abbey Deer Park provided a Ford Mustang convertible of Steve Cook. Vehicle magnificent multi-coloured display of rhododendrons ages ranged from 1954, John and Sandra Vinnell’s and a ‘spot the species of deer’ opportunity. A point MG TF 1500, to 2013, Peter and Valerie Rolt’s Mazda of motorsport interest was the climb of Sharpenhoe MX5 2 litre, one of a group of six of the popular Hill, where the Motor Cycling Club (MCC) organised Japanese sports cars a speed hill from the MX5 Owners climb on 1st Club taking part in the June 1907, the tour. FTD being set that day by S.F Clerk of the Course Edge on an 80 Mike Hayward had hp Napier. Late originally planned a morning coffee route of just over 100 was taken at miles but a late check the ‘Olde Water run-through revealed Mill’, Barton Le recent temporary road Clay. The route closures and diversions then resumed causing Mike to hastily past three make last minute more early revisions and reduce speed event the total distance to 90 venues at miles. Undaunted he Singer Chamois—Dave and Jennie Oliver Hexton Manor still provided tourers (used February 1932), Gravel Hill (used 1907) and with a very enjoyable and varied route meandering Pegsdon Hill (used 1906 and 1908). through Northamptonshire, , , and Bedfordshire, never resorting to anything more than a couple of main road crossing points en-route. continued on page 7

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 6 Third Falcon Classic Car Tour 14th June 2015 continued from page 6 Continuing through Baldock and Ashwell, an opportunity to drive through Sutton Ford was not to be missed, those who gave it some ‘wellie’ through the ford were able to dry off as they continued past the Sandy Heath transmitter, on through Sandy, traditional home of the Bedfordshire Clanger (an elongated suet crust with savoury filling at one end and sweet filling at the other, thus comprising main course and dessert in a single package). This was originally cooked by the wives of agricultural workers to provide their midday meal in the field. On through Blunham to cross the river Great Ouse via grade 1 listed historical Great Barford Bridge, then through Renhold, across Palmers Lotus Sunbeam—Michael and Deanna Trim Bedford Autodrome (not Graham and Sue Cowland) at Thurleigh and for savouring finally to the finish the delights of venue at Millhouse their mounts with Hotel, Sharnbrook, opportunities for a where an excellent bit of wheel twirling traditional afternoon on the way. tea was provided A thoroughly inclusive in the tour entertaining social entry fee. day out for Falcon The weather had MC members and thankfully played friends and, as ball all day, the route the club activities was enjoyable, focus mostly on novice navigators long distance fared well with and single venue the road book classic trialling, an and drivers had opportunity for the David Alderson—TR4A ample opportunity many trials driver at Olde Water Mill Barton le Clay members to enjoy Parked at Olde Water Mill a motoring day out that didn’t end in mud and bruises! Photos with thanks to ‘Don Stringer Sporting Pics’ taken at Sutton Ford and the Olde Water Mill. David

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 7 Dales Drive from Brian Cope have just experienced an outing on the Derbyshire Dales Drive organised by John Ball and members of the Midlands region of I HRCR and am writing to say how much I have enjoyed it. The venues chosen, the selection of the route, the 60 cars. And all without any competitive element. catering facilities were all faultless. The Road Book Not a stop watch or special test in sight. I can now itself gave precise details coupled with glimpses understand why the Scenic Runs promoted by HRCR of local history and the points of interest. It is not are proving so popular. surprising that the meeting has developed such an Well done and thank you to all concerned. enthusiastic following and attracted a full entry of Brian PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS WITH THANKS TO DAVID YORKE

Brian Cope and his modern Beetle gingerly testing the water at Tissington Ford on the recent Derbyshire Dales Drive—its Ian and Louise Hazels’ E-type on the level rose on the night before so some took unfenced single track road and passing the avoiding route—no-one drowned out in Throwley Old Hall in Staffordshire’s it, however Manifold Valley Rally Costa Brava Historic 1st to 4th October 2015 from Peter Collier emember when road rallying was fun? Miles and miles of competitive driving with little or no traffic to delay you, no crossword puzzle navigation, welcoming spectators and no R farmers with shotguns blocking the road. Exchange the miles for kilometres, add sun and The Golden Pack deal—including transport of the superb organisation and head for the Costa Brava this rally car from Northampton to Lloret de Mar and October. Approximately 1500km split over four legs back, accommodation and entry fee—is just 2000 and three days. Around 40 Regularity sections and euros. With the exchange rate as it, tremendous 600 competitive kilometres and you will have a smile value for money. on your face when you finish, although you may be a Have a look at the bit tired! organisers’ website http://rallyclassics.eu/en/ or Peter Collier, email [email protected] or www.facebook.com/ Rallycostabravahistoric Peter

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 8 Derbyshire Dales Drive Scenic Tour Press release from Abbotsholme School he splendid venue of Abbotsholme School, near Rocester, played host once again to the Derbyshire Dales Drive on T Sunday 31st May. Whilst the day dawned pretty wet and cold, it didn’t put off the full entry of 60 cars, mostly historics, but the organisers also allowed ‘interesting’ moderns, and were rewarded with a Ferrari FF—a first for an HRCR event? Among the older cars, Brian Fearn’s 1938 Aston Martin Sports attracted much interest. It was one of only 50 models ever made and he was lucky enough to discover it in a barn in Lincoln in 1982 and it has competed in over 130 rallies over a 25 year period. We breakfasted on bacon baps and Staffordshire oakcakes in the School’s dining room before being flagged away by Tom Palmer, Abbotsholme’s Deputy Head. The morning loop took participants through Uttoxeter, then East along the South side of the Trent to Swarkestone, and back along the North side. Whilst perhaps not offering the most scenery, it got everyone accustomed to the system used in the road book where information about places of interest was interspersed among the route instructions. The grey Sunday morning was put to bed as the sun came out and cars, drivers and navigators returned for their lunch stop and a chance to catch up with friends and acquaintances. Abbotsholme did us proud with what was described as a ‘proper’ Sunday lunch of coronation chicken, quiche, salad, and brownies and cream. The afternoon’s Northern loop started at around 2.00pm. The 60 mile route went through Clifton, Mapleton, Tissington, Hartington and Earl Sterndale before returning to Abbotsholme via the Manifold Valley and the Weaver Hills. The famous ford at Tissington had been topped up with overnight rain and had enough water to be interesting, even if several crews chose the avoiding alternative route. There were some stunning views as the route wound over the hills and this half was arguably better than the morning’s and thoroughly enjoyed by all entrants. The first car returned about 4.15pm with waves of cars thereafter before the final one at 5.30pm. Everyone involved was given a uniquely-labelled bottle of refreshing bucks fizz to enjoy with a lavish barbecue and strawberries and cream provided in the School’s Dining Room, the cold weather precluding the use of the outdoor Rose Garden. It was generally acknowledged that the event kept up the standard set on the previous runnings of the event, despite weather which could have been more seasonal, drier and warmer. Plans are already being formulated for next year’s event and a route which hopefully will allow more time to be spent in the more spectacular countryside towards the North of the region. Come and join us.

Colin, Jacqueline and Katie Wilson navigate Tissington Ford

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 9 Two Rallies in Eight Days Honfleur And North Wales Rallies From John Gearing double ninth position in two back to back rallies was ambitious for Navigator John Gearing suffering at the time with Chronic Sinusitis, but having entered way back at the A end of last year, the challenge was on. Honfleur a number of cars got caught on the sea front as the Harbour Master decided to open the swing bridge So to Honfleur and a CRT event over the weekend at the end of May/beginning of June. A mixture of and let a yacht out with a seven minute delay and 20 Regularities and Jogularities in and around some cars not getting through. fine Northern France countryside with a hotelThat stop cancellation was a bonus and eventually we just outside the popular Seine Harbour of Honfleur.were able to make up some lost ground and finished An eleventh position out of 31 cars at the end of day a respectable ninth overall at the end of the day. one seemed reasonable for a first outing in 2015 with On Monday we returned to the UK, a drive back to John’s son Mark driving the MGB Roadster. St Neots of 350 miles. After a night’s sleep John was Day two was to start with an appalling navigator then off on Tuesday morning in his day car to meet ‘schoolboy’ error which driver Mark was none too with driver Doug Carmichael bringing his MGB down from Newcastle. happy about with the whole day ahead. continued on page 11

CRT—Honfleur Classic Rally 30th May—1st June 2015 from Monica Dowson It was a great turnout for the Simon Rossiter Honfleur Rally with a total of 31 competitors, of whom 8 were N&B crews. The rally was well up to Simon’s usual standard using navigation by tulips and jogularities on excellent roads in France. There wasn’t a map this time but the Pont l’Eveque Finale used tulips for the route with the timing given by what Simon calls Speed Tables but which Mark and John Gearing— I always call Time Tables. It’s true that there is a PHOTO BY ROBERT GROUNDS Honfleur 2015 relationship between speed and time (distance = speed * time) but Simon’s rallies usually have Having put a line through the page of Saturday, variable speeds throughout a section and so, to me at least, his ‘Speed Tables’ only give the the instructions to the first Self Start Regularity on Sunday seemed easy enough taking us into a car due times at each distance (in this case at every 0.2 mile) and not the speed. Because my brain park in the centre of Honfleur. With no other cars at the start it seemed odd and after a run back and doesn’t work fast enough to work out the speeds! forth along the sea front it was clear that all was not Daniel and Barbara Wiedemann were our top well. It was then that the following two pages in the crew at 2nd o/a, 11 penalties behind the winners Route Book were turned over only to realise that the Adrian Campbell and Brian Herring with their first page being looked at was the organiser’s helpful win on the series. continued on page 11 instruction into town on the Saturday night for dinner. That’s what having four months away from the maps can do! Having lost five minutes at the start, an exciting catch up followed in wet weather conditions, and good time was made up despite a French grey van man not moving over on a narrow country lane. This attempt at passing was filmed by Graham and Val Gilmore PHOTO BY ROBERT GROUNDS in the MGB behind and is somewhere on YouTube. Daniel & Barbara Wiedemann— Eventually the organisers cancelled that first leg as Lancia Fulvia Sport Zagato

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 10 Two Rallies in Eight Days Honfleur And North Wales Rallies continued from page 10 Three Castles With Doug driving and John back in the Navigating This year’s route on the Three Castles was from Zone after Honfleur it was a pleasing ninth overall Clerk of the Course Fred Bent. A new take on an position for them at the finish and First in Class. John old area with some refreshing lanes around North queried two wrong tulips in the route book which if Wales and yet again fabulous views for which this upheld could have resulted in a higher position but event has become known—if you dare lift your head they were dismissed by Clerk of the Course on the out of the route book that is. A mixture of Regularities basis “Organiser’s mileages are deemed correct”. and Tests, including a Driver only test around the The event raised over £4000 for the Charity Blind Racecourse of Bangor on Dee. This was a speed test Veterans based in Llandudno. for the driver without a Navigator sitting alongside. Monica’s Note: there are some excellent copyright Most drivers feeling quite lost. photos by Three Castles Rally Official Photographer, The event was well supported with 82 entries and Max Earey, in the gallery on the Three Castles superbly organised by Ian Crammond and his team. website—to see Doug Carmichael and John Gearing This year, for the first time, the event had a separate in action control/click on: competitive event of 17 cars for the Historic Classes. http://www.three-castles.co.uk/media/20257/max- Some superb cars from the early eras of motoring earey-three-castles-wct-2015031.jpg?width=1200an were on display and competing for their own Awards. dheight=1200andmode=maxandquality=85 The event was mainly blessed with good weather Ed’s Note: A better result can be found through: although there was a cold northerly wind off the http://www.three-castles.co.uk/gallery/welsh-classic- coast. Doug’s MGB had been well prepared and an trial-2015/ and then scroll to picture number 17. entry into the Berwick Classic a few weeks previously had prepared him well for this three day event. CRT—Honfleur Classic Rally 30th May—1st June 2015 continued from page 10 Mike and Karen Spindle did the decent thing and refused to allow Simon to put them in the post-67 class, insisting that the AC Cobra, built in 1993, was definitely in the modern class. Therefore, they came in 6th o/a and 1st modern. (No awards for moderns.) And Karen is obviously an extremely fast learner having only competed on less than a handful of events. John and I had entered in the Ford Fiesta XR2, but after our practice run on the Metric Services Easylarity the week before, PHOTO BY ROBERT GROUNDS John discovered, two days before we were PHOTO BY ROBERT GROUNDS Mike & Karen Spindle—AC Cobra due to leave for France, that we had broken a tertiary drive shaft bearing housing. Was he too enthusiastic on the grass autotests? There wasn’t enough time to repair this, so we went in my ‘shopping trolley’, the Fiat 500 Twinair. It’s the first time we’ve competed in a ‘modern’ and we decided there are not many advantages and maybe a few disadvantages, John & Monica Dowson—Fiat 500 although at least we managed to get the Monit tripmeter installed. We finished 6 penalties behind Mike and Karen in 7th o/a and 2nd modern. John Gearing has been doing a lot of events lately, and he has written a short article, also in this newsletter, about his two PHOTO BY ROBERT GROUNDS events in 8 days! He and son Mark did very well and came in 9th o/a and 3rd Post-Historic. Val & Graham Gilmore—MGB continued on page 13

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 11 The Engineering Column Dynamometers from John Dowson ynamometers are devices for measuring force, torque or power. Classic car owners will be familiar with the type used for MOT brake efficiency testing but they are also used for D engine performance testing and as a rolling road for engine tuning. Although these applications are all dynamometers they are of different types and characteristics, and as with all measuring instruments an understanding of how they work will enhance the analysis of the data. Engine Dynamometers Rolling Roads An engine dynamometer is a power absorbing device Rolling roads are inertia dynamometers where the that will load the engine to simulate the conditions road wheels of the car under test drive a heavy roller when it is set into the floor. As the mass of the roller is known, in the car. monitoring the rate of roller rotation allows calculation The load is of power and torque. For low power applications usually an a two roller system is common, but for high power electrical applications a single roller is used with the driven generator, or wheels of the car perched on the top of the roller and a hydraulic the car held in position by tethers. brake feeding into a heater to dissipate the energy Engine test cell dynamometer which with very powerful engines is considerable. The generator output is monitored by sensors and the computed power and torque curves are displayed on the screen together with other engine parameters. Because this is a power absorption instrument it can be used as a steady state device loading the engine for a long period but is more commonly run to simulate the loads experienced on the road or race circuit. Operator skill and understanding is vital to avoid expensive disasters but things do go wrong sometimes with spectacular results.

A two roller Dynamometer Engineering Tech Note—Flow Chart This rather This type of dynamometer is only grand version of used for transient testing where the the fault finding engine is accelerated to maximum flow chart that RPM and then allowed to decay no classic car back to idle. They are not suitable owner should be for steady state measurements. without seems Select a rolling road with care. If you to be missing a want to drive the car on the rolling vital Birmingham road yourself, be sure to ask if that Screwdriver is allowed as a lot of operators insist (big hammer) on driving the car themselves. If your component. car is carburetted, rather than fuel injected, make sure that the staff John continued on page 13

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 12 The Engineering Column Dynamometers continued from page 12 understand how to adjust carburettors and that they have a selection of needles or jets for your particular carburettor type. If you are going to drive the car to the rolling road consider what you are going to do if the worst happens and something fails during the test and the car is undrivable. It does happen, and a Finally, ask when the dynamometer was last calibrated. trailer as part of a recovery plan can be very useful. The brake test dyno has to be calibrated once a year by law, but for other types of dynamometer, as it is a Brake Dynamometer quite expensive operation, calibration dates tend to Instead of absorbing energy from the car, the brake be pushed further apart. Always be aware that just dynamometer puts energy into the car wheels from a because the data looks good on the computer screen set of three rollers per wheel. As long as the weight it is only as good as the information coming from the of the car is known, brake efficiency is measured by sensors, (garbage in equals garbage out), and there monitoring the electrical power going into the motors will always be a few percent error caused by tyres, when the brakes are applied. The two large diameter ambient temperature and humidity on the day. rollers per wheel allow the car tyre to sit between Should you wish to comment please e-mail me on them and the third smaller roller at the bottom detects [email protected]. that a wheel is present and monitors any tyre slip, John taking a brake efficiency measurement just before that occurs.

CRT—Honfleur Classic Rally 30th May—1st June 2015 continued from page 11 It was great to see Graham and Sue Cowland out again on a full rally after Graham’s illness and they did extremely well too—12th o/a, while Terry and Pip Secker and Val and Graham Gilmore came in equal 13th o/a. Mike & Karen Spindle— AC Cobra

Graham & Sue Cowland— Talbot Sunbeam Lotus Powells and Seckers— MGB and MGC PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROBERT GROUNDS

Not a bad set of results!! Unfortunately Terry and Janet Powell were the tail-light crew at 31st o/a after they retired with a broken rear axle, and they had to be recovered to get home. Monica Sat 30 May—1 June CRT—Honfleur Classic Rally Tour www.classicrallytours.com Daniel and Barbara Wiedemann Porsche 911 2nd o/a and 1st Post 67 Mike and Karen Spindle AC Cobra (1993) 6th o/a and 1st Modern John and Monica Dowson Fiat 500 Twinair 7th o/a and 2nd Modern Mark Gearing and John Gearing MGB Roadster 9th o/a and 3rd Post 67 Graham and Sue Cowland Talbot Sunbeam Lotus 12th o/a and 6th Post 67 Val and Graham Gilmore MGB =13th o/a and 7th Post 67 Terry and Pip Secker MGC GT =13th o/a and 7th Post 67 Terry and Janet Powell MGB GT 31st o/a (rear axle broke)

Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 13 When? What? Where? Who? How? To make sure you appear in this list, please email me on compiled by May [email protected] Monica Dowson Sat 30 - 1 Jun CRT – Honfleur Classic Rally Tour www.classicrallytours.com Daniel & Barbara Wiedemann Porsche 911 2nd o/a & 1st Post 67 Mike & Karen Spindle AC Cobra (1993) 6th o/a & 1st Modern John & Monica Dowson Fiat 500 Twinair 7th o/a & 2nd Modern Mark Gearing & John Gearing MGB Roadster 9th o/a & 3rd Post 67 Graham & Sue Cowland Talbot Sunbeam Lotus 12th o/a & 6th Post 67 Val & Graham Gilmore MGB =13th o/a & 7th Post 67 Terry & Pip Secker MGC GT =13th o/a & 7th Post 67 Terry & Janet Powell MGB GT 31st o/a (rear axle broke)

Sun 31 May Derbyshire Dales Drive www.derbyshiredalesdrive.co.uk Organised by HRCR Midlands Region Brian Cope VW Beetle Ian & Louise Hazel Jaguar E Type June Wed 3 - Sat 6 Three Castles Welsh Classic Trial www.three-castles.co.uk Mark & Sue Godfrey MGA 2nd o/a Mike Cornwell & Andrew Duerden MGB GT 7th o/a & 2nd in class Doug Carmichael & John Gearing MGB 9th o/a & 1st in class Anthony Garside & David Holmes MGB =12th o/a & 1st in class Alan Sayer & Willy Cave MGB GT V8 =36th o/a & 6th in class John & Dinah Pilkington Ford Model A Roadster 10th Heritage & 1st in class

Wed 10 Mercia Grass Autotests www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk Rugby Motor Club. On A4304 east of Lutterworth, LE17 6JF, 6pm start Chris Valentine Porsche 924 Lux 5th o/a & 1st in class

Sun 14 - Sat 20 Classic Marathon 2015 www.heroevents.eu Mark & Sue Godfrey MGB 7th o/a & 1st in class Stephen Johnson & Andrew Duerden Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint 15th o/a & 3rd in class

Sat 20 East Anglian Classic www.chelmsfordmc.co.uk Chris Valentine & Colin Valentine Porsche 924 Lux 26th o/a & 4th in class

Mon 29th June N&B Meeting 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD

Speaker: Mike Broad

Mike co-drove for Russell Brookes, amongst others, but he also competed on several “Marathon” events. Not only this but he organised the marshalling teams on the 1970 Marathon – to Mexico, and, of course, co-drove the winning Mercedes to Sydney in 1977. Mike will probably talk mostly about these two events, but will be open to questions about other aspects of his motoring career.

July Wed 1 Mercia Grass Autotests www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk Rugby Motor Club. On A4304 east of Lutterworth, LE17 6JF, 6pm start

Sun 5 Kings and Queens Rally www.clubtriumph.org Warwickshire Scatter Rally, Start at Corley near Coventry

Tue 7 LoCC Evening Grass Autotests www.loughboroughcarclub.co.uk Loughborough Car Club. Simple tests on smooth grass field. Signing on from 6pm.

Sun 12 HRCR Midlands Area Fun Day contact: [email protected] At Richard Prosser’s farm near Junctions 9 and 10 on M42. Bring your own picnic.

Mon 13 - Sat 18 1000 Mile Trial 2015 www.heroevents.eu Stuart Anderson & Richard Lambley Bentley Derby 4¼

Wed 15 Mercia Grass Autotests www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk Rugby Motor Club. On A4304 east of Lutterworth, LE17 6JF, 6pm start

Sat 18 Ross Traders Historic Rally www.rossmotorsports.co.uk

Tue 21 LoCC Evening Grass Autotests www.loughboroughcarclub.co.uk Loughborough Car Club. Simple tests on smooth grass field. Signing on from 6pm.

Mon 27th July N&B Meeting 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD

To be confirmed: Bring your Classic Car

Wed 29 Mercia Grass Autotests www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk Rugby Motor Club. On A4304 east of Lutterworth, LE17 6JF, 6pm start

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Northants and Page Bedfordshire Area Newsletter—June 2015 14 When? What? Where? Who? How? continued from page 14 August Tue 4 LoCC Evening Grass Autotests www.loughboroughcarclub.co.uk Loughborough Car Club. Simple tests on smooth grass field. Signing on from 6pm.

Sun 9 St Wilfrids Classic www.riponmotorsportclub.co.uk

Wed 12 Mercia Grass Autotests www.rugbymotorclub.co.uk Rugby Motor Club. On A4304 east of Lutterworth, LE17 6JF, 6pm start

Sun 16 Welland Valley Wander Scenic Tour www.wellandvalleywander.co.uk

Mon 24th August N&B Meeting 7.30pm – 9.30pm at Towcester Mill Brewery, Chantry Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD

“An Evening with Terry Kaby”

Sat 29 - Fri 4 Sep CRT – Italian Lakes Classic www.classicrallytours.com Terry & Pip Secker MGC GT Doug Carmichael & John Gearing MGB Roadster Val & Graham Gilmore MGB Mike & Karen Spindle AC Cobra Daniel & Barbara Wiedemann Porsche 911 Alan Sayer & Willy Cave MGB GT V8 Terry & Janet Powell MGB GT Mark & Sue Godfrey TBC Peter & Helen Morris Porsche 911 Anthony Garside & David Holmes MGB Chris Hunt Cooke & Richard Dix MGB V8 September Sat 5 Vale of Clwyd Classic www.cvmc.org.uk Entries open 26th July

Sat 5 Moonlight Meander Rally http://mmsc.net.au Nick Wright & Mitch Garrad Peugeot 505GTi

Sat 12 Tunbridge Trial www.blcc.net.au Nick Wright & Mitch Garrad Peugeot 505GTi

Sat 19 - Sun 20 Mercian Road Rally www.mercianrally.co.uk Competitors and marshals welcome

Sun 20 Last of the Summer Tour email: [email protected] New 90 mile route, starts at “Super Sausage” on A5 Potterspury, via USAF Museum Bedford Autodome, with finish at Woburn Safari Park. In aid of Little Lives Appeal

Sat 26 - Sun 27 Footman James Sywell Classic – Pistons & Props www.sywellclassic.com

Sun 27 Drive For Life http://www.driveforlife.net.au/ Nick Wright & Mitch Garrad Peugeot 505GTi

Mon 28 - Sat 3 Oct Rallye des Iles - Sierra Nevada Classic www.seasunrally.com Malaga – Sierra Nevada - Almeria – Motril - Malaga Mark & Sue Godfrey MGB Richard & Ann Clarke Mercedes 350SL October Thu 1 - Sun 4 Rally Costa Brava Historique www.rallyclassics.eu email: [email protected]

Sat 3 Ivan’s Folly Trial www.pccv.org Nick Wright & Mitch Garrad Peugeot 505GTi

Sat 10th HERO Throckmorton Challenge www.heroevents.eu

Sat 17 - Mon 19 CRT – Champagne Classic Rally Tour www.classicrallytours.com Rodney Spokes & Duncan Spence Porsche 912 November Tue 3 - Fri 6 November Sun Run www.15-50ac.org Champagne – Haut Savoie In aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity Ralph Lodge & Robin Shackleton Ford Escort RS 2000 Mike Cornwell & David Holmes Audi Quattro V20 Daniel & Barbara Wiedemann Porsche 911 Terry & Janet Powell Lotus Cortina Terry & Pip Secker Lotus Cortina John Ball & Peter Haynes Citroen DS

Thu 5 - Sun 8 Rally of the Tests – Newcastle - Blackpool www.craevents.eu John Abel & Andrew Duerden Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Jonathan Hancox & Richard Lambley Triumph TR4 David Alderson & TBA VW Beetle 1300 Peter & Helen Morris Porsche 911 Carrera

Sat 21 - Mon 23 CRT – Beaujolais Classic Rally Tour www.classicrallytours.com

December Sat 5 - Tue 8 Le Jog www.craevents.eu

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