The Quarterly Bulletin of the Classic Trials World RESTART RESTART

The official newsletter of the Association of Classic Trials Clubs Volume No: 19

Issue 3 November 2008

The Fack Trials Differential Some Escort and BMC units ex stock, May 05

A bolt in conversion for Escort & BMC ‘A’ Series axles Now well known in classic trials as well as sporting trials where it originated, this unit has solve the diff problem for those cars using Escort or BMC ‘A’ series axles. Made entirely of racing quality materials, it has four star wheels, instead of two in the standard differential, and all moving parts run on roller bearings. No production components are used, and the superb new casing is machined from solid high Insurance for competitors, clubs grade steel.

It is not cheap at approx. £520 (no VAT, while stocks last) but what price can you and officials put on having the confidence that your differential will not let you down? Your results are bound to improve when you can “attack” the hills without worrying, and still be able to drive home after the event! • Road use for Classic Car Trials All spares still available (including tools, spares and trailers

Julian Fack, Orchard Farm, Shareshill, Wolverhampton WV10 7LE • Road section cover for clubs Or leave a message on 07812 108 588 at any time (2, 3 or 4 wheels) [email protected] • Personal Injury for competitors and officials

Cover photographs :

2007 ACTC champions:

0115 941 5255 Bill Bennett 2007 Ilkley Trial (Photo by Dave Cook)

Adrian Dommett 2008 Clee Hills Trial 72 Maid Marian Way, Nottingham, NG1 6BJ (Photo by Peter Wigglesworth)

[email protected] Al Lidgate & John Webb 2008 Northern Trial www.competition-car-insurance.co.uk (Photo by Michael Toulmin)

A division of THB Clowes Ltd A member company of the THB Group plc Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority Restart is printed by Hertfordshire Display plc www.hdprint.co.uk RESTART Volume 19, Issue 3, November 2008

ACTC Council Officers Advertising Rates

President: Robin Moore Inside Vice Presidents: Alan Foster Half Page 1 Issue £12.50 Martin Halliday 2 Issues £20.00 John West 3 Issues £32.50 Simon Woodall 4 Issues £35.00 Anne Templeton Full Page Double the above Chairman: Simon Woodall Inside Cover Vice Chairman: Giles Greenslade Half Page 4 Issues £55 Treasurer: Barbara Selkirk Full Page 4 Issues £100 Championship Secretary: Chris Phillips Championship Monitor: Dave Foreshew All rates payable in advance Rights of Way Officer: Andrew Brown All income supports the publication of PR Officer: Ian Davis Restart. Secretary: Stuart Harrold The opinions expressed by contributors 01989 763403 [email protected] and advertisers are not necessarily shared by the editor or the ACTC.

CONTENTS

Simon Says …..……..……....…... 3 Sect’s Spin …………………. 5 Ilkley Trial . ...… …..……. 7 Taw& Torridge Trial ……….…… 17 Edinburgh …….…... ………. 27 Ebworth …………….…………. 34 Section Ends ………………….. 39 FINAL COPY DATE Red rag to a bull …………. 42 Take a fail…………………. 45 FOR Championship Chat …………..… 47 Forthcoming Events …….…….….. 48 NEXT ISSUE : 5th January

1 inevitably going to be on the cars. Many people are quite content to have displays on the sides of their cars, the popularity of EDITORIAL the Kryle Trial stickers and the way some people display them in long rows is testament to their popularity. Even the MCC shows its tolerance, by continuing to Editor: Mrs Pat Toulmin allow the yellow Lands End stickers which, have to start this quarter’s column with if you look closely, do not advertise the Northbrook Assistant Editor: an apology. In my last epistle I lied. I trial as such, but the theme park of the 4, Briery Lands Jonathan Toulmin th Heath End Tel: 01789 731332 said that 2008 was the 30 birthday of same name located at that end of the Snitterfield [email protected] IACTC, but a closer examination of the peninsular. On the other hand there are Stratford on Avon files reveals that in fact 2009 is said those who are still strongly against having CV37 0PP birthday. This is actually better, as it now anything on their cars so we are not in a means that the association’s anniversary position to make any arrangement Tel: 01789 731332 ACTC website : www.actc.org.uk th [email protected] coincides with the championship’s 25 compulsory. The stance from the birthday. I hope we can celebrate this with sponsor’s point of view is that any advert a big bash at next year’s Awards needs to be big enough to appear in Presentation Evening on Saturday 13th photographs. Although that might be a While marshalling at the Ebworth Trial I told Simon that I thought that this edition of June. Put the date in your diary now. logical requirement for a race or rally car Restart might be rather shorter than usual, and as this means it will be less expensive Notice that I am calling this event an where coverage in Autosport or Motoring for the Association, he seemed to be quite pleased. However the authors have, as “Awards Presentation Evening”. We’re still News can to a greater or lesser extent be usual, done a great job and we have a full edition. However as a ‘sop’ to Simon I have having the dinner, but the dance part has guaranteed I find it a curious standpoint left out the championship tables. As Chris has only been able to add the Ilkley results to never been particularly popular and so it’s for a trials car that is rarely going to star in the previously published tables it seemed to be a ‘waste of space’ to fill up four extra being toned down. print. To my mind it would be better to have a sticker on ones tow car so that pages and his ’championship chat’ keeps us up to date with the leading contenders. Of I had hoped to make a big announcement course up to date tables will be on www.actc.org.uk when its parked at the motorway services in this issue regarding the sponsorship of on the way to or from an event then all the the 2009 ACTC Series. Alas we have not curious hoi-poloi can see it. It is an interesting coincidence that Simon should talk about modern ECU managed yet been able to finalise the engines in trials cars in the same issue that Jonathan has finally found the time to write arrangements, as we have not been able Those who keep an eye on what about installing the efi Montego engine into our Marlin. to agree on the design of the happening on the “interweb” and read the championship sticker. The sponsor wants musings that appear on Michael Leete’s Another coincidence is that Dennis mentions Lady Mary Grosvenor, who was an a much larger display than we are “Classical Gas” (put MSN Groups enthusiastic competitor and a patron of the Chester Motor Club. The Midland prepared to contemplate given the Classical Gas into your favourite search Automobile Club has a very close relationship with Chester Motor Club and this summer tradition in our sport of not having engine if you’ve never seen it) will have Jonathan and I were privileged to be invited to their annual dinner. As their current advertising on the cars. This tradition goes noted much debate following Dick Bolt’s president is the Duke of Westminster their ‘clubhouse’ is the Duke’s country pad near back a long way, and I for one as an success in Ebworth with his Duratec Chester, Eaton Hall. It was a great evening in very beautiful surroundings. Unfortunately organiser have found it very useful in powered Escort. Many of the comments photography was not allowed…. distinguishing between us and rally cars. seem to suggest that this was a new rule Although I now feel that the time is right being applied, but I can assure you that it The building works at Shelsley are progressing well and the Chester Motor Club’s and it is necessary to move forward, I do is not. It’s been on the statute books since archives will be housed there, alongside the Midland Automobile Club’s extensive not want our cars to become mobile in inception of classic trials specific rules records and possibly ACTC’s very modest, but still important archive. billboards. I am still against personal in the Blue Book – one of the earliest advertising on cars, but recognise that the victories of the fledgling ACTC. The age of cost of putting on events is spiralling this debate comes as no surprise to the upwards and that if the whole burden of VW fraternity for whom the question of the cost is not to be placed on entrants then rights and wrongs of fitting “Type 4” some form of sponsorship has to be engines to Beetles comes and goes with acquired. Inevitably the sponsor(s) expect the regularity of the tides. The comments to see their name somewhere, and that is suggested that this engine gave Dick a

2 3 distinct advantage over his adversaries, difficult for a newcomer to get started in MSA is therefore asking people at what it save fuel is pointless, as far more fuel and although it is true that he won the the sport? lovingly called the grassroots of could be saved by banning people from event by a wide margin, it should also be motorsport to start recording the amounts travelling to “away” football matches. noted that a number of his traditional People often talk about how we should of fuel that they use in the course of a They, after all, have the advantage of adversaries; Sticker Martin; Simon Groves attract newcomers into the sport. “How season. Not just the petrol put into the being able to watch it on TV, which we to name but two; were absent that day. can we get the youngsters involved?”. My trialler to go round the route, but the stuff certainly don’t. Keep a note of your figures But I digress. The web discussion has stance on this at the moment is that this is used by the tow car to get down to the for the rest of the season, let me have raised the possibilities of such transplants entirely the wrong question. What we event and back home again. This way it them and I’ll put them to the MSA in May. to a wider audience and with it the should be asking is who is going to can be shown that banning motorsport to ….(please). implication that such a modification is de organise events in the future? Hans rigueur if you want to stay competitive. Viertel and Peter Allen hold the record, having organised the Camel for 22 years. I ummer has flown, or should I say are seen on The rule was originally written to allow the organised the first modern Clee Hills Trial gurgled past. Some really wet our trials. fitment of 1500 pre-crossflow engines into back in 1980. The organisation of the muddy trials could have been run Carrying out s 100E and 105E Populars and Anglias Northern Trial has focused on Martin & this year in July and August. PR work on a ct’ when such a mod was almost standard Irene Willis for the last few years, and now S e VSCC event is S practice for improving the performance of their business commitments demand more n I have now experienced my first full ACTC so easy, all the pi those models – that’s how far it goes of their time, but none of their immediate gathering at The Major’s Retreat and it householders S back. Now technology has moved forward colleagues in the Fellside club are in a was pleasing to see such a well attended visited to an extent that the latest ECU controlled position to take over. This means that a meeting on a rather nice day. Thank you welcomed us engines offer what seemed just a few new team has to be trained up, and to all that attended. Since I took on the and in many places on the day chairs had years ago to be the impossible grail of although there a couple of keen secretary’s role I have been trying to build been set up in gardens and verges to both high power outputs combined with volunteers, there is not sufficient time to a database of delegates contact details, watch the cars go by. One thing that I tremendous low speed flexibility. The rule make the transfer before next years event. particularly email addresses. This has, I particularly noted was that all the itself is no longer as clear as it used to be. Therefore there will be no Northern Trial think, been generally successful but if you competitors thanked the organisers and The wording refers to the manufacturer, 2009 but it WILL return in 2010, brighter have received no agenda or minutes from the marshals. Something we trials but is that the manufacturer of the vehicle and better than ever. They are not alone me and you think you should have then competitors could think of doing as a or just the engine? This is important to the of course; The Hardy has struggled year please eMail or write to me with your matter of course. smaller constructors. For example is the after year, holding on mainly through Merv details. My contact details are at the front owner a of Scimitar SS1 restricted to Brake’s dogged determination that it will of Restart. Now this brings me to a very different those engines that appear in other Reliant not fold. Dick Hutchings puts on the topic. What do you do in the middle of the models, or does the Ford name cast into Exmoor Clouds almost single handedly. I My summer started with a weeks night when waiting to attempt a hill on a the block entitle him to use any Ford block am concerned that few competitors are marshalling up in Scotland on the HERO MCC event? There are twenty plus cars in that satisfies the ruling? The same aware of the effort that goes into Celtic Malts Classic Rally and for the third front of you, you have drunk your coffee, question might be asked of the Morgan organising our events and rather sadly are year running we had great weather, much had a pee and it’s too uncomfortable to go fraternity, but that particular marque unwilling to compromise their competitive better than down south. As I drove around to sleep. Well in my Troll Chris and I get to seems to be all-encompassing in its season to take time out to organise an the Highlands looking at the marvellous talking and putting the world in general relationships with different engine event. scenery and traffic free roads I keep and trials in particular to rights. suppliers. I am told that in the past there We live in a supposedly “green” era where thinking that there should be the has been a “gentleman’s agreement” opportunity to run a fantastic classic trial One we have discussed many times is amongst the Escort fraternity to stick to environmental friendliness and the saving of scarce resources – like fuel – are up there. In some areas there are endless minimum tyre pressures, now don’t get me crossflow engines, but the cat is now out tracks climbing up through the heather. Is wrong, we are rather in favour of minimum of that particular bag. Should we try to put deemed to be important. Motorsport inevitably gets particular stick, because there anyone out there who could tyre pressures. They reduce punctures it back in? Are we content that an investigate Scotland? and save a lot of activity in pumping them occasional engine swap is within the unlike other sports we use fuel as part of the action. The truth is (probably) that back up again! However we have come up casual freedom that we allow This summer I took on the job of being with a cunning plan that may reduce the competitors? On the other hand, do we motorsport is still such a minority interest that the total amounts of fuel used are clerk of the course for the Vintage Sports trend to go for bigger and bigger diameter see it as the thin end of a dangerous Car Club and ran a daytime navigational wheels and equal up things in some wedge where all the Escort competitors actually quite small when compared to other leisure activities. Unfortunately there road rally. We attracted 48 entries all in classes. So rather than say a blanket 10 will be forced to make this swap to remain vintage cars, some with faces in them that psi for all entrants such as on some MCC competitive? Will this make it even more is no immediate way of proving this. The

4 5 trials or the popular different pressures for changes to some hills suddenly made The Ilkley Trial, 2008 ‘We saw a bike half over a stone wall, and different classes on one-day trials how them very competitive. Lots of mud and stopped expecting to find body parts all about this. leaves had covered the stone since Litton by Celia Walton over the place. In fact it was Tony was last used two years ago which made Whitehead who’d got a puncture, stopped Pressures will be based on driving wheel it very difficult, even with a downhill run hough my breath made clouds in and hiked the Honda onto the stone wall diameter and the minimum pressure from the start. I got to the top corner but the cold air of the van, it was very where it immediately fell over. Since it still would be the wheel diameter minus, or just failed to reach the end of Litton being comfortable in the sleeping bag, had its back wheel off the ground he set to possibly plus a poundage. So the CoC on in the first 10 or so cars to attempt it. The Tand there were a couple of to repair the puncture and we a trial would, for example, decide that weather was not so bad but the wind was mouthfuls of tea left in my mug. helped.’ (Tony must have been one of the today on my trial the poundage is going to so strong blowing the car all over the road unluckiest riders – when we met him at be minus 1. Thus 13 inch wheels run at 12 at very low speeds, but at least it moved Suddenly, the driver’s door opened, the special test near the end of the event psi, 14 inch wheels run at 13 psi, 18 inch the showers about. The marshals, despite Arthur’s sleeping bag landed on the seat he had just had a flat front wheel pointed wheels run at 17 psi and so on. On the conditions, were all very cheerful and with a flump – ‘Morning, Mum’ and he was out – ‘Oh no,’ he wailed, ‘It’s the third front another trial it might be the poundage is seemed to be enjoying themselves, a big off to get washed. I dragged myself out of one! I’ve only had one back tyre go plus 2, then 13 inch wheels run at 15 psi, thanks to them all. the (lovely, warm) sleeping bag and got down…’ He did the special test, flat and 14 inch run at 16 psi, 15 inch run at 17psi dressed. Not many minutes later all, fixed it and finished the event. Maybe and so on. The objective of this exercise is A couple of weeks later I joined Tim everything was packed away and we were you make your own luck – some of us to even out climbing ability within classes. Whellock and his working party at Fingle off to Otley, bacon sandwiches from the wouldn’t have finished.) Now we know it would be a much bigger Hill in Devon. The main objective was to van, and the Ilkley Trial. Across the car job for the marshals doing tyre checks, build a number of drainage barriers, to park a wild figure was waving its arms: Once we’d caught up we saw mainly but, competitors would soon get pretty divert rainwater off the hill and stop the Yoshi Adams and his Dyna-Rod orange motorcycles in action. Solos didn’t seem good at getting out of the car and shining erosion. The weather was great and a outfit had already arrived. Al Lidgate soon to be having too much bother but there a light on the tyre where the diameter is good number of MCC members turned out appeared too: There were only three was a restart at Peers Wood (deep dead marked. What do you think and have you to help, making the working party very sidecars, but with consecutive numbers, bracken) that caught all the sidecars out. dreamt up some equally ‘cunning plan’ social. It’s so true that many hands make which always makes it more fun. According to the results the various cars whilst waiting in a long queue? light work. By early afternoon we had had trouble too though the solos almost all completed all the work and retired to the A couple of miles down the road I was in a cleaned the section. Mother and son In September I managed to have over two pub for a well earned drink. Fingle really is temper, having messed up one of the Walton were going well, very happy, and weeks of open top motoring when I took a beautiful area on a mild sunny autumn route directions and lost the others. For a most pleased with each other’s my Morgan down to the Loire valley in day. while we travelled in the company of Bob performance. Yoshi was failing section France. It poured with rain from Ross-on- Isaacs and Nigel Sykes in a pair of white after section but cheerfully; Al Lidgate Wye to Portsmouth and from Ouistreham Well that’s it; see you on a hill somewhere Mini Mokes but after a couple of didn’t seem to be having any problems. to Le Mans, then the sun came out, the soon. entertaining sections we caught up with hood came off and that was it until we the other sidecars and all was well. Suddenly an Austin Seven was in our arrived back in Ross. Motoring on the D Stuart Harrold midst, William Barker from Leeds, and we roads in France, those shown in yellow on To my surprise there was no mud. non-car competitors found it fascinating to the Michelin maps, is really wonderful, Nowhere. But long grass and dead watch the little car crawl up the sections, there is hardly any traffic at all and the bracken can be far more slippery. Arthur passenger bouncing where needed in the roads are generally in very good repair. was riding well, the Honda/WASP was back seat. It was impossible to pass the Then you come to villages or small towns, running well, and the passenger was Austin on the narrow roads with a sidecar which always have plenty of free parking doing her best; the sun was mostly outfit, and so we followed a mile or so spaces and are always very clean and shining and the company was good. We slower than usual and the driver had more tidy. You end up just driving in a even got a flyer up the notorious Hey time to admire the scenery (is there a dreamland for days and then you wake up Slack: What more can anyone need? lesson here?). back in Portsmouth and that awful M27! At one point we passed a layby and saw Lunch time, and the same chuckwagon The Edinburgh certainly sorted out the what appeared to be an accident being that provided breakfast was ready and entries with; I think only 7 golds for cars retrieved by our friends from Horsforth waiting to sell us the essential food and and 14 for the bikes and a few lost Triples. who had come with their quad to watch, drink in brilliant sunshine. Guess who I thought it was a good event and the and take photos. Later on Nigel told me: didn’t have sunglasses…? Nice chat with

6 7 Roger Tushingham from Pateley Bridge, came far too soon, happily we cleaned the The Ilkley Trial 2008 or what We found our way to the Brown’s Wood heroically campaigning his 1930 Scott. last section in style; Al was still having no section. I have been caught by the restart problems. Pie and peas at the finish, a has my Marlin got against here in the past and got the positioning For some reason we started to make silly great way to stoke up for the drive home Yorkshire? just right and cleaned the section. mistakes after lunch – on one section we though it was awfully hard watching those by Tony Branson Goudarz was suitably impressed. just plain got it wrong, and Yoshi sailed by who didn’t have to drive 200 miles putting Unfortunately Hal failed to make the cheering himself loudly. On the next away lovely looking pints. ver the past three years I have corner but he was in good company as section he was singing Walzing Matilda prided myself on how reliable none of the other Marlins were clear on and blowing kisses to the marshals, clean Hats off to the organisers of this delightful the Marlin has been. So why is it this section. again. Al was still having no problems. event – however did the marshals manage that on the last two Ilkley trials it The little Austin was still leading the way to be at several different sections? Maybe O There seemed to be a huge delay going has behaved like a spoilt child? on the road, in the midst of a flock of they knew the terrain better than we did, through the Dob Park water splash. This motorcycles including a nice, very well but even so it was quite a conjuring act. Last year it proved difficult to start after turned out to be a holding control before used 500T with Tony Leedal (someone the third section and misfired its way Sword Point 1. We eventually reached the else from Leeds) in a pudding basin At the end of the Ilkley Trial I was round the trial eventually expiring on the section in time to see Hal returning, all helmet who appeared to know just how to convinced that Yorkshire is the most Highfield farm special test. A long tow smiles as he had cleaned it. We did ride the old Norton; he only stopped on beautiful place in the British Isles. Still, persuaded it to life and we limped to the similarly. one section. Every now and then we last November I was convinced that finish. Amazingly after pie and peas (for caught a glimpse of the Ajay brigade – all Somerset was; at Easter I thought it was the crew) The car seem to be much better Sword Point 2 was on slippery grass. Hal right, Matchless, AJS and a Triumph – Cornwall; and no doubt in June I’ll have to and behaved well on the way home and had struggled and scored 11. I decided to and didn’t they sound good thundering admit it must be mid-Wales. I’m a lucky did so without any work on it until its next take it very gently. I think we climbed along. lady to be able to indulge myself playing visit to Yorkshire this weekend. through the gap in the gorse at about 200 motorcycle competition in all these lovely rpm. Unfortunately I put my foot down on The Walton driver missed a marker and places. This year’s Ilkley was the second outing the flatter bit to get up some speed and sulked for a while, just as the navigator for the two Marlins of team Branson. We failed to back off as wheel spin stopped us had at the had spent a fair amount of time on Hal’s at 2. I rolled back about 6 inches and then beginning of the car and it seemed to be running well. We trickled out of the section at tick over trial. It’s the decided that he would drive it down to the which is how I should have done it in the mistakes we start to get some miles on it and see what first place. know perfectly faults developed. well we needn’t Sword Point 3 was a wiggle round the have made that My Persian colleague Goudarz Mazdai trees with a final blast up a near vertical annoy us most had been roped into bouncing. I had given slope with a large rock at the top. We saw isn’t it – all part of him a previous route card to look at. A the Imp of Tris White make short work of life’s rich pattern. rather late arrival at the start meant we it. Hal pointed his car at the slope and let didn’t have much time to go through the rip. We couldn’t see where he stopped but The special test route card and after only a few hundred when he came down the smile on his face was superb, yards we were in trouble. This was partly and the big zero he was gesturing told us. through gates of because we were trying to navigate from We did similarly and landed with a crash cones involving the ‘example’ route instructions on the with the sump guard on the rock but with some tight turns front page and partly because Goudarz the front wheels past the section ends. Hal and horrid was looking for tulips. I explained that this and I were the only Marlins to clean the cambers again was Yorkshire not Holland and we were section. on slippery grass soon on our way. This proved to be short (and cowpats). lived, as in company with many others we Ellers was an easy section with a restart We all enjoyed couldn’t find (or didn’t notice) a gap before and, although my car was beginning to this, everyone a bus shelter. As our attempt to find the misfire, it gave us no trouble. waited and watched others in action with Son & Mum in action —Arthur and Celia route was particularly creative we dropped occasional applause for a really Walton on the 2008 Ilkley Trial to the back of the field with only Simon Peels Wood with the diversion can be enthusiastic attempt. The end of the event murderous in the wet it wasn’t that much (Photo by Nigel Marriott) Woodall behind us.

8 9 easier in the dry. Don Dalton made a good Unfortunately mechanical malfunction is A PROVEN SUBSTITUTE FOR LEAD IN PETROL attempt for an 8 and several of the class 8 often accompanied by navigational failure. cars cleaned it. I could say that the This was definitely the case at this point misfiring engine caused our score of 10 and we ended up being led to Incline 1 by THE ULTRABURN UNIT but I won’t, as it isn’t true. Trying to steer the course closing car. Unfortunately he and use the handbrake at the same time sent us up the exit to the section. We A SCIENTIFIC INVENTION FOR was a bad idea and I turned up the slope eventually extracted ourselves and got to VINTAGE, CLASSIC & MODERN ENGINES far too early. Hal however got the line just the section in time to try it as the last right to score an excellent 7, the best competitor. We cleared this but the engine GUARANTEED FOR 200,000 MILES Marlin score. died on Incline 2 at the 7 marker. This was PETROL DIESEL AND SUPERCHARGED APPLICATION sad but several others including Hal had FOR PEACE OF MIND AND A SOUND INVESTMENT The car misfired its way to Hey Slack and scored 12. Unfortunately the engine having watched Don Dalton bounce decided not to start at this point. We were spectacularly up the section I decided assisted to a slope and running down that FIT AN ULTRABURN UNIT NOW something needed to be done so I got it going again. changed the distributor cap. This had no AVAILABLE FROM effect at all but despite the misfire we Just as last year the car refused to start at clawed our way to the top. the petrol station in Pately Bridge however R & M Moore, Trefrew, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9TR when threatened with a tow rope it did and Wilson’s Wood has always been a stopper we continued to Watergate. At this point I Main distributors to the vintage and classic movement for class 7 with a vicious deviation over a was feeling pretty low as the car was large rock step. I was glad to hear that this going so badly and this is such a good Please write enclosing SAE for full details and price list had been cancelled after it had taken 10 section. I went through the water with all people to lift a car off the rock... the speed and power I could muster and made it to the restart. We chugged off that We popped and banged our way off the and carried on chugging all the way to the restart and believed we had cleared the top. What a change of mood from bottom section. The results show us as scoring 2 to top. Poor Hal had got off the restart but and I can only assume that there was a shortly after his engine had died for no deviation at 2, which we missed apparent reason. It started straight away Fourtune Engineering completely. I can use the problems with and he did a second restart and climbed the engine as an excuse. The other 5 straight out of the section. Trials car preparation & fabrication specialist competitors in class 7 will have to make up their own. At Strid Wood the car was running so Complete car preparation & modifications badly that I was concerned we might not Windscreens made to your drawings The lunch stop and burger at Brimham finish. There was a bit of a queue for the Tyre racks, sump guards etc Lodge were welcome and an inspection first section so I tried to fit the spare under the bonnet revealed no reason for distributor but I couldn’t get it to engage Air bottle repairs & refills the engine’s misbehaviour. and returned to the original. To my Trial tyre gauges 0-30 psi with quick deflate valve surprise it started on the button but was Needle Roller Diff Pins B series axle In previous years the start of the Brimham still misfiring. The only way to get it up the Lodge section has been very slippery with section was flat out and some how we a nasty adverse camber and low revs off missed all the markers to go clear. If you need it making or mending, give me a ring the start are required. Fortunately for us Steve Holder. It may not cost you a fortune. the route had been changed and it was The second section should have been possible to operate within the rev range easy for us using low revs. We struggled 4, Withybridge Gardens, Cheltenham, Glos, GL51 9TL over which the engine was producing to the restart and moved off ever so slowly Junction 10, M5 some power and we were clear. with the engine getting us to the 2 marker Tel: 01242 680620 Mobile: 07973 128189 with its dying gasp.

10 11 Hawpike 1 involved a climb into a swamp with dreadful backfiring. However we followed by a steep climb out. We got limped in to very welcome pies and peas. through the swamp but didn’t have Steve Lister &Ruth enough power for the climb and scored 2. All in all an excellent trial despite the Ross on Hey Slack Hal managed a creditable 1. We needed a contrary opinion of my car. Hal had some tow to get out of the section. excellent climbs and the white Marlin (Photo by Alex Vardy) performed pretty well. My only minor Last year the engine misfired and we concern was the failure to check tyre couldn’t get over the first step on Hawpike pressures having set limits. We ran the 2. I was determined to get a better start whole event at 16psi (according to my this year. With the engine screaming we gauge) which avoided any delays to re- bounced over the step but the revs fell inflate but there were some mutterings and we went slower and slower and with that some may have run on lower the engine dying I was trying so hard to pressures than permitted. Many thanks to coax some life from it that I completely all the marshals and organisers for an failed to notice the tree on the left which excellent event. My only dread is that the removed what little momentum we had, Marlin will miraculously recover and that I bending the suspension in the process. will not find the cause for its problems.

Ilkley Trial Photos I had no intention of doing anything Goudarz has already booked his seat for special on the High Field Farm special test next year’s event. merely keeping the engine going would suffice. I didn’t see the cone until after I hit it. Yoshi Adams getting to grips with a combination The final two sections at Langbar (Photo by Nigel Marriott) were pretty disappointing as what little power I could coax out of the engine was insufficient to get us very far up the hills. Hal cleared both but the alternator fan got a bit close to the steering column UJ and caused some Al Lidgate &John pretty nasty noises, Webb but bending the blades back with a screwdriver soon cured that. I think a shorter fan belt is called for. (Photo by Nigel Tony and Goudarz in action on Hey Goudarz seemed excited that we had Marriott) Slack finished all the sections but I had to (Photo by Alex Vardy) remind him that we still had to get to the finish as the car was almost undriveable

12 13 The Good, the Bad and the than the title envisaged. “Well. We’re in “That looked more like ‘pilot error’ to me,” “Bearded Tit” said Dick. “Where? Is that a Bronte country. What about ’ Dizzying mused Dick. rare bird for these parts ?” I enquired. “No. Ilkley! Heights’ ?” Dick’s literary knowledge was That ‘tw..t’ in the Discovery, who wouldn’t by Colin Biles & Dick Munns working overtime. We agreed to go on Enter Simon Groves to the rescue. “Here move over, had a beard” he mused. (class 5 MG Midget, in need of repair) ‘hold’ to see what inspiration the day might Col. let me help you.” He said. I had been bring. trying to kick the wing back into its original So far, the Route Book had taken us north t’s not a pretty sight to see Dick Abingdon/BMC profile, with little success. of Otley, much of it in Emmerdale country. ‘musing’ and these days he seems to After a very full Yorkshire breakfast, In a minute, Simon heaved the wing back Soap buffs please note. The Reservoirs do it an awful lot more! Each day, he including heart stopping black pudding, we into roadworthy shape and duck tape was running up to Blubberhouses near the muses over the crossword in the Mail. set off for Sinclairs to assemble, sign-on applied to make good. This repair was early sections and Brimham Rocks, near I and scrutineering. It was good to see the watched by a number of drivers waiting in the lunch stop, feature in the opening titles Out of doors, he muses whilst bird watching; the feathered variety and often event so well supported with motorcycles, the control queue. One enquired. “Hey for this Yorkshire TV series. So if it goes he muses when marshalling the start line combinations and the variety of cars in Simon. Aren’t you a builder?” “Yes. I am.” quiet in the snug tonight……. on ACTC Trials. class 0, joining the ‘usual faces.’ he replied. “Well, shouldn’t that job have taken you at least three days!” Simon After lunch, a quick run up ‘Lodge;’ a PCT- In the digs it was early Sunday morning. There were small huddles as drivers and “Don’t listen to them. Your kind assistance type section behind the farm. A few We had spent a very pleasant evening in navigators poured over their tulip road was invaluable and much appreciated.” suffered here. “Probably due to the ‘after a local pub, just five minutes walk away. books. As a number of cars had broken burger with onions’ effect.” mused Dick. Good food, fine ales, generous measures trip meters, crews were going to have to The three ‘Sword Point’ sections provided of Merlot and in the company of Bill and calculate ‘distance covered’ between the a good mixture of tests; Up through pine Then back out into Nidderdale, where the Liz Bennett, Dudley and Barry sections. Should this be the driver’s trees, then grass track round gorse scenery rivalled that in the morning’s run. conversation inevitably drew out many responsibility, or be added to the bushes and finally a steep climb up motoring experiences. navigator’s job description? through trees into hollows, where extra At Pately Bridge, ‘Incline 1’ for all and ‘2’ power at the top, assured success. for the motorcycles and car classes 7 & 8, At one point, in the ‘combined age of We also fell into this category and had to stretched a few competitors. A 90-degree driver and car’ challenge, Barry and the employ the ‘Discount Speedo method’… ‘Ellers’ section forgave every one. right turn through stone gateway ‘Grotty Chummy’ were clear winners by deduct the old mileage from the new concentrated the mind. Then, ‘point and far. It occurred that, if ‘car plus driver’s figure…..… less 10% ‘.....to allow for our However, by way of contrast ‘Peels Wood’ squirt’ up across the mud between dry age,’ ever became an Olympic sport, higher ratio diff . in the next field, comprising wet grass stone walls, was an approach that worked Barry should represent Britain and could over ‘Black Puff’ bit like garden compost, well for most. The town itself had a well take the gold medal. The first test at ‘Bus Shelter’ was to check favoured the few. Some competitors were delightful Sunday outing atmosphere, as trip mileage readings. So far so good, but believed to be running on ‘Heineken’ we drove through. Anyway, Dick was musing over what the then panic! We saw competitors Kelly, Sticker, Harvey, Jon, Tris, Boyd, ‘Ilkley’ may have in store for us, especially dispatched earlier, coming back down the Mike, Simon and Stuart all managed to go ‘Watergate’ offered photographer Dave as we had retired from the Kyrle with no hill towards us. Had we gone wrong so clean on this section….….thus reaching Cook a brilliant opportunity for action rear brakes. Not the best place to do so, I soon? Dick persevered with the route those parts of the hill others...... you photos. The drop into a shallow stream, hear you say. Agreed. book directions and we duly turned into know the rest. the climb up a stony track with the late Dob Park for ‘Brown’s Wood’. It transpired hairpin at the top, caused problems for “This article for Restart” he said the ‘downhill contingent ’ were engaged ‘Hey Slack;’ required a flat dash through a only a few competitors. On the way out we thoughtfully. “You are looking for an in…T.I. ….Tulip Interpretation,… before marsh then alternate climbs for respective came across Sticker with the Escort appropriate title. A good ‘hook’ you might the trial proper……enough said. classes. Taking the corner too tight, cost bonnet up. The collective expertise of six say?” momentum with consequent views ‘of the Ford aficionados soon had him going Section 1; A loose surface start followed top’ rather than ‘from the top.’ again, though. “What about ‘On Ilkley Moor with t’ hat?” immediately by a sharp left hand bend “Can’t really use it, Dick” I replied, “It’s a was kind to most. Whilst the restart took ‘Wilson’s wood also caught out some who On the way to the next section we spotted bit too close to what we shout at 4X4 its toll, a select few, including ourselves, missed the slight deviation. I know, we a number of competitors stopped for ice drivers, in narrow lanes, when they don’t managed to cock-it-up after a successful didn’t see it either! creams. Apparently, to add ballast! Little pull over.” “A taste of Yorkshire Plodding,” climb away. Our excuse; a large section of did they know it would be needed for the he offered. “That’s very good.” But, I the bank moved into our path and On our way to the Brimham lunch stop we next test. Strid Wood in Wharfdale is a hoped our progress would be a little faster promptly demolished the o/s front wing. met a Discovery in the narrow lane. famous Dales beauty spot.

14 15 ‘Strid 1’ Ilkley Trial 2008, in the field excellent organisation of the ‘Ilkley,’ The Roger Pole Taw & Torridge Jim Walsh in class 4, leaving Giles opposite, is the infamous section, which, coupled with the fine weather. Greenslade spinning further down the hill. this year, took out 44% of class 3. For a Trial 2008 Dick Bolt in the newly powered 2 litre short while, a soft spot developed in the Whilst long journeys home necessitated by Dave Haizelden Escort was the only clean in class 3. right hand track, about two thirds of the early leaving for some, those able to stay way up the gully. This ‘stopped’ Kelly and enjoyed the club’s kind hospitality, quick fter the late cancellation of last A short drive down the road was the rough Sticker and, as it turned out, to deprived production of results and prize giving year’s event Holsworthy Motor section Crossleigh, with a tough restart on them of ‘clean sheets’ for the day. Here hosted by president Henry Kitching. Club finally got the 2008 trial the infamous rock slab for the 7s and 8s. also, Simon and Greg added to the Aunder way from their new chosen Andrew Rippon was to drop 4 points here carnage by dropping into the same hole. Congratulations to: Boyd Webster: best start at Clovelly. This picturesque village which turned out to be the only points he This was not good news for the few car, Dave West: best bike and Al Lidgate: was made famous in recent times by the dropped on the whole day. Dudley made remaining competitors; the ‘ice cream best combination. filming of the Hovis advert of the boy amends and managed to get off the brigade’ who had to follow them. Thomas pushing the bike up the steep cobbled hill. restart along with Steve Vincent, Dean Aldrian; Austin 7 class 5, kept very tight And also to 1st class winners: John With John and June Blakely carrying out a Partington and Simon Woodall. Emma in into the left hand bend and avoided Boothroyd, Gren Pulan, Arthur Walton, very thorough scruitineering the the Beetle, and Mike Collins in the Golf trouble. After a discussion involving a pint Ryan Glans, David Child, Bill Bennett, competitors were soon on their way to the didn’t carry enough speed and dropped 2 of beer, we opted for the alternate right Kelly Thomas, ourselves, Jon Robillard tough Lands End section – Cutliffe Lane. points, dropping them further behind in the hand route, ‘up through the nettles,’ to get and Tris White. All of the early class 8 runners found no class. a similar result. Afterwards, we learned trouble with the restart. But very the hole had filled back-in, just as quickly As we journeyed home down the M1, I surprisingly, class 7 ace Andrew Martin, Virgin T&T trialist Gavin Harverson, in a as it had appeared! asked Dick, assisted by Bart (Paul Bartleman), found class 3 Beetle, and James Shallcross in a trouble with the restart, after the Melos class 1 P205, bagged their first cleans by By early afternoon the local roads became “How was the Ilkley Trial for you? What do would not play ball, and the engine went climbing the new section called Dexbeer, busy as Yorkshire folk came out to enjoy you think was good about it and what was sick. Two class 7 competitors to take which was a steep climb up a grass field. the sunshine, visiting Bolton Abbey and bad?” advantage were Tubby (Tristan) White in After a very lengthy drive, the field of Wharfdale. the Imp, and Andrew Rippon in the VW runners turned up at the Weeks Farm He thought for several minutes then said. Baja who both managed to get away. The complex. First hill in the farm was called ‘Hawkpike Farm’ presented two enjoyable rest of the field made light work of the Week Vale, which stopped the entire field sections, which gave respect to those who “Well good: The club’s organisation, the climb, especially Bill Bennett, who had to apart from Andrew Rippon, Dudley and treated the grassy surfaces with mutual marshals and the hospitality of the be reunited with his headlight later in the Charlie Shopland, who all managed to get caution. members, who made us so welcome. The day. around the 90 degree right hand bend and sections, though mostly PCT, were still surmount the deep rutted hump. Further ‘Highfield’ Special test was innovative. very interesting. The outstanding Next was a new section called along the track was a figure of eight Tight snaking corners gave way to a dash Yorkshire scenery and the good weather.” Wembsworthy, which caused little trouble section called The Loop. Scenes of total over a hump, then sharp left to stop to the competitors, although the green “buffoonery” were witnessed here when astride the finish line. Simon Groves really And the bad: “Only your driving up the first Golf made rather a meal of the exit, much firstly Bill Bennett got the MG stuck in the went for it and recorded ‘nil time,’ after section!” to the delight of the watching crew in the deep bottomless pit of mud, Mike Collins driving sideways through the ‘finish’ white Golf. who saw a chance of getting an advanced cones, much to the entertainment of those After a further pause, he mused; look at the section, waded in to help push, who witnessed it. “That’s it. Your title for the piece.” “What Section 3, Herdacott - consisted of a but unfortunately had not tied his laces up do you mean?” I asked. “It’s got to be; The section laid out in a grass field, with a right on his boots – Whoops! Mike was left Across the valley from Ilkley, the last Good, the Bad and the Ilkley!” hand corner, finishing in a steep climb. Ian floundering about in his socks, and with a sections at Langbar, ensured that Cundy took a 1 point lead in class 1, by couple of potatoes poking out, if he’d competitors were challenged, right to the using his well homed PCT skills. Dudley stayed there any longer, he would have end. Two contrasting climbs, both on Sterry made a rare mistake and the MG soon been ready for digging up. grass claimed scalps from all classes, came to a halt at the 9-marker. This except class 8 entrants. ultimately cost Dudley the overall in the After Mike was evacuated from the mire, final reckoning. In the lower classes Ian Cundy powered the 16V Golf through Signing-off at the rugby club about an notable cleans were made by Emma the mud and made an impressive climb to hour earlier than scheduled, reflected the Robilliard, Nicola Wainwright, Ryan and the 1 marker. Giles rediscovered his form

16 17 and managed to claw back some points The final section – Devon Yeomanry Taw & Torridge Trial 2008 Our time came and not listening to my by going clean a feat match by Nicola. Butts – was climbed by most competitors sister, I took a wrong turn and got us lost Another casualty of the mud was Reg this year although newcomer Gavin Trialling the tow car! less than half a mile from Clovelly. Salway in the BMW, who got completely Harvason ran into a lot of trouble when by Julien Slade Thankfully she did and excellent job and shipwrecked, despite the best efforts of all trying to take the escape road, the navigated us through the winding roads the marshals and fellow competitors the steering on the Beetle got severely had given myself the deadline of the and villages to arrive at the hill, out of BMW refused to budge. Eventually Reg, damaged on the section and when trying latter half of 2008 to be out on the hills order behind Sticker Martin in his Escort. who had obviously been shopping at to exit the forest, the car took a turn into and I had decided that a beach buggy Wicks the builders’ merchants, removed the river gully. It took over an hour to get Iwas the most appropriate vehicle and We had all left our cars and were watching seven bags of sand and cement form the the car back onto the track and then Gavin ebay delivered. It was then onto the the hill from afar due to the quagmire of boot. had to straighten the steering whilst lying telephone and the Classical Gas forum for mud between the approach hill and the in the mud, the car then refused to start, advice in how to prepare it. Simon section and picking up any advice we Around the corner was a section called and was towed out by Jim Wood. Gav Woodall and others provided a lot of good could. The general consensus seemed to Across the Stream. Giles, assisted by then proceeded to the finish, where he ran advice – thank you – I then decided that be to get through the gate posts and boot father Dennis, had a blonde moment when out of fuel, and the proprietor of the closed the buggy was too good to thrash around it. We were soon on the start line and the Beetle lost its way and found itself 90 garage at Clovelly took pity on him and the hills and was now looking for a ready- concerned that we would not move from degrees to the track and dropped a opened up. Gav’s troubles were still not to-trial vehicle. In the meantime, I found there, but we did and had a pleasing climb massive amount of points. Only Adrian over as he lost his headlights and had to an inexpensive Volvo 240 for my everyday up this rocky straight hill until progress Dommett and Ryan Tonkin managed to travel home down the north Devon link car and tow vehicle for the trials car. halted and we disappeared in tyre smoke. get to the top in the lower classes. road on side lights only, eventually getting We backed down and returned along a home just before midnight. Time flew past and had run out, I had not rather slippery and slimy track and off to The final section in the farm, Week found a trials vehicle and having recently Section 2, Wembsworthy. Bottom, was gallantly marshalled by When the results were finally announced, been told by a friend, Robin Hanauer that Becey Macey and her two young the clear winner was Andrew Rippon, with Volvos are rubbish at trialling, the Slade A fine location to queue for the hill in the offsprings. Grandad Sticker Martin gave a only four points dropped. Class 8 was won bloody mindedness set in and the tow car sunshine with views over rolling fields; we master class in driving, and powered the by Dudley with 8 dropped, Tubby White was going trialling. A couple of very hectic went to watch the section. The red Marlin Escort to the only clean class 3. After the took the honours in class 7, with 18 weeks followed as I added various steel had no trouble at all – nice and easy I rest halt, the event moved onto “Tuckers dropped, Matt Facey took class 6 with 27, plates to fit to the underside of the car and thought. Then the Imp slid off into a hole – Mill” with restart for all classes which Keith Sanders with 26 won class 5, Nicola raised the front and rear suspension as not so easy perhaps. Then 66 Colin caused little problem. Further down the Wainwright took the honours in a very much as I could in the short time Jeffery in his Escort came back – oh, track was special test 2, where Simon competitive class 4 field and was also available. hmm, very tricky perhaps. Groves set a blistering time of under 19 presented with the Ariel Motors cup for seconds. being the best in classes 1 – 4. Dick Bolt, An early start on Saturday saw my sister We managed to get off the start, in muddy Ade Dommett, and yours truly, also took Claire, her partner Bas and me leaving ruts, into 2nd gear, to the sharp right- Just before leaving the forest, a new class honours -. Big thank you to Jim Sussex for the 5-hour drive to Clovelly, hander and had to quickly select 1st and section called Grahams Hill with an evil Wood and his team for a great days sport. Bas kindly towing the car as we had rated soon came to a halt. In attempting to back placed restart in deep ruts on a tight it survival chances as low and we all had out of the section, I was sliding all over the corner, decided the fate of class 1 after to be back for Monday morning. place and making a right hash of it. My Ian failed to get the Golf away, handing apologies to the marshals who had to dig the class to the Green Golf. The A fine morning saw us off to Clovelly, we out and replace all the number markers I penultimate hill “Langtree Common” which were the first car through scrutineering squashed. used to be the most feared hill on the (keen new boys) and were soon enjoying event has now become somewhat tamer. large breakfasts in the visitor centre. We On the way out we waited for 67 Ken This unfortunately saw the retirement of then watched the bikes and cars off the Bassett and Bill Wagstaff in the yellow Collin Jeffreys in the Escort, when the start line – rather envious of the Escort who cleared the section and then exhaust snapped clean off the manifold. supercharged MGs and Wolseley and all followed them out, or at least to the Another act of buffoonery was witnessed those class 8 specials – off to Section 1, gateway, where they stopped, blocking it, by the marshals when Giles and Dennis Cutliffe Lane. to inflate their tyres. This must be a tactic decided to take the scenic route and to avoid getting stuck behind Volvos that collected a tree! don’t clear hills.

18 19 Section 3, Herdacott was at the bottom well. Arriving at the rock slab with a cars had cleared. Reg in the BMW was in Arriving at section 12 Tuckers Mill we corner of a steep grassy field. The Golfs wallop, we came to a rather abrupt halt. front of us and, as others had before him found the family who had scrutineered us had not cleared the section and were Once the tyre smoke had cleared, we and as we were about to do, managed to in the morning and embarrassed having difficulty backing out. A nasty hole hopped out to await the huge tractor. I get the nose of the car up and the back ourselves by very poor progress. At into which a Beetle had been lost earlier in attached the tow rope which snapped, the bottomed out. So shortly afterwards we special test 2 we ran a good time with the day was now marked by a yellow coat tractor backed up further down the slab to were in the queue for Section 8, The liberal use of the handbrake and right foot on a stick. We managed to leave the start allow us to attach the chain, Claire leapt Loop. and off to section 13, Watergate woods. line but a lack of directional control left us onto bonnet to avoid the approaching heading for the hole and slowing lost us all tractor and the Volvo slid a few more feet From our observations most competitors Here we had a pleasant, if short, climb momentum and we soon stopped. Again down the slab which was all a little hairy. began the section, slid sideways into a around a gently curving rocky muddy track our backing out attempts were interesting Eventually we were safely towed out and large boggy area and stopped. One of the and decided that bouncing actually to say the least. other than front wheels pointing in slightly Escorts deflated a tyre and while we stopped the car this time. different directions and the interior being watched nobody got much further, except Simon Groves in the gold Escort (70) was caked in mud from my clambering in and for a stirling effort by the orange and Section 14, Graham’s Hill looked like a behind me and although he did not clear out in the recovery attempt (no way out of cream rather revvy Beetle that made it good contender to plant the tow into the the section he then drove out of the field the driver’s door) – we pumped the tyres through the mud, made it around the loop ground and I was a little concerned that parallel to it, which was rather impressive. and were off to Section 6, Dexbeer. and almost got through the mud again. I recovery would be tricky. However the Reg Salway and Kieren Fox in the BMW was tempted to give it a miss but was told marshal told me that although the Volvo (71) ended up with the car’s nose in the We arrived, no queue – due to slow that this was not the spirit. We chose a was an interesting choice being probably bottom hedge as he attempted to leave progress of cars through Crossleigh, let steady start, kept right and floored it only the longest and heaviest vehicle, we the section and had many bodies pushing the tyres down and drove up without to slide sideways to stop in the bog. should go for it. In a spirited attempt we to get him on his way. spinning the wheels – as advised by the Thankfully many of those watching cleared the stream and soon stopped. To team in the red VW Beetle. Although it ventured into the mud, where Claire lost aid reversing out, Claire and Bas jumped Once out of the field, out came the foot was far easier than many of the routes to her boot and sock, to assist extricating the onto the bonnet and the marshals pushed. pump. While we pumped away Ken and and from hills, we had now cleared a hill Volvo, which was no mean feat. Next in I was soon gaining speed toward the Bill pulled up and pulled out their tyre and a rousing cheer emitted from the was Simon and I was pleased to see that stream and bounced back through it. filling hose – hmmm, looks easier. While Volvo as we exited. We then followed the he did much the same as both Reg and I. Turning forward I was rather surprised to we were here, still pumping the tyres long route instructions and passed down a see Claire’s face inches from mine; she after Ken and Bill had gone, Nigel Jones track in between fields to find ourselves Adjacent was section 9 on which we had a was still clinging to the bonnet. and Dave Hunt came past in the red returning up the same field again. We rather feeble attempt and off to section 11 Skoda (79) and delighted in giving us a asked the marshal how to get out and via special test 1. Next to 14 was Section 14b Pencleave number of performances of their musical were soon on our way again. and we were told that nobody had failed brakes, a dreadful ear piercing screech. Upon arrival at the section we found 66 this. We did fail it and then set off along Now 1400 and starving we made an Colin Jeffery’s Escort against the trees the wrong track, we eventually came back Section 4, Crossleigh. Along yet another emergency stop at a fuel station for and with a lot of bodies and Reg’s BMW down and off to the final section for cars, rough approach track and with Bas in the provisions on the way to Section 7, Week as a tow vehicle he was eventually 17, Adrian’s Aisle. back suggesting that every bang and bash Vale. We were surprised to find a very extracted with only minor blemishes. The to the car sounded expensive, we arrived steep climb very soon after exiting the orange and cream Beetle and the yellow Getting there was interesting in itself, at the queue in a pleasant spot on a road on our way to the section and had to Escort did well and got up and around the however getting out was more so. The two bridge over a stream. It was a long wait as back up and deflate our tyres to get up it – first corner. Reg had scored 11 by getting Beetles (red and cream & orange) it was a difficult section to clear and with much to the amusement of the people his nose up the slope to extract Colin, so I appeared to clear the section, the tractor recovery. Passers-by advised that who emerged from the woods in a modern thought I should at least attempt that and Wolseley did not quite make it and we did it was a very hard section and a lot of blue VW Beetle convertible. Our surprise did so, resulting in a reshaped exhaust not get far at all. Off we went down the advice was given. Simon advised me to did not end there as we soon found and underside of the boot. escape road and spent 20 minutes ignore the noise of the rocks bashing the ourselves in what appeared to be Amazon heaving and pushing to keep the Volvo on car and to go for it. rainforest and were pleased when we Arrival at the lunch stop was very late at the track as it preferred to slide off the eventually found the short queue for the 1600 and hence very quick. Reg changed track and into the ditches, Claire was We left the start, attacked the hill with section. As we arrived at the start, a 90 his tyres, I removed my bent exhaust, Bas sprayed with mud (very amusing) and we venom and as suggested I stamped the degree turn off the track up an almost gaffer taped bits of now lose trim and Ken awarded ourselves a clever buggers throttle to the floor, and we climbed very vertical hill, which we were told, only 5 and Bill re-tuned their carburettors. award for getting out of that one.

20 21 Later in the day, Reg in the BMW was in about 4 cars managed to squeeze past front of about 6 or 7 cars picking their way but only 1 cleaned the hill, the others got through the trees to the section when his stuck and added to the delay. rear N/S wheel slipped into a gully, the 2008 Taw & Torridge car, now resting on its sill was going Back to the road, tyres pumped up we photos by Julien nowhere and so while they waited for a returned to Clovelly. I may have proved Slade 4x4 to arrive, emptied the boot. With the Robin correct regarding the suitability of help of the 4x4 and about 10 strong lads Volvos for trialling, but we had a damn managed to pull/lift it out. While waiting good time.

Tall & short….. Pete & Carlie Hart follow the Harvey Waters Ford Pop

Scrutineering heroes John & June Blakeley keep up the family tradition by involving grandson Alex Vardy on the Taw & Torridge

(Photo by Julien Slade)

I don’t usually like portrait photos for Restart because it is difficult to fit them in without Tony wasting too much space or the Young photos needing to be too small, however I couldn’t resist these two….. , They do show what (Photo by our sport is about, its variety Julien and the sporting spirit (ed) Slade)

Reg’s BMW being rescued

22 23 2008 Edinburgh Trial photos by Dave Cook on Bamford Clough

Unidentifiable bike lifts a wheel Dudley Sterry & Barry Clarke making it look easy

Sidecars found the camber tricky…..

Stuart Highwood & Ian Burton & Gary Mark Ensoll, Dutton O’Shaughnessy, Phaeton, struggling Yamaha

Simon Groves, Andrew Berry & Ford Escort, in a Adrian Powell, typical pose... BMW

24 25 Borrowed time on the 2008 needed much as he did the Lands End Ebworth Trial with me in the TF, and was in his misspent Edinburgh Trial photos by Pat youth a motorcycle trials rider up in the by Brian Osborn Yorkshire Dales so had a latent interest. In Toulmin fact he may have even more interest oesn’t time fly, it must be some 3 now - if he can find another MGB for £75. years since I last drove in an Dan & Gary Browning, Edinburgh Trial. Cancelled last As for the trial, well we started at about VW Golf, on the start year, I bounced for Dud Sterry in the same time as Pat & Jonathan Toulmin of Sunnyside 1 D 2006 (well, actually didn’t bounce – it was (Marlin) who were in the “proper” trial. We unnecessary!), and my MGB did 2005 in were supposed to start with the main trial class 0 before it having an enforced rest and then go our separate ways, but their due to advanced tin worm after some 15 first section was cancelled so they ended years of trialing. up doing ours - Wigber Low. This caused a minor delay at the holding control, but My MGB is still outside on blocks awaiting soon we were delighted to find that the welding of the offside sill and rear inner MGB went uphill quite well. Our Haven hill and outer wing. It was to be a summer job was cancelled, so whilst the others went but we didn’t have one hereabouts. So it to Clough Wood we went straight to the looked like I would be helping marshal Deep Rake Special Test. Now this was a Bamford with others of the MGCC until Vic bit different despite the route book Lockley of Ross MSC mentioned that he showing the usual “stop astride B; stop would be on holiday in early October and astride C” format. It was a fairly long figure his car was available. Well, he didn’t have of eight complete with water splash and Emma & Sharon to say it twice before I grabbed the quite fun, well done the CoC. Robiliard, VW Beetle, opportunity and very shortly the insurance on Sunnyside 2 was sorted and an entry submitted. Then on to Black Harry that I had first met when spectating on a VSCC trial in the Now his car has been around on MCC early 90s, nice stony section with no re- and Ross events for a few years or so in start for us. Litton Slack lived up to its class 0. It was a rubber bumper MGB usual form for me in that it always starts to Roadster, now minus the bumpers, which rain when I join the queue. There was Vic paid the princely sum of £75 for. quite a wait for the main hill as it was very Actually the owner wanted £100, but challenging for the early runners having shrewd Vic bartered. That gave him 25£ to been rested for two years. The upper convert it into a trials car similar to my B, reaches above the A boards only had a or so he said. And that’s what it is, few bike tracks in the longish grass when basically standard mechanically, raised/ we were there. rubber bumper suspension, sump guard, tank in boot, etc. Main difference is that As for us, the old escape route known as there is no hood or side windows, so Little Litton, can be deceptively tricky in dress up and hope for a nice day! A bit the wet, in fact several class 0s before us Roland & Jamie similar to going with Dud in the J2, except hadn’t even reached the start line. We let Panes, Marlin we were in class 0. the tyres down before the gateway whilst Roadster, on still on a downward slope. Then, when we Sunnyside 2 My usual navigator Martin Price was could, we trickled round through and right unavailable due to him covering a race and up to the line. A brief stop and on the meeting at Snetterton for the MGCC marshal’s signal, gently, very gently crept magazine “Safety Fast”. So Tony Lake away and built up enough speed to get us was persuaded to come, not that he to the top, great! The FWD diesel Peugeot

26 27 following us also cleared it, it was his first medals/trios. We managed alright, the The Edinburgh Rock series style, the engine ‘runs over’ unless Edinburgh and he thanked us for some MGB pulling away quite well. A quick the distributor is set with care. The hot advice we gave him regarding tyre glance to the right at the deviation for the Experience spots are a source of potentially irritating pressures and waiting above the gateway. others indicated there might be a few by Richard Houlgate & Jim misfires, as we found out on the road. The We had previously advised him to take struggling there later, it looked pretty evil. Wood points adjusted, were found to have care on the traverse across the field, as The second special test was uneventful. slipped or closed a tad on the first 150 that is always a bit scary for first timers. Then on to our last section Middleton Jim Wood writes… miles. This is a joy to muck around with in Steep via a nice bit of green laneing. Here the bowels of a hot engine ... on the side Calton was shorter than usual and we had another restart, fortunately not a of a crag in the teeth of a gale, with the although slippery was no problem for us he scene is set in the 2am problem for us. Then back to the Bull darkness and soda-lit arena drizzle boring into your bum as you hang without a restart. Then to the Bull I’th almost on time and just before the rain over the tin-work.... hmmh! There are Thorn for breakfast some 50 minutes outside the cafeteria at the M42 became steady. Where we relaxed over a Services at Tamworth. The some who say electronic wizard-words are behind schedule. After our hours rest we pint and had the usual chat session, T the answer. threatened rain has held off and there are met the Toulmins on their way in, so they although the main trial was slow coming had lost an hour on us until then. scrutineers in high-viz kit, Motor-cycles in, the Toulmins eventually finishing about line up and the early-offs have already Sign on. Queue a bit. Drink hot chocolate. The next bit of the route was where we 2 hours behind us. We met Brian & Julie launched. We drive into the bay area with Chat with our friends Martin & Geoff. They had major delays in 2005/6 and this year‘s Partridge who were having an enforced all the Marlins and classic trials saloons. I are suffering from an NSU, but prefer to route was similar. This being that whilst early beer due to his Cannon emptying its spot a Austin Big Seven axle under a talk about cars. The clock ticks. In no time, the main trial went via Haydale and sump all over Clough Wood. He was Dellow-esque Pop-style nose. Do you after gathering some warmth and Bamford to Great Hucklow (24 miles in 2 hoping the engine was still OK after know what I mean? It is a tried and tested, repacking our padding behind the seats, hours), we went more direct. We had 1 exiting the section with a big hole in the truly classic trials formula from the fifties. we are off. I note the throw away “good hour 35 mins, to do approx 21 miles, so sump. Mr Dellingpole and his chum may have luck” from the marshal. would end up in amongst the bikes. But used a split axle to get IFS, but the clever whereas this was a big problem in 05/06 Our Edinburghs usually finish with B+B in bit was a side valve 1172 slung in a Seven I’m sure that Marlin roll-hoop windscreens with cars & bikes queuing back to the Hartington and dinner and a few pints with chassis. They are really tuneable, and are a good thing from the elfin safety road, this year there was only a short the Bristol MC lot and so it was this time. there are loads around (Ford Pop 100E & aspect. From the stiff-neck position, they queue and a wait of 15-20 minutes. Mind We crashed out at about 1130 like a light. E93A), still. need aerodynamic lessons. The doors you we did start some 50 minutes behind Sunday morning was a wet drive home leak and the rain (when it arrived) poured schedule anyway. following Chris Adeney in his Morgan for Other stuff included MGs of the pre and over my knees as it was driven up by the the first part down the A515. These post-war varieties as well as a large 60mph turbulence. The engine becomes Great Hucklow is now only available in the events are always very chummy. gathering of Marlins. Here is a deep-blue lumpy unless the water circulates more straight-up form since the local authority Troll, and there a painted Dellow or three, efficiently. To this end we gained respite had fenced off the deviation since last There were some 216 entries in the main by running the heater, and didn’t complain trial (82 bikes, 134 cars) and 43 in class 0 then a Skoda and a scatter of Beetles, time. Even so it is quite rough especially and in amongst the 2CVs, a Reliant when our toes defrosted in sympathy. for class 0 which may/should include (7 bikes, 36 cars) or 259 out of a maximum of 300. A reasonable entry Robin, too. On the edge of the scene, I standard road going cars & bikes. We spot an RM Box (Austin 7 saloon) Now, I had spent a day producing a road managed OK, Tony even had to bounce, considering the current situation, long may book with colour corrected OS maps and it continue. belonging to Keith Dobinson and shared warmed him up a bit on a cold day. with Allan Bee, both heroes of the VSCC. details for transits between sections. The downside to the event was the complete After a nice cupper at Hollinsclough, we There used to be a good smattering of Our usual mount has been an Austin, but MGs on the MCC events, this event only we are testing the newbie, a red Marlin, lack of information about both the entry headed for Hartington and “Excelsior”. and exit references. Several of the This is usually another serious challenge managed 7 in the main trial and 3 in class built up from an old chassis by Jonathan 0 or 10 total. Where are you all? There Toulmin for Richard Houlgate. sections are rather confusing to plot from for class 0, and so it was this time with a the exits to the start of the next section. I struggle to get past the other classes must be plenty of Midgets out there, time you came out to play. The Exeter class 0 I’ve driven the Marlin and we have spent must say here that the signage and the restart area. Tony was getting quite warm written route instructions worked very well. now. Apparently, the restart was cancelled is similar in toughness/roughness to the several days snagging, plus our friendly Edinburgh, whereas the Lands End class Mr Price has cast his knowing eye over It would have been a disaster had there for some classes later when the rains been an error in the script. came. 0 has been to date very suitable for old the plot. The engine is a used but cars of all types. Use them or lose them, serviceable B unit from a Marina. The Moneystones had a restart for all including as they say. See you somewhere in gearbox is not so fresh but is useful until Out of Tamworth we drove to Ashbourne us - obviously trying to save a few tin Devon in January all being well. we can find a crisper one. In true BMC B- and up to Wigber Low, just past Haven Hill

28 29 (scrubbed). The climb at Wigber was a then a bang along the main road to Richard Houlgate takes over….. as much as the skinny Austin rubber, grip signature we recognised repeatedly. Bamford and the climb into the tricky levels are good. Rough, stony and heavily pitted or rutted section known as Bamford Clough. This As experienced Austin 7 trialists we were describes the tracks we found on the turned into a long wait as failing climbers interested to find out what more the Marlin Of course with 1800cc and 90bhp the on significant hills. The bottle-neck was being returned. The reasons became obvious as could offer, and it got us there and back in road performance is better than the processed efficiently and marshals the roller-coaster ruts threw us awry. We some style with comparatively few Austin’s (747cc 25bhp) but not by all that deserve a pat for all the sections this year. struggled to get traction at the restart, problems considering the car had only much on the flat (the Austin cruises at 50- Wigber to Clough Wood was a long run, surprisingly the big bounce had a good done 250 miles since Jonathan Toulmin 55), it’s the long main road hills that really but one we have done on numerous effect, and we gathered our skirts and ran had built it up from bits. make the difference. It’s difficult to VSCC occasions. The unmanned exit forward with burnt rubber on the stones. compare trials hills performance, the extra from the Clough was worse than the Yee Hah! The rough terrain meant a bent exhaust power is good but I found the Marlin a little observed bit. The deep and dark tunnel of outlet and doubtless a beating high geared in first despite the van back trees was fraught, but eventually let us We returned to the main road and went to underneath, too. A frustration was the axle, and found several times having to go land on tarmac for the long run up to Deep Hucklow, adjacent to the gliding field. erratic ignition and possible valve timing or faster than I wanted to. Rake and the speed/stop special test, They found the old track that exits from irregular cooling problems that gave us north of Hassop. the woodlands at the top of the hill to the backfiring and horrible 8-stroking or Finally we failed on Litton Slack, Bamford Gliding Club. Easy-ish but again, it was pinking and simple refusal to start. This Clough (adjudged to have rolled back) and From Deep Rake, we climbed up around full of potholes. We all took a long drive was finally tracked down to a set of points Moneystones. What would we have done the quarry lip as dawn blended with the down to Buxton and out to Hollinsclough closing up, and an ill-advised adjustment in the Austin? Almost certainly have peculiar overcast. Black Harry was teas and buns. After a little padding and of the timing in the wrong direction. cleared Bamford Clough, maybe managed and we looped back to adjusting the fluid levels, we turned left to Moneystones, but not Litton Slack. But Cressbrook and the top edge above Litton climb up the Rakes Head to the long ridge The seats are comfortable, but the then I’ve been driving it for nearly 10 Slack. The approach to Millers Dale is full down to Longnor and Sheen. Just out of draught around the back of the shoulders years. of ghosts and memories. The Slack has Sheen is the tightly walled lane known as is unpleasant enough to demand been used for nigh on a hundred years as Excelsior where the mechanical marvels investigation, despite the heater we would So now we look forward to the Exeter trial a measure of motoring skill. The queued in the howling wind until restarts probably have been warmer in the Austin. just after Christmas. surrounding landscape is full of were abandoned. The controls and instruments are well and archaeology and outstanding beauty. tidily laid out, and the hydraulic handbrake Litton defeated us just shy of the restart, We were running out of ‘go’ by now. is fantastic. The steering is good with a Richard & Jim on Bamford Clough but it was beating many others. We Tiredness was eating into our responses tight lock and tyre pressures didn’t matter enjoyed the bravery of the Troll as it and at the soaking bypass loop on climbed 95% of the section to fail yards Moneystones, we failed to make headway. from success. It was probably a loss of focus, but Richard was rightly sure that we should Out of the Dale, across the A6 and have done better by using more straight into a quickie at Calton and then horsepower earlier. The sprint and stop we went straight to breakfast at T’Bull. test was a doddle and we were fired up by The big feed was very welcome. At this the Moneystones miss. I wondered when point I began to wonder where all the that Austin 7 finished. We were off home crews were. None of our friends had as the trees broke and the ravens shown up. I thought Jonathan would be reversed across the A515 in front as we nearby, but we managed to be on our way left Derbyshire in the gale. forward when JT &Pat rolled in. We refuelled and set sail for Haydale. The The Edinburgh Trial in the Derbyshire windy conditions now included significant Peak District is a veritable Edinburgh moisture. Rock assignment. The surfaces are 90% serious shattered limestone pavement: After Haydale, down to Peak Forest and very destructive to your lower-slung bits round the Sparrowpit turn back up to the and pieces. beautiful descent to Castleton and Hope,

30 31 The 2008 Edinburgh Trial The welcome grippy restart on Black Martin Redmond’s question ‘what’s this With the rain still lashing intermittently, we Harry lead us on to the delightful descent one like?’ and to share a chuckle about tag in behind the Mud Plugging Maidens by Adrian Tucker-Peake to Cressbrook, and inevitably that climb to the level of control his NSU might enjoy and Mr ’08 Triple, then peer with them up the treacherous Litton approach. The rain ‘up there’. Unfortunately, he must have into the distance to see folk turning off the started preparations for our Edinburgh clouds gather as prophesied at 10.00 as had a sixth sense, since this tough ‘un track: there appears to be a ‘Merves with a little homework: a review of our we wind round the headland to witness a saw his retirement. With attempts at 90 Swerve’ type diversion for all of us. Emma most recent route card, and a check on stirring attempt by Tristan White in his VW second intervals, it was some 1.5 hours and David set the standard, so we’re Ithe weather forecast. That’s when I Imp…he fights up the valley, accelerating later that we re-acquainted ourselves with optimistic. Chuffed with a good restart realised that our previous outing on the off the restart, only to slip down inside the the Clough – first impressions were that it getaway, we storm onto the ‘pound of event with the Pug was back in 2003 top bend and face a long descent. ‘The seemed back to front, great lumps at he butter’ diversion. Lizzie is head down when Putwell, Haggside and Longhill were suspension’s still under development’ so bottom but less step-ridden at the top. We bouncing, and only stops with surprise still on the menu. That’s also when I was he hopes for a clean next year. Some made good speed up under the trees, but when a marshal’s big hand slaps on the advised by the excellent MetCheck competitors fail to capitalise on the spun to a sudden stop on the teflon left by windscreen! As it turns out, here was a service that rain was due around Buxton downhill approach and flounder at the hole our restarting predecessors. The NSU sting as cruel as Litton, even catching the at 10.00….when are we due at Litton… in the wall, then David Wall motors up with stranded in the lay-by entailed a lengthy likes of class winners Simon Groves and you’ve guessed it! So that was all very disarming ease. Nicola, Kelly and Harry reverse for the Pug to the gauntlet of the Greenslade father / son pairing. helpful! swing wide up the bank, but nudge their shame! Your deputy editor, having been respective Beetle, Escort and Buggy somewhat peeved at the universal class 7 Leaving via the second special test, and Scraping ice off the windows at 02.30 we wheels back into the ruts for valiant restarts, was nonetheless pretty chuffed at with a cheery greeting from windswept headed for the Tamworth start, where attempts. I choose to have a crack in 2nd his performance on the concrete upper Stan Peel of the Ilkley team, we sign off John and June admirably maintained their and we really get going…engine’s reaches here. writing N/A and catch up with another 205 calm, having been besieged by class 0 straining...red light’s on!..not the pioneer enticed by the 5th Gear Exeter and everyone else for timely scrutineering, handbrake...keep going. As we spin to a Great Hucklow turns out to be an arrive Trial coverage: Charles Knifton is a tough job when there’s just the two of stop just before the restart, I realise its and drive: my nonchalant enquiry about delighted to have cleaned 50% at his first you. Maybe in crises like this, it would help overheating, and learn that Dave’s Golf the condition of the ‘crocodile teeth’ exit go, and reckons ‘I’ll be back’. to check MOTs indoors at signing on. was puffing steam at the same point! ramp of yore is answered with a welcome reply that it was now fenced off – glancing Arriving home the next day, and preparing Heading away through Ashbourne, behind Calton is a simple drive through for class left on the way up at the boulder-strewn to wash off the Derbyshire mud, a front Colin Perryman’s extremely developed 1, passing secretary Ron out on his track, I reckon that was a relief to all. tyre suddenly goes flat. It’s a reminder of BMW, we arrive at Wigber Low holding patrols at the start line, then a bunch of However, class 0 Pug 205 comrades Lee the beating we give our tyres, and how the control in the dark. With Haven Hill having weather-beaten hikers at the exit. Their Huck and James Shallcross had to be precious resource of suitable remoulds is been washed out, the combined packs of condition reminds us of the hardships resourceful: Lee’s rear suspension, drying up for many of us. With hundreds of competitors had choked up the trial here, being endured by dozens of marshals somewhat lower than is the norm, caught customers, and just a handful of different and such seemed to be the flavour of the recruited by Les Bowler. a rock and tore the entire beam rearwards sizes in use annually by our fraternity, event through to Bamford. Eventually with to rub the wheel on the bodywork. Cutting maybe there’s a business case to be put sunrise we’re out through Wigber and We’d marshalled at Haydale many years out the interfering wheel arch enabled a to one of the few remaining remoulders. Clough Wood, getting used to the car back (mega-delays, closed at 22.30!) so steady drive home. again on the characteristic knobbly, well recalled the undulating quagmire at A couple of weeks later, Gerry’s results slippery limestone. Set amongst the alien the foot: we trickle through, choose a On through the now camber-less Rakes come through, revealing the Triple award landscape and monster trucks of the promising restart spot and pull away Head to Excelsior: another patch of decimation and the star performances of working quarry, the Deep Rake special nicely – pleasing when a plan works out! polished stone that we’d once marshalled the year by just 4 motorcyclists and young test proves to be a long, winding fun blast, Robin Barlow retired his Dellow here, after so I’d figured a restart plan…’restart’s Mr Wall, so our congratulations to them, with a welcome chance to choose a ‘line’ breaking a shock absorber on Litton. cancelled’ called the starter, ‘too many plus thanks to the organising team who and a shout to passengers to ‘hang on’ hazardous recoveries with the Land make such friendly, diverse and yet over the finish line bumps. Lizzie jotted Bamford welcomed us with the type of Rover’. David Wall in front reminded us competitive events possible. down 30.7, while the timekeeper’s trailing queue from the triangle that goes that we’d have a go at Moneystones handwriting suggested a rather tardy 80.7, back decades (wot, no holding control?). instead. Oh yes, Moneystones, the benign subsequently sorted out by Gerry In between marshalling arrivals into any closer before the cosiness of Bull in (thanks!) who’d had a relatively quiet safe spot with Pete Hart, and shuffling t’Thorn. ‘feedback’ time this year. forward, its an opportunity to answer

32 33 ummerS in ctoberO each section being attempted more than the sun got through, it became a warm Robilliard ladies team of Emma and once during the day, but also in that and very pleasant day indeed. Sharon in their usual VW Beetle took the by Jonathan Toulmin and competitors were allowed to inspect the class award. Thomas Aldrian, who imonS Woodall sections before driving them. Many of the Harvey Waters had used his Mark 1 normally drives an Austin 7, with nice sections were marked out with stakes and Escort to win last year’s event, but this wicker baskets attached to the back in robably most of us have tape, so the event had some strong year was driving a much-modified Ford many trials, turned up with a Skoda and all complained about the British similarities to PCT and sporting trials, but Pop in class 7 to good effect on some the family on board. Very young daughter summer, especially this year’s in most cases competitors were not sections. Apart from the car ever-so- in the back had a little elephant to amuse Pdamp miserable affair. But the penalised for hitting them, although the nearly turning over more than once on her and it added to the bouncing team good weather came eventually, for a few trees threatened to modify body panels steep sections, it was going places to work, perhaps to good effect as they days at the beginning of October – and it and wings for the less careful driver. All which some class 8 cars could only finished up a very creditable sixteenth caused a bit of a problem! but one of the sections were sub-divided aspire. A poor first round left him down in overall. 12 to 1 and all classes had a restart on at 4th in class and twelfth overall. On Saturday October 11th, Stroud & least one section during the day, class 8 Of the two entries in class six, Matt District Motor Club ran their 32nd Ebworth being challenged by more than twenty of Again, a Ford Escort won the event Facey’s 2-litre Beetle beat Ben Tonkin’s Classic Trial – a single site event in the them! overall, this time the honour went to Dick 1600cc Beetle by thirty-two points, but beautiful Ebworth woods just east of and Richard Bolt, but not without was slower on special test times. Matt’s Painswick and only a few miles north of The event attracted 38 entries, with all but controversy from some! The Escort now Beetle was another car with a the club’s hometown. The woods, a nature a couple turning up on the day, but sadly boasts a very up-to-date Ford Duratec “transplanted” power unit, using a Type 4 reserve managed by The National Trust there were no class 2 entries, and the sole engine which would surely be vastly engine (whatever that is –epDuty Ed ) in and English Nature, are large with a maze class 5 entry of Keith Sanders in his superior in terms of torque, power and place of the standard unit. of little tracks winding up and across the Scimitar SS1 was a non-starter. The Ryan driveability compared with any of the steep side of the valley at Sheepscombe. Tonkin & Claire Rippon Beetle turned up original engines fitted to these cars, There were six starters in class 7, the 2- Assisting the club with the running event, looking remarkably like a smart, shiny including the Lotus twin-cam engine or the litre VW Golf-engined Hillman Imp of were a surprisingly large number of aluminium-bodied class 8 VW special, but Cosworth BDA engine. If you want to gen Tristan White showed the others how to regular trials drivers and their bouncers/ carried the unlucky (for them anyway) up on this debate, go to the Classical Gas do it (5th overall) with Duncan Stephens’ navigators acting as marshals. In addition number 13 and it retired with engine website, but the opinion of the chairman of Dutton Melos in second place, sixteen to your scribe and the editor of this problems after just five sections. ACTC is that it is legal. Letters to the points back. This was a very impressive magazine, there were Bill and ‘Liz editor expressing your view for publication performance by Stephens – a sporting Bennett, who live not far away, Dudley The weather problem for the organisers in the next issue of Restart please! trialist usually - as it was his first classic Sterry and Chris Phillips, who live many was that, when the sections were marked trial, and, unsprisingly, he found the Melos miles away, Pete and Carlie Hart, Tony out a week before the event, the woods Despite breaking a constant-velocity joint very different from his Crossle sporting Young, Andrew Brown (whose Marlin were running with water everywhere, and in the drive shaft of his Golf, Dave trials car. rebuild is making slow progress), Nicola some new sections that they had found Haizelden repaired it, and took the class 1 Wainwright, and Emma Wall, with Dave looked to be stoppers. A week later, award with a nine-point advantage over Class 8 boasted fifteen starters, but seven Wall being a very active and helpful everything had dried out, and the same Michael Collins’ similar car. Dave was also (out of a total of eight retirees) succumbed Deputy Clerk of Course. sections were being cleaned by a fair third overall losing second spot to Ian to problems during the day. number of the entry. Therefore during the Moss on special test time of just one and Unsurprisingly, Paul Bartleman, aided by With twelve sections planned by the day and between rounds, several sections half seconds, with Collins fourth overall. Kelly Thomas, in the MG Cream Cracker organisers – each to be tackled three were “adjusted” to provide a bigger coloured Troll, was top dog in that class, times during the day – the event challenge, but in fact scores were In class 3, despite being more than one with a forty-point advantage over second represents both excellent value for money generally lower in the last round that in the hundred penalties behind the overall place Mike Workman in his usual Ford for competitors, and a test of reliability and first. But the weather was no problem for winner, Stuart Deacon (Escort) did GVS. Simon “Groover” Groves was having durability for their vehicles. With no road competitors, the sun shining throughout enough to get the class award with a “try before you buy” run in Tony mileage, where cars and crew could the day, although many of the sections are Andrew Wood’s BMW 320i second a Underhill’s Triumph Special, and therefore recover between sections, the event is a buried so deeply within Ebworth Woods further twenty-seven points behind. The a third in class was a particularly tough one and there were seven that many would never have been warmed Ian Moss/Glenice Coventry crewed impressive performance. retirements during the day. It is different for the marshals, it being quite cold at the Hillman Imp were the best in class 4 (and from most other classic trials not only with start of the day. For the few sections second overall) and won the Winter Trial Roger Apew’s Reliant Rebal retired after the absence of public road mileage, and where the trees were rather thinner, and Cup as best Stroud member, so the just six sections, whereas John White’s

34 35 Buggy was suffering from overheating classes was extremely well done with Ebworth Trial following a recent engine change and every class having a finisher in the top-ten retired after nine sections. Graham Price overall. With thirty-six sections and two photos by Pat was having the sort of problems that special tests, it is unsurprising that total Toulmin circuit racers have. He just couldn’t find a penalties were generally high. balance between front-end grip (steering) Interestingly, class 3 boasted first and last and traction at the back of his VW (sounds overall, with Dick Bolt dropping 40 marks, like a Marlin to the deputy editor), and he and the last-placed competitor, who shall retired the car after nine sections. Bill remain anonymous to spare his blushes, On the Sunnyside 1 Foreshew didn’t manage many more losing 322 marks. Wow! restart sections before retiring his Golden Valley Special, but Simon Woodall completed The event ran very smoothly and almost two rounds before the gear linkage efficiently. With many competitors and failed on his Buggy, and Mike Chatwin officials not arriving until 8.45 am, and the retired his Troll at the same point, both the competition starting at about 10am, it was latter two trying to effect repairs during the a pleasantly civilised affair. Despite lunch break, but both making matters running thirty-six sections and two special terminal! tests, the event finished before 4pm and many were home before six! Beat that! Stroud’s handicapping of different tyre pressures, restarts etc for the different

At the top of Sunnyside 2

Ideal stocking filler or must have ACTC accessory??

ACTC have produced a club calendar for 2009 A different scenic photograph for each month Complete with the dates of all ACTC trials

A4 spiral bound Only £7.50 inc postage

Please send orders to Mrs Pat Toulmin, Northbrook, 4, Briery Lands, Tristan White, Heath End, Snitterfield, Stratford on Avon, CV37 0PP Hillman Imp, on the start of Sunnyside 1

Please make cheques payable to The Association of Classic Trials Clubs

36 37 VINTAGE & SPORTS CAR SERVICES Section Ends controls of Bristol, London, Lewdown and Oxford to the no longer existing Frying SPECIAL FUEL TREATMENTS by Dennis Greenslade Pan café at Sparkford – then known to

th many as the “greasy spoon” (and greasy n the 25 year of the reign of Elizabeth everything else for that matter) – were Silkolene Octane Plus – gives your engine a power boost 2nd the economy of the country was generally uneventful. Generally being the Pro Boost Octane Improver. Specially developed to 250ml treats 50 litres unleaded petrol £4.75 well nigh bankrupt, unemployment was appropriate word here as the whole of Box 10 special price £42.75 combat pre-ignition and improve acceleration. rising and inflation was rife. This was Team Beetling (David Turner and myself Diesel Power Plus I Improves throttle response and facilitates cold starting 1977 – any similarities with today are in Volkswagens and Philip Mitchell driving 1 litre £13.30 500ml treats 500 litres £8.60 coincidental! Pro FST fuel system treatment. Guards against cold his VW-Imp) covered a slightly longer mileage when my in-experienced building start engine wear, carburettor icing and fuel system Castrol Following the Exeter and Allen classic corrosion. Combats carburettor sticking and jet Valvemaster Plus lead replacement petrol additive society manager passenger, who had trials – see last edition of Restart – I blocking. Reduces engine “knock” (pre ignition). plus octane booster 250ml treats 250 litres £9.99 already been ill three times, fell asleep. As Enhances fuel octane rating 1ltr £9.99 Valvemaster lead replacement petrol additive competed in four production car trials I was leading the other two cars followed 250ml treats 250 litres £5.99 winning two class awards and a team and it wasn’t until we were close to Yeovil Millers – state of the art fuel treatment formula trophy on Hertfordshire Constabulary on the A30 that the error was discovered. All prices include V AT Motor Club Park Woods trial with former VSP Plus Lead Substitute & Octane Booster £9.50 for overnight delivery Some hasty map reading and a quick Clerk of the Course of the Edinburgh, 250ml treats 40 litres unleaded petrol £4.25 All major credit cards accepted detour soon found the three “lost” cars Box 10 special price £37.50 Lawrie Knight and Geoff Jackson, who waiting their turn for the first and very easy CVL Competition Valve Lubricant also won their respective classes. The timed stop and restart test on Camel Hill 250ml treats 20 litres unleaded petrol £6.75 Reliability brings success overall winner of the fifty one car entry Box 10 special price £62.50 alongside the night control. There were a driving a Dellow was Glyn Jackson on a few failures here mainly for running back penalty of 3, with Geoff on 11 and I over the line. Tim Whellock Tel / Fax 01460 66434 managed third overall with a penalty of 14 taking the seventeen car class by a [email protected] Another appetiser in the form of a dry, but margin of 11 from second placed Mike stony Sug Lane followed some ten miles Furse. later before drivers and crew settled down again to cover a distance of ninety odd How history seems to repeat itself – miles to Beggars Roost, where a totally remember the comparison between the different scenario greeted all competitors. Beetle Specialist Workshop 1976 and 2007 Land’s Ends which were There was a long queue explained by the both exceptionally dry – Section Ends severity of the climb where the surface Spare Wheel Carriers I.R.S. Conversions June 2007 – coincidentally the 1977 and had been “doctored” – a regular practice 2008 events were both very cold, the latter for the enjoyment of spectators in those trial particularly so. However, the bitterly T4 Engines days. One hundred and seven cars Free Advice cold weekend of 1977 added to the testing succumbed to the hills loose rock gradient nature of the Easter pilgrimage where including the whole of the “semi-works” Carburettor Kits considerable delays occurred at Darracott Morgan team of Margetts, Goodall and Oversize Barrels and Crackington caused by an injury and Owen. Some of the remaining regular atrocious restarts. Some competitors were competitors who found the “Roost” un- running over four hours late with later climbable included: “Next Generation” Parts Restorations numbers attempting Bluehills in complete darkness – men were men in those days Dave Parry (VW Scorpion), John West with an emphasis on the trial itself and not (Oliver Special), Basil de Mattos and Mike NB: Although the advice is free, If that advice includes buying a product, it would be polite to buy it from us the club supper! Stockists of Superblend Zero Lead 2000 – FBHVC Approved Lead Substitute – Will deliver to most trials Hinde (Peugeot 504’s), Sue Halkyard (Austin 7), John Aley (Fiat), Martin Ballards Place Eardiston Tenbury Wells Worcs WR15 8JR Three hundred and thirty six entries were Appleton (Ford Cortina), Ken Green (VW received of which one hundred and thirty Tel: 01584-881348 Fax: 01584-881684 Beetle) and Messrs Eric Moxom, Eric nine were motorcycles. There were no Wall, Clive Booth, Norman Higgins and E-Mail: [email protected] less than thirty-three team entries. The Mike Furse all driving Hillman Imps. Friday night runs from the four start 38 39 Volkswagens jumping out of gear had caught out the Morgan trio and John West We now moved into second place behind every type of car. Marking will be on mixed fortunes with Bob Rule (1584cc piloting the Oliver plus the Volkswagen Graham Carlyon (Ford Popular), Gerry scratch, without the application and Beetle), who treated the hill as though it team entry of David Platford, Les Hillier Kempthorne (MG Midget) and Keith possible inequalities of the index of were a speed hill climb, managing to re- and Keith Turner, the VW drivers having Richards (VW Beetle) but just ahead of performance system. The sections will be snatch first and scrabbled his way to the earlier successfully beaten the “Roost” – Mike Hinde (Peugeot 504) and Peter Le laid out having regard to every car in the summit. Not so lucky was David Turner but that’s trialling. Couteur and Dick Andrews (Dellows) in entry list and where necessary will (1285cc Beetle), who experiencing the our quest for the MCC annual team incorporate stop and restart lines for same mechanical mis-fortune could not Crackington was attempted prior to lunch championship. individual classes based on experience coax his car to the top. and once again the snake like queue to gained in classic trials the bottom of the section indicated that through Great Britain by one The muddy track at Orange near problems lay ahead. The glutinous mud of the organising team”. Torrington caused a few failures and it necessitated over use of the local tractor, was the ”stop and go” test at rocky which towed vehicle after vehicle through The venue was on rough Sutcombe which required careful use of the ruts to the summit. Barratts Mill was army land alongside Moel-y- both throttle and clutch. Apart from failures introduced into the trial for this year prior Parc TV transmitting station to get away at all from the polished to a double restart test on the hair-pinned known locally as the “big surface a number of drivers, including Ken tarmac at Ruses Mill. There were quite a candle”. It was almost worth Green (in a 1584cc Beetle), failed to number of failures here with most over the long journey for the view complete the test in the six seconds running the line after the very short from the top of the Clwdian permitted. distance on the second restart. mountain range across the Clwyd valley towards Warleggan was re- Llandudno where twenty-nine introduced into the years later I would event with a carefully commence the international placed restart on the Rally of the Tests in a Jaguar highly polished, fixed Mark 1 saloon. The ground rocks which must have was very hard with dust made Messrs Dunlop, being a considerable Firestone and Avon nuisance throughout the day, smile with delight. particularly for the stalwart Again many failures marshals. were recorded with few competitors now David Keat – Hillman Avenger with Trophy In an effort to equalise the differing retaining penalty free climbing abilities from the 42 car entry, performances in the In late May I travelled to Afonwen in North fixed minimum tyre pressures were fast fading light. For Wales to compete in Chester Motor Club’s allocated to the various classes. This many by the time Lady Mary Grosvenor production car trial. appeared to work quite well with a front Bluehills was reached it This necessitated a round trip of close to engined Skoda, a Hillman Imp and my was dark again adding five hundred miles at the time, a distance Beetle being joint leaders at lunch. I had a Alan Cundy – Ford Escort Estate 1977 to the picturesque scene as lamps picked that I would not normally have considered loss of power in the afternoon, later Land’s End Trial out the gullies (deep ruts not the sea for such an event. However, as Mike diagnosed as incorrect points setting, but birds!) as cars buffeted their way to the Hinde was acting as Clerk of the Course continued to take class honours and came In the wooded valley approaching top of the Atlantic cliff edge climb. It had and Chester Motor Club had issued the second overall to the Skoda Combi of Darracott there was an unusual mixture of been a difficult trial finishing at the Cornish following introduction to the event I was Dennis Wells. aromas – the perfume of the many Chough public house at Newquay (now keen to support. primroses that abound in the hedgerows demolished and replaced by private There were two more class wins, one on coupled with the smell of burning rubber houses). The Field Trophy was won by “This year the Club is pioneering a new Aylesbury Motor Club’s “Quarry” trial and and clutches as the drivers endeavoured David Keat driving his Hillman Avenger approach to production car trials. The another on the Invaders Motor Club’s to gain forward motion off a rather nasty and with only 23 gaining gold medals and normal classes remain, together with Spring Trial prior to the “summer recess”. re-start. Surprisingly this climb again that included Philip Mitchell and myself. additional classes intended to cater for

40 41 Red rag to a bull – or a motorway performance (because of the things), I was told that it was impossible – several Marlins built out of Ital saloons low ratio axle) making long distance the engine being too tall, the wrong way with that engine. challenge I couldn’t resist! journeys rather tiresome and tedious. In round (it is transverse, of course, in a by Jonathan Toulmin addition, the second gear ratio was higher Montego, and in-line in the Marlin), the The first step proved to be an easy one. than ideal, and there were concerns about fuel injection gets in the way of the Discussing the project with a friend at ometimes you are right, and engine durability with the demise of four- steering and other issues about the fuel Rover, he told me that he had a very low sometimes you are wrong. star leaded petrol. The handbrake was system, cooling systems et al! Well, as a mileage Montego with the very engine that Someone told me that it couldn’t less than perfect. Eventually, the chassis qualified automobile engineer working for I wanted, and that he was about to Sbe done. I did not know why, and began to break up – another usual Rover Group, this was a red rag to a bull, remove the engine to convert the car to thought that I knew better, so I charged on problem for a well-trialled Marlin. and I was going to prove at least one diesel! A deal was done! The engine came with my project anyway. expert wrong! with all the accessories, even the fuel The main chassis members are very pipes, and – most importantly - the wiring I bought my Marlin, with its 1800cc B- robust, but the front and rear bulkheads Despite the warnings, I decided to harness, which he had carefully cut out Series engine, at the very beginning of (usually made from folded aluminium) proceed with the project to fit a 1994 from the main vehicle harness and the two 1991, but I did not dare tell the seller what develop cracks, and the top of the catalyst-equipped 2-litre fuel-injected engine management computers, one for I intended to do with the car. When I went transmission tunnel suffers from the Montego ‘O’ series engine and a BL/Rover the ignition system and one for the fuel to look at it, the bright red, short-wheel attempts of the differential to make a bid “LT77” 5-speed gearbox into my Marlin to injection system. base Marlin had been put away for the for freedom up between the seats. The correct nearly all the problems – no more winter under its dustsheet in a heated wooden floors suffer from the rocks, and starting problems, no more fuel Then it was off to the local scrap yard garage! The proud owner of this cherished the rear bulkhead on my car had torn vapourisation, no more worries about where I found a Sherpa van with the right sports car, which had never seen any away from the floor immediately behind valve seat recession using unleaded gearbox. To fit the gearbox to the sport, might have been upset had I told the seats – probably resulting from an petrol, nor about loss of performance Montego engine, it was essential to use him that I was going to thrash the living over enthusiastic ascent of Bamford caused by moving from 97 or 98 octane the Sherpa engine backplate, clutch, daylights out of it up the toughest trials Clough! When looking for something petrol to the now normal 95 octane flywheel and starter motor. The starter sections in the country. behind the seats, I was dismayed to unleaded fuel, better on-section motor issue is curious, as the Sherpa one discover that I could see the road performance from more torque (especially rotates in the opposite direction to a The car was obviously in entirely normal beneath! at 1000 rpm) and much better throttle Montego one! The reason is that on the road trim, with a tuned engine, two large response and better motorway cruising., Montego, the starter motor faces S.U. carburetters and a free flow exhaust So the car needed a ‘stem to stern’ rebuilt, and with better durability and reliability as backwards over the gearbox, whereas on system running under the car. It was not and it seemed obvious to try to eliminate well – hopefully! the Sherpa, it faces forwards alongside long before a lengthy programme the problems at the same time. Working the block in conventional manner. The commenced to carry out the usual for Rover Group (and BL before that), I The LT77 gearbox (Leyland Transmission flywheel and clutch are much larger than modifications for trials – a high-level was aware of the attributes of the MG of 77mm distance between the two main the Montego equivalents, which was all to exhaust system and a sump guard Maestro/Montego 2-litre “O” Series shafts of the box, a figure which basically the good, for those moments on a very together with fourteen inch wheels from an engine, with fuel injection and full engine determines the torque capacity, or slippery restart it is necessary to slip the Austin Ambassador, the low ratio tougher management. As far as I was concerned, strength, of the gearbox) was the standard clutch to make a gentle getaway. On the rear axle from a Marina van, with needle- these were proven durability on unleaded gearbox as fitted to Rover SD1, Triumph Montego, the gearbox clutch shaft does roller diff (after two normal diff failures), petrol, fully tuned to run on 95 octane fuel, TR7 and TR8, some Jaguar and Land- not have a spigot bearing in the stiffer springs, and twin spare wheel exceptional low speed engine flexibility Rover models, Sherpa vans and some crankshaft, but the Sherpa does, so I was carrier hung out the back. For the next six with good torque and reasonable power. Morgan cars, and it is worth noting that a little concerned that the crankshaft years, the car did many events each year, Another attribute was the ready availability both Rover SD1 and Sherpa vans were would have to be machined to accept the with some good results and quite a few of a 5-speed gearbox, which would mate fitted with ‘O’ series engines (although not needle roller bearing. Luckily, the very mediocre ones. to the engine without the needed to the fuel injected version) at some time thoughtful Rover engine people machine manufacture or modify any parts. I knew during their production life. Of course, no all the cranks for this bearing, so it was The car suffered from the usual Marina / that the “O” series engine block was one doubted that a basic carburettered only necessary to buy and fit one. The Marlin problems: high under-bonnet almost the same as a “B” series one, so version of the ‘O’ series would fit into a parts manager at the local Sherpa dealer temperatures giving rise to fuel installation should be relatively Marlin as the 1.7 litre version was was curious as to why I would need a vapourisation (usually at the very worst straightforward – how wrong can one be! standard fit into the Morris Ital saloon crankshaft spigot bearing, but nothing time), poor very low-speed torque, a Discussing the idea with a fellow Marlin range (which was only a slightly tarted up else – he had never sold one before! I tendency to overheat, poor ‘A’ road or driver (and a so-called expert in these Marina anyway) and there have been bought two just in case.

42 43 With the bearing in my pocket, and the The only jobs remaining were to remove Taking a fail or missing a miss in that class cleaned Simms and it was little housing into which it fits, I had the old B series power unit from the discounted. If she had been recorded as everything that I needed to “turn the Marlin, fettle the chassis, and pop the new by Brian Osborn an S rather than an M she would have engine round”. I rushed home and soon power unit in……..but it took about five qualified for an award. had the spigot bearing and housing years! ccasionally during ones trialing pushed into the crank, and the Sherpa career there comes a time for A similar thing might have occurred during engine backplate and flywheel fitted to the To be continued…... one reason or another, when this years Exeter in class 0. They had a engine. The standard Sherpa clutch was Oone might not want to attempt a new section Hitchcombe in the woods fitted, and the gearbox slipped onto the particular section. This has happened to near Wooston. On the day it was wet and engine, and finally the clutch slave me at least twice. the section was quite challenging with cylinder and the starter motor were fitted. most, but not all, failing and struggling to Once many years ago on a Kyrle Trial get back down a slippery slope with a when the approach to the start line of a steep drop on the nearside. In class 0 section (can’t remember its name) was via there were several beginners, plus a a large muddy bomb hole type of couple of 3 wheelers who were held up in Edinburgh depression, I took one look from the far the delay this caused and witnessed the Trial Photos bank and thought - “If the MGB goes down antics of those coming back down and got there, it will hold the rest of the event up somewhat concerned. by Jim Wood for nearly an hour whilst they recover me, if ever!”. So I shouted across to the The chief marshal tried to phone the CoC marshal on the other side “Give me a fail” for guidance, but there was no mobile together with my number. signal down there in the valley. Eventually On the way down he decided that drivers could decide to to Litton Slack…. The other time was about 10 years ago on either attempt the hill or take a fail. Many an Exeter Trial when the MGB was not did take a fail and tootled off up the running at all well, when we got to Simms escape route, but had not shouted or we were out of the awards and I was checked to see if the start marshal had got mainly interested in just getting a finish. their numbers. They thus appear in the So we lined up on the start line, started, results as an M. This didn’t affect the went a couple of feet, stopped, reversed, results, but it might have done if the CoC took a fail and went up the escape track. had decided that the hill on the day was The MCC results showed an “S”, which is not in the spirit of the event and dropped exactly the same as if I had thrown the car it. Then there would have been no way of at the hill in earnest and got to within a telling those who took a fail from those couple of feet of the Section Ends board. who really did miss it. It is the entrant’s OK I missed a go at one of my favourite responsibility to make sure he has been hills, but we managed to splutter up recorded as being at the section, and if Slippery Sam (no Tipley that year for class necessary - and able to - go to the start Stuart Harrold & 5) and on to Babbacombe for a finish. Chris Phillips line. waiting at A similar thing happened to one of the I am not sure what the trialing rules say on Bamford Cloiugh MCC’s well-known lady drivers, however and chatting to this matter, but I have always been under she did not go to the start line, but went up the impression that if a driver considers Derek Chatto, the escape road after she thought she had former MG that a section is beyond the capabilities of informed the marshal. Unfortunately, her either himself or his vehicle, then in the triallist and start number was not listed on the results sheet line marshal interests of health & safety for themselves, for Simms and in the results was listed as and every-one else concerned, he should “M” for missing the section. OK you may play safe and take a voluntary fail. say you are allowed to miss a section and still be classed as a finisher, but there was a sting in the tail. During the event no-one 44 45 owN this might be easier said than done. voluntary fail, I suppose you have to send out on the same event. Perhaps things will orF hills like Simms or Beggars Roost your bouncer up as a runner before taking change between now and the end of the with an adjacent and accessible escape the old/class 0 route, unless the marshals Championship Chat season. route this works fine, but many sections on BH 1 have radios. With the loss of this year’s Exe alleyV and 2009 ACTC Application ormsF have a queue of vehicles backed up in a the results from the Edinburgh not yet to narrow lane and the only way out is via The MSA Blue Book J29 (was M 3.5.3) Turning now to admin matters, you will all hand, the various car championship tables have received the 2009 ACTC Entry the section. says that to be classified as a finisher you have had minimal movement since last I have to have attempted at least ¾ of the Form with this edition of Restart. In wrote on this page. Starting this time with previous years your response to my plea There is little point in going there if you observed sections, not sure if this applies the Wheelspin there is a reasonably good know you will have to be recovered from to MCC events, but am inclined to think to return you forms early has resulted in spread of classes in the top echelons with an avalanche of post within days of the near the start line. Besides holding up the you can miss one or two as long as you last year’s top two leading the way. event, the recovery may not even reach don’t run foul of - “NOT following the route date of publication, which helps me no the bottom part of the hill. Crackington, I as per the route card”, (supplementary However, at the moment it’s Dudley end. Could you please do the same for me think, only reaches the upper half. regs section 0) in which case it’s Sterry with his nose in front of Adrian this year, it certainly helps to avoid getting Darracott has a tractor, but when I broke a exclusion. otN sure how you can actually Dommett, by five points with Sticker the post caught up with the more manic U/J on the restart some years ago it could miss a section without falling foul of that. Martin and Nicola Wainwright three parts of the Christmas rush. I would also only get to within about 50 feet from me The reason for the regulation is points further back in joint third place. The ask you to be patient in waiting for your due to an overhanging tree, so we went presumably to stop competitors from top nine are completed by Giles response as I try to sort out the bulk for up on the end a long tow rope. This is OK taking short cuts and annoying the Greenslade, Andrew Martin, Dean posting after the Exeter, when I take the on the straight, but at every bend we natives, as the route has to be approved Partington, Bill Bennett and Tris White, opportunity to hand deliver as many came to the rope cut across the corner by the DoT; but we’ve all miss- slotted at with only five points covering them. envelopes as possible to save on postage. and the car tried to do likewise, rather some time or another either due to our Subscription rates remain at the same hairy! OK the tractor driver should have navigators interpretation (or lack of) of the Over in the Crackington Sticker Martin levels as last year. stopped and shortened the rope, but he route book, or the route being ambiguous. and Nicola Wainwright are separated by only a point at the top, with Bill Bennett E-Regs and E-Results was on a roll and wanted to get the I don’t remember any folk actually being The E-Regs system of electronic section clear as soon as possible. excluded. five points back in third and Dudley Sterry and Adrian Dommett completing distribution of event SRs and entry forms the top five. has been running now all year, and does Sometimes you might not even be able to Moral of the story – MAKE SURE THEY seem to be a major success. Every club, get to the start line. Several times at a wet HAVE YOUR NUMBER on the score card. The Navigators League has Judy which could use the service did so with Litton Slack we have Phillips and Liz Bennett separated by significant reductions in printing and watched from the queue on less than a point, with Dale Bazely in third postage costs. I’m sure that all those the approach track the place, but with less events completed that competitors who used the service last antics of some trying to get the two ladies. year will continue to do so in 2009. To to the line. Every time they those competitors who did not use the move back to take another The JVs Team (Messrs Greenslade, service in 2008 I would urge you to run they end up further Partington, Bennett and Young) reconsider for next year and help the away, until they end up continue to lead the Team table, but by a organisers and clubs to reduce costs and giving up and going down relatively slender margin from Bump and workload. the escape route. I think in Grind (Messrs Martin, Sen and Jun, that case the start marshal Bolt and Rosten) with the More Bump I’ve been trialling a new service on a does try to record their and Grind quartet (Messrs Bartelman, couple of events, that of E-Results. In this passing. Even so it pays to Groves, Waters and Sterry) in a not-too- service the results of trials have been e- make sure and shout your distant third place. mailed to all those competitors who number. On Bluehills 2 on subscribe to the E-Regs service. So if you the other hand, the start The ladies of Mud Plugging Maidens want event results in your inbox, even for these days is about half way (Mesdames Wainwright, Thomas, events where you do not compete, up the hill. Ok they have a Robiliard and Wall) are, it has to be subscribe to the E-Regs service and it will capable winch that covers admitted, a somewhat distant fourth. otN happen. the actual section, but it is still quite a from lack of good results but from not Brian on the 2008 Edinburgh Trial rough climb to get there. If you want a being able to get four (or even three) girls Chris

46 47 FORTHCOMING EVENTS DATE EVENT CLUB STATUS 16th ovemberN Hardy Woolbridge Championship (C/M) 30th ovemberN Allen BMC&LCC Championship (C) 30th ovemberN eilN Westcott Exmoor MC Championship (M) 7th December Camel Classic Camel Vale ACTC invite 9th January 2009 Exeter MCC Championship (C/M) 18th January Clee Hills MAC Championship (C) 25th January Exmoor orthN Devon MC Championship (C/M) 1st ebruaryF Cotswold Clouds Stroud Championship (C) 8th ebruaryF orthN Coast Camel Vale * 14th ebruaryF orthernN ellF Side Championship (C/M) 14th ebruaryF Exmoor ringeF SCCV * 15th ebruaryF Launceston L&NCMC * 22nd ebruaryF Chairman’s Trophy Holsworthy Championship (C/M) 1st March Camel Heights Camel Vale ACTC invite 7th March Derbyshire SCCV * 8th March March Hare alconF ACTC invite 14th March Hereford SCCV * 15th March Mechanics Stroud ACTC invite 22nd March President’s Camel Vale * 29th March Kyrle Ross & District Championship (C) 10th April Lands End MCC Championship (C/M) 18th April Kimber MGCC * 19th April Scottish SCCV * 26th April Bovey Down Windwhistle * 27th April Sphinx Cheltenham Championship (M) 17th May Ilkley Ilkley MC Championship (C/M) 12th September Exe alleyV Crash Box Championship (C/M) 20th September Taw & Torridge Holsworthy Championship (C/M) 3rd October Edinburgh MCC Championship (C/M) 10th October Ebworth Stroud * 10th October Welsh SCCV * 18th October Exmoor Clouds Minehead Championship (C/M) 25th October Tamar Launceston Championship (C/M) th6 ovemberN Hardy Woolbridge Championship (C/M) 29th ovemberN Allen Bristol Championship (C) 3rd December Camel Camel Vale Championship (C)

* Member club events with restrictions as to which clubs are invited or which vehicles are eligible.

48 49