Fressingfield Oily Rag Club

Newsletter

October/November 2017

FORC: “A loose affiliation of motor sport enthusiasts”. Design Norman Reynolds October/November 2017

The View From The Editorial Desk

Wednesday November 22nd: Only a week to go to our penultimate Stradbroke meeting of 2017: Steve Nichols in conversation with our very good friend Motor Sport Magazine features editor Simon Arron. If you aren't among the 100 or so who have already booked to come and hear Steve the following should convince you to hurry up and do it now!

Following an early career with Hercules Aerospace Steve joined McLaren in 1980 becoming head car designer when left for Ferrari in 1987.

His first car, the McLaren MP4/3, with TAG-Porsche V6 Turbo, gave three victories in 1987. Prost's team-mate, also scored five podiums. Steve's second car the iconic MP4/4, this time powered by a turbocharged Honda V6, was driven to 15 victories from 16 races in 1988, by Prost and .

At the end of 1989 Steve was tempted away from McLaren to Ferrari where he rejoined Alain Prost staying until December 1991- so our first Ferrari guest speaker!

Steve was subsequently enlisted to help Sauber move from sports-car racing to Formula One before moving to Jordan as Chief Designer. Steve rejoined McLaren in 1995 assisting the team to move from the back of the grid to winning world championships in 1998 and 1999....if that wasn't all today Steve races in Historic FF2000 as well as making regular trips to play in historic racing back in USA! Another memorable evening in store I suspect...

There was so much going on this summer that having showered you with Newsflashes we suspended the regular monthly FORC Newsletter which will now provide you with regular reading though the winter. Don't forget that you can catch up with pictures from all our events on the FORC Gallery web-page.

All from me for now. Look forward to seeing you all at Stradbroke on Wednesday 29th November.

Fun and safe Oily Ragging

Steve The MG Car Club British Motor Heritage 4 Hour Relay Race Snetterton 1st October 2017 At last......

This event, a relay race for club racers. was introduced in 2007 for teams of from two up to six car and driver pairings, so you may run two cars with up to six drivers or six cars and drivers and anything in between.

One car from each team takes the start and changes occur according to the teams' strategy. Only one car per team is permitted on the circuit at any time. The event is actually two races running concurrently with awards for 'on the road' scratch race positions, and a handicap race where credit laps are awarded according to the handicappers judgement of the expected performance of each team.

A fluctuating (nothing to do with the water!) group of FORC Alfa Romeo racers Squadra Italia, have entered the race in each of the ten years, coming home with a trophy for a class win on five previous occasions, plus three awards for the best presented car in the judgement of the scrutineers. This year, after ten years of trying, they at last managed to win the handicap race outright!

Photo Courtesy of Leigh Trevail

At the awards presentation with victors caps, laurels, and trophies are from the left:- MGCC official, Jim Utting (3 Litre GTV), Steve Tappin (Team Manager),George Wright (Alfa 147),Stephen Chase (Alfetta),Henry Chase (Alfetta),Richard Drake (AlfaSud),Paul Webster(Alfa 156). The pit wall and garage crew this year were, apart from Steve Tappin, Norman Reynolds (Assistant Team Manager/Signalling), Leigh Trevail (Bossy Garage Boss), Richard Hopgood (Lap Scorer), Roger True (Drivers Support/Marshall), and Steve Wyatt (Mr Uttings personal pit signaller).

This year, for the second time the team were sponsored by Kirk and Luke Miller of Italicar, and Richard Drake Motors (See the FORC Members Services web page).

Throughout the ten years Squadra Italia have enjoyed friendly competition from FORC members in Richard Tinkler's 'Bumble Bee's' team of MGB's including Simon in the driver line up plus David Whitham, Paul Winbolt, Norman Storer, and Michael Pinner, in the pit- wall/garage crew.

Photo Courtesy of Steve Wyatt

Despite technical problems with their fastest cars The Bumble Bee's still picked up a class award. The One and Only Rally Challenge By Richard Leggett

I purchased my 1976 1.6 Alfetta Saloon in 2003. It was advertised as an ex concours winning car but was in sad condition. I instantly made a start on restoring then, due to due to pressure of work, house move and restoring a house, the project stalled.

I began to take an interest in the Historic Rally Car Register (HRCR) and the HERO events. It became obvious that I needed a different car for these events. Thus my attention turned to the 1.6 Alfetta again as a winter project in 2015.

The car was finished in April 2017. Teething problems were ongoing when I spotted an ad for the 'One and Only Rally Challenge'. This looked great; Daniel, my co-driver was available that weekend so we entered as soon as we felt the teething problems were over.

This event was completely outside my realm of experience. I studied the regs carefully, sought advice and come the afternoon of scrutineering I felt confident. The car sailed through scrutineering so we went home and got a good night's sleep.

Sunday morning, 24th of September, we returned to Lynford Hall for breakfast and drivers briefing. This was very helpful and at times entertaining, setting the tone of the event. Our start time was 86 minutes later so we had time to get to know fellow competitors who were starting at similar times.

The first test was in the grounds of Lynford Hall then a short drive to a farmer's field.

©M&H Photography Richard at the control in the farmers field. There was a 3 minute wait and into the next test. A short drive, the next test and so on with the wait between tests reducing to nil. This is what I love about rallying, it is all day, not just two short bursts of activity and lots of waiting.

Tests were pretty rutted by the time we reached them as car 86. The soft sandy soil was easily moved by the tyres.

©M&H Photography The Tests became pretty rutted....

On test 2 as we exited a field and turned onto a smooth farm track the exhaust caught and separated: we popped it back together between test 2 and 3 and so on between tests. We were not carrying a piece of wire so that we could hold it together, this would have to wait until after test 14 when we would have the lunchtime halt. A wire coat hanger or similar is such an obvious spare part to carry to people who regularly road rally so no-one would think to mention it. I was fully confident that the springs I had installed on the exhaust system would continually allow flexing but hopefully prevent the fragile cast iron manifold from breaking.

This was turning out to be one of the best events ever! Daniel my co driver was on fine form and was putting in his best ever performance. Obviously he had learned a huge amount on the 2 closed road rallys we had done in Belgium. What a great day.

On Test 12 we came across a beached competitor so Daniel leapt out to warn the next car. I towed the beached car backwards until he was free and it was when we set off again that something was wrong. By the end of the test we knew that the clutch was slipping. We crossed the road and were straight into the next test. The clutch got worse. We struggled through test 14 and back for lunch. Sadly we decided our only option was to retire.

Regardless it had been a great morning, we learned a lot and will be more prepared in future. The unnecessary boot - no longer available - which Alfa Romeo fit over the clutch fork and slave cylinder, would have prevented soil getting on the clutch plate. This was always going to be a learning experience but the car did so well that it was a shame to let it down by not fitting a rubber boot!

I am sure that the organisers must have been very proud with how the event ran like clockwork. The number of marshalls and helpers was astounding. I felt that it was hugely successful and have not heard a single negative word about it. I will definitely enter if it is repeated again next year.

©M&H Photography Variety in the form of FORC member Julian Riley's Saab......

©M&H Photography ...... and James Portway's Riley Special What next? I have entered for the HERO Classic Marathon Greece! In preparation I have read Philip Young's book How to Prepare a Rally Car, and booked a consultation with Amazon Cars to advise on preparation. Then it will be my responsibility to interpret the information and do adequate preparation!

Unfortunately John, my regular navigator, tells me he isn't available to join me so I am now looking for a co-driver!

Editors note: If you or someone you know can co-drive Richard on the HERO Greek Rally we can forward your details.

LOOK! Next events: Wednesday 29th November – Steve Nichols and Simon Arron at Stradbroke Community Centre – please book now!

Wednesday 13th December – Stuart Rolt – Final event for 2017 – Booking open on-line now Your 2018 holiday planning guide: Please make sure you have the rest these FORC dates in your diaries! Friday 26th January – The 2018 Festive Fuelling. Book now – Full details on the Programme Web-page Guest Speaker evenings: all at Stradbroke Community Centre:

Who are they? Come to the Festive Fuelling and be the first to find out!

Wednesday 28th February Wednesday 26th September

Wednesday 28th March Wednesday 31st October

Wednesday 25th April Wednesday 28th November

Wednesday 30th May Wednesday 12th December

Please remember: If unforeseen circumstances affect our plans we place an announcement on the home web-page. If time allows we will email all members a News Flash backed up with local broadcasters. This could simply mean a change of guest speaker. Outdoor Events:

The Peter Andrews Sprint: As Woodbridge Airfield is no longer available we are working with our friends at Javelin Trackdays on using one of two excellent venues. The target date is a Sunday in Mid-June. More details soon!

The 2018 Presidents Wife's Run: Date to be announced Saturday 2nd June – The Legion Rally

Tuesday 14th August – FORC Snetterton Track Evening

Keep an eye on www.forclub.org.uk for more dates as we go along

See our Friends Events web-page: for news of other upcoming events which FORC members are invited to support

Don't forget to look in our Members Services web-page for businesses which offer services to FORC members.

_ Your Sport Needs You!

Until quite recently a public highway could only be closed for motor sport by an Act of Parliament; not only has that changed but it has actually changed for the better! To encourage tourism and all the businesses that benefit from it local authorities will be able – once an MSA permit has been issued – to sanction the closure of a public road for motor sport. Without doubt this a significant change of legislation and a chance all enthusiasts must seize. One of the first clubs –if not the first – to take advantage of the change is Chelmsford Motor Club who in conjunction with Essex County Council intend to hold a rally in the Clacton area on 22nd April 2018.

It is in the interest of all FORC members that this is a success as all eyes will be on this event, the viability of other events be it sprints, hillclimbs or street circuit racing depends on the success of this rally. If you can help the organisers in any way please let them know via the email address below, failing that try to attend the event and boost the takings of the hostelries in the area.

©David Dochy

If you can help the organisers in any way contact them via [email protected] MSVT Final – Oulton Park 28 October by Ben Simonds Callum McDougall, Ben Simonds and David Simonds made 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fastest times at the 2017 FORC Sprint in their Caterham, see above. Here Ben describes their final race in the MSVT Track Day Championship at Oulton Park: Well it's all over. Yesterday claimed many victims across multiple grids ours included. After a strong early part of qualifying Simon Clarke's hopes of glory faded when devastatingly his clutch gave out... this guaranteed us the Class A title if we finished in the points and left the race for the title between us and Darren Goes of Manoes Racing. Qualifying for us was a fast but miserable story. We qualified 4th on the grid alongside our championship rival in 3rd, only to find that our engine woes had returned. We lost 2 litres of coolant in 30 minutes of qualifying which made it clear we wouldn't be racing for the win.

The start - Ben on the right …...... As the lights went out we had a strong start following the leader away from the chasing pack. Watching Darren storm off into the lead of the race we settled into our 5th place recovery position and started counting down the laps. By the half way driver change things looked bleak. Coolant was escaping quickly and the even the most careful driving was barely keeping the temperature down. With just 10 minutes to go the unthinkable happened, Darren's car suffered a mechanical failure at the fastest part of the circuit sending him headlong into the Armco. Fortunately Darren was OK but his title race was now in major jeopardy. Should we finish 5th or higher we would take the Championship win! After a painstaking 45 minutes our Frugal Racing Caterham limped home in 4th position, unbelievable claiming us not just the Class A title but the full championship with it! What an unbelievable season it's been. Massive highs and major lows, but here we are... ….celebrations! A huge thank you to our sponsors Full Circle Enterprises and Sevens & Classics Ltd without whom this would not have been possible! And an equally huge thank you to our wives, family and friends for the enormous support they have given all season! FRUGAL RACING CHAMPIONS 2017! The MSV-TDC offers a competitive, yet fun and friendly, environment for production saloon, hatchback, and sports car racers to enjoy. Whether relative novice looking to progress into a well-supported championship for the first time, or an established competitor looking for a new challenge. See http://www.trackdaychampionship.com/ for full details

FORC On Trial.

FORC were well represented at the SCCoN Production Car Trial at Lyng near Dereham on November 12th. Peter Hanman in his Dellow tied for first overall and Richard Leggett in a Fiat 500 received a class win. John & Nick Holder's 1172 cc Cannon retired before lunch with clutch problems and Leigh Trevail & Richard Hopgood decided to call it a day when the wet slippery surface exaggerated their car's under-steer and nearly caused them to hit a stationary beech tree. Although not taking part in the event Howard Joynt brought along an MGB engined Marlin, Howard who was officiating at the event had only purchased the car the day before and had not yet got around to taking it of the trailer. Hopefully it will soon be competing! Also a mention must go to Christine and Philip Newson whose catering raised £125 for Children In Need. ©Eastern Counties Motor Club Howard Joynt's newly acquired MGB 1800 powered Marlin.

©Eastern Counties Motor Club John & Nick Holder's Cannon which retired with clutch problems.... ©Eastern Counties Motor Club Joint winner Peter Hanman in his sure-footed Dellow.

Absolutely, absolutely final footnote to The Legion Rally

From The Chairman Fressingfield and District Branch, The Royal British Legion.

Dear Steve,

I would like to thank you all in the Fressingfield Oily Rag Club (FORC) for your superb turnout and assistance at our Summer Fete, held again at Fennings Farm, on Saturday 3rd June.

Once again through your enthusiasm and dedication, your 'Legion Rally' provided a magnificent back drop of classic and vintage cars, that were admired by everyone. Our final profit of £2,762.29, was achieved to a large extent, by your participation and financial generosity.

We will use this profit to continue our tradition of giving to Royal British Legion welfare programmes. In doing this we aim to help those veterans who are less fortunate than ourselves to enjoy a better quality of life.

Thank You, FORC, you were superb and we look forward to seeing you all again on Saturday 2nd June 2018.

Kindest Regards,

Bob Stratford _ An interview with local motor sport artist Andrew Kitson can be viewed on: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWUmQlNdGlE .

From Sunday 26th November FORC members in the Diss, Harleston, Eye and Stradbroke area will be able to receive club updates by tuning in to Park Radio on 107.6 and 105.2.

_

Please remember: David Saunter

We were saddened to hear that our very good friend, supporter, and founding FORC member died earlier this year. David was usually to be found at Snetterton events, the Legion Rally, and the Peter Andrews Sprint in which he competed in his BMW, Jaguar XK150, and McLaren.

Picture Courtesy Ken Carrington

The David Saunter/Keith Stubbs McLaren at the Peter Andrews Sprint, Woodbridge Airfield 14th July 2013.

______

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