These are the people, sorry. Sep-Oct 2016 1 Officers and Committee Members CHAIRMAN Matt Nichols .......................... 07989 601774 VICE CHAIRMAN Pete Hart ................................ 0117 9372611 TREASURER Vickie Tubb ............................ COMPETITION SECRETARY Paul Parker ............................. 01275 843478 SECRETARY Paul Hemmings ..................... 0117 9566045 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Zoë Tooth ............................. 01454 329231 49 Bowling Road, Chipping Sodbury BRISTOL BS37 6EP MAGAZINE EDITOR Scott Boulton ........................ 01454 852959 PRESS & PUBLICITY Kate Boulton ......................... 01454 852959 159 Long croft, Yate, BRISTOL BS37 7YN SOCIAL SECRETARY Andy Laurence ...................... 07825 953858 WEBMASTER & PRESIDENT Allen Harris ........................... 07970 198718 AWARDS SECRETARY Dave Greenslade .................. 07966 540842 LEAD MARSHAL Mike Cole............................... 07980 416075 CMSG REPRESENTATIVE Mark Benstock ...................... 01454 311712 ASWMC REPRESENTATIVE Mark Chater CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER Richard Marsh ....................... (after 6pm) 07786 068830 COMMITTEE Chris Dymock ....................... (after 6pm) 0117 9394265 Chris Buckley ........................ 07946 482169 Ady Taylor ............................. 07957 545432 Mark Tooth ........................... 01454 329231 www.bristolmc.org.uk 2 _____________In_This_Issue______________ Page 4. Chairman’s Chat Matt’s latest thoughts and insights. Page 6. Llandow Track Day Thoughts and photos from our 2nd track day at Llandow Circuit. Page 8. HSCC 70s Roadsport Season 2 Matt Nichols tells us about his 2nd season racing his TVR 3000M. Page 13. Membership Renewal Form Page 15. The Only Way Is Up Read about Andrew Bisping’s year in the WAMC sprint and hillclimb championship. Page 20. Drive By Chris gets an unexpected call into the boss’s office. 3 “We Are One” Chairman’s Chat by Kiss ollowing our extremely busy period over Not that the track was full very often. Driving F the summer September has provided a standards were also once again extremely high comparatively quiet time in terms of events. and so we will definitely be organising another However, although the volume did undoubtedly one of these events next year. We’ll also get drop off the quality remained reassuringly high. the date in the diary much sooner to give more of you an opportunity to book time off work. Take Wiscombe Park for instance, an event that Oh and did I mention there was cake. Thanks was once again oversubscribed both days (the to everyone who came along, top people all of popularity of this hill really is something to you. admire). It was also in safe hands with our clerking team of Paul Parker and Tony Streeting Looking ahead and depending on when you taking care of proceedings on Saturday. We read this edition of Driving Mirror we will soon were very well represented competitor wise be venturing into the world of car trials with with Dan Trotman (Lotus Elise), Trevor both the Fedden and Allen taking place in McMaster (Toyota MR2), Sandy Smith (Mazda November. The Fedden requiring the usual MX5), Terry Baker (Toyota Starlet), Ian Barnes ground work preparation beforehand as well as (Mazda MX5), Anthony Shearman (Ford Focus), Cat Clark (Locost 7), Luke Trotman (Mallock MK18B), Chris and Ross Stone (Porsche 911), Andrew Hurle (Sylva Pheonix) and finally Dave Greenslade and Simon Clemow (Force PT) all battling within their respective classes. Most making a full weekend of it. Very well done to everyone involved, including you if you made the trip down to view or help out in any way. Step forwards three and half weeks and twenty intrepid owners along with a varied selection of help on the day. Both are rated highly amongst cars plus additional drivers ventured over the the sporting and classic trialling communities as bridge to take part in our second annual mid- we always manage to set up and run two week Llandow Track Day. What a great day out superb events. One being particular specialised as well. Following a humorous briefing that also with cars that appear to defy gravity, the other managed to make clear what would and would covering over 70 miles, north and south of not be tolerated out on track, proceedings Bristol, with quite frankly cars that survive a lot soon moved past two groups of cars to an open of abuse. As always anything you can do to pit lane arrangement. This really is every circuit assist is massively appreciated. driver’s dream because lap after lap can be enjoyed for up to ten cars at a time where as Time to time it is in my nature to reflect on one comes in another is able to go straight out. where the club is and although faced with 4 challenges of securing venues, keeping dates firm and any usual on the day concerns, I have Club Nights to say we appear to be in very good shape. What I think I take most comfort from is that 1st November our membership remains strong with new folk joining each month, normally with a plan or Club Night ambition to compete. But the thing is if that 6th December plan doesn’t quite work out then it’s still OK to be a BMC member as there is plenty more on EGM and Christmas Buffet offer. Like the recent Llandow Track day for 3rd January example being deliberately designed for anyone Club Night Clio Cup. In parallel the search for new What a great way to potential venues for all of our core disciplines spend your birthday. (AutoSOLO, Hillclimb, Sprint and Trials) continues on an almost ongoing basis as we Happy Birthday Mark challenge ourselves in providing excellent value even if that means having to overcome environmental (we’re not welcome everywhere) and other issues. I’ve reviewed other clubs and what they provide and it doesn’t take long when you look at larger clubs to realise that yes they are bigger, but equally operate on a national or even international basis, charge a lot more for with a DVLA licence, as opposed to MSA membership and have full time (employed) competition licence, to ensure no one was administration teams. We on the other hand unnecessarily excluded. maintain a strong membership and lay on good quality events from a dedicated and enthusiastic Our club nights also remain a great way to talk team of volunteers. Look around at our peers, car blah-blah with like-minded individuals. In plus those much smaller, and you uncover a lack October we saw two new members attend of any real structure, just one or two events ahead of competing in the Allen Trial for the per year and absence of a regular club magazine first time, welcome on board Paul Bracey and or newsletter. No BMC peeps we as a club are David German. As well as Rob Thompson who in a really great place and I am very pleased you made the effort to come along for the first time are involved, keep up the good work. after taking part in the Llandow Track day the week before. Great stuff. In Driving Mirror this month you will find out how my 2nd season in the HSCC went, the As a club we are not standing still either and Llandow track day and Andrew Bisping tells us constantly looking for new ways to develop. about his year in the WAMC championship. Two years ago we launched the Bristol MX5 Championship with no less than fifteen cars entered at the Great Western Sprint this year. Matt Nichols It doesn’t end there and we now have plans to introduce a second similar series, the Bristol 5 “Immortals” Llandow Track Day by Fall Out Boy s usual it was a great day out with the Everything was great although the weather A club. wasn't what we wanted at times, it was good to get some wet track time in. After the initial drivers meeting and a few jokes from John the head Marshall. We All I can say is had a blast and more started with 15minute session times, but after please, other tracks maybe? proving we weren't a bunch of petrol headed loons we were given open pit lane status. Phil Oliver Photos by Ady Taylor 6 have clearly been watching too many to the motorway. Got to LLandow in I programmes like Fast’n’Loud as I decided reasonable time, signed on, jacked up the car, to introduce some false jeopardy to the few got the wheels off, checked the pads and days before the BMC track day. The car went realised I didn’t need to change them (thanks to Bath Street Motors in Staple Hill for a new Alex and Phil). more aggressive alignment setup on the The weather was better than expected, it Monday. Then Andy let me use his garage on only properly rained for about 30 mins in the the Tuesday to do a long overdue oil change, afternoon. Track manners were generally first time for me so took longer than it good and my setup seem to be working well, should and thanks Andy for the use of the the turn in is sharper and the car feels better garage! I also thought I needed some new to me. During the rain I also discovered that I brake pads so they were ordered on Monday can drive in the rain with the top down and, if to arrive Tuesday. I forgot to add delivery it is not too heavy, as long as I stay over instructions for the pads so I then had to pick 30mph I don’t get wet, which is a result! I them up Wednesday morning when the knocked it on the head at about 1600 having depot in Fishponds opened at 0700 and run out of energy. Overall it was a great day, decided to do the pads at the circuit. The as much track time as you wanted, good front ones are a relatively simple job and people, good fun and cake, plus I didn't need those were the ones I thought needed the coat.