As with last year, the online entry system is available for this event and can be accessed here www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/.
This single venue classic trial for both motorcycles and cars is held in Lew & Eastcott Woods, Near Lewdown (approx. 10 miles from Launceston), and will take place on Sunday the 20th of March.
The club has won the award for the best ACTC trial for the Tamar Trial in both 2019 and 2021, so two years consecutively, as of course due to covid it was not run in 2020! Such a great achievement would never of course been possible without all the hard work done by in particular Nigel Cowling, Pete Cooper, Bob Slatter and Simon Riddle together with all the other officials, marshals, land owners etc. I think the club can justly feel very proud, congratulations to all involved.
Best regards Andy Prosser – General Secretary.
Lawrence House Museum Award
Lawrence House Museum recently received a Highly Commended Award for their Museum Pop-up in the 2022 Cornwall Heritage Awards. The award recognises the efforts by Lawrence House Museum to maintain a presence in Launceston during the time their building is closed for repairs. As the first pop-up exhibition was to mark the Club Centenary we contributed to this recognition.
Our Club Chairman Joe Caudle who also works with Lawrence House Museum was at the ceremony to receive the award.
2022 AGM and Updated Club Rules
We would just like to remind our members that there is the club AGM on Thursday 10th March, 7.30 pm at the White Hart Hotel, Launceston.
We will be updating the club rules during that meeting. The updated rule list can be found below.
Greetings all, it’s February and the birds are singing, frogs are spawning and the days are definitely getting longer, coming out of Winter is always a good feeling even if I am being a little optimistic.
The club is actively getting things organised for the Awards evening on the 4th of March, two weeks later we have the Launceston Trial on the 20th of March. In addition to this we are hoping to start a social evening gathering where members can just turn up and chew the fat as it were and maybe occasionally have a guest speaker, if anyone has a preference for a subject/speaker please let one of the committee know.
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MSUK Changes as of 22nd January 2022 Fire Extinguishers.
Section T- Trials
T10.2 All vehicles must comply with Construction and Use Regulations and be fitted with safety belts if appropriate. Where fitted, seat belts must be worn on the public highway. Fire extinguishers to a level of safety specified in K.3.2 are mandatory and which are accessible to the crew. (note a 1.75ltr minimum for AFFF or 2x1Kg Powder is permitted).
T11.7.3 Fire extinguishers to safety criteria K.3.2 (note a 1.75ltr minimum for AFFF or 2x2ltr AFFF or 2x1Kg Powder is permitted).
Date of Implementation : Immediate
Reason: To accommodate fire extinguishers in the restricted cockpits common to many trials cars, either through the 2021 capacity requirements for a single AFFF extinguisher or to permit the minimum capacity to be achieved by two physically smaller extinguishers.
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And now over to our club President Robin Moore
The Ramblings of RHTM February 2022
Sometimes gremlins appear in my jottings for JT the price to pay for not having a proof reader, or a copy to check before it goes to print. John does a wonderful job in translating my longhand but errors are bound to occur occasionally, especially when a word is very similar for example Continued when it should have been Construed and Mike Cooper when it should have been Mike Couper, as happened in my ramblings of last month. And of the two Hispanos residing at Darley House, it was of course the Vintage H6 model, whilst the V12 a PVT (Post Vintage Thoroughbred) as classified by the VSCC. Please excuse this pre amble, but I felt this needed clarification. (My apologies Robin Ed).
When I started to write to write this piece for my monthly offering, it fitted in quite nicely from my previous narrations on my Graham Paige, as it happened about the same time. Richard Farley had invited me to join him when he planned to join him when he planned to give the H6 Hispano a really good run on his intended visit to the VSCC Prescott Hill Climb meeting in August, an invitation I was more than keen to accept. It’s not often that one has the chance to experience a long distance run in a Hispano Suiza. From memory this particular car was the well known ex Peter Hampton Hispano Sports Saloon with its very attractive blue fabric covered coachwork and polished aluminium bonnet.
And so it was that I drove my Graham Paige to Darley House to meet up with Richard and be ready for an early start at 8.00am. Prescott is near Cleave Hill, Cheltenham and approximately 170 miles from this part of North Cornwall, and it was planned to go up and back in the day,- a round trip of some 350 miles, so an early start was essential and would allow 4 or 5 hours at the meeting. Compared to the congestion on our present day roads , the density of traffic 60 years ago was comparatively light, but the road network had seen little change since pre-war days, so it was quite a challenge.
On my arrival at our point of departure I learnt that we were five in number making this trip of a lifetime. Ensconced in the back seat of this fine motor were the three siblings of Dr Dyke of Rilla Mill , the great steam traction enthusiast: My recollections of the journey are somewhat hazy after so long an interval in time, but I do remember we made good time, and even making a stop at Seavington St Michael where there was a very nice Inn here. Richard very kindly treated us to refreshments and seemingly appeared to be in no great hurry and very relaxed about everything. Obviously a man full of confidence in the capability and performance of this fine vintage motor car. Everything about the day seemed leisurely and unhurried.
It was on the return journey late in the evening after we had made a stop for fuel that I had that never to be forgotten moment. Richard said to me as we approached the Ilchester straight “ let’s see what the old girl will do” . He floored the accelerator and took this great motor car up to 90mph, and this was some impressive I can tell you, and something that remains indelibly printed on my mind.
R.H.T.M.
Footnote from the Ed. Re Robin’s last month’s article in connection with Richard Farley. In my youth I lived in Plymouth for some 10 years in the very house where the Farleys Rusks bakery started, there is now a blue plaque on the property at 41 Bretonside. Like many, we were totally unaware of the notoriety of the property.
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Events
The awards evening will take place at Trethorne on Friday 4th of March, we are asked to arrive at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm buffet dinner, although the full cost is £15.45 guests will only pay £10.00, the club is kindly subsidising the meal. Please either let Lisa via Facebook know of your intention to attend or telephone Nigel on 07902 542798 , they will also be able to give you the menu options.
AGM
The date set for the AGM is the10th of March at the White Hart Hotel at 7.30pm , a date not to be missed and your chance to join the committee or alternatively just buy them all a drink in appreciation for all the hard work they put in for you, the members.
Launceston Trial
As mentioned earlier, the venue is as in the past at Eastcott Woods, again Nimble Nigel is in control. The event is open to all the usual car and bike classes so it is an event not to be missed. We are arranging a working party for the clearing of sections on the 13th of February meeting at the Wood yard at 10.00am, anyone wishing to attend and not sure of directions please get in touch with any committee member.
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For Sale
I’m having a sort out of the many books that I have and have put together a collection of Austin 7 books that I no longer have use for, the whole collection would have been quite expensive back in the day, as a job lot I am offering them for £50 either e mail your interest or ring me 07971 249783, somewhat heavy to post so collection preferred. J.T.
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BTRDA SPORTING TRIAL GOLD & SILVER STAR FINAL
The pinnacle event of the Sporting Trial world took place on Saturday 22 January 2022 at Crewkerne. This was the furthest south for many years & therefore did not entail a ridiculous very early set off.
After a very cold Friday I was decked out in thermals & many layers but come Saturday morning the temperature wasn’t too bad & conditions under foot were pretty idea. Already signed on & after rudimentary scrutineering & a bacon bap 6 lb tyre pressure was the order of the day.
Through a quirk of qualifying rules, based on average scores, having only done 2 rounds with low entries I ended up in the Gold class (first time ever ).
The entry comprised the top 29 English drivers, 2 from Northern Ireland & one other. There were 3 rounds of 9 hills on a superb site, mainly on slippery grassy approaches but with thick bracken further up.
At lunch time after 2 rounds Simon Kingsley & Thomas Bricknell both driving Crossles were equal on 19 points with David Webster from Northern Ireland just 2 points adrift. There was close competition throughout the whole field. Simon managed to just squeeze past Thomas in the final round to win the Gold Star by 2 points (dropping 24 in total). Ian Wright had a good late surge to finish 3rd just 5 points adrift.
In addition to the Gold Star Simon (at his request) was presented with a LNCMC beanie hat to promote the club up North.
In the Silver class Jason Daniel from Camelford, who in days gone by was a regular passenger for me, drove his aged live axle Concord superbly to win the class a clear 12 points ahead of the 2nd placed Boyd Webster in a Crossle. Jason was 15th overall & not many points away from a top ten place.
Personally, I very much enjoyed the day, the car did not miss a beat but I did have a bit of brain fade on the last 2 hills. With in section direction help from Nigel, we did better than I expected beating a few competitors that I would not normally to reach 19th overall.
All in all a very well organised event on a super site & many thanks to the BTRDA officials & marshals & especially to the Veale family for their hard work.
I hope that next year’s final is not too far North & I also hope that I can claim my rightful place in the Silver rather the Gold.
My thanks also to my long suffering passenger Nigel Cowling
Mike Wevill.
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Chairman’s Chat……..
Last month, while I was working on the reshelling of an MGB many of you will have been involved in competing, officiating or spectating at the MCC Exeter Trial. I am pleased to see that our editor had a successful transition from Class O back to The main trial. He took advantage of the opportunity provided by being able to run The Dellow in class 2 and achieved a bronze award. Well done JT, the car owed you a good result. Regular readers of this newsletter will know why! A video on YouTube shows them climbing Simms in fine style.
The club committee met recently and are looking forward to running the upcoming events. It is a privilege to be able to chair meetings with such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic group. Hopefully our planned calendar of activities can go ahead this year.
We have the awards presentation evening March 4th and our AGM on Thursday March 10th. Awards officer Nigel Cowling is busy getting the trophies inscribed and ready. Many were on display last summer and autumn in the museum for our delayed centenary exhibition. We are also bringing some older trophies back into use and have a new one to present.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at both events. It would be good to see as many as possible of the trophies going to home with the winners to be admired for the year. You will be welcome at the AGM when apart from electing officers and the committee ideas for future events and activities are sought. It is hoped that as Covid exerts less of an influence on our lives the club can expand our social side. We have some plans but suggestions are always welcome, especially if they come with offers of help.
I hope to see you at one of our events in 2022.
Joe Caudle
Tailpiece
As our chairman reports Phil Hingley and I had an enjoyable Exeter trial, having not driven the car competitively for over two years and coupled with its recent history of mechanical tantrums it was a tentative return with the main objective being to finish without the aid of a recovery vehicle. It took a while to get into the swing of things but our confidence gradually increased throughout the event, climbing Simms is always a bit of icing on the cake, on average I clear it every ten years.
I have always regarded these events as something of a social gathering coupled with motorsport, for quite a bit of the event we were running with Simon Oates and John Werren , they were not having their best of times in the newly acquired Liege, but Simon demonstrated his skill with a big hammer at the top of Fingle where he removed the buckles from the Dellow’s wheel rims , a skilled operative indeed. Simon and John weren’t too impressed at the floods at Lenda Lane though, particularly when the water entered the lower part of the car and filled John’s crib bag.
As always on these events there is an eclectic mix of vehicles, from a strange looking Austin 7 ? to the Reliant Regal as pictured, fortunately entered in the class R road event. The Reliant reminded me of as Robin said “a never forgotten moment” although mine was not nearly as impressive. Some forty years ago I had the misfortune of driving a Reliant in Plymouth, doing about 40mph which is plenty fast enough I was approaching a roundabout and as normal steered into it but momentarily forgetting I was deficit in quantity of wheels to the tune of one. First the nearside rear wheel came up, as I corrected the offside one did the same, it suddenly dawned on me I was in a fragile plastic box, enthusiastically sold to my late stepfather as a “car”. On straightening up the beast regained all three wheels much to my relief, although the pressure on my bicycle clips was at maximum.
Motorsport UK has updated their rules on fire extinguishers and has asked that regulations for all future events include these changes. The changes can be found below.
Approved & Ratified by Board – 22 Jan 2022
Section T – Trials
T10.2 All vehicles must comply with Construction and Use Regulations and be fitted with safety belts if appropriate. Where fitted, seat belts must be worn on the public highway. Fire extinguishers to a level of safety specified in K.3.2 are mandatory and which are accessible to the crew (note a 1.75ltr minimum for AFFF or 2x1ltr AFFF or 2x1Kg Powder is permitted).
T11.7.3 Fire extinguishers to safety criteria K.3.2 (note a 1.75ltr minimum for AFFF or 2x1ltr AFFF or 2x1Kg Powder is permitted). Date of Implementation: Immediate Reason: To accommodate fire extinguishers in the restricted cockpits common to many trials cars, either through the 2021 capacity requirements for a single AFFF extinguisher or to permit the minimum capacity to be achieved by two physically smaller extinguishers.
We will be holding our annual awards evening on Friday 4th March at Trethorne Leisure Park, 7.00 for 7.30pm with everyone welcome.
There will be a hot buffet and dessert for £10 per person payable on the night.
Please book in advance, either via our Facebook page or Nigel Cowling who can be contacted either by email at stantheman1364@gmail.com or by phone on 07902 542798.
We look forward to seeing you there, not only to recognise our worthy award winners, but also for a friendly chat and thoughts on what events you may like the club to run in 2022.
We now have the final results for the Ron Beer Sporting Trial 2021. Congratulations to Roland Uglow for winning the event.
Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club would like to thank all competitors and marshals for making it a great day. We hope to see you all again next year.
At a time when we should be feeling pleased with ourselves with the success of the Tamar Trial we are shocked and saddened at the news of the sudden passing of Pete Cooper, the clerk of course of the Tamar. I will let our chairman Joe Caudle take up the story.
Chairman’s chat Sadly, I must write this having recently received the news that Pete Cooper passed away on Monday 1st November.
It was my privilege to know Pete for over 40 years. When I first knew him he used to take part in and help with events when he could fit it in with his globetrotting maritime career. His commitment and enthusiasm for grass roots motorsport never changed and when he settled in Cornwall he became a very active member of our committee, including serving the club as Chairman, Health and Safety Officer and ACTC representative and regularly marshalling and officiating at events.
Pete is probably best known to many in the classic trialling world as the Clerk of Course of the Tamar Trial and has built up a strong organising team. He was particularly proud that the event was voted ACTC Trial of the Year in 2010 and I received many positive comments about the organisation and standard of the event this year.
Pete, supported by Jan has been a tower of strength over many years in Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club. He was a true clubman and his great experience of Motor Sport, his knowledge and practical support in Health and Safety, as well as his enthusiasm will be very much missed. On behalf of the Club I would like to express sincere condolences to his widow Jan, family and friends.
Joe Caudle
OBITUARY – PETER COOPER
I am sad to report that one of my oldest motorsport friends, Club Member Peter Cooper of South Petherwin, Launceston, suddenly collapsed near his home on the evening Sunday 31st October 2021, and passed away shortly afterwards at Derriford Hospital. Our condolences go to his wife Janet.
Peter was the consummate motoring enthusiast, in fact he was enthusiastic about everything that he did in his busy life. When I first met him in 1976, he was a Merchant Navy officer, responsible for navigating oil super-tankers on the high seas. When ashore on extended periods of leave, he never missed an opportunity to compete in any event that he could with a well-travelled Hillman Imp, be-it a trial, rally or hill climb, he did them all. Later, he competed with an ex-Formula Ford 1600 Jamun in hill climbs and sprints. If he was not competing, then he was involved in the organisation of motor sport for benefit of others.
When Peter left the sea, he continued working for a period in the oil industry surveying cargo on the super-tankers, and later he specialised in safety and maritime pollution control.
Peter was one of the volunteer pit crew that supported me when I made my competition debut with my Terrapin single seater at the Whitecross Sprint in 1984, and we have always been firm friends.
He has been the Clerk of the Course for the Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club -Tamar Trial for the past twenty-five years, and their Club Chairman and representative to the Association of Classic Trials Clubs (ACTC), until recent times. Peter and I spoke only a few days before his untimely death about the recent Tamar Trial.
Peter was a Member of Torbay Motor Club and actively supported our Trial, Autocross and Hill Climb events as a Marshal, with his customary enthusiasm, and he recently attended our Club AGM.
Peter will be sadly missed Les Connett. Vice President LNCMC
Now over to our Club President Robin Moore
The Ramblings of RHTM Part 7 of the Graham Paige Story
I was pleased, but not surprised to learn that XV 4512 has survived,- thank you John for your quick DVLA search ,- but I wonder where she resides ? Incidentally, there is a Graham for sale, advertised by the Motor Shed Ltd at Bicester Heritage, listed as a 1929 615 model Sedan. I have wondered if this is the only other Graham Paige that I remember seeing very many years ago at the Lost Causes rally at Beaulieu. I remember the owner of that car telling me he was from Bridgewater, and that he knew of a Graham chassis discarded in a hedge in Somerset. ( I’ve just looked up the one for sale at Motor Shed, it appears to have come in from Australia and will need UK registering. The car is mostly standard although it’s fitted with a modern 5 speed gearbox ! Ed)
Of the history of the Graham Bro’s in the manufacture of motor vehicles I have only limited knowledge, although I believe it is well documented in the States. I do know there was a complete history written and published, and of which I made enquiries some while ago. At the time I enquired the delivery charge from the U.S.A to GB was prohibitive and I declined to follow it up, perhaps I should try again.
Kenneth Ball’s Motor Car Index, 1928 – 1939, published in 1964, lists Graham production models from 1931 to 1939, and Graham Paige 1929 – 1931, including models of differing horse power. All the models listed are of 6 and 8 cylinders, the straight 8 being very much in vogue during this period of motoring history.
I’m led to think that there were motor cars manufactured by the Gram Bro’s, which were marketed under differing brand names and special markets targeted. When I was using my Graham Paige I well remember Bob Parsons telling me that there was a Launceston gentleman who owned a Paige Jewett in the 1920 – 30’s and recalled seeing the car on the hairpin bend at “Prouts” corner.
I have a copy of the Millers Collectors Car Guide, which lists a 1925 Jewett 23/25 Two Door Sedan, having a six cylinder engine of 3,980 cc, developing 63 h. p at 2,800 rpm. The information given is of interest because it confirms the Graham Brothers diversification, and I quote.
Jewet The Jewett was one of the sturdy American cars which dominated the New Zealand car market in the 1920’s. They were well sprung and with high ground clearance and handled the primitive roads better than the European models. Named after H M Jewett the president of the Paige Motor Company, the Jewett was in reality a smaller Paige sold as a make on its own. It was a popular car and more than 40,000 various models were sold.
RHTM to be continued next month *************************************************************
Tamar Trial 2021-10-19 Weather conditions for the 2021 Tamar Trial were so benevolent that the organisers were concerned that the sections would prove an insufficient challenge, and everyone would get around clean.
They obviously hadn’t spotted my entry…and little did they know that I would be trying as hard as I could to retain my hard-won status as the highest scorer, with the main competition coming from my friend and neighbour Merv ‘the swerve’ and his Honda XR400.
The entry secretary clearly seems in on the joke, as he gave Merv and me consecutive entry numbers, meaning we can ride around together as a comedy double act and stop the observers going to sleep as we vie for the highest score of the day on each section. Merv’s XR400 gives him a bit of an edge here, but my Gas Gas Pampera had a little trick up its sleeve to keep the comedy coming.
As ever, my problems began long before the event. A mysteriously flat front tyre ate into the time allocated for machine preparation, so I decided to ‘save time’ by not going to the petrol station, but scavenge pre-mix fuel from my chainsaws and strimmer instead. Not the best decision ever, as it turned out.
Flagged away by the Mayor of Launceston, with the usual serious competitors in front of us and a collection of Noddy cars and Mad Max buggies behind, Merv and I set off into the mists of the Tamar Valley. Riding is groups is not allowed, but we found ourselves in one at the Tamar bridge traffic lights. Anxious not to break the rules, we managed to overshoot the route for a while, before gathering at section one.
Here I started as I will go on with a fail…never mind, only three points, and onto the next; another fail for 12 points and a graceful fall back to the start of the section. At which point a marshal helpfully pointed out that my back tyre was getting no traction…ah, that would be because I had forgotten to let it down. Down from 12 to 6 psi and off we jolly well go to a clean on section three, followed by a four on four.
And now for the tough bit. Angel Steps, where this trial will pretty much be lost or won. There’s the predictable chaos ahead: with a restart stopping most competitors. So we wait, engines off. I go to start up, the Pampera bursts into life, then splutters and dies. Maybe it’s just run onto reserve? Maybe not. Maybe it needs a new sparkplug? Maybe not. Bugger! Carb floatbowl off, and there’s a small quantity of what looks like sawdust floating around…now where did that come from? Dunno, (well I do really) but there’s a kindly spectator from the Wirral on a trials bike festooned in petrol bottles, who insists on giving me a litre of premix, and helping bump-start the bike. Ring-ding-a-ding, and we are back in business.
My helper and his mates run up the hill to watch the fun. I’m now the last bike and I can hear the Mad Max buggies helpfully polishing the last remnants of grip from already slippery rock on the section ahead of me. The longer I wait, the harder it will get. So go now.
I trickle past the queue of cars, and get flagged off. Yes, it’s slippery and bumpy, but the Pampera is finding grip every time the now suitably deflated rear Pirelli touches the ground.
But, what’s this? A car sliding half sideways back from the restart, that’s what. NOOOOOO! I stop. Is that a baulk? Looking at the provisional results, apparently not. It’s a seven. No matter: a restart proves tricky, and a kindly marshal shoves me onwards and upwards until I regain momentum.
After that, everything gets a good deal easier. The next section is gentle, and I clean it. Then a nine, and a bit of road work back to Launceston. The Pamp really does run onto reserve as we pass under the A30, and I divert off route to the BP station before heading to Tresmeer village hall and lunch where I am reunited with Merv and Ben, who is riding an XL185.
Lunch digested it’s off to the special test at the amusingly-named hamlet of Scarsick (“Mum, I feel Scarsick”). I do really well here…then forget to stop on line C. Another disaster snatched from the jaws of victory.
No matter, the seaside beckons. It’s Crackington, and another clean…is this a glimmer of competence. Not really, as we revert to norm with a six at the next section. Then there’s a one, followed by an eight on a very muddy hill that proved tricky for most. I didn’t fall climbing up it, but I did coming back down it!
On to the next one. It’s turning into a bit of a mudlark now, and very slippery. Merv and I conspire to get Ben to go first to see where the traction is…amusingly, he finds some grip, and we see an XL185 appear on the skyline in vertical mode with Ben clinging to the bars! “That must be the grippy line,” Merv observes. Ben gets nine points for style. My turn, and I spin to halt before falling off for an eight. The next section, I surprise myself with a three…no worse than most of the other competitors. Then on to the last. Suddenly, I’m knackered. It’s a 12. Oh well.
Then a pleasant ride back to the Frog and Bucket, with the Pamp running onto reserve again. Sign off, eat more food, get an undeserved ‘finishers’ sticker, fill up in Launceston and home.
Congratulations to the real winners, (especially Chris Barham on his BSA C15) but I scored the most points and enjoyed myself as much as anyone so in my eyes, I’m a winner. Can you beat my score? See you next year! Richard Simpson
Pop up Museum Our club exhibition in the “Pop up Museum” is proving popular, lots of people are leaving positive feedback in the visitors book, the exhibition is to end on Saturday the 20th of this month so if you haven’t been yet don’t delay or you will miss it, our chairman Joe Caudle does a Wednesday afternoon stint there as a steward, but don’t let that put you off , he’s a nice chap and very informative, he also did a huge amount of the work in getting this project to reality. ******************************* Events Our next event is the Ron Beer Sporting trial at Ashleigh , Lifton on Sunday the 21st of November, feel free to come and spectate or even marshal, a good day to be had for all. ******************************** Tailpiece
Last month you had to endure the sorry saga of the reluctant Dellow. Just after publication went out I received a new “dizzy cap” for it, fitted, deep breath and turn key, it’s ok it still didn’t start. (Actually that’s not what I said but I can’t print that). I am now wondering if there is a timing issue so I remove the cylinder head and check the timing ,
which is questionable, so remove distributor drive, fiddle around for an hour trying to get it in what I think is a better position and re-assemble everything, another deep breath, turn the key and hey presto – I’m lying it still refuses to run.
Ok I’ve had enough for today, lock up garage and pour a beer. The next morning I have to go in the garage to get something so I think, I’ll surprise it, turn on ignition, pull out choke, pull starter and it bursts into life sounding as sweet as it ever has, you couldn’t make it up.
All for this month J.T. contributions to billjan299@gmail.com
It’s all happening , just had the David Ayers trial, in a couple of weeks we have the Tamar trial but before the Tamar many people will be getting ready to go “up north” for the MCC Edinburgh trial, yes the one which basically concentrates on Derbyshire, but Edinburgh is only a few miles up the road to a racing pigeon.
Hopefully by next weekend the latest barmy blot of the “fuel crisis” that isn’t will have eased and everyone will be able to concentrate on the event and not where they can fill up next. I am marshalling on Haydale, I theoretically have a chance to get a few hours sleep as I don’t have to be on section until 3.45am, luxury.
It was a feeling of “we’ve finally got there” when the clubs exhibition opened in the pop up museum, well worth a visit, it’s closed Sundays and Mondays but open the rest of the week, last entry is 4.00pm. There is everything from live rolling film to fully dressed manikins of what the best dressed trailers wore/wear and lots of interesting memorabilia, one of our committee members has already been twice to have a look , he’s impressed. “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””” Forthcoming Events
Sunday the 17th of October is the Tamar Classic road trial, this is probably our biggest event, it takes a lot of organising by the team and will require a considerable number of marshals, if you are able to help in any way please contact Nigel 07902 542798, go on give him a call.
Sunday the 21st of November is pencilled in for the Ron Beer sporting trial, I haven’t heard too much about it yet but as far as I know it will be at Ashleigh Farm, Lifton. ********************
Now over to our Club President Robin Moore
The Ramblings of RHTM. Part 6 of the Graham Paige Story
As I mentioned at the beginning of this story, as purchased, the Graham was remarkably sound in all departments , and I had no reason to think that any item might be non original , and I never met anyone who may have questioned this. When I was able to see my old car a few years later I found otherwise. I knew that Derek Adams had placed it in a museum, and when I next clapped eyes on XV4512 and was delighted with what I found.
It was after attending the VSCC Welsh Trial a few years later that Marjorie and I stayed on for a few days after the event, as we often did, and we headed for the Garrison Theatre at Pembroke Dock. The auditorium had been turned into a small private car museum,- a far cry from the days of it’s use as a theatre providing relaxation from the rigours of WW2for those on coastal command who were based at Pembroke Dock. We discovered the museum was closed, but on making judicious enquiries at a small shop nearby we discovered a young lad who had the key whilst the owners were away. The owners, whose name eludes me at the moment, were away on a pilgrimage to France to pay homage and be with the people who had witnessed and been so kind and helpful when their son had tragically lost his life in a motoring accident the previous year. Having established our credentials we walked the short distance to the museum and to be let in and allowed to view our old motor car. I was truly amazed to find that it had been given a face lift in Derek Adam’s hands and was once again as Dr Flower would have been when attracted to the car on the 1928 motor show.
The car was now as originally presented and I was able to appreciate it that much more. There had been a number of items that had been missing or changed during my ownership, but I had been none the wiser. I suspect that Derek Adams had realized that a number of items were missing and assume he sourced these parts from the States,- probably not too difficult at the time. I noticed a number of small items such as the plug for the starting handle hole at the bottom of the radiator for example,- I hadn’t ever given this a thought. But the most striking thing which immediately struck me was that the wheels had been re-painted. During my time with the car the wheels had always been a pale green colour, where as now they were correctly painted in an Ivory shade to match the colour of the metal instrument panel set in the centre of the full width wooden dash. Also most striking was the addition of the correct bumpers,- the Yanks call them fenders,- and I must say this really set the car off in my eyes. All was now as it should be, I came away a happy man. The museum closed many years ago, and where the Graham resides I know not. I do know that Derek Adams died a number of years ago. RHTM to be continued, Ed I just did a quick DVLA search and the last tax due date was 1st January 1998. Last logbook issued (V5) 4th Feb 2019 ***************************
Chairman’s Chat
The newsletter continues to be a vital part of keeping you all in touch with the club so thanks to JT for reminding me that it is due out shortly.
Hopefully you are now all aware that the new Lawrence House Pop-Up museum is open at the Merchant House, 11a High Street (opposite the Co-Op in Launceston town centre. The exhibition celebrates the Dunheved Motor Club, North Cornwall Motor Club and subsequently Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club’s Centenary. It tells the story of our club and includes the many characters who have enjoyed their motorsport and contributed to our success and longevity. You can also discover the stories behind many of our trophies. It is currently open most days except Sunday.
Recently the David Ayers Trophy Trial was a very successful BTRDA Championship Trials Formula competition. It was good to see Andy Wilks winning the main award as he and his family have supported this event for many years. Congratulations also go to to Nigel Shute the winner of the Frank Ayers Trophy and to Colin Flashman for his class win. Thanks must go to Warin, Mike Wevill and all the volunteers who enabled this event that began in 1963 to continue to be one of the best on the calendar. Last week I went to the Goodwood Revival historic motor racing with Andy Prosser. It was a privilege to be part of the tribute to Sir Stirling Moss It included 3 laps round the circuit behind Jenson Button in a Jaguar XK120 chauffeured Andy Smith in his FIA MGB that Stirling drove in the Pirelli Marathon in 1992, his last competitive rally, winning his third ALPINE CUP.
Our club’s next event is the Tamar trial and the organising committee are working hard under the leadership of Pete Cooper to ensure that it is a success. They really do need marshals to enable all sections to be included as planned so if you, your family, or friends are available please let us know as soon as possible.
On a purely personal note I would like to wish Simon Oates and John Werren good luck for the Edinburgh Trial. Simon has certainly developed and drives Torum well After they won best car on the MCC John Aley Summer Trial I wished there was a constructor’s award! Andy Prosser and I finished building the car in 1997 and it has seen a lot of competition since then but never had such outright success before.
Yours in motorsport Joe Caudle
Visit to Prescott Speed Hill Climb. by Andy Prosser
Sunday 4th September found me at Prescott, near Cheltenham, watching my first ever hill climb. Well, I say first, but I suppose technically that was many years ago as I did once sneak in to the hill climb at Werrington Park briefly, just over the road from where I live. So, what finally got me to go to Prescott? Two things really, one it has the reputation of being one of the best hills in the country and also my friend Mike Turpin was competing there in his Vauxhall VX220. This is a car that was originally built for rallycross and which I did a lot of work on, from fabricating and setting up all the suspension, to sorting racing brakes, installing the engine and transmission, fitting variable rate electric power steering and numerous other modifications. The car is fitted with a 2.2 litre supercharged engine built by Martin Bowyer, producing around 400 horse power and a 6 speed Sadev sequential, flat shift gearbox. Having done some work on this gearbox I can honestly say it’s a work of art, everything is beautifully machined and the gears and associated parts would look good on any mantelpiece (although my wife probably wouldn’t agree).
I have lost count of how many rallycross meetings I have been to throughout the UK and Ireland looking after Mikes cars, going back to the end of his Metro 6R4 days in which he won the British Rallycross championship in 1993, through many years where he was highly successful in his space framed Vauxhall Nova and then the VX. Mike had only campaigned the VX in rallycross for a couple years when he felt that all the travelling and damage from other cars was taking the fun out of it, so around 10 years ago decided to move to hill climbing. He has been very successful with it, winning the Midland Hill Climb championship several times. His move to hill climbing meant, barring major driver error (which is virtually unheard of with Mike) that little mechanical support at meetings would be needed. This, together with a change of job for me, entailing a huge amount of travelling, meant I really didn’t have the need or the time to go along anymore so this was the first time I saw the VX in action at a hill climb.
Mike’s VX220 – pretty don’t you think?
Two cooling systems, one for the engine and one for the hard-working supercharger.
So, what was is it like at Prescott? I have to say it is a superb venue in a fantastic setting and the weather was perfect too. The hill itself is 1127 yards long and rises over 200 feet (it’s great after Brexit that we can use imperial measures again!). For those who maybe don’t know, it is owned by the Bugatti owners club, having been bought in 1937 to enable a few wealthy friends to have somewhere to race, having apparently been barred from racing at some of the other venues they’d been using due to making too much noise. These days a huge variety of cars compete from virtually standard road cars, rally cars, historic cars, through home-built specials to out and out hill climb single seaters and not forgetting Bugatti type 51’s! The acceleration of the top cars is amazing, achieving over 100 mph in the first 100 yards or so. The course record had been set by Sean Gould in his, yes Gould, in 2019 with a time of 35.41 seconds. However, Wallace Menzies achieved a new hill record of 35.12 seconds in the qualifiers in his 3.3 litre Gould. In the run off, you could see it was going to be an amazing run, Menzies was totally on it everywhere, the braking points were perfect and he seemed to be able to get on the power sooner than anyone else, plus the car goes like hell. He smashed the record with a time of 34.65 seconds, ½ a second quicker than his previous run, a truly astonishing performance and a privilege to be there to see. Before the run his crew were even using a hot air gun and paint scraper to get a new clean surface on the tyres – that’s what you call car preparation! Huge congratulations to him and his team.
Oh, and how did Mike do? Second in class to a 3.8 litre Porsche driven by a guy who I believe owns around ten Porsches and who had been racing at LeMans in one the week before. Apparently when someone asked him what his favourite track was, he thought about it for a while and then said “Daytona” – playing in a different league perhaps?
So why don’t I do hill climbing? Unfortunately, I suffer with motion sickness, a problem with my ears I think, so after experiencing the “g” forces of cornering and braking on one run up the hill I am sure I would be parking my breakfast as well as my car in the paddock! I’ll just have to stick to trialling, a much more sedate form of motorsport.
What a lovely pair of Bugatti Type 51s.
Single seater anyone?
Now that’s what I call a front wing!
Wallace Menzies front wheel, functional, art or pornography – you decide! *********************************************************************** DAVID AYERS TRIAL 2021
On Sunday 12th September the Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club organised the David Ayers Sporting Trial at Marshgate, by kind permission of the Langley family.
The event attracted 16 competitors from as far as Yorkshire , Shropshire & the Midlands because it was a round in both the MotorSport UK & BTRDA National Championships.
The conditions were ideal after heavy rain in the week but rain holding off on the day.
The event was closely contested but lunchtime leader Andy Wilks just held off local clubmember Colin Flashman (Blue class winner) to win by just 6 points taking the David Ayers Trophy. Local drivers John Fack & Alan Murton finished 3rd & 4th respectively.
Nigel Shute was into the silverware by winning the Frank Ayers Trophy in the clubman class.
Many thanks as usual to the marshals & organisers.
************************************************************** Tailpiece…………… Back in the late 40’s , early 50’s when the Dellow was originally designed/constructed it was basically a simple car, starting with an Austin 7 chassis and soon followed by a chassis of their own design. Running gear was also simple , using a Ford 1172cc sidevalve engine, 3 speed gearbox and back axle that could be found in any junk yard under a Ford “Pop” body. In fact it was so simple that many special builders latched on to copy this design. Simple. NO IT’S NOT, if it’s simple why won’t my blooming Dellow start ?
To explain, on the day of the David Ayers trial I drove in it out to Marshgate, spent a happy day marshalling and drove home again , put it in the garage. The following Wednesday I have to go to Plymouth in the afternoon, so I say to Vivien I’ll take the Dellow after all it’s a nice day. Just before lunch I open the garage, start the car and park it outside, switch off , go in and have a sandwich. Return to car, switch on and it refuses to start, I then spend 10 minutes tinkering with it all to no avail, push car back in garage and trundle off to Plymouth in the campervan.
On my return I grudgingly remove the bonnet to further my knowledge of non starting cars, to date my knowledge of non starting cars has been greatly expanded because a week and a half later the bloody thing still refuses anything more than a heavy smokers cough. When fault finding it is all too easy to jump in at the deep end and overlook the obvious so I have tried to be methodical in my process.
Having removed the distributor cap I noticed a spark coming from a low tension wire, got it thinks I, replace wire (even with additional sleeving) attempt to start, will it start? NO!
Next fit my in line spark checker to check good spark, yes, lovely spark, go off to scratch head and various other bits of anatomy whilst battery is recharging – will it start? NO!
Next check fuel supply , fine , mop up fuel from garage floor. Will it start? NO!
Next remove number 1 plug that way I can see if valves are closed properly on compression whilst rotor arm is approaching correct firing position, all good. But will it start NO!
I am now beginning to run short of ideas, Next – replace rotor arm, throw money at it by fitting 4 brand new plugs, still no joy. Maybe there’s a fault with the supercharger, disconnect inlet from charger, remove inlet manifold, replace with original twin carbs, recharge battery, nope engine is fully paid up member of “Dodo” fan club.
The car carries two HT coils, both giving the same result, get another one from cupboard, fit, same result. No Start! Is it an earth problem? Fit additional earth wire from engine to chassis, you’ve guessed it, NO!
The only simple item not be replaced is the dizzy cap because as it turns out the spare one I have been carrying for the last 4 years isn’t compatible. Order new one and in the meantime recharge battery again . The saga continues…… Bumper edition this month so thanks to all contributors, certainly makes the job easier, will have to hold the scooter ride article off to next month. J.T.
The event will take place on Sunday 22nd August 2021 at Smithson Farm, Kelly, Lifton, Devon (MR201/414816) and will consist of a number of observed tests. Marks will be awarded for completion of each test or section correctly as well as times taken where appropriate. There will be a number of tests and rounds dependent on time and size of entry.
Taster Entry Details
Bring your own road going car, receive instruction & guidance & then attempt 6 tests twice in a mini competition.
Also open to 14 to 17 year olds – subject to parental consent & being accompanied at the event by a passenger with full RTA Licence who is experienced as a Car Trial Driver.
The Taster does not require club membership nor a MotorSport UK RS Competition licence.
Numbers will be LIMITED so please phone in advance to be sure of an entry [there may be places available on the day].
On Saturday 7th August as part of our club’s delayed Centenary Celebrations we are holding a display of Trials bikes and Cars, and other locally owned Competition cars,
in Launceston Town Square
from 10 am to 2,00pm.
Come and have a look and chat to us about what we do and how you could join in our Club’s grassroots low cost Sport
