Minehead Motor Club are holding Rollies Car Trial on the 31st of October. We have attached the combined regulations and entry form document below.

Entries close next week on Wednesday the 27th of October.

The trial will take place near Bratton, near Minehead, Somerset. TA24 8SR OS map reference 181/940458 with Scrutineering starting at 09:30 and the first car starting at 10:30

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We now have the final results for the testing trial 2021. You can download them below;

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Thank you to all the Competitors who took part & hope you enjoyed the day. Good to see all the little smiling faces.

Congratuations to Gareth,Greg & Kayleigh as major award winners & a really good effort from Callum Williams. Well done Tristan in the Taster event.

Special thanks to the Marshalls.

Hope to see you all next year.  MJW

It’s August, yes August !! Another year is flying by and I for one haven’t done half the things I had hoped to do, yes there has been this big thing going on in the world, not just the Olympics, which has cramped our style a little but somehow time flies by. Talking of the Olympics I was very pleased to see that Plymouth boy Tom Daley and diving partner Matty Lee had a superb gold medal win, Tom can now concentrate on his knitting, the WI halls will be jostling to get him there to do talks and share his patterns.

Anyway back to club matters, a bit of good news after last month and hearing of the situation with the Lawrence House Museum, they have apparently secured a property/shop to use as a “pop up” museum so all the hard work of creating the club’s history in a series of posters will not be wasted. I am not privy as to the exact location yet but once I know I will broadcast it in all the usual ways.

Past Events

Motor Traders Trial.  21 entries for this event so well worth putting on, Nigel “can do “ Cowling laid out six hills for all to attempt several of the competitors were “double drives” which as always puts a bit of a strain on the vehicle with clutches and radiators usually being the first to overheat. Ashley Ruby being the youngest driver was getting to grips with things before the car had other ideas but I’m sure he will soon be showing his dad Darren how it’s done. It was first time out for Kayleigh Seward who after a nervous start was getting the hang of it but the car had other ideas so it was retirement for her as well, but I have a feeling she will be back. By 1.30 pm the rain was really letting us know it was time to go home so it was a case of “up sticks and away”.

Overall winner of the Motor Traders Cup was David Robinson, class awards went to John Sandercock, Allan Taylor, Philip Thomas and Gareth White. Judging by the smiley faces everyone enjoyed themselves so a good day out indeed.

Spry Sporting Trial.  Eight cars started the event but two retirements meant only six finished . Roland Uglow was on form with a superb drive and at the end of the day had a completely clear sheet, according to Mike Wevill he thinks it is only the second time this has been done in 40 years! John Cole made the long journey down to West Devon worthwhile by winning the Blue Class. Thanks to Warin Kelly for being Clerk of the Course and Paul Webber for the use of his land.

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Now over to our Club President Robin Moore

The Ramblings of RHTM Part 4 of the Graham Paige Story

I have always tried to use a car regularly for what it was designed for, the everyday transport of its owner, and this 1928 car did itself justice in this respect.  Admittedly I had the use of a Morris 1000 van for use with my farming needs, but otherwise it was the Graham Paige that fulfilled family transportation as well as being used for a number of VSCC and other events. Apart from normal servicing it also proved very reliable and gave much pleasure in its use.

I entered two VSCC Welsh Trials at the time, which involved covering a 200 straight line mileage between 9.00am and 6.00pm, obtaining receipts for fuel stops, or, as we did at the time sending a telegram as proof of passage. I can remember stopping outside a small Post Office as we circumnavigated Bath. This road is now part of a one way system , the Post Office has disappeared, and we could not now park in the road whilst the business was done. A far cry from the present day.

This annual event in the calendar of the Vintage Sports Car Club was first run in 1939 and has always had a wonderful atmosphere and has changed little over the years. Centred in Presteigne in Powys, Radnorshire, the Radnorshire Arms in the High Street is the focal point and with this old Welsh town “chock a block” with vintage cars it becomes an image of history for the weekend and a reminder of a time when life was very different. Even the local constabulary turn a blind eye to this annual invasion of vintagents. Also run in conjunction with the main trial is a touring assembly and driving tests, but the Welsh itself with its trials sections is a more serious affair, including the famous “Snatcher” as well as a number of sections on private land.

Quite often Marjorie and I would continue, and extend our time visiting and exploring this beautiful part of the Welsh border country. I remember visiting the   Elan Valley reservoirs, the experience all enhanced by driving the route in a vintage motor car.

Another VSCC event entered was an informal concern at Beaulieu followed by driving tests held nearby at the old WW2 airfield. We also attended other events at Beaulieu, – The Lost Causes Rally where there were a number of American cars in attendance.

It was the only time that I met up with another Graham Paige, whose owner lived in Bridgwater. When going to the New Forest we would sometimes stay for a night at the Burley Manor Hotel and didn’t leave until a visit had been made to John Shuttler at his nearby garage where there were always interesting motors to be found, such as a Sleeve Valve Daimler, and of course, John’s Invicta, for which he was a great enthusiast and held the record for one of these cars at Prescott.  John was always ready for a chat and to share his enthusiasm. I recall another long distance memorable journey in XV4512 and this was a solo trip to watch a VSCC race meeting at Silverstone. I was “self contained” so to speak , taking all my personal needs with me and sleeping in the car overnight. Remember, I have previously mentioned the reclining front seats of this coach built car. I had arranged to travel down the following day to Sherfield English near Romsey, where I arrived in time for breakfast at the White Horse Hotel. My appointment that day was with a gentleman by the name of Brian Rylus at his garage in Sherfield English. Brian had been a previous owner of the Mc Evoy special RC450 with which he had competed at the Gosport Speed Trials. This car I had purchased in 1958 from the Jack O’Lantern garage near Romsey, and Brian, I discovered had quite a number of parts and associated items which he had retained. I spent quite some time with Brian and his wife and they kindly provided lunch for me. We eventually concluded our business and I drove home with the Graham stuffed full of goodies, but that’s another story.

RHTM   to be continued.
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Centenary Celebrations  This coming Saturday the 7^th is the date set for our display of vehicles in Launceston Town Square, there is a mix of cars and motorcycles which will hopefully be of interest to the passing public. The display will be from 10.00am until 2.00pm, the organising committee will be there from 9.30am to get everyone in place.   

One word of caution to those displaying vehicles, if yours has an incontinence problem please bring a suitable drip tray or sheet of cardboard to catch any drips, we don’t want any backlash from the council saying that we have ruined their lovely cobble stones. Any committee members with a few hours to spare on the day your help will be appreciated.
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Ladies and gentlemen,
                                   This is to confirm that we will be holding our AGM at 8.00pm on Thursday 12th August in Yeolmbridge Village Hall.  This will be followed by a committee meeting. For those who may not be familiar with the village please see directions and map below and suggested area to park:-

On the B3254 Launceston to Bude road, heading towards Bude, turn left immediately after the bridge at Yeolmbridge. The Hall is approximately 100m down this road on the right hand side. If there are no parking spaces available on the side of the road continue approximately another 150m past the hall and there will be additional parking available on the left hand side of the road.

After such a long time it will be great to finally hold our AGM and a committee meeting face to face.  We look forward to seeing you there.

Many thanks and best regards,    Andy

Future Events

The Testing Trial due to run on the 15^th of August has been moved to a week later, 22^nd, also the venue has changed, it is now at Smithson Farm,  Kelly, near Lifton the website details are due to be changed in plenty of time for everyone to find the new venue. We are hoping to run a “Taster Event” along side the testing trial for people new to motorsport, this will depend on interest shown at the centenary day.

David Ayers  Sporting trial is on the 12^th of September, more details to follow on the website.

Tamar Classic Road Trial  The date for this is 17^th of October, planning is well under way, again watch the website for more details.

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The astute ones among you will notice that various things have changed, the AGM was moved to Yeolmbridge because the good folks of Tresmeer are splashing out on some refurbishment of the Village Hall, next time you see it there will be a nice new ceiling with lots of insulation between the hall interior and the outside world in the hope of retaining the heat and generally looking much nicer, there will even be a lick of paint!! No stopping us country folks once we get going!

Hope to see one or two of you on Saturday the 7^th ……… all for now.

J.T.
Contributions gratefully received     billjan299@gmail.com

The Spry Trial 2021 Results are now available to download below.

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Well done Roland, I think this is only the second time I have seen a completely clear sheet in a Sporting Trial in 40 years.

Thanks to John for travelling so far.

Thanks to Warin for acting as C o C& Paul Webber for use of land.

Hope you all enjoyed the day & see you at Trevlla for the David Ayers on 12th September( watch the website)

Mike Wevill  Comp Sec

Well, here we are again, with even less to write about than last month, in terms of motorsport anyway. As I said last month my list of jobs around home have been quite mind boggling, you name it I’ve done it, if I’m not careful I shall be taking up gardening, perhaps not, as that would necessitate management approval, and we’re very clear on that topic. The Sparrows in the camera nest box that were making a new nest last month have hatched four young and all are virtually ready to flee the nest, country entertainment!!

 
With everything on hold all planning for the club’s centenary is shelved for the moment, you never know it might be a celebration for 101 years, I’m sure we will be able to party at some time. Committee meetings are also non-existent but you never know we might end up doing virtual meetings by Zoom, if its good enough for the government it’s gotta be good enough for us mere mortals.
Fortunately our club President and stalwart contributor has some more historical notes for you so over to Robin.
 
Historical Notes (part 8)

As I pen these notes continuing the history of our motor club, gems of information keep surfacing enabling me to further expand the story, and hopefully in the end, to have a more complete record. As I research I come across scraps of information that I had noted in the past and then filed away and forgotten. One such piece recently came to light when I was going through one of my filing cabinets. It was a scrap of paper from a notebook with a hand written note that had been handed to me at some time in the past, under which I had written, – Charlie Walters/ Warin. It refers to a piece printed in the Cornish & Devon Post Thursday September 6th 2001 and I quote,- 80 years ago Sept 10th 1921 a large number of motorists and others gathered at Lifton on Wednesday to witness a hillclimb for motorcycles and motorcars arranged by Dunheved Launceston and District Motor Club, the President of which is a Mr F.A. Blake, followed by a word (longhand) which I am unable to decipher. The report goes on to say ,- Mr R Prout, Ford with specially built aluminium racing body in competition with Mr (Haskins ? ) Hurstman attracted much attention.

Hurstman cars of which one or two survive were manufactured in Bath between 1914 and 1929 and had a fine reputation for reliability and performance , and is recorded as the first British car to be fitted with a supercharger. Returning to Mr F.A. Blake and the date, it can be established that he became the first President of our motorclub, and Mr Leslie Major whom I have mentioned earlier in this series most likely succeeded Mr Blake.

I am indebted to Barrie Kirton , Archivist of the M.C.C. with whom I have consulted about the 1930 Land’s End Trial, as Launceston itself was very much a part of this annual event for many years. In 1930 competitors had a time check at Netherbridge before entering the town and parking in the square and walking to the Town Hall to partake of lunch. The route card states” Proceed without waiting to Guildhall Square. Park as directed. Sign and lunch at Town Hall. Caterer, E. Reed, Supplies, Wooldridges, Control from timing point to re-start after lunch.”

There was an entry of 400 , of which 259 were cars derived into 4 classes according to engine capacity. Class 1V (d) , cars exceeding 1,500 cc numbered 336 to 400 listed no’s 349 – 350 and 351 as – RGT Bear driving a Mark 4 MG of 1,802 cc 4(cyl) and W.P Uglow and L. Major with 18/80 M G ‘s of 2,468cc (6 cyl).

This information is particularly interesting for two reasons, first it leads me to question the name Bear. There exists a small plaque with the inscription Ron Beer secretary 1936 . I have reason to believe it is one and the same person but the inscription is incorrect. Second , L.Major can only be Leslie Major of Polapitt Tamar mentioned earlier in this narrative and who by this time may have become President ? These three competitors running consecutively were in good company with the likes of H E Symons, Agnes Gripper, W M Couper & R J W Appletonton name but a few of the well known personalities who entered these events of the time. Frank Allott, 747cc Austin was also a competitor in this 1930 L’ End. His son Clive was a member of LNCMC in the 1990’s when he was a near neighbour of mine farming Trevilla , Camelford. I remember him as a bit of a wild character competing in events with a Morgan.
To be continued RHTM
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Yours truly garage stuff has been somewhat curious to say the least, the Dellow is covered in dustsheets, ironically I took the spare engine block down to Wadebridge a week prior to lockdown for a rebore and crank regrind and that’s where it still sits, all the scooters have been fettled to within an inch of their life so my attention has been focused on the Fergie tractor.

Ever since buying it (nearly seven years ago) I have complained that the clutch is difficult to operate, often needing to stand on it to change gear , after a two hour tractor grass cutting stint I had a right leg like that of Roy Chubby Brown and a left leg more like Bradley Wiggins, walking was interesting to say the least. After talking to Andy Prosser our local “all things Fergie” guru I decided to take matters to hand. With the tractor stripped down it was obvious the clutch was in need of some tlc so a quick call to local specialists DPR to check they were open, YES, and I have to say a very impressive turn around of the job I now have a fully reconditioned clutch which is featherweight to operate.

As with all these jobs one always leads to another, the tin worms were doing their level best to make me a lightweight bonnet, which to be honest I didn’t really want, so after a good wire brushing and a couple of coats of Hydrate 80 of which I am a bit of a fan, the rust according to their blurb will be stopped, personally I would be happy if it was just slowed down in line with the local speed limits. Then followed a bit of welding and filling and a lick of paint, the tractor is now somewhat rejuvenated. I can start looking for the next job now.

All for this month but please, please do feel free to contribute.
J.T.
E mail billjan299@gmail.com

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic, we have had to cancel the Northgate Trial which was due to take place on Sunday 29th March.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused and hope you all stay well during this trying time.

I hadn’t expected a lay-on in bed this morning but that was the case as the Launceston Trial has had to be postponed due to storm Ciara, never thought I could have been grateful to a storm. In view of the potential dangers of standing in a woods with large trees swaying in the wind the club had to make a decision and let’s face it no one wants be put in a dangerous position , marshals are hard enough to get as it is without any extra concerns of trees landing on them or on the competitors. The date has now been moved to the 15th of March so anyone who was for whatever reason unable to compete or marshal now has a second opportunity.

Now it’s time for me to hand you over to our President Robin Moore

Historical Notes (Part 5)

The very early days of club activities would have taken the form of organised social runs. Those seeking a greater challenge may well have been attracted to timed speed trials which were often held on the public highway in the 1920’s, before being banned following a fatal accident to a spectator at Kop Hill Climb, near Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire.

The nearest to Launceston for this type of event was a venue close to Brentor Church, as there is a stretch of road that proved ideal for the purpose. If the memory of these speed trials held there on what was called the Brentmor Straight has faded, it is the complete opposite for the familiar landmark of Brentor Church. Built-in isolation atop a high pinnacle of Dartmoor granite it is visible for miles from all points of the compass and was indeed a bearing for ancient mariners as they set a course to enter Plymouth Sound.

Just half a mile to the south of the church, the road runs dead straight for two miles in a southerly direction to Tavistock, and it is this stretch of the highway that the events were held. It is reputed the last speed event ever to have taken place on a public highway in this country actually took place at this venue.

If you drive this stretch of road today it is not difficult to imagine the thrill derived from these intrepid pioneers taking part, or for that matter the inherent danger. The road surface would have been very much inferior 100 years ago to the standards of today, and machines much more of a handful to keep in a straight line at speed, heroes and heroines come to mind.- but true pioneers of our sport,- definitely.

100 years later we are gearing up to celebrate the centenary of our club and diligent research is revealing a vast amount of history. Who knows, but it would be great if something came to light regarding the speed trials at Brentor, and maybe a record of one of our members of that era having taken part.
RHTM (to be continued)

Centenary Year 2020 Events Calendar

• Presentation of Awards with Hot Buffet and Films 7.00 for 7.30pm start     Trethorne     28/02/2020
• Launceston Trial Classic     Lewdown Area     15/03/2020     C
• Northgate Sporting Trial ASWMC Round     Ashleigh, Lifton     29/03/2020     C
• AGM 8.00pm     Blue Lion, Lewdown     02/04/2020
• Spry Sporting Trial     Trevilla Farm, Marshgate     06/06/2020     C
• Motor Traders Car Trial     Waterloo Farm, North Petherwin     05/07/2020     C
• Centenary Parade     Launceston Castle Green     01/08/2020
• Testing Production Trial     Cannaframe     09/08/2020     C
• David Ayers Sporting Trial MSUK, ASWMC & BTRDA Round     Trevilla Farm, Marshgate     13/09/2020     C
• Tamar Classic Trial, ASWMC & ACTC Round     East Cornwall, West Devon     18/10/2020     C
• Ron Beer Sporting Trial     Ashleigh, Lifton     22/11/2020     C

One of the forthcoming events coming up soon is the Club AGM which as already listed is at The Blue Lion, Lewdown. This is your chance to see and have a say at what goes on in the club, what with all the planned activities to celebrate our centenary you might just be privy to knowing what these plans are, you never know you might just want to get involved in them.

Planet Gears No this is not some inter galactic constellation but what hides in your back axle (assuming you have one). You may have read in the last newsletter that I managed to break these in the Dellow, I have been looking into getting some of these re-manufactured. Bearing in mind any used ones available will be at least sixty years old and of questionable quality and that as they really are getting harder to find it seems the logical thing to do.

If any of you out there run a “Ford Pop” or any of the specials derived around their running gear i.e. Buckler, Dellow, Fairthorpe, Canon or just homebrew special this should be of interest. Cost is not going to be cheap, but the more people wanting some the price falls, at the moment the price is somewhere in the region of £325.00 a set (2), but as I say a bigger quantity order would reduce the price.
Whilst on the subject of re-manufactured parts I know of at least one other person looking at getting half shafts made and someone else investigating Crown Wheel and Pinions, all for the above-mentioned vehicles, so if this is of interest get in touch with me.

All for this month J.T. Contributions to billjan299@gmail.com

The regulations and entry forms for the Launceston Trial 2020 are now available to download below.

Launceston Trial 2020 Car Entry Form (2537 downloads) Launceston Trial 2020 Motorcycle Entry Form (2417 downloads)

Launceston Trial 2020 Car Regs (2415 downloads) Launceston Trial 2020 Motorcycle Regs (2319 downloads)

As with last year, the online entry system is available for this event and can be accessed here www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/. Postal entries are still welcomed.

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 9th of February.

January Newsletter

Our latest Newsletter can be read here

We have decided to extend the deadline for Online Entries on this years Tamar Trial until Midnight of Sunday the 13th of October.

The online entry forms can be accessed here www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/.

The Trial takes place on Sunday the 20th of October.

We are also in need of Marshalls for the Event

If you would like to Marshall please contact Mike Wevill by calling 01566 784451 or send an email to mike@lncmc.co.uk.