Wednesday 29 January 2003

March Hare Trial

Murray's March Hare Trial
Sunday 9th March
 
With just over 5 weeks to go entries are starting to arrive. So if you intend to enter then do it now, rather than later. Falcon Motor Club are expecting a full entry of 50 this year.
 
Visit the official March Hare web site at http://www.marchhare.info . Here you'll be able to check out all the details of the event including previous reports, results and pictures. Plus lots more including downloadable ASR's and Entry Form. And you'll be able to view the up-to-date entry list. Have a look now.

Friday 24 January 2003

What to do about Class 8 - an answer to Andrew

Andrew poses this question in his new "Wheelspin" e-magazine. My solution is to create a class 9. This would basically be for "Sporting Trials" cars with lights etc for the road. eg:- Cannons, The Dingo etc. Class 8 would remain for modified Dellows, Buggys, true specials, Trolls (and Dudley). The idea is that you would need an ACTC/MCC certificate to compete in class 8. This would be granted on the basis of your car being truely suitable to drive on the road and not of Sporting Trials origin or intent! Sticking my head above the parapet I volunteer to chair the eligibility committee.
 
You can throw the most severe challenge at class nine (restart on the slab at Simms?) or give them 20 marks penalty before they start an ACTC event.
 
If we want to limit the number of classes to eight then do away with class six. Any Beetles with a standard single Solex carb and an engine capacity of 1600cc or less go to class four. Over 1600 an/or non-standard carb go to class seven. This relies n the honesty of the driver just as it does for 1300 Beetles today in class 4.
 
Michael

Wednesday 22 January 2003

Michelin Tyres

Hello All,
 
Is anybody aware of the product name for the Michelin tyres that most people seem to be using on the Pre War / Class 2 cars?  We are currently on Dunlop's which are like ice skates on the muddy stuff and are coming to the end of their life so its time to update to the latest "covers".
 
Recommended outlets/sources for the tyres and any prices would be usefull aswell.
 
Best Regards
Kevin Barnes - Singer ADU 263

Monday 20 January 2003

Free Kit car ... Ginetta Tora Special

My 2003 Clee

Great trialling weather, nice day with lots of Mud! Scruitineering seemed a bit chaotic and I had only a few minutes for my breakfast despite getting there with an hour to spare. (major black mark if I don’t get my breakfast!). As Simon said in the instructions you had to follow the route card not the car in front as competitors were leaving to the left as we turned right out of the start. We got up Farlow without any problems although I understand quite a few didn’t. After Craven Arms we did the Ratlinghope, Gattens Gamble, Adstone loop first. I really enjoy these three sections even though they might not have a great bearing on the results they are fantastic to drive and with the wonderful views from the top it’s a sense of achievement like climbing Everest! I understand there were problems for class three as they did this loop after Round Oak and found some of the sections closed and the marshals gone.

We were one of the last to get to Round Oak and had a one and a half hour wait. I thought it was worth it as the section is a real challenge of balancing throttle against grip. To much power in the wrong place and you are off into the ditch. This is the problem as when that happened it took up to twenty minutes to tow people out. If Simon reads this, I hope you persevere and keep it in the event!

Hungerford was tricky at the bottom as usual and also at the top on the bump. We ran out of ground clearance here and stopped, in front of fellow Falcons Richard and Ed who gave us a little push and we were away. Giles cleaned this and that put him in the lead of class four.

There was no restart in the route card for Ippikins Route but the start marshal told us we had to do one. This was positioned right on the corner and made it impossible for us. We got going but just couldn’t get around the corner as we didn’t have any speed to bring the back round.

It was just getting dark for The Jenny-Wind where we spun to a halt at the seven (I think). By the time we had the tyres pumped up a bit for Harley Bank it was nice and dark which made this long hill a real adventure. Definitely one of my favourites.

Finally, it was into the estate for a couple of sections and a special test. Personally I didn’t like these as I thought they were out of character with the rest of the event. It was getting very late (we signed off at 6pm) and with a long drive home in front of us (we got a flat on the M6) Mike and I would have preferred to finish after Harley Bank. Others may disagree of course.

In conclusion I really enjoyed my Clee. Some great sections, plenty of friendly marshals. Simon and his team had clearly put a lot of thought into their event and even if some things were not perfect on the day I am sure they will work on them for the future. Well done MAC.

Michael

PS – I thought the different route for different classes seemed a good idea.

Message to Giles

Giles,
 
Hope you got home OK. We had a flat on the M6! I have deleted your membership as requested so you can rejoin. btw - I enjoyed our chats as we went round the Clee together. I am minded of the famous saying by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 "You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time , but you can not fool all the people all of the time". Note for other members. It could be libelous if I explained the context of this "in joke"! but it has no connection with Simon's trial which I thought was truely wonderful.
 
Michael

Saturday 18 January 2003

Message to Zeus

Sorry but I have denied your membership application for the following reasons:-
 
1. You have not used your real name as your nickname
2. You have not shown your real name in your profile
3. You have used a msn.com e-mail which is untraceable
4. I have no idea who you are
 
This is a private community for trials participants and those who are interested in our hobby. It is a reasonably spam free place and we would like to keep it that way. If you would like to join please check out our rules and re-apply.
 
Michael

Friday 17 January 2003

Thursday 16 January 2003

Skoda Estelle Conversions

I have recently aquired a 105S Estelle and am in the process of converting it for Classic Trials. Planned is a 1300 engine, fit front and underbody skid plate (it already has a sump guard), a twin spare wheel holder is now fitted and the front valance is being trimmed of about 5 inches depth with the front wings to be trimmed as well. Am I allowed to replace the existing 1050cc engine with a Favorit engine of 1300 and stay in Class 4? If so, does anyone have any info on that swap? For the Skoda experts, do I remove the anti-roll bar? Are there any other easily available 14 inch wheels, apart from Skoda that I gather are very rare? Should I raise the front and rear suspension and, if so, how? I plan to plate the rear trailing arms with 14 gauge (?) steel sheet. Should both the upper and lower front wishbones be boxed in?  Are there any other areas on the chassis that need strengthening? When I fit the 1300 engine, I understand that fitting an SU carb is recommended. Which one and what manifold is advised? I plan to make a dedicated A frame to tow the car. I know that this is not seen as stricty playing by the rules by some but I live in Carlisle and am the wrong side of 50 now so like my comfort in between going loony (I hope) so towing it will be!!! I plan to use the existing front bumper fitting holes in the chassis, plus another on both sides to make three. I will make up a cross member with new legs to go down the chassis then mount fittings on the cross member for my frame. Any comments about this from anyone who tows to events would be appreciated.
I would appreciate any feedback on any or all of these questions either on this site or via my e-mail of
myke@ talkgas.net or on 01228-530555
In the mean time, I look forward to seeing many of you (I hope) on the Northern Classic.
Many thanks in anticipation
( A brief note especially for Simon Robson. Whilst the Skoda you sold to Chris Veevers is now no more, some parts do live on in my Estelle)
Myke Pocock      

Wednesday 15 January 2003

Message to Martin who has applied for membership

Martin,
 
We need you to let us know your real name. You do this by putting it in your membership profile. Can you do this and write a few notes about yourself. (See Membership rules). I have cancelled your application so you can resubmit.
 
Michael

Sunday 12 January 2003

Beetle for trials

Is anyone wanting to sell a beetle reasonably ready to trial. The son & heir having been somewhat displaced from the bouncing seat by his future stepmother naturally wants to drive. He needs something he can use as an everyday car until his talents are recognised and he becomes really rich.
Tony

Saturday 11 January 2003

1935 Ford C Four Door Sedan

If you are looking for a restored 1935 Ford C 4 Door sedan, red interior, grey external paint work. Original mileage 93,000 miles. exprt form New Zealand can be arranged.
email bruce@whitfield-nz.com.

Thursday 9 January 2003

Wednesday 8 January 2003

New member requires help and advice with mods to midget 1500

Hello everyone,
 
I have just joaned this group and I could do with some help from some very experienced trials enthusiasts. It all started when Stuart & Keith Roach introduced me to the sport and I had my first ride with Dudley Sterry (frightening but great fun!)
 
I have a 1500 midget that I entered on the Lands End, Testing and Edinburgh '02 but unfortunately it suffered much damage.
I am in the process of modifying the front and rear suspension, and could help with some advice from those that have already overcome the minimal ground clearance of the midget. I have already modified the exhaust to go over the axle and I am fitting the fuel tank in the boot.  I have run a 4.25 diff on the Edinburgh which was ok (ish) but the planet gear cross pin broke or I have a 5.3 (but with a couple of chipped teeth), what ratio's would you recommend? how about a fack diff? (where can I get one / how much?). What tyres and sizes would you recommend?
 
Any help would be appreciated,
 
Edward Patient.

Monday 6 January 2003

Exeter 2003 - Simms

Michael,
I have just posted a batch of photographs all taken at Simms, mostly these cover the morning motorcyclists. My quota for submitting pictures on your web page was "used up" hence I have posted some of the car pictures on the Dellow Register site and some on Andrew Browns Wheelspin - I still have about 30/40 car pictures that I am unable to post unless you can advise me how to.
Apologies to those motorcyclists who appear to be going down the hill, who knows who made it to the top and took the easier route back ?!!
Regards
John Mac

Friday 3 January 2003

ACTC Tyre List

I received the following by e-mail. I have put the full ACTC Tyre list here :-
 
This reflects 3 recently approved additions:

* Continental Conticontact CT21

* VTS (Vintage Tyre Supplies) Waymaster - in specific sizes only

* India Super Steel

Both the Continental and India tyres are no longer in production, but have
been added at the request of competitors who have "stock" of them. In fact,
the majority of tyres on the list are no longer in production!

Wednesday 1 January 2003

ACU cards for 2003

The ACU took my 짙10 on 22 November but no card received yet! I must check Exeter Trial instructions but I recall having to produce the ACU card on the Lands End.
 
Anyone had their 2003 ACU card yet?
 
Happy New Year and roll on Friday night ;o)
 
Brian