Monday 24 November 2003

Which class is an Arkley?

Hello everyone.
   having just got hold of a 1971 Arkley SS bodied Austin Healey Sprite requiring some work, I was wondering which class it could be entered in? It is still essentially a Sprite with a fibreglass nose and tail, but they are of course a different shape to the original body. Is it still eligible for class 5, or do the fibreglass bonnet and boot mean it has been "modified beyond permitted limits" amd consequently push it into class 7? It also has a Midget 1500 engine fitted. Any thoughts appreciated before I begin work!
 
Thanks,
Mark.

Allen Trial Change of Start Location

This message has been deleted by the author.

Allen trial

Could anybody kindly tell me the opening time of Burledge this coming Sunday?

Saturday 22 November 2003

Ford CWP Sets

I received this with my ACTC Hat on, could be good news for all you Ford Axle types out there:-
.

FORD 'ENGLISH' CROWN WHEEL AND PINION SET

For many years, the English Axle was manufactured in vast quantities by the Ford Motor Company and typically fitted on the Anglia, Cortina, Capri and Escort model ranges. During its long production life, it also became the preferred axle used in many low-volume specialist sports cars, and with Fords legendary interest in motorsport, many popular competition ratios were also available via dedicated Rallye Sport outlets.

Now, following major financial investment in production tooling and stock, Lotus Cortina Spares announce their own range of High Quality Crown Wheel and Pinions suitable for the popular Ford English Axle and covering the following ratios: 4.44, 4.7, 4.9, 5.1, 5.3. All ratios have the same tooth count as original OEM and therefore comply with the original FIA homologation papers, which fact may be of interest to those engaged in classic motor sport.

The parts are manufactured using modern production techniques from specially selected high quality nickel chrome steel, which after machining, is hardened with a carefully controlled heat treatment cycle to achieve the correct hardness specification which is comparable with the OEM standard.

The retail price is 짙245 + VAT for any ratio listed above.

For further details, please contact:

LOTUS CORTINA SPARES CENTRE
National & International Supplier of Lotus Cortina Road and Racing Spares and all Ford Race Parts

North Street Trading Est
Crewkerne
Somerset TA18 7AW
Great Britain
Tel: +44 (0)1460 73775
Fax: +44 (0)1460 76855
www.lotuscortinaspares.com

Friday 14 November 2003

Ebay Marlin

There is an unstarted Marlin Roadster Kit (approx 1985) on Ebay at the moment with the reconditioned remains of a Tax exempt Marina. My wife has forbidden me to bid but it was only 짙400 ish last night.

Thursday 13 November 2003

Class 4 Beetle For Sale.

I have a class 4 beetle for Sale as seen on the Mechanics Trial last weekend.  Its great fun to drive and appears to grip well. Most development has taken place to engine which is high compression 1300cc with some head mods  running a pair of weber ICTs.  The car is Tax free has an MOT and come as used last weekend complete with 4 nearly new MX 165 15 Kingpins remoulds.  Ring me if interested and I will give you full details of the mods.  Asking price £1400.00 which cant be bad as it won its first event overall!!!!!Give me a call on 01600 890 218

Sunday 9 November 2003

My Mechanics

Just got home. Got to be quick, got up at 3.45 this morning for The Mechanics and got to get up at 3.45 tomorrow for the business. I have posted a couple of pics. I enjoyed the trial. Well done Stroud for not duplicating the Clouds. What wonderful long sections - fantastic. I thought they were fair but I know a few people thought some of them a bit rough.
 
I finished around 16.00 no delays apart from one I caused with a puncture on the last but one section. Thanks to Mark Linforth and his team for rescuing me. Off to bed now - hope others can fill in more detail as I didn't see much running round at the front of the field.
 
Michael

Saturday 8 November 2003

Mechanics 2003




ACTC Class 7 Specification Sheets

Those of you who have read 'Simon Says' in the latest Restart will be aware that changes are being made, both to the Class 7 Specification Sheets themselves and the way in which they will be administered. As I have already had two panic phonecalls from Marlin owners I think this may need a little more explanation:
 
Firstly, the declaration system is intended primarily to assist scrutineers in determining the eligibility of Class 7 'kit cars'. They cannot be expected to know every subtle variation of every type of car so we are placing the onus on the competitor to check his, or her, own car.
 
Secondly, the 'new style' Marlin specification has not yet been posted on the ACTC website but we hope it will be there in the next couple of days - we are making some very minor last-minute changes to the wording of the 'declaration'.
 
Thirdly, due to the very considerable efforts of Pete Hart in measuring Marlins over the last year, we are 99% confident that every Marlin in current use complies. The only minor 'problem' is that we have chosen to exclude (temporarily) the Alfa-engined option as we could not find any cars in current use to measure. Any trialler with an Alfa-engined car is welcome to contact any of the ACTC Officers and we will review the published specification.
 
Fourthly, we are well-advanced with the revised Liege sheet which will be circulated to a representative selection of Liege owners for comment shortly. We then intend to move-on to the remaining Class 7 'regulars' as quickly as possible.
 
... and finally, this is not an onerous requirement. The new style spec sheets are, if anything, shorter in length and more explicit in nature than the old sheet, but you will need your Blue Book to hand for cross-reference.
 
Now back to preparing the car for tomorrow (Stroud's Mechanics Trial).
 
Andrew
 
 
 

Friday 7 November 2003

2004 ACTC Membership

I spite of the recent problems in the postal service the November edition of Restart has gone out and been delivered (to me at any rate).   It contains the 2004 Championship Entry Form and it would be a great help to me if Entrants and those who want to receive Restart next year would complete the form, write the cheque and get them to me as soon as possible.
 
For those of you who are not currently members, but who wish to join or receive Restart, then there is a copy of the form on the ACTC website.
 
I shall look forward to an avalanche of post!!!
 
 
Chris

Thursday 6 November 2003

Vehicle breakdown recovery.

After 30 odd years with the AA I got around to reading the small print when I received the latest renewal. I did this after reading the latest MCC  Triple regarding the withdrawal of recovery from Trials (clause 18), by the AA.
I have checked other providers on the web, eg RAC, Greenflag, Saga, Britannia, and in the exclusions section of all of them, they specifically say they will not attend vehicles during and in some cases, immediately after a Trial or off road event.
My question is, does anyone know of a company that will attend and recover during a trial?
 
Incidentally, whilst reading the AA's small print I noticed that it will not attend/fix/transport a van anymore, and it has withdrawn some of its european short term insurance for those of you visiting Calais before Christmas, which does not really matter because they will not fix a vehicle that looks like it is over loaded!!!