Troll wanted

I am looking for a Troll with a view to starting competing in trials in the new year, work not objected too. Please email with details roper@applecottage48.fsnet.co.uk

FWD Kit Cars

Would be interested in your thoughts regarding which class seems appropriate for these cars. Strictly "blue book" speaking they would run in class 7 but would stand little chance of any great success. On the otherhand I'm not sure that class 1 is appropriate either as they (may?) have a significant weight advantage over others.

As the availability of suitable RWD cars diminishes I think we'll see more FWD card in our events. (Suppose could run in Class 1 but with tyre pressure restrictions ??)

Obviously anyone planning to enter with one of these vehicles should contact the Technical Panel but I was just interested what your thoughts are.

The Edinburgh Trial has developed, unnecessarily into a Car Breaker

In the latest issue of Triple Gerald Burridge says:-

 

"May I propose the following motion fort debate - The Edinburgh Trial has developed , unneceessarily into a Car Breaker"

 

What's your opinion?

Exeter 2001 - Slippery Sam

Hi to you all

I  have just been reading through the Exeter 2001 Instructions.

Not having done the trial before I do not understand why Class 5 haven't got a restart on Slippery Sam.

Can anyone shed any light on to this?

Take care & Merry Christmas

Mark

 

Classic Trials Beetle For Sale

Liam Alderson is selling his ex Graham Brasier 2 ltr engined 1303 trials Beetle

This very successful fully prepared car is fitted with a type 4 engine on twin Delorto carbs, almost 2 litres capacity, recent new gearbox, fully sump/skid guarded, raised suspension (very), quick release spare wheel carrier, extra wheels, spare windscreen etc. Start haggling at ｣2750. Call Liam on mobile: 0798 007 2556

Troll for sale

Adrienne and I are selling up and moving permanently to warmer climes overseas. Therefore my championship winning Troll T6E (The White Troll) is for now sale.

Built and prepared by me in 1991, maintained throughout it's competition life regardless of cost. It has had a relatively quiet life for the past couple of years. The ultimate Troll spec. 1700cc X-flow giving 110bhp on twin SU's, 2000E 3 rail gearbox, 4.44 diff on Fack carrier, wire wheels, fully trimmed etc. etc. Call me on 01234 240 707 or mobile 0370 626 173 for full details and haggle on price. I can include a four wheel Brian James trailer in the deal if required.

Looking forward to hearing from all you prospective trials champions!

Best regards, David Alderson  

Allen Trial Video on the web

Hi guys and girls - try this.

 

Follow the link by clicking on www.idrive.com

 

Then use

 

USER NAME = classicalgas

 

PASSWORD = trials

 

then login

 

You will see the file Allen Stuart Cairney on Burledge

 

You can either run it direct or download it and run it later. If you have problems go to

 

Programs

Accessories

Entertainment

Windows Media Player

 

Try it - if it works let me know and I will upload some more

 

btw you can post youtr own stuff there

 

Michael

 

Allen Trial Results

Hi everyone,

 

I am attaching the files Pete and Carlie e-mailed out today.

 

Michael

 

 

Attachment: Allen Notes.doc

Allen 2000

Message Board - Try This

Hi,

 

If you are having problems try signing in to Passport by going to the link in top right hand corner. Sign in here then go back to the community and access the message board by the link at the bottom of the page is necessary.

 

Let me know if it works

 

Michael

Message for jcb

Hi jcb,

 

This is Michael in my role of Community Manager. Like the others I am enjoying the debate you started on Wheels and Blower's. However I have a request. We don't know who you are. If you check out the community rules you will see that we can only hide behind an alias if everyone knows who your real identity. eg Giraffe would clearly be Simon W as we all know that's the nickname for his car. So we would like your real name or an identifiable alias and also it's good to have a valid e-mail address. Hope you can go along with this.

 

Michael Leete

Larger wheels and blowers

In reply to banning cars with larger wheels and blowers in class 8.  I use a Liege in classic trials, as do a few other competitors, it has 16 x 3 period wheels and 16 x 5 Avon tyres (tyres designed in 1954 and still in production) cost £39 each. The Liege at 460 kg uses a Reliant engine at 40 bhp on a good day, with the optoinal blower fitted a bit more, should the Liege be banned?  Peter Davis.  

oversized wheels/superchargers

Here is a thought for all you competitors out there.There have been many ideas thrown about to reduce the ability to 'climb' a hill, which should initially i believe be aimed at class eight competitors.Whilst trials is supposed to be a budget motorsport,so surely an easy way to close up class eight would be to ban wheels above 15 inch in diameter.

I am not a competitor in this class but i believe these large tyres cost something in the region of 짙100,a figure not condusive of attracting new talent to the class.

Also on most of the entry forms you get you are asked about whether or not your car has forced induction or not, so how come a supercharged car stays in the same class----what was the point of asking said question!! All i have to do now is get the zetec fully mapped in the escort now and i too will have 150+ bhp .If any one has any thoughts lets have a reply.

Allen Trial - posted on behalf of Pete Hart

Michael,

 

I can no longer reply or post messages on the board. The text box comes up OK but having entered my text when I hit send I get a redirection warning which I OK then the text box reappears blank and i go round and round this loop. Also when I move around the site I have to keep re signing in as the "welcome Peter Hart Member" message disappears any ideas.

In the mean time could you post this Allen Update.

Cheers

 

Pete

 

Allen Update

We drove the route a couple of weeks ago to review the damage caused by the recent storms

We were pleased to discover that having cleared a few fallen trees only Big Uplands was in need of some repair. This was planned for last weekend but on arriving we were faced with a much bigger task as the second storms had finished what the first storms had started. The whole surface of the hill has now been eroded and gullies of up to 3ft deep have appeared.

So regrettably we have no alternative but to cancel Big Uplands this year.

The rest of the route is fine and the current surface conditions if maintained should make for an interesting trial.

Final instructions will be sent out later this week.

See you on the 26th

Cheers

Pete

New to trials

Hello all.  I'm very new to trials.  I've always thought trials were pretty neat, but the recent article in Classic and Sportscar led me here. 

 

One question:  Are there any organizations that run trials in the US?  There seems to be lots of groups on your side of the pond, but I can't find anything in the US.

 

Thanks much,

 

rehsper

Stroud Anniversary Triasl Off

I was due to passenger on this event. However, my driver Mike Hayward, got home from the Guy Fawkes PCT to get a message that Stroud have had to call it off because of all the bad weather. Apparantly the idea is to postpone the event until May next year.

 

Michael

nnedBogard

Hi everyone,

 

Michael speaking in the role of Community Manager. You may have seen a post by someone calling itself "Bogard". He was selling something or other nothing to do with trialling or any other form of club motorsport. The guy did not give a proper name and as such I think he was well outside the spirit of the community. I have banned him and deleted his message.

 

Michael

Garage Clearance

The spare Fack diff has sold already! (subject to receipt of funds!!) I have attached (I hope)a list of the other items I found surplus to requirements when I was tidying up my garage. Give me a call on mobile: 0370 626 173 or home: 01234 240 707

Looking forward to your calls, Best regards, David Alderson

Fack trials diff.

I've just had a garage clearout and think it is time that I offered my spare Fack trials diff for sale. It is brand new unused and still in the box, I will accept ｣385.00 for it delivered to your door. Call me on my mobile 0370 626 173 or home number 01234 240707

I did have an interesting experience with the Fack diff in my Troll, for some time now I've been experiencing some slackness in the transmission, I replaced the rose joints in the axle links, checked over the uj's etc but still couldn't find the fault. Then suddenly, whilst still clean after two rounds of last sundays trial, we heard a clunk and found a bolt had penetrated the diff casing from inside, we patched up the casing and carried on but four sections later there was another click and we lost all drive. When I stripped out the axle I found that the six bolts holding the Ford crown wheel onto the Fack diff carrier had gone walkabout! three had sheared but the other three had come out, hence the previous cluncking noises and slackness in the drive-line!! So the Fack diff is still perfectly intact and now entering it's ninth season, with six new bolts slightly overtorqued and loctited, holding the crownwheel in place. In future I will take the diff out after every season and just check it over, Fack's breed complacency!

Best regards, David Alderson

New Rights-of-Way Newsgroup

I subscribe to a few newsproups over on the rough and tumble area of usenet. I see someone is trying to start a rights-of-way group that could be interesting to some of you. I have copied following, hope it's interesting to those who can make sense of it!

 

Michael

 

I enclose a copy of the RFD (Request for discussion) for the newsgroup
uk.rec.rights-of-way. The original was not posted to uk.rec.boats.paddle
and uk.rec.waterways.

Access to rivers is an issue closely related to rights-of-way, and is an
issue close to the hearts of many canoeists and other water users. If
you are interested, please follow the discussion in uk.net.news.config.

(Follow-ups set to uk.net.news.config)


-----Original message-----
Subject:    uk.rec.rights-of-way RFD.
Newsgroups: uk.net.news.config
From:       chris <chris@green-machine.co.uk>
Date:       Mon, 9 Oct 2000 20:13:01 +0100
Message-ID: <8rt5k1$ne2$2@news8.svr.pol.co.uk>

Hi again.
Thanks for the advice received from a number of you either through the ng or
direct email.

I still have not had a response from control regarding my new RFD, so have
taken the opportunity to re write any areas as advised by seasoned veterans
of this electronic world.

Steve did suggest that as an RFD was posted (previously), wouldn't it be a
good idea to send out a message telling the proponent the next stages and
timeframes involved. I am assuming the meaning of proponent on usenet is the
same as the dictionary, ie: someone who advocates.(rather than the
proposer). I'm not trying to split hairs, but its meaning gets a bit hazy
depending to whom you are speaking, and its nice to know.

Below is a slightly re written version taking into account comments
recieved. I shall be passing this to control. Does anyone know if all is
well at control?


Request for Discussion for uk.rec.rights-of-way (unmoderated)

Proposed by: Chris Rudge (chris@g0wyf.freeserve.co.uk)

To be posted to: uk.net. news.announce
                            uk.net.news.config
                            uk.rec.walking
                            uk.rec.equestrian
                            uk.rec.motorcycles.trailriding
                            uk.rec.cycling
                            uk.rec.cars.4x4
                            uk.rec.climbing
                            uk.people.rural
                            uk.business.agriculture
                            alt.fan.landover

Follow up to:  uk.net.news.config

Summary:
uk.rec.rights-of-way  UK rights of way and associated issues

Rationale:
Currently in the UK, particulary England, there are possible changes being
put forward regarding access to countryside and byways, (minor roads).
A discussion group is required to pool opinions from all users, whether on
foot,
bicycle, motor bike or car.Presently, rights of way users from different
disciplines
do not have a news group type environment to post opinions, this proposed
group
would create a common ground to do so.  Also local issues such as footpath &
byway
closures and re classifications, can be covered, with users nationwide
advising
others on wide ranging and possibly complicated rights of way issues in
their area.


Procedure:
This request for discussion will be discussed in uk.net.news.config for 14
days.
 If there is sufficient degree of support it will be fast tracked.

Charter:
uk.rec.rights-of-way is for the discussion of all Rights of Way, be they
footpaths,
bridleways or byways, within the UK

ADVERTISING
Advertising is forbidden, with these exceptions:

Suppliers of goods and servicesrelevant to Rights of Way in the UK may post,
not more than once every month, an invitation of ten lines or fewer, to
visit their web
site or request details. The subject line must begin "ADVERT:"

BINARIES & FORMATTING
Encoded binaries (e.g. pictures, compressed files, etc.), are *forbidden*,
except for
cryptographic signatures (e.g. PGP) Binaries belong on a web of FTP site,
whose URL
may be posted.






-----End of original message from chris-----
--
Conor O'Neill, at home in Bristol, UK
Bristol Canoe Club Web Page:            http://www.bristolcanoeclub.org.uk

Litton Slack

Hi everyone,

 

I think everyone knew that Litton was canceled on the day for Whites and Blues because of the delays. I have now heard that it was later cancelled completely because the marshals score sheets had become so waterlogged they were un-readable.

 

Questions - Did this affect anyones triple?

 

Anyone know who got triples this year?

 

Michael

GILL MORELL PCT PHOTOGRAPHS

I have posted 36 pictures of todays events (Taken by Peter Trulock) over on the Herts VW Clubs webcommunity.... www.hertsvwclub.org.uk and then look in the Photo album under Brickhill PCT.... or try http://content.communities.msn.co.uk/isapi/fetch.dll?action=get_album&ID_Community=HERTSVWCLUB&ID_Topic=43

 

which should take you straight there....

Victor Woodall 1913-2000

Most gassers will not remember my father, as he had stopped competing actively some years ago but he was a great link with the what we think of as the golden age of our sport and a contemporary of Austen May. He joined the MCC in 1937 and started competing with a Wolesley Hornet. This then gave way to the first of a series of specials. The first was based on a Hornet chassis (not the car he had been using previously) with a Ford 8 (933cc) engine and Morgan Three wheeler front suspension. The control provided by the independent front suspension made the car very successful with victories in a number of one day events and a "premier award" plus a special Simms award in the1939 Exeter. After the war the car was refined further and used to great effect in events that you may all have read about in "More Wheelspin" such as the Cheltenham, High Peak and Jeans Gold Club I still have a copy the original results from the famous 1947 snowbound Clee Hills Trial. He shared the car with his brother Bert, and when not driving it used an MG J2 on such events as the short (Taunton- Peranporth) 1947 Lands End. During the fuel rationing restrictions of 1949 he and Bert put together a new car based on the popular Austin 7 A-Frame and ford 1172cc engine. The difference between this car and its contemporaries was that the engine was set so far back in the chassis that the prop shaft was just 4 inches long. Everyone said that it would not handle, but as we all know now, mid-engined cars do handle, even when the driver and passenger still sit behind the engine. This car dominated events immediately after the restoration of fuel supplies with such effect that the RAC was obliged to step in and introduce a rule restricting the position of the engine and thus create what we now think of as the National Trials Formula. Incidentally, the dimension chosen was based on that already used by the Dellow, so that owners of those "production" cars would not have to change. It was this car that gave my aunt Margaret, known to you all as one of the MCC Finish ladies, the first ladies triple award. The 50's & 60's saw a reduced competition season as the demand of bringing up a family (me) got in the way, but saw the use of a great variety of vehicles including an MG TC in which I had my first taste of trialling. My carrycot was wedged behind the seats so that he and my mother could compete in the 1953 Fedden: Later Austin 7 Ruby Saloon with the inevitable 1172 Ford engine installed gave way to a Morris Minor Traveller into which a supercharged 1275 Midget engine was placed - This car was used as a runabout by my elder sister much to the confusion of several boyfriends! In the late 60's & early 70's when Austen May returned to MCC events he and my father ran identical 998cc Imps for a few years and had great fun reliving their battles of 20 years previously. Immediately after I had passed my driving test he simply passed me the keys of the Imp and said " now its your turn". With him as passenger telling me what to do we treated the Lands End with complete contempt and took a First at my first attempt just 2 months after passing the test. Two events later he wanted the car back, and it took me along time to repeat the feat on my own.

He continued to follow the sport into his old age, and even though he was ill last weekend, I was "ordered" to go on the Edinburgh rather than stay at his bedside. He died last Monday morning aged 87.

JC Midge

Fancy a winter project ?

How about building a JC Midge?  This is a first for me as I have never abandoned a profect before, but with too much to do and not enough time or space I have decided to offer the Midge at a very reasonable price. The chassis is all painted with the engine, gearbox and both axles in place and main part of body constructed, but still plenty to do to keep you occupied on those long winter nights. All building plans & manual included £350.00 or possible swap for either Ford Pop or2CV.  reply to ivoraustin@hotmail.com.      Longmac

Motor Club Listing Site

Hi everyone

I have has the following site

http://find.motorclub.co.uk/index.html

 passed on to me. It looks quite useful but needs more infomation.

 

Mark

Edinburgh Chat

Hi everyone - Lets schedule a "Chat" for 8pm on Sunday so we can compare notes.

You just visit the Chat Room from the left hand side menu. Mr Microsoft may want you to download a little bit of software first. Let him - its safe enough.

Hope to see you in the Chat Room on Sunday night.

Michael 

Ebworth 2000

www.hertsvwclub.org.uk

www.hertsvwclub.org.uk

If you like Volkswagens, then please drop in...

&quot;Other Trials&quot;

I spent the weekend involved in another form of trialing. I was Clerk of the Course for the Ross Motor Clubs Pinford Sporting Trial. It is very interesing to see these 'funny' little cars performing. Great spectating and possibly learning somthing that can be applied to Classics.It was also good to see other people who are into Classics and PCT's out on the event. If you have never seen a Sporting Trial go and have a look, you will have a great time. Take a close look at how well prepared all the cars are, some are engineering masterpieces.
Stuart Harrol

Stroud 50th Anniversary Trial

The Stroud Trial is being run to a format with the emphasis on teams.

Is anybody else interested in the trial and joining up into a team?

If so either please email me markrosten_edwards@hotmail.com or perhaps we could group together as Gassers.

Answers below!!!

It is going to be a good!

Mark

Edinburgh and stuff

Hi everyone,

Has anyone got their Edinburgh route etc thru' yet? I haven't got mine yet and I'm wondering if it's just me. Great of course to be able to see the runners and riders over on the MCC site, thanks Simon.

Also does the Exeter entry form come with the Edinburgh route? Need to plan to be around if it is!

I will also take the time to mention I am having to spend every second when I am not working or sleeping putting my Beetle back together. There is a very short time left and a mega amont of work to do. In consequence I have not been able to spend a lot of time working on the Classical Gas web site. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon. However, at this stage I may be writing my Edinburgh report from a marshals point of view!

There are a couple of classics scheduled before the Edinburgh. Pictures and words would be very welcome forn the web site. You can let me have them by posting them here or e-mail me on mleete24@hotmail.com

See you soon.

Michael

Hillman lmp for sale

Dear members,

                       My lmp which l have trialed on numerous occasions is for sale. lt is tax exempt (K reg) ,the body is very strong but needs a bit of tidying up ( no major welding required ! ). The engine burns some oil so needs overhauling. l would like it to stay trialing and would make an ideal starting car as l'm not asking very much for it. Anyone interested call me on 01989 565169 or 0802 430 324 or reevesy@btinternet.com

                                       Thanks

                                   Mark Reeves

                             Location    Ross-on-Wye

Taw and Torridge Trial 2000

Any other thoughts people?

Mark

Exe Valley Cancelled

Not surprisingly, this weekend's Exe Valley has been cancelled, along it would seem with all other motorsport.

This is a great shame, as Roger Ugalde has put in a lot of time and effort to resurect this event after Silverton had lost interest.    All cancellations cost the organising club money, and I would hope that all gassers will vote with their wheels next april when the event returns, and enter then to show Roger that we appreciate his efforts

FUEL

The government has designated certain filling stations as priority ones to receive fuel first, when fuel becomes available. These are listed on the sky news website on http://www.sky.com/news/invision/petrol.

If you want to print the relevant list out, right click over the list,and then left click print. If you try and print the list by left clicking on the page all you end up with is the left hand column.

Now I know  why we drive around half the night and then fill up with fuel before the long distance trials. Its good practice for what we shall all be doing in the next few days!!

Hope all this mess is sorted out before the "Edinburgh".

Mystery Motor

Myster Section?

Has any one else seen the picture in this weekend's Daily Telegraph Motoring Section (page 11) under the heading of Mystery Motor?

The picture shows a 1924(?) Morris with modified body work making some good progress up a fairly competitive section.

The text refers to a 'hillclimb', but it looks suspiciously like a Trial section to me.   Especially when you look at the competitors number (270) which is in the sort of area that the MCC's events operate.

The picture is thought to have been taken in the Chilterns, which I understand was prime trialling territory in 1924.

But if it is a trial section, which one?

I have e-mailled the column asking for more information and specifically some sort of access to the original so that it might be displayed here to agitate a number of the old grey cells.

It will appear if I'm successful

Trials cars at Donnington show

This weekend coming, Sept. 16th / 17th sees the National Kit Car Show at Donnington Circuit.

Strongly featured will be The Liege, the cutest car to arrive in Classic Trials for some years.

Simon Robson's, "Saffron", a rich chromatic yellow example which has recently been photographed for Classic & Sportscar magazine and filmed by the BBC for their "Top Gear" programme, will be on The Liege stand.

Designer of The Liege, Peter Davis, will be in attendance both on the stand and in the "Guild of Motoring Endurance" area in the car-park.

A number of other owners and constructors of Liege cars will also be in attendance, including ACTC and MCC competitor, Gari Jones.

Why not pop along for a chat and see just how good this super little car is ?

Marlin will also be in evidence, as will Westfield, Dax, etc, etc,

Hope to see you there.

Cannon trials car available for restoration

I have just aquired a Cannon NTF formula trials car with BMC 'A' series engine and g/box. It is a complete car but an 'orchard' find, it's been standing out for years.The frame is very good and the car has those specially made 15" six spoke wheels from the seventies, fiddle brakes etc. It would make an ideal basis for a class 8 special or could be restored as a sporting trials car. The car is for disposal so if you are interested just mail me or call on my mobile 0370 626 173

Best

 

  

Owen Briggs

Some of you may know Owen. He moved from biking to doing a bit of Classic Trialling with a type 4 engined Fugative. He has just had the misfortune to hurt his finger badly at work and in fact may loose it. I am sure he would appreciate a "get well note" from his buddies.

Michael

Midget Trials Bits

Hi,

I don't suppose any of you guys have progressed on from trialling midgets to something else and still have a tank guard or other trials type bits lying around that you would like to sell.

If so I'd be interested.

Also half shafts, & diffs :-)

cheers

Simon simon.clemow@e-14.com

&quot;Off-roaders rev up for land takeover&quot;

-according to the Sunday Times "..landowners fear that the government's Countryside and Rights of Way Bill, aimed at opening opening up bridleways and forest paths to ramblers, will instead serve as an invitation to "jeep Joyriders" to ride roughshod over nature spots".
Apparently "four-wheel-drive enthusiasts are gearing up to take advantage of new legislation that could open up hundreds of miles of woodland paths to their vehicles"

Well blow me down, and there I was thinking that we were in fact facing the withdrawal of existing tracks!!

Best quote is from the chairman of GLEAM (Green Lanes Environmental Action Movement) who asks "What enjoyment do people get by going along a muddy track at night in pouring rain?"

Oh dear, oh dear, what chance do we stand?

The rubber band brigade lives on

You may remember me telling you of the demise of Derek Reynolds Silver Volvo 66 on the Lands End Trial.  After much soul searching, Derek had to concede that there was so much wrong with the car that it was only suitable for spare parts. 

Unfortunately, I couldn't convince him that a Variomatic Volvo is not really the most suitable of cars for trialling. So, after many phone calls and several hundred miles travelling around the country, we are now the possessors of a bright yellow, low mileage, showroom standard Volvo 66.  We promised the old owner that we would look after it carefully and not take it out in the rain.

See you on the Edinburgh.

Fred

Patching Inner Tubes

Hi everyone,

It's been a bit quiet here on the community for a while. Hope you are all finding time to get your trials cars ready for the fray!

I have been working on my battered body. That's me and the car! I've done quiet a bit of mountain biking and got quiet a lot of punctures in the process. This reminded me of the pile of old car inner tubes in the garage that had been replaced following flats on trials.

Following Mike Pearson's advice I went trotting down to the local agricultural engineers and got myself some heavy duty patches and "vulcanising fluid" and repaired most of the ones that hadn't perished.

What do you other guys and girls do. Do you bother to repair your tubes or just junk them? If you repair them where do you get the stuff to do so and how do get on afterwards. Do you have any problem with repaired tubes?

Also anyone know why some of my old tubes perished? Was it age, light, temperature, humidy? anyone know.

Hoping for some help.

Michael

For Sale

I hope Michael will not object to using the board for selling things.
I have a large scuba divers tank which I planned to use for blowing up tyres on my Troll. When I say large its about 8 inches diameter and 27 inches long (200mm dia. x 700mm long. It still has an in date test certificate so is easy to get refilled with compressed air at any dive shop. My problem is it is far to large to fit in or on the Troll, but could easily be lost in a 'tin top'. Thus its up for sale for what I paid for it, 짙40. Delivery can be arranged, possibly the Exe vally trial on the 17th. Sep.
Stuart Harrol

Class winner for sale

You may well have read from Michaels various musings that I have bought a Liege and intend to use it !

Well it's true, but unfortunately I am not blessed with a whole load of space at home, therefore my trusty, beloved Czech "wonder climber" has to go to make space for the Liege.

If anyone is interested in this fully developed car, which has won numerous awards, including outright class wins,  in Classic Trials, PCT's and Autotests, ( and probably could have won a lot more with a better driver ), please contact me.

The price can be haggled over in the region of ｣550.

 Best method of contact is 0966-484428 (work mobile) or 01462-451139 (home).

Simon R.

 

Rochdale cars

Can anyone comment on the car I have been offered as a gift in exchange for a few favours I did for a guy?

I have wanted a Rochdale for donkeys years and I've been given one in rough condition. Now I need to find out details of them.

Is there a book about the marque?

Have any of you owned them and are able to give me technical information, please?

I would very much like to use in PCT's where I presently enter anything I own or can borrow, most recently a Westfield and a Liege.

I am quite prepared to use the shell on a spaceframe with a Sierra 1600 but would be open to argument about retaining the sidevalve if competition classes are more suitable to the old spec.

If it goes to the modern spec it will get used in the kit car class of PCT's, autotests, scatters and night rallies. The older spec will be PCT's only as there are no classic trials near West Yorkshire apart from the White Peak when it runs. I do not particulary want to build a car for one or two events per year.

Also what is so special about Aquaplane inlet and exhaust manifolds with twin SU's, do they push 25 HP up to 26, which in the fifties was spectacular or are they really worthwhile, even now? They are available from the guy for 짙100 but I don't realise how bad they are, are they 짙100 good? I could get a fully sorted 1600 engine and box for that money. OK, so I'm a philistine.

Regards

John

john@jdrhodes.freeserve.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Peter Treliving has passed away (posted on behalf of Pat Toulmin)

Michael,

 

I have just had a phone call from Tim Whellock to say that, very sadly, Peter has just died from the brain tumour he has had for a while.

 

Tim would very much like to have a good turnout for the funeral, both of trials' drivers and cars. He will let me know when and where, probably early next week, and I will let you know.

 

He has asked if the word can be passed on? As I don't have such instant publishing facilities can you please broadcast it on Classical Gas and the Community?

 

Many thanks

 

Pat

Reply

Reply All

Summer Puzzle

Hmmm ... An interesting one! Michael is obviously in a privileged position because he knows where he found it on the Net and may have seen a better image, but here goes anyway.

I think it might be Bluehills (2). The surface, general gradient and curvature, and the right-hand side (as viewed) all look correct and it could be that the spectators down the left-hand side are concealing the drop to the sea. I've certainly seen 1930s pictures of Bluehills that show the 'scarred' waste dumps in the background rather than the grassed 'hills' we see today.

It's a well-attended section and the Number (133) would suggest a major event. The number provides the conundrum, however. I'd always believed that the MCC generally gave the bikes and outfits the lowest set of numbers with the cars following later (as they do now). A quick flick through 'Cowbourne' confirms that, in the 1930s at least, a start number of 133 would generally have meant a car rather than a bike - and remember that the old Bluehills was used until well into the 1930s. I then noticed that BSA 3-Wheelers were often given numbers in the 'car series' so did this cover outfits as well?? I need an MCC expert to answer that question!

Although other events (the 'Gloucester' and the 'Brighton-Bere' for example) often had fields well into the hundreds, I don't think any of them combined cars and bikes. So I still think an MCC event is the most likely. It certainly doesn't look like an 'Exeter' hill and the 'Edinburgh' didn't run in the Peak District PreWar, but it could have been an MCC 'Sporting' Trial in the Peaks although these didn't always attract three-figure entries.

Anyone got any better ideas than Bluehills (2)?

Andrew

Beggars Roost - Help Required

Hi everyone,

Summertime again and time for me to write features rather than event reports for the Classical Gas Web Site. I hope you liked the Buckler piece.

I am going to do a couple of articles on old trial hills, starting with Beggars Roost. Now despite my enthusiasm as a Trials publisher I don't have much of a personal archive to draw upon.

So, any help appreciated. Old magazine articles, pictures, adventures and reminisences old and new. I will be gratefull for anything and will be delighted to acknowledge it in the final piece.

Post it here or e-mail it to me at mleete24@hotmail.com

Thanks in anticipation.

Michael

Lands End Date Change 3

I have now had confirmation from three sources, namely John Aley, John West and the MCC web site, to say that the Lands End will run at Easter again next year!

The MCC discussed the move last weekend and it would appear that nothing will be done without further consultation involving the members.

Hopefully this means that the Lands End will stay where it is for the foreseeable future, but I would urge everyone who is against the change, to keep an eye on triple, and when comments are invited, make your feelings known.

What is good to see is that the MCC have taken into account members views expressed both by letter and by this web site. As far as I know we also won't be losing any of the orgaising team either so can carry on with the Lands End as it is.

Giles

Madcap ideas !!

As we enter the summer recess I'm sure many of us are scratching our heads thinking what mods we can do to get "that little bit more" from our machines.

With our sport having such history there must be some interesting tales of people with mad ideas that have lead to amusing or disasterous consequences !!

I know of a particular Class 1 driver (who'll remain nameless for now!) who thought he'd try filling his tubes with water. Caused great amusement to his fellow competitors when deflating them at Section 1 caused a 6ft high fountain ! That was the least of his worries, just imagine the wheel wobble when he pumped them back up (with air) and started driving down the road !

 

International Classic Motor Show - November

Just to let you all know that the ACTC will have a stand at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC on 4th/5th November. We hope to follow the 1998 format of display boards on the wall, a TV showing continuous video of our events, and a display of at least three cars. This time, hopefully, we have enough notice to make sure that some of the cars will not be cleaned after the previous trial and we can display them 'as nature intended'!

Any offers of assistance on the stand (there should be a small number of free entry tickets available on a first-to-commit-to-help-first-to-receive-a-ticket basis) and/or the loan of suitable videos will be gratefully received. You can find my e-mail address in my 'Member Profile'.

Put the date in your diaries now!

Andrew

Lands End Date Change 2

I've started a new discussion as the last one regarded speculation that the date was going to change. We now know that subject to ratification it will.

From the responses to the speculation it is clear that a number of competitors would be sad to see this change take place. I know that just about the whole of Cornwall would! As I have said previously the Lands End Trial is an institution that has run unchanged (by modern standards) since the start of the last century. Why change it now?

After discussions with John West (Clerk of the Course) this weekend, it appears that the reason is due to increasing difficulties with organisation. Bude and Penzance in particular are keen to attract visitors on a weekend before Easter when things are quieter. It would also be possible to reopen Penzance promenade for the final special test. (Penzance as a finish does at least look safe for now).There are also said to be concerns over accomodation due to the Easter weekend and ever increasing traffic.

Now before I continue I would first like to say that I think John West has done an excellent job as the Clerk of the Course, and the changes he and his organisational team have made thus far have made the greatest trial in our calendar even better. BUT, as regards the date change, I personally think, this event will lose so much of what makes it special.

The Lands End Trial will no longer be the one trial to do if you don't do any others in the year. Whereas it will never become "just another trial", I honestly believe it won't be far off. It will be just another weekend away trialling but the only thing that will mark it out as being special is the fact that it runs over two days. It certainly won't be so different from the Exeter and Edinburgh.

The reasons for the movement are above all most concerning. To begin with, why do we go to Bude? Is it not just for a speed test? Who cares if the promenade at Penznace is opened for a speed test? We used to do Hobbs Choice speed test on a muddy track in the middle of nowhere. Are the speed test a compelling reason to make any change to the format? Surely these are secondary to the climbing of the hills and the adhering to the route in the correct time! Don't get me wrong I have great fun on these tests but lets get priorities right!

I also believe that sponsorship is provided by these councils, but this is surely another issue altogether. If funds are needed to keep the event going I can't believe that 300+ competitors can't think of a way to raise them. We do of course need to know that this is a problem.

As regards accomodation, I have said it before and will repeat myself. These is plenty of accomodation in South West Cornwall over Easter as long as there is a little bit of forward planning. I usually stay as part of a group of at least 10, and for only one night. This is booked at the same time as the entry form is sent and so far we have always had options as to the final hotel. Of course if people try two weeks before they will struggle but what I am saying is that it only requires a little bit of forward planning.

Traffic? Come on, how much traffic do we see on the routes we take? Except of course around Bude on the way to a special test. But again, what's a bit of traffic? Annoying maybe, but surely worth the sacrifice of keeping this great event on its traditional date.

As Simon Woodall has stated, if we wish to stop this then protests must be directed to John Aley. I would suggest writing as opposed to ringing as this may have the opposite effect if John is bombarded night after night with calls. Everyone should be aware that if they stand by, to see what happens this will almost certainly result in no Lands End at Easter.

I think we can all understand that there are organisational problems and this makes it tough for those running the event and as I have already said, John West and his team do a superb job in overcoming these. I would hate to think that by pushing to keep this traditional date we would see them stand down, but I do think the MCC need to be aware how strong the feeling is regarding this event.

Sorry to ramble on for so long but this is an emotive subject and I don't want to give up yet another tradition without a fight. This event, running as it does, is worth fighting for and I merely wish for the MCC to accept this (and by the MCC I refer to all members as well as the council), and do whatever is necessary to provide John and his team the help they need to overcome the numerous obastacles put in their way.

I would of course be glad to read messages from anyone who believes that this change is for the good. It would be even sadder to think that it changed and everyone thought it a bad idea!

Regards to all.

Giles Greenslade

Special Test Timing

Rather than confuse the Lands End at Easter with the secondary chat about Special Test timings, I have started a new topic - perhaps we could all separate our thoughts.

The Lands End tests do not all count as hill failures because they have been in the past sponsored by the local councils, and therefore, in order to encourage the spectacle rather than have the competitors trundle round slowly to portect their award these do not count against you.    The councils are asking why they bother to sponsor the event, when they have enough tourists at Easter anyway.   If the sponsorship disappears, then the correct MCC rule of you must do the test correctly can be reinstated.

As for a timed climb of Darracott, ah how times have changed, the current MSA rules states that a trial cannot have a timed test of more than 100 yards.   The reason behind this is that if there was no limit to the test length, it would be possible to organise a cheap special stage rally on a trials permit by making all the stages "special tests".   They would also be able to take advantage of the lower PR requirements that a trial enjoys with their known status as a quiet sport.   so is all swings and roundabouts.

Rough, Tough ratings

Hi,

Over on the Classical Gas "Rough Guide" I have rated events 1 to 3, both for their Roughness and Toughness.

I would appreciate your comments either on the system itself or in the way I have rated the events. I believe this will be useful information for people when choosing their program, especially for beginners.

Michael

Dunkirk &#39;Little Ship&#39; Basil de Mattos

I have posted a photo on the album of a vessel that is one of the Dunkirk 'little ships'. I am sure that I have read an account that links the late Basil de Mattos MCC President from 1978 to 1991 with this vessel the 'Southern Queen', can anyone throw any further light on this.

Photo no 18 (from Paul Malin)

Hi everyone,

Received this e-mail from Paul -

michael

The photo number 18 on your web page is actually a photo of my dad (ROY MALIN) in his sprite, he still owns the car and plans to start competing in it again later this year. If you need anymore information please feel free to contact me. There is also a picture of an old pop on your site we seem to think it was driven by my uncle Ken Malin.

Regards

paul malin

SANDFORDS - gone forever?

I understand that due to an internal dispute within the landowners family  'Sandfords' [the opening hill on the Cotswold Clouds] may be lost forever. If this is true then it will be a sad loss.

Perhaps someone who knows the full story can post it here.

I believe the hill has been in use since the 1930's - can one of you historians detail the history of the hill?

Murray

 

 

 

Northern Trial Photos

AT LAST!!! I've just managed to attach half a dozen more photos to the Northern Trial file. I must have tried 10 times. Thanks for the advice, it finally sank in.

If you view the piccies and know the competitors, add a title.

I have added my surname to my title, but it seems a little formal.

 

 

 

Trungle Mill

Looking through the Lands End results I wasn't suprised to see that all cars were "clean" through Trungle Mill. I expected the restart to be on the sharp right-hander.

What did suprise me was that around 30% of the bike entries failed this section. I can only assume that the conditions were much worse early on.

I'd be interested in their comments - any bikers out there on the community ??

80 DAZE n!

Hi Everyone, now there no events to enter at present how about looking at this site to see how the "around the world group are@ - the reports section make interesting reading!

http://www.carnet.co.uk/rallyoffice/html/around_the_world.html

(PS don't know how I managed a dns at Crackington )

Community Rules

Hi everyone,

I would like your opinion on a "rule" I am considering introducing here on the community.

I am concerned about people who both use nicknames and do not declare their e-mail address in their member profile. The problem is there is a danger of "slagging-off" people, events, clubs or whatever without having to stand up for your statements in front of your peers.

While its is "Escorts" post that has made me think about this I don't want to criticise his/her views and hope you won't feel that I am getting at you because that is not my intention. It is to avoid the "flame wars" you see over on usenet.

It is possible for me to set membership conditions so that I have to approve them first. However, I have always said this is your place and I do not want to screen membership or sensor or edit contributions. I just want people to stand up for their views.

This is my proposal:-

1. If a new member neither declares their real name nor their e-mail addreess I will ask them (though a public post on the community) to either add this information to their profile or if they have a genuine reason to withhold it to let me (as the community manager) have this information.

2. If the new member does not wish to go alog with this I will change their status so it is not possible for them to post messages to the community.

3. If in the meantime they have made critical posts that I consider go to far I will remove them from the message-board.

I would appreciate your views, either by replying to this message or e-mailing me at mleete24@hotmail.com

Michael Leete

Offical Delays

Could someone perhaps enlighten me about the process of delays being made "official" and who is aware of this information during the trial itself ?

There are often delays during a trial but only sometimes are they deemed official and the only sure way of knowing seems to be after the event has finished. I have on a couple of occasions on previous LE events asked marshalls at sections and time controls if an official delay has been declared and they've not been able to give an official definitive answer. I tend therefore to work on a "rule of thumb" where if I'm travelling late but still seem to be in roughly the correct running order (or even moved forward slightly) then hopefully there's been an official delay somewhere and I should be ok. Is this a reasonable assumption ?

If this information was communicated during the event it may prevent un-necessary high-risk overtaking manouvers described elsewhere on these pages! Use of mobile phones between marshalls and some simple message boards at the beginning of sections would be a quick and easy way of doing this.

Are delays determined by the travelling marshalls who record time arriving at , and completing a section, or something similar ?

By the way I thought it was an excellent Lands End Trial and would like to thank everyone involved. I'm a keen to "keep it as it is" !

Regards,

Keith.

Lands End Date Change????

Michael,

Thank you for your comments regarding the Lands End. I am however a little disturbed at the rumours at the end of your message. Do you know if it is anything more than a rumour at this stage? I hope not.

The idea of the Lands end running on any other date than Easter seems almost laughable. Why would anyone want it to change. Am I the only one for whom the Lands End is an Easter tradition? Has it ever run on another weekend? I am fairly certain it hasn't since the mid-60's!

It worries me to think that it is being moved merely to appease those who have to drive great distances home on the Easter weekend. I know that this is a headache with the traffic today. It took me almost double the length of time to return to London the following Monday! However I would gladly spend that time sitting in the car with everyone else and keep the Lands End at Easter. Its all about the adventure that so many Clasical Gas members have referred to. I think moving from Easter would in some way detract from that adventure. After all part of the adventure is recounting what you did over Easter, to everyone else who sat inside and watched TV for four days!

Is it a concern over accommodation? Surely not. Provided plans are made early enough this shouldn't be an issue. The one time I couldn't get accomoadation (my own fault), I had to drive another 200 miles at the end of the event. Admittedly I was shattered but again it was all part of the adventure.

I hope I am not the only one with this view, and further I hope this is only a rumour that the ACTC committee will laugh at when they hear it.

As for moving back to Newquay. Again I ask why? The Lands End should finish at Lands End. If this is not possible, then as near to it as possible. Why on earth finish it at Newquay of all places? The only advantage I would see is that maybe Bluehills would be the final hill again. However I would like to think we would still do Flambards which is a real MCC stopper.

Again I hope all this is a rumous but rumours have their way of becoming the truth. Maybe it is time for tradition to change? But what's next? Running the Lands End as a day trial?!

 

Did he break the Rules?

In a previous posting I commented on the Red Pop that jumped the queue at Hoskins. I would like to come back to this. Was he breaking the rules?

We saw the three Pop’s at the Cattle Market and I even helped the Red one pull a cone he ran over from under his car. On the way to Hoskin we saw him (Red upright Ford Popular, Number 254, registration number 746 ECV, crewed by Harvey Waters/Norman Tomkin) stopped by the roadside with his head under the bonnet. We were in a long queue for Hoskins and saw the other two Pop’s some twenty cars ahead when they had their go at the hill. There were at least fifteen cars ahead and half a dozen cars behind us when the Red Pop arrived, but instead of taking his place at the back,drove straight to the front of the queue, attempted the section (which he failed) and joined his mates.

I was so astonished I didn’t say anything to him but my buddy Neil Bray had a few words at the Flambards holding control as the same guy had also jumped in front on Neil on the Exeter. The driver told Neil he "was running a team and needed to get back in formation". He was bit sheepish which is more than can be said for his passenger who was very lippy.

Questions.

1. Were they breaking the rules or just convention?
2. Should the marshal at the foot of Hoskin have allowed them to go to the front?
3. What should you do if you see this happen?
4. Does anyone think they did no wrong?

I would be interested to hear other people’s opinions.

Michael

Stoney Street Accident

The accident at Stoney Street happened on the friday evening as Ray Goodwright, the chief marshal was using the last of the daylight to set upthe section.    He was walking down the section and his wife Brenda was following in the 4x4.    She lost contol of the vehicle, and ran over Ray, punting him off the track down the hole.    She and the vehicle then slid over after him, rolling over several times in the process.   She was not wearing a seat belt, but the air bag went off preventing her from suffering serious harm.    Not surprisingly, when she crawled out of the wreakage, her first thought was that she had killed her husband!    She went for help, and an ambulance was brought to the scene.   Ray was taken to hospital where a crushed shoulder has been diagnosed.

The shoulder is going to have to be completely rebuilt, and this process is expected to take a good TWO YEARS.     Fortunately, Ray is a fairly pedantic sort of person, and therefore both he and Brenda had signed on before they left home so both are covered by the MSA insurance.   Also fortunate is the fact that the Policeman who came to the scene had the foresight to rescue the signing on sheet from the wreakage before the rain could destroy it.

 

Bluehills

I now have a theory regarding Bluehills. The reason it appears to be so difficult is all to do with the anticipation (fear?) that builds up whilst you slowly make your way down the approach road in an endless queue of cars. In fact you work yourself up to a failure. But if you are very lucky as I was last weekend you arrive at the start of Bluehills 1 with not another car in sight on 1 or 2. The marshals hurry you up, you quickly let down the tyres, clean 1, straight to the start line of 2, sun in your eyes, cannot see anything let alone the restart, start, stop, restart, clean section. Stop, blow up tyres. It all takes less than 5 minutes. You then ask yourself what all the fuss is about Bluhills? its easy. Ah but its all in the mind you see, no queues no problem.

Well thats my theory for 2000!!!

Stuart Harrold, Troll, number 351on the Lands End

Photo Album!!!!!!!

Help!

 I cannot seem to add any more photos to Northern Trial Album.

When I try, all I get is a light blue box  with no info.

What am I doing Wrong??? 

Lands End 2000

A rare mistake by David Heale ensures that he will be practising his panel beating skills....

Lands End Chat

Lets set up a chat on the Lands End.

Drop by The Chat Room at 9pm on Sunday and Monday and share your experiences.

Click on the Link on the left.

If you haven't been there before go in a few minutes early as Mr Microsoft needs to download a little piece of Software. It's automatic and takes less than a minute.

Don't want to chat just listen in? You can only do this if you are a Member. Sign up and drop in!

Michael

Lands End - can you help?

Hi Everyone,

Usual request - If you can let me have any material on the Lands End I will be really greatfull. How you and your buddees got on, anything you saw or heard - it all helps. Pictures to of course.

I am passengering Mike Hayward in his White Class 7 Escort Mk 3. We are starting from Bristol at around 9.

Hopefully we will get to Penzance in which case we will be eating at the Admiral Benbow in Chapel Street. Good grub and a quite a nice drinking place before the youngsters arrive!

Michael

ACTC Site - Problems???

Hi everyone,

Doug S e-mailed me to say he is having problems following my link from Classical Gas to the ACTC site. Can some of you give it a try and let me know how you get on.

Michael

New Picture from John

Check out the new pictures John Salter has added to his "Blast from the past album" - They are great.

Michael

MCC now on the WEB!!

WWW.UKMOTORSPORT.COM/MCC

There are a few anomalies with the site at present - the News page has disappaered, and the list of Basingstoke starters for the Lands End is blank, but these should be sorted by the end of the day.

I know that the site needs more 'photos, and I would appreciate any comments that will help improve the site.   " tis a simple thing but mine own"

Tell you friends about it, and tell them to e-mail me with thoughts, that will help me build up a list of  "Friends of the MCC Web Site" who will get mailled when updates are made.

 

 

 

Stroud Anniversary Trial

Now that the first new trial of 2000 is over, can I remind you all to put the 11th November in your diaries - yes it is a Saturday again but this time the first car will be off at midnight on the Friday. The format is as advertised in previous issues of Restart and should offer a distinctly different sort of trial to the Northern and, indeed, to any current ACTC trial - a sort of mix of the Exeter, Allen, and Cotswold Clouds.

The route planning is well-advanced with the vast majority of sections on county roads, and those that aren't are all on 'proper' tracks. There will be minimal, if any, overlap with sections used for the Clouds. We hope to run five or six sections, including at least one special test, at night. A lot of the route will be on 'green lanes' - yes we do have them in the Cotswolds - and we have found a decent number of historic sections that have not been used for years. Some were last used for the Guy Fawkes Trial in the 1960s and 70s, one goes back to the 1950 Fedden Trial, and some have not been used (as far as I am aware) since the 1930s.

Some of the sections will be comparatively easy (unless we have really bad weather) and shouldn't stop anyone unless they're very silly but others will be as taxing as anything on the three events mentioned above. We have at least one potential 'all classes' stopper if I can persuade the farmer to let us use it (the entrance and exit are UCRs but the section, unfortunately, is a Bridleway).

More news as and when we have it.

Andrew

Kyrle Video on the net

Hi everyone,

I have put a short Video on the net. It's called murray.avi and it can be found on www.idrive.com

Log on as "classicalgas" password is "trials"

There are a couple of other bits I put there just to try this idrive concept. Anyway, let me know how you get on. You can use this idrive to upload stuff for others to download.

Why not get an idrive of your own if you like it! If you do let us know so we can al share files with you.

Michael

Kyrle Help Please

I would really appreciate it if someone will either e-mail me the results when they get them or post them on the comunity. This, together with posts to "My Kyrle" will enable me to write a report for Clasical Gas.

Michael

Kyrle Video

I took quite a bit of Video on the Kyrle and probably got almost all the entry bar a few of the class eights on one hill or another. If anone would like a copy let me know by e-mailing me your snail mail to mleete24@hotmail.com and I will let you have one. You understand it won't be edited or anything fancy. If you like it you may care to donate 짙7.50 to Falcon Motor Club to help fund the development of The March Hare Trial. I won't be deducting any expenses so all the money will go to Falcon. Michael

My Kyrle

I went down to spectate and do a bit of Mountain Biking with my son Richard, having retired the Beetle early for it’s summer re-build and rear end strengthening. I like cross country mountain biking but at my age need to warm up slowly each summer and riding up the tracks to watch Snompers etc deep in the forest seemed be a good way to combine both interests.

We downloaded the entry list from the Web Community, courtesy of Simon Woodall and saw that the entry were running together in classes. As we arrived in the village of Yorkley we saw number one Peter Fear turning up, so we were going to miss a few of the class eight’s. We unloaded the bikes and cycled into the forest to get to Snompers just in time to see our Falcon club-mate attempt the hill. The whites and blues went up the normal way but the yellows and reds had a dead end diversion on pure mud up through the trees.

Things didn’t look quite normal for the whites and blues either, as the marshals had created a chicane by putting a tree trunk across the track, just by the yellow and blue diversion and there was a re-start for the whites as well.

John Parsons under-steered into the bank on the "S" bend by the diversion, a fate that was to befall quite a few people, including Mike Hobbs who looked pretty disgusted with himself in his big engined Beetle. Fellow Beetle man ??? Allen was one of the most spectacular performers, he powered round the S bend without any trouble but ground to a halt in the mud around the three and then sat there burning rubber for the best part of a minute! Like all those who made the higher reaches he then had the problem of avoiding a protruding tee on the way down, not easy as their was no grip on the glutinous mud which had no bottom as this was diversion was not a proper track.

The tree caused a lot of problems for the MG car club marshals who had to work hard as every car had to be manhandled past. I felt sorry for Clive Kalber in the Tucker–Peake Pop (which I still call "The Runner Bean"). Clive clipped the tree with the roof on the way up and then rubbed along it on the way down. There was nothing Clive could have done as he was in the ruts and there was no way he could have got out of them to avoid the tree. I do hope there wasn’t too much damage to this wonderful motor car.

The best car I saw on yellow/red diversion was Adrian Dommett who trickled nearly to the top at some considerable speed and only put his foot down when he had almost stopped. Not that it helped much because there was absolutely no grip in the mud. We arrived too late to see Dudley, which disappointed Richard who has heard so much about him. Stuart Harrold did well in his Troll and so did Simon Woodall who impressed me by getting the Baja round the S bend without under-steering into the bank because it is so light on the front end.

I was interested to watch the bikes, having never seen them on a Classic before. They all had to go the difficult way, which I thought, was a bit unfair, as they were nearly hub deep in very sticky mud and very difficult to control. However, we saw two excellent climbs, one solo getting to the top and a chair getting very near.

We saw the ones, twos and most of the fours up the "easy route" and only saw two cleans. Bill Bennett in his J2 and my Falcon buddy Neil Bray in his Skoda. The problem was the "artificial chicane" as we didn’t see anyone else actually get to the re-start. You really needed to stay in the ruts but had to come out to get round the chicane and most people couldn’t get round. I felt very sorry for Peter Manning and xxx in their Midgets. They got around the chicane but there was no way they could get to the re-start as the ruts were so deep. The Beetles I saw (I missed Richard Peck) all stopped in the same place, cross-rutted, wheels in the air, sorry Giles, Murray and the others.

We saw a few cars on the following section. Murray MacDonald got up OK but Simon Robson ground out and Jim Scott didn’t put his foot down hard enough in Rich Welches Beetle.

I chatted to Peter Thompson (Opel) briefly as I left and discovered he was a Classical Gas reader. As I had not pictured or mentioned him in my March Hare report and had left Snompers before his go, I decided to try and catch him on Mine Moss and arrived just in time. We stayed on to see John Bell puncture on the sharp rocks and a pair of magnificent climbs by David Heale and Dave Turner (love that Blower).

Back in the car to rush up to Deep Dean. We missed Dudley again but saw him changing a tyre on the road after the section. I understand Peter Fear cleaned the hill but no other car did while we were there (but we saw a Solo succeed). Not only didn’t we see any cars clean but nobody even moved on the re-start which had a huge step. This was made worse by a rock. Now an interesting thing was that when cars reversed down the hill to take a run the marshal’s removed the rock and put it back again when they had passed!

We saw John Parsons struggle with a punctured tyre and a rather strange performance by the recovery driver in the Land Rover who demonstrated hand brake turns very well but found grip nearly as elusive as the competitors. Had a brief chat with Web Community member Duncan Stephens who was spectating, then it was home to watch the Grand Prix.

Overall impressions. A good day but I was glad I was spectating not driving as I thought it was far too rough for me! Controversial perhaps, I didn’t see everything and I would be interested to hear the views of saloon car competitors.

How was your Kyrle?

MURRAYS MARCH HARE/HERTS VW CLUB.

Hi everyone, I have just set up a web community for the Herts VW Club, there is not a lot in the community yet, but there are some more pictures
of the March Hare.... you are all welcome to have a look.
http://communities.msn.co.uk/HERTSVWCLUB/homepage

Lands End Accommodation

Any ideas for accommodation in the Penzance area? We've drawn a complete blank, so far, on all the places we've stayed at in the past and dozens of others. We'd prefer not to have to travel too far back up the A30 and, of course and as always, finding somewhere decent to eat is the second problem.

It seems the main problem is not just that Easter is very late but that the Bank Holiday on the following weekend has brought out even more UK holidaymakers. So those of you with accommodation fixed already can sit back with smug smiles.

Andrew

Tyres and Thanks

Thanks to the Clasical Gas website and Simon Woodhall I now have some more 165 x 15 tyres to attack the hills with. Would not have got them without Classical Gas.

On another subject, I have put in an entry for the Northern Classic Trial. I will be the most southerly competitor traveling from Hayling Island. Look forward to the trial but not the motorway drag to get there.

Stuart

Kyrle

Hi everyone,

I'm not competing on the Kyrle this year (unless anyone needs a bouncer?) so I plan to go down and take some pictures and make a video of Classical Gas members and readers.

Any info on the route and/or your competition number appreciated.

Michael

Major Ivan Hirst

I have heard thru' Julian Robinson of the Herts VW club that Ivan Hirst has died. Without Ivan Hirst there would probably have been no VW's in Classic Trials! As an army major he was put in charge of salvaging VW's Wolfsberg plant immediately after the second world war.

Michael

Synthetic Gear Oil

Can anyone recommend a Synthetic Gear oil for use in the Marlin Diff,  the std oil is EP90. Is it worth changing to synthetic?

Pete

 

Availability of Leaded Petrol

Ken Green has found a list of garages that can still supply leaded petrol. It can be found on the web at www.bayfordthrust.co.uk

Michael

Class 7 Eligibility

Hi everyone,

I see in the latest edition of "Re-Start" that the ACTC met in January and discussed a number of technical issues including "the eligibility of various components in a range of class 7 cars. Those of you directly affected by this will be aware of the details by now."

As an aspiring entrant I would be interested to know what is allowed and what is not, and which established cars/specifications are going to be affected.

In particular how does this affect Racecorps and Marlin's, both of which are on my shopping list.

Can anyone help?

Michael

New Trials Book

I have just got my copy of the Ilkley clubs book on their pre-war trials. It's mostly on bikes but there is some good car stuff and there's lots of material to interest historians. See "Recommended Books" on the left for further details.

Michael

Recommended Books

Title: BAJA BUGS & BUGGIES, How to prepare VW-based cars for off-road fun and racing.

Author: Jeff Hibbard


Title: MG Trials Cars

Author: Roger Thomas


Title: More Wheelspin

Author: C.A.N.May


Title: So This is Yorkshire

Author: Janet E. Kitching


Title: VW Beetle in Motorsport

Author: Peter Noad


Title: Wheelspin

Author: C.A.N. May

Forthcomming Events

Is there anyone out there that knows if either the Silverton or Chase Clouds trials will be running?

The Kyrle is on, regs arrived yesterday, but get your entries in quick as I am sure there will be a big demand with all these cancelations.

Stuart

Marshalls - an incentive !

Sorry to hear that the Torbay got cancelled/postponed due to an initial shortage of marshalls. It's been approx 3 years since I did my last stint so I'd better offer again sometime this year. Perhaps we need some incentive to ensure that we have sufficient volunteers.

Interesting to note that on some entry forms the question of previous marshalling is asked - could be used as a method of dealing with over-subscribed MCC events but a little heavy handed I think !

How about a little encouragement ? discounted entry next year to the event next year ? perhaps something that'll help someones championship contention - say being allowed to choose best 10 out of 13 events instead of 10 out of 12 (or whatever the number is!). 

Would be fair to all because anyone can offer to marshall - you never know it might then be the marshalling that gets over subscribed !

Any thoughts ?

Keith.

 

Virgin Beetle

Dear All,

              Without giving away all the cunning secret mods. that have made your particular Beetle what it is...could I please ask you to outline the common /sensible changes needed to classically trial my 1300 (AB series) engined 1969 1500 ? I have an idea of the basics but please assume that I know nothing ! I am particularly ignorant in the suspension dept. as all the literature I've seen concentrates on stiffening / lowering. 

Any replies would be much appreciated.

Chris Cates

I

Falon&#39;s RAC PCT round at Brickhill and March Hare Classic

As of today, 16 Feb. There are 39 entries for Falcon's PCT Brickhill on Sunday. So far there are 26 for the March Hare Classic which takes place on 12th March.

Falcon would love you to marshal! Drop by the Falcon page on The Classical Gas Web Site to e-mail John Parsons or Arnold Lane. Or e-mail me and I will send you their phone number.

Michael

Boats, Caravans and Motorhomes

Hi everyone,

If any of you are going to the NEC show that starts on Saturday 19th look me up. I will be working there every day except the final Sunday.

I can be found on the stand of a certain Swedish manufacturer of refrigerators in hall 2. I would be delighted to entertain triallers to some corporate hospitality! If you know me thru' trialling don't forget I look different in a suit!

Michael

10 CWT BMC Diffs

The Diff has been in the Marlin for 10 yrs now so I thought I had better take a look at it. All looks OK except a small area of pitting on the teeth of both planet gears and 1 sun gear all the teeth are effected, its in the centre of the polished wear mark covering about 10% of the mark . My spare diff has more crown wheel to pinion slack than the current. If I swap bits about should the planet and sun gears be kepted in sets. Does anyone know if new gears are available.

Cheers

Pete

 

 

Exmoor Trial

Any views on the Exmoor. We watched the first few cars at Sepscott 1 before marshalling at Lyncombe Bridge all appeared to go well and the pre event marshall pack was excellent.

Pete & Carlie 

Exmoor Trial

Simon beats Hazel using speed!

Having studied the results I don't feel I disgraced myself on 'The Clouds'. Although Murray will no doubt note the reasons for my 7th position in class and he's right I could have have done much, much better. Anyway I was beaten into said position by Simon. My times being considerably slower as I just wanted to get it right.I guess it's the gamble you take at least in some circumstances. Has anyone any thoughts on this?

Hazel

John Salter&#39;s Pictures

I, for one, would like to propose a hearty round of thanks for John Salter's efforts in providing us with a huge range of pictures of the Clouds and also for his 'Blast From the Past' compilation.

Events conspired to prevent Stuart H, the Troll and I competing in the Clouds, but John's pictures have given me a pretty vivid impression of the event, and also some good pointers to the correct line on some of the hills for next year.

Thanks John, and keep up the good work!

On a technical point, is it possible to alert Members that there are new photos in the Photo Album in the same way as with the Message Board?

I nearly missed the expansion of the Clouds photos from 40 to 70 this evening.

One last point.  The names of some of the sections that are included in trials bring smiles to the faces of some of our colleagues in the office.  Crooked Mustard, Beggar's Roost, Litton Slack to name just three. ( Is there a Straight Mustard somewhere or a Litton Tight)

What is the strangest named section that Members can bring to mind, current or past?

 

Chris

 

 

Tyres - in particular 165x15

This will mainly be of interest to Beetle & Buggy owners, and other users of 165x15 tyres. However it probably has longer term implications for many others.

Users of retread/remould 165x15 tyres will no doubt be already aware that they are difficult/impossible to obtain.

I discovered this about 18 months ago, soon after I changed from 'new' to 'remould' tyres (on cost grounds). I started to use Colway CM (tread pattern per Michelin XM). Initially I had no real problem obtaining them through my local tyre depot. However about 18 months ago I ordered a quantity and they didn't arrive. Having chased them many times via my local supplier and subsequently direct with Colway I eventually discovered the problem was lack of 'old core'. Reading between the lines Colway was diverting all the old core they could find to the production of competition tyres for the Historic Rallying crowd (more profitable!).

This sent me searching elsewhere and to start with I had no luck. Desperation was setting in so I opened a direct account through my business (Murray's) with Motorway, and became an official Motorway distibutor and commisioned a substantial quantity to be manufactured. After a couple of months they arrived. The surplus to my personal requirement were soon sold off to other users I knew of at a special preferential 'trialling' price (they of course were also having sourcing problems, so they were very happy). Consequently another batch was ordered - these took even longer to arrive, and when they did were quickly distributed. A third batch was only partially filled as the old core problem arose again.

Now the really bad news: This week I received a letter from Motorway informing they have ceased production of car tyres (but are to continue with commercial) and that production has been transferred to their sister company Colway.

[Reason: I had read in the trade press and heard through the grapevine the all of the retreading companies were coming under severe pricing pressure from cheap imported 'budget' Far Eastern new tyres......

typical retail price branded 165x15 tyre      £45

typical retail price remoulded 165x15 tyre   Â£30

typical retail price budget 165x15 tyre        Â£25

I know what Jo Punter would go for - don't you?]

A range brochure was included with the letter, but it didn't include the 165x15 size. A quick phone call to Colway revealed that this size had been deleted from their range due to non-availabilty of old core.

So thats the end of that! Someone needs to sort through those millions of old tyres in landfill sites - any volunteers?

Murray

Chat on Monday 7 February at 9 pm

Lets try a chat tonight at 9pm.

My Clouds

Another good Trial. I stated out well but after Ham Mill it became "trial by re-start" and I fell apart and didn't get off many (did I get of any?). My personal triumph was getting out of the stream bed at Mackhouse 2 to a nice cheer from Andrew Brown.

The "new" hill before Merves Swerve was a nice trip through the woods. I enjoy the green-laning.

My mate Mike Pearson had problems at the start when he found his alternator pulley was broken. I don't know if he got it going or not.

Otherwise I didn't see meny drama's. We had a puncture on Ham Mill, another on the way home and the Speedo stopped working in the woods at Highwood.

The organisation seemed pretty good apart from the chaos as us failures tried to get back down the lane at Crooked Mustard.

How was your Clouds?

 

Clee Hills Report

Michael,

Much as I regret having to do this, I cannot claim to have passengered Stuart Harrold in his Troll to a very good Clee result(as reported in Classical Gas).

I had the flu and so Staurt roped in Dick Andrews (sometime Dellow driver and quadruple Triple winner).    Perhaps that's where Stuart's inspiration for a clean sheet came from.

I understand that Dick has completed the rebuild of his Dellow (he used it to get to Haynes and Gabwell on the Exeter) and may soon be competing again.

Chris

Lets Add to the fun with Messenger

Hi everyone,

I have just signed up with Microsoft Messenger and I like it. What happens is that when you log on you can "chat" to anyone on your contact list who is logged on as well. It also notifies you if you have any Hotmail in your Inbox.

I have set mine up with the "remember my password" box checked. This logs you on when you boot your computer, but of course you have to be connected to the net to actually see if any of your contacts are there and chat to them.

If you don't want to be disturbed you just show yourself as "busy" using the status menu.

Of course you need to set up a list of contacts. It works fine using a Hotmail address. Hopefully it will be OK with ordinary (POP3) addresses as well. I have started to use my Hotmail a lot more as it's computer independant and used in conjunction with messenger lets you know when you have mail while you are surfing. I know Outlook Express can do the same but I find the Hotmail an easier thing to use if you accept you have to be connected to use it.

Why not give it a try?

Michael

Does IE4 Crash on Lee Howells Site ?

Hi Everyone,

A technical question for you. Have tried to access the Link to Lee Howells site? The Home page is OK when I access through IE5 on "the day jobs" laptop. However, when I try using the machine I use to author Classical Gas, it crashes IE4.

Does anyone else experience the same problem? If it crashes everyones IE4 we need to let Lee know as it he can fix the problem which will preobably caused by an active element in his Netscape authoring program that the folks at Microsoft don't like.

On another subject. Has anyone got an iMac? Looking at the ads it seems a great machine if you just want to surf the Net. I like PC's but all those cables at the back are a real mess in the dinning room!

Michael

 

 

Torbay Trial

Sad news, I spoke to one of the Torbay organisers last night to find out when the regs. may be out. It seems that there have been problems getting the permit and the event will not take place on the 27th. Feb. The club is trying to get another date, as yet unknown.

Stuart

Lands End photos.

I have posted a load of photos from the 1971 Land's End Trial, which I have just recovered from a shoebox under a bed, undisturbed for the past 15 years. Has anybody got an entry list from this trial? I assume it was 1971 as there is a J reg Escort competing, and after 1971 I was banished to the wilds of Scotland for five years, and from 1977 on I was competing on my XT500.

If anyone can shed any light and/or interesting stories about the competitors, I would be most grateful.

Ta, John Salter

3 WHEELER ADVICE

Firstly thanks to Michael for the welcome to the community.

I've taken part in a couple of PCT's driving my Morgan 4/4, however my intention this year is to start competing in the MCC Classics (probably beginning with the Edinburgh at the back end of the year) using my 1951 Morgan F4 threewheeler.

I've marshalled at the VSCC Derbyshire before & intend marshalling at this years Exeter to get a feel for the events.

I would appreciate any advice on the following topics:-

a. running threewheelers in this type of event.

b. getting power/torque out of the Ford E93a 1172cc sidevalve. What carbs are needed, I understand some specials run similar engines superchaged-is this a viable/worthwhile option? How available are the components/ are there any specialists still trading?

c. any other general sugggestions.

 

Yours. Richard

Clee Pictures

I have posted the digital pictures I took on the Clee in the Photo Album in their original Hi-Res format. The pics I use on the sites are normally reduced in size to speed loading so don't print out to well but these will be fine.

Please feel free to download my pics for personal use. In case you don't know how to do it let me explain.

Go into the photo album. In each folder you will see thumbnails of the pictures. Click on these or the adjacent link and the original image will appear on your machine.

Now right click on the picture and you should see a small menu. Now "Save file as" and it will be transferred to your hard disk. You are OK with *.jpg files but always be very careful if you download *.exe files from the internet as thay may contain viruses.

Let me know if you need any help.

Michael

 

 

My Clee

I thought Pat and Jonathan put on a super trial, with some fascinating new, and not so new, sections. I really liked the little snippets of history in the route card, which send me scurrying for my copy of Wheelspin when I got home.

I was bouncing for Mike Hayward in his class 7 Escort Mk 3. This confuses people because Mike’s car is rear wheel drive, which is why it’s in class 7. He built it for autocross and when he retired from speed events wanted to keep using it so now it’s a trials car. It’s a bit tricky on all those re-starts but we have fun.

We hated Starvecrow, the first section. Not just because it was such a Mickey Mouse affair, weaving through the trees, but also because we needed a tow from the Land Rover. Personally I’m a track man.

For us this was the only blot on what was to be an enjoyable trial, despite quite a few problems with the car which dropped us back through the field and will probably earn us some "hanging back" penalties! We got up Allez Oop OK, but in a cloud of revolting white smoke and a slipping clutch. There was so much smoke we thought we had a fire but once the bonnet was open and the smoke had cleared we could see that these was oil everywhere and it had got on the exhaust. We couldn’t see where it was coming from so we mopped it up, put a bit more slack in the clutch and carried on. We didn’t ger any more smoke but we certainly had plenty of clutch slip but not enough to stop us getting round.

We enjoyed the previously un-trialled "Gatten’s Gamble". That’s the one with the collection of military vehicles. It was certainly a surprise with every sort of surface. We were delighted to get up, albeit at the expense of a puncture.

Like other Falcon members I was kept busy distributing flyers and have heard that one keen competitor dropped his entry form off on the way over to The Clee! I got the chance to meet Duncan Stephens and Kevin Barnes on the way round and to talk to quite a few other community members as well.

I have no idea who won what yet. Any ideas?

How was your Clee?

Michael Leete