It seems the old MG boys have been puting their heads together on this one as Peter Jones has a go in his piece and Frances Maynard has a pop to (quite un-derstandably John Quenby couldn't put pen to paper). OK I thought the bit across Houndkirk Moor did go on and on, it was a bit rough in places and in a way it was an extra 20 miles between two sections. However, I enjoyed it! To me Classic Trialling is more than the sections and a bit of organised Green Laning is part of the attraction. Also the organisers did specifically say it was to test the water for future years when perhaps some of it could be a section. However, perhaps it was OK for me in my "modern" 28 year old car and not so good for the guys whose motors don't have much suspension travel? As for the sections themselves are they getting rougher? I'm not so sure. Michael Leete
My my, by changing my identity I've managed to sign on. As a Marlin driver the roughness of the greenlane section of the Edinburgh didn't worry me much from the car breaking aspect but boy was it long and in my humble opinion boring. It may be if the weather had been better and the views viewable that I might have felt different. However I am concerned that we should take cars over ground that will lead to a significant number being damaged. If that's what you want, banger racing beckons. When stalwarts such as Gerald Burridge, Ian Blackburn and the Quenby team start to complain I think that the organisers need to choose greenlanes that are little less rough and preferably shorter so that the rescue of any stranded vehicle can be achieved without the use of a helecopter. Tony
Interesting one, this. I drive a class 8 car which I do not enjoy smashing on rough roads or hills. I did not enjoy the long green lanes across the moors on this years events and really felt for lesser mortals in old cars or saloons on 13 inch wheels. It may have been better if we could have enjoyed the views but I doubt it. As for the hills, we were very near the tail end of the field this year and the hills were much rougher than previous years when we were at the front or near the front. But I suppose this is inevitable after the passage of all the bikes and 200 or so cars and very wet conditions prior too and on the event. Perhaps we need more hills so that some can be 'rested' on a yearly basis. Perhaps some easier hills with tyre pressures to limit class 6, 7 and 8 cars climbing ability. What I must say is I do realize how difficult it is to set a trial for such a big field and the C of C and his team must be congratulated. I look forwarded to other replies on this subject. Stuart Harrol
How many cars actually broke on this years event? And how does this compare with preceeding years? Anyone know? It seems to me that a number of people should retire from trialing, and take up more gentle motorsport pursuits on smooth tarmac. Nobody wants to damage their car, but surely it's all part of the "sport". Avoiding damage is part of car preparation and driving technique.
I don't agree that the Edinburgh has developed into a car breaker as such. O.K. the green was rough in my view and I didn't particularly enjoy driving very slowly, picking my way over the boulders - it just seemed a bit unneccessary. Jacobs Ladder and Haggside were a bit rough but rough doesn't neccessaraly equal car breaker. What I consider a car breaker is a really rough hill where the only way out is to charge at it as fast as possible - a bit like Bamford perhaps but then Bamford has been worse than it is now. I can understand the MG guys point of view with their expensive machinery and yes their cars' appearance on the trials is good PR value but then Dudley shows what can be achieved with a well prepared MG. I think it's unrealistic to expect to go trialing without inflicting some damage on the car at some point and if the event is too tough for my car then I vote with my wallet and don't enter....
Interesting this! No matter how well a Class 2 car is prepared it is at least 60 years old and no matter how much work I do to the Escort to stay it Class 3 it has to remain on 13" wheels with the back axle a few inches from the ground. RWD Escorts in scrap yards are not a common sight these days! Breaking your car because you attacked a rough section too quickly is one thing but damaging cars between sections is another. However as Michael said at the top it was only a toe in the water exercise. The competitive part of the event is the observed sections not the green lanes. Mark
Just received Triple where C of C Graham Weekes makes some comments on this thread. Good to know he thought our views were "well balanced" exactly the same views about his trial - always been my favourite - Houndkirk Moor and all Michael
It seems the old MG boys have been puting their heads together on this one as Peter Jones has a go in his piece and Frances Maynard has a pop to (quite un-derstandably John Quenby couldn't put pen to paper). OK I thought the bit across Houndkirk Moor did go on and on, it was a bit rough in places and in a way it was an extra 20 miles between two sections. However, I enjoyed it! To me Classic Trialling is more than the sections and a bit of organised Green Laning is part of the attraction. Also the organisers did specifically say it was to test the water for future years when perhaps some of it could be a section. However, perhaps it was OK for me in my "modern" 28 year old car and not so good for the guys whose motors don't have much suspension travel? As for the sections themselves are they getting rougher? I'm not so sure. Michael Leete
ReplyDeleteMy my, by changing my identity I've managed to sign on. As a Marlin driver the roughness of the greenlane section of the Edinburgh didn't worry me much from the car breaking aspect but boy was it long and in my humble opinion boring. It may be if the weather had been better and the views viewable that I might have felt different. However I am concerned that we should take cars over ground that will lead to a significant number being damaged. If that's what you want, banger racing beckons. When stalwarts such as Gerald Burridge, Ian Blackburn and the Quenby team start to complain I think that the organisers need to choose greenlanes that are little less rough and preferably shorter so that the rescue of any stranded vehicle can be achieved without the use of a helecopter. Tony
ReplyDeleteInteresting one, this. I drive a class 8 car which I do not enjoy smashing on rough roads or hills. I did not enjoy the long green lanes across the moors on this years events and really felt for lesser mortals in old cars or saloons on 13 inch wheels. It may have been better if we could have enjoyed the views but I doubt it. As for the hills, we were very near the tail end of the field this year and the hills were much rougher than previous years when we were at the front or near the front. But I suppose this is inevitable after the passage of all the bikes and 200 or so cars and very wet conditions prior too and on the event. Perhaps we need more hills so that some can be 'rested' on a yearly basis. Perhaps some easier hills with tyre pressures to limit class 6, 7 and 8 cars climbing ability. What I must say is I do realize how difficult it is to set a trial for such a big field and the C of C and his team must be congratulated. I look forwarded to other replies on this subject.
ReplyDeleteStuart Harrol
How many cars actually broke on this years event? And how does this compare with preceeding years? Anyone know? It seems to me that a number of people should retire from trialing, and take up more gentle motorsport pursuits on smooth tarmac. Nobody wants to damage their car, but surely it's all part of the "sport". Avoiding damage is part of car preparation and driving technique.
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that the Edinburgh has developed into a car breaker as such. O.K. the green was rough in my view and I didn't particularly enjoy driving very slowly, picking my way over the boulders - it just seemed a bit unneccessary. Jacobs Ladder and Haggside were a bit rough but rough doesn't neccessaraly equal car breaker. What I consider a car breaker is a really rough hill where the only way out is to charge at it as fast as possible - a bit like Bamford perhaps but then Bamford has been worse than it is now. I can understand the MG guys point of view with their expensive machinery and yes their cars' appearance on the trials is good PR value but then Dudley shows what can be achieved with a well prepared MG. I think it's unrealistic to expect to go trialing without inflicting some damage on the car at some point and if the event is too tough for my car then I vote with my wallet and don't enter....
ReplyDeleteInteresting this! No matter how well a Class 2 car is prepared it is at least 60 years old and no matter how much work I do to the Escort to stay it Class 3 it has to remain on 13" wheels with the back axle a few inches from the ground. RWD Escorts in scrap yards are not a common sight these days! Breaking your car because you attacked a rough section too quickly is one thing but damaging cars between sections is another. However as Michael said at the top it was only a toe in the water exercise. The competitive part of the event is the observed sections not the green lanes. Mark
ReplyDeleteJust received Triple where C of C Graham Weekes makes some comments on this thread. Good to know he thought our views were "well balanced" exactly the same views about his trial - always been my favourite - Houndkirk Moor and all Michael
ReplyDelete