Michael has had a couple of nibbles recently about triallers who use trailers to get their cars home from an event. I suspect he thinks that they should be banned.
I would recognise that as a valid point of view, albeit one that I don't agree with.
But as with all types of legislation the question to be answered is: How do you enforce the ban?
With an overnight stay on Buxton, Babbacombe and Penzance/Newquay/Lands End, how exactly would one ensure that there were no trailers used to carry home the competing car?
In addition, if one were able to frame the rules to sort out the above problems, how ould one cope with the genuine breakdown?
A similar scenario exists for one day events: the theory may be great but the practicalities make a mockery of the intent.
Over to you, Michael.
Hope you have a good Edinburgh.
Hi Chris, Yes I do think they should be banned on the basis that if your car isn't suitable, or is too un-comfortable for a long road journey, you shouldn't use it on a Classic Trial. I do have sympathy for you as a big guy squeezing into that Troll. I wonder if I will maintain my anti-trailer stance when I get my Troll or Dellow! I think driving to and from the event is an essential part of the fun. My most memorable trials experience was driving with Dudley from the New Forest up to the North Devon Coast early on a cold frosty morning. How do you enforce it? I am old fashioned and believe you should just trust people. However I guess it doesn't work on the no external servicing rule so why should it work for trailers. I plan to continue my anti-trailer campaign because thats my personal view. I do accept that I may be in a minority though. Hope you are enjoying your ACTC job. Will look out for you on the Edinburgh. Michael
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have some sympathy with Michael's view, and I agree that "Trials always used to be like that", I do think circumstances have changed and the main change is the roads that some of us have to use to get to and from events. I'm sure that an early morning cross-country drive from the New Forest to North Devon would be wonderful in many cars, but flogging up and down the M5 is no fun at any time. Personally I never trailer on MCC events because I am lucky enough to have starts for all three comparatively close to home and I always stay overnight on the Saturday and drive home on the Sunday. But the drive home up the M5 from the Exeter and the Lands End is appalling. B-Series-engined Marlins with four-speed gearboxes and the 'normal' van back axle are getting pretty stressed at 60 mph and that's not a pleasant speed to be driving on the motorway. OK, I know that towing is no quicker (or shouldn't be!) but the tow car is less stressed and that makes the overall experience less stressful for the driver. Sure there are alternative routes to the M5, and I've tried most of them, but none of them are much fun. So, for that reason, I try and trailer to distant one-day ACTC events. Several months ago, if you recall, we were all discussing 'falling-asleep-at-the-wheel'. Whilst I did agree with Stuart Harrold that he felt most at risk when in a nice warm tow car at the end of a hard event, I do think that, overall, trailering is less stressful and therefore safer. I know it's difficult to fall asleep in an open car, but it's also difficult to see where you're going driving up a motorway at 60mph in torrential rain. So, for me, it's simple: Drive to and from MCC events and nearby ACTC events; trailer to and from distant ACTC events. It's not the suitability of the car that's relevant Michael, it's the roads we have to use. Andrew
ReplyDeleteI agree that any car entered on an MCC event should be capable of being driven long distances at reasonable speed thus making trailers unnecessary, BUT for those of us who live a long way from almost anywhere a 250 mile drive in normal traffic and weather outside the event is not always great fun. Also my nearest and dearest likes to bring a little more in the way of luggage for the 3 - 4 days that the lands end is for us than the marlin will accomodate (actually I do too). 2 other reasons for trailers: 1. Austin 7's or such like (250 miles on a trial with a max speed of 45mph is OK the run home may encroach into working life) 2. My insurance is mileage limited and I would rather use those miles on a trial than up and down the A1/M1. Cheers Tony PS I am driving the Marlin to the Edinburgh.
ReplyDeleteTony, I think anyone North of the Tyne is a special case! Michael
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