Exeter 2000

Verdun Webley in his first Classic trial waits at the foot of Tillerton in his white Marlin. Behind "team MG" formulate strategy.

Hanging Back

I read the article on 'Hanging Back' which appeared in the latest issue of 'Restart' with a great deal of interest.   As a very recent newcomer to the Trialling scene (three years as a passenger) I had never thought that an advantage could be gained from slipping down the field, deliberately or simply because other people were quicker at pumping up the tyres.

Surely the position in the field is a matter of swings and roundabouts.    For one hill a front runner may have an advantage, for the next a later competitor may have a better chance.

Thinking back to last year's Exeter it was certainly true that the early Class 8 runners on Branscombe Bank had a harder time then the later entrants.  In contrast, the Class 8 deviation on PIndale on the '99 Edinburgh favoured the lower numbers/earlier runners.

Does a hill like Simms provide a better chance early on, or later in the afternoon/night.  Doing the hill in the dark surely cannot be an advantage.

One further example.  From the three attempts that Stuart Harrold and I have had in the Troll at Hoskin on the Land's End by far the least difficult was in '99 when we were running relatively early and the restart had not been completely polished.

So, is this a major problem?   Given the experience of the writer in Restart it would appear to be so.  If this is the case, does it affect the one day trials more than the MCC events?? 

Whatever your view, enjoy the Exeter, and the beers and the dinner afterwards.    And particularly the chat about the 'hill we nearly cleaned'. 

 

Chris Phillips

Popham Airfield Location?

WHERES POPHAM AIRFIELD?

Ok, I've looked through the route for the anniversary run and everything looks ok, including the much awaited attempt at Fingle Bridge.

I've got large scale maps of the route but not for the start at Popham Airfield can anyone give me a description, I can see Popham on the AA Road map and what looks like a dead end lane is this it just off the A30 near J8 M3.

Many Thanks for any help

Kevin

Women trials drivers

I would dearly enjoy swapping trials stories with any women who have competed on classic trials. I drive a 1300 Beetle and thus I'm in class 4 and so learning about enjoyment and difficulties which there invariably are would be very interesting to me.

Hazel

Ha

 

Help for the Exeter

Hi everyone,

Can I solicit your help on the Exeter with info on how you got on, how your buddies got on and anything at all interesting you see.

Also I would really appreciate photo's, especially of Bikes and the Anniversary vehicles. If you can't scan them could you lend me prints (if you do this I will e-mail you my snail mail address).

I got some positive vibes from my stuff on the Edinburgh and Allen, that was because of the help from the community.

You can of course post your stuff direct on the message board or e-mail me direct.

Thanks in anticipation

Michael

Lead Replacement Fuels

I shall, on the Exeter, for the first time, be filling up with non genuine 4 star fuel. Has anybody got any preferences, based on experiences or heresay, of the best way to go? Everything I read about in the Press, regarding 4 star LRP fuel points towards it being no good. I shall be using unleaded and Castrol Valvemaster Plus additive.

Skoda Parts

Happy New Year to one and all.

Last night at a party Fred Mills who bounces for Derek Reynold (I only mention this in case he is wrong in which case blame him or right in which case credit to him) mentioned that Benfield Motors Skoda branch in Newcastle are holding a sale of old Skoda parts for 짙1 each next Saturday and the one after. I know the first one may be a problem with the Exeter and all but the second may be of interest.

Their phone number is 0191 266 3543 or 0345 745 745. 

If you do negotiate anything with them I'm sure Fred, Derek or myself could pop in and collect the bits and deliver to the start of the Clee.

I can be reached on 01434 672109 evenings or 0191 219 4230 work 

Cheers

Tony