Entries are now open for the Tamar Trial which will take place on Sunday the 17th of October 2021. The regs and entry form are available to download below.
The online entry system is available for this event and can be accessed here www.lncmc.co.uk/online-entry/. Postal entries are still welcomed.
Launceston & North Cornwall Motorclub Branded Clothing
If anyone would like some of our prestigious Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club clothing, then please email info@protektsafetywear.co.uk and they will be happy to assist you.
It’s all happening , just had the David Ayers trial, in a couple of weeks we have the Tamar trial but before the Tamar many people will be getting ready to go “up north” for the MCC Edinburgh trial, yes the one which basically concentrates on Derbyshire, but Edinburgh is only a few miles up the road to a racing pigeon.
Hopefully by next weekend the latest barmy blot of the “fuel crisis” that isn’t will have eased and everyone will be able to concentrate on the event and not where they can fill up next. I am marshalling on Haydale, I theoretically have a chance to get a few hours sleep as I don’t have to be on section until 3.45am, luxury.
It was a feeling of “we’ve finally got there” when the clubs exhibition opened in the pop up museum, well worth a visit, it’s closed Sundays and Mondays but open the rest of the week, last entry is 4.00pm. There is everything from live rolling film to fully dressed manikins of what the best dressed trailers wore/wear and lots of interesting memorabilia, one of our committee members has already been twice to have a look , he’s impressed. “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””” Forthcoming Events
Sunday the 17th of October is the Tamar Classic road trial, this is probably our biggest event, it takes a lot of organising by the team and will require a considerable number of marshals, if you are able to help in any way please contact Nigel 07902 542798, go on give him a call.
Sunday the 21st of November is pencilled in for the Ron Beer sporting trial, I haven’t heard too much about it yet but as far as I know it will be at Ashleigh Farm, Lifton. ********************
Now over to our Club President Robin Moore
The Ramblings of RHTM. Part 6 of the Graham Paige Story
As I mentioned at the beginning of this story, as purchased, the Graham was remarkably sound in all departments , and I had no reason to think that any item might be non original , and I never met anyone who may have questioned this. When I was able to see my old car a few years later I found otherwise. I knew that Derek Adams had placed it in a museum, and when I next clapped eyes on XV4512 and was delighted with what I found.
It was after attending the VSCC Welsh Trial a few years later that Marjorie and I stayed on for a few days after the event, as we often did, and we headed for the Garrison Theatre at Pembroke Dock. The auditorium had been turned into a small private car museum,- a far cry from the days of it’s use as a theatre providing relaxation from the rigours of WW2for those on coastal command who were based at Pembroke Dock. We discovered the museum was closed, but on making judicious enquiries at a small shop nearby we discovered a young lad who had the key whilst the owners were away. The owners, whose name eludes me at the moment, were away on a pilgrimage to France to pay homage and be with the people who had witnessed and been so kind and helpful when their son had tragically lost his life in a motoring accident the previous year. Having established our credentials we walked the short distance to the museum and to be let in and allowed to view our old motor car. I was truly amazed to find that it had been given a face lift in Derek Adam’s hands and was once again as Dr Flower would have been when attracted to the car on the 1928 motor show.
The car was now as originally presented and I was able to appreciate it that much more. There had been a number of items that had been missing or changed during my ownership, but I had been none the wiser. I suspect that Derek Adams had realized that a number of items were missing and assume he sourced these parts from the States,- probably not too difficult at the time. I noticed a number of small items such as the plug for the starting handle hole at the bottom of the radiator for example,- I hadn’t ever given this a thought. But the most striking thing which immediately struck me was that the wheels had been re-painted. During my time with the car the wheels had always been a pale green colour, where as now they were correctly painted in an Ivory shade to match the colour of the metal instrument panel set in the centre of the full width wooden dash. Also most striking was the addition of the correct bumpers,- the Yanks call them fenders,- and I must say this really set the car off in my eyes. All was now as it should be, I came away a happy man. The museum closed many years ago, and where the Graham resides I know not. I do know that Derek Adams died a number of years ago. RHTM to be continued, Ed I just did a quick DVLA search and the last tax due date was 1st January 1998. Last logbook issued (V5) 4th Feb 2019 ***************************
Chairman’s Chat
The newsletter continues to be a vital part of keeping you all in touch with the club so thanks to JT for reminding me that it is due out shortly.
Hopefully you are now all aware that the new Lawrence House Pop-Up museum is open at the Merchant House, 11a High Street (opposite the Co-Op in Launceston town centre. The exhibition celebrates the Dunheved Motor Club, North Cornwall Motor Club and subsequently Launceston and North Cornwall Motor Club’s Centenary. It tells the story of our club and includes the many characters who have enjoyed their motorsport and contributed to our success and longevity. You can also discover the stories behind many of our trophies. It is currently open most days except Sunday.
Recently the David Ayers Trophy Trial was a very successful BTRDA Championship Trials Formula competition. It was good to see Andy Wilks winning the main award as he and his family have supported this event for many years. Congratulations also go to to Nigel Shute the winner of the Frank Ayers Trophy and to Colin Flashman for his class win. Thanks must go to Warin, Mike Wevill and all the volunteers who enabled this event that began in 1963 to continue to be one of the best on the calendar. Last week I went to the Goodwood Revival historic motor racing with Andy Prosser. It was a privilege to be part of the tribute to Sir Stirling Moss It included 3 laps round the circuit behind Jenson Button in a Jaguar XK120 chauffeured Andy Smith in his FIA MGB that Stirling drove in the Pirelli Marathon in 1992, his last competitive rally, winning his third ALPINE CUP.
Our club’s next event is the Tamar trial and the organising committee are working hard under the leadership of Pete Cooper to ensure that it is a success. They really do need marshals to enable all sections to be included as planned so if you, your family, or friends are available please let us know as soon as possible.
On a purely personal note I would like to wish Simon Oates and John Werren good luck for the Edinburgh Trial. Simon has certainly developed and drives Torum well After they won best car on the MCC John Aley Summer Trial I wished there was a constructor’s award! Andy Prosser and I finished building the car in 1997 and it has seen a lot of competition since then but never had such outright success before.
Yours in motorsport Joe Caudle
Visit to Prescott Speed Hill Climb. by Andy Prosser
Sunday 4th September found me at Prescott, near Cheltenham, watching my first ever hill climb. Well, I say first, but I suppose technically that was many years ago as I did once sneak in to the hill climb at Werrington Park briefly, just over the road from where I live. So, what finally got me to go to Prescott? Two things really, one it has the reputation of being one of the best hills in the country and also my friend Mike Turpin was competing there in his Vauxhall VX220. This is a car that was originally built for rallycross and which I did a lot of work on, from fabricating and setting up all the suspension, to sorting racing brakes, installing the engine and transmission, fitting variable rate electric power steering and numerous other modifications. The car is fitted with a 2.2 litre supercharged engine built by Martin Bowyer, producing around 400 horse power and a 6 speed Sadev sequential, flat shift gearbox. Having done some work on this gearbox I can honestly say it’s a work of art, everything is beautifully machined and the gears and associated parts would look good on any mantelpiece (although my wife probably wouldn’t agree).
I have lost count of how many rallycross meetings I have been to throughout the UK and Ireland looking after Mikes cars, going back to the end of his Metro 6R4 days in which he won the British Rallycross championship in 1993, through many years where he was highly successful in his space framed Vauxhall Nova and then the VX. Mike had only campaigned the VX in rallycross for a couple years when he felt that all the travelling and damage from other cars was taking the fun out of it, so around 10 years ago decided to move to hill climbing. He has been very successful with it, winning the Midland Hill Climb championship several times. His move to hill climbing meant, barring major driver error (which is virtually unheard of with Mike) that little mechanical support at meetings would be needed. This, together with a change of job for me, entailing a huge amount of travelling, meant I really didn’t have the need or the time to go along anymore so this was the first time I saw the VX in action at a hill climb.
Mike’s VX220 – pretty don’t you think?
Two cooling systems, one for the engine and one for the hard-working supercharger.
So, what was is it like at Prescott? I have to say it is a superb venue in a fantastic setting and the weather was perfect too. The hill itself is 1127 yards long and rises over 200 feet (it’s great after Brexit that we can use imperial measures again!). For those who maybe don’t know, it is owned by the Bugatti owners club, having been bought in 1937 to enable a few wealthy friends to have somewhere to race, having apparently been barred from racing at some of the other venues they’d been using due to making too much noise. These days a huge variety of cars compete from virtually standard road cars, rally cars, historic cars, through home-built specials to out and out hill climb single seaters and not forgetting Bugatti type 51’s! The acceleration of the top cars is amazing, achieving over 100 mph in the first 100 yards or so. The course record had been set by Sean Gould in his, yes Gould, in 2019 with a time of 35.41 seconds. However, Wallace Menzies achieved a new hill record of 35.12 seconds in the qualifiers in his 3.3 litre Gould. In the run off, you could see it was going to be an amazing run, Menzies was totally on it everywhere, the braking points were perfect and he seemed to be able to get on the power sooner than anyone else, plus the car goes like hell. He smashed the record with a time of 34.65 seconds, ½ a second quicker than his previous run, a truly astonishing performance and a privilege to be there to see. Before the run his crew were even using a hot air gun and paint scraper to get a new clean surface on the tyres – that’s what you call car preparation! Huge congratulations to him and his team.
Oh, and how did Mike do? Second in class to a 3.8 litre Porsche driven by a guy who I believe owns around ten Porsches and who had been racing at LeMans in one the week before. Apparently when someone asked him what his favourite track was, he thought about it for a while and then said “Daytona” – playing in a different league perhaps?
So why don’t I do hill climbing? Unfortunately, I suffer with motion sickness, a problem with my ears I think, so after experiencing the “g” forces of cornering and braking on one run up the hill I am sure I would be parking my breakfast as well as my car in the paddock! I’ll just have to stick to trialling, a much more sedate form of motorsport.
What a lovely pair of Bugatti Type 51s.
Single seater anyone?
Now that’s what I call a front wing!
Wallace Menzies front wheel, functional, art or pornography – you decide! *********************************************************************** DAVID AYERS TRIAL 2021
On Sunday 12th September the Launceston & North Cornwall Motor Club organised the David Ayers Sporting Trial at Marshgate, by kind permission of the Langley family.
The event attracted 16 competitors from as far as Yorkshire , Shropshire & the Midlands because it was a round in both the MotorSport UK & BTRDA National Championships.
The conditions were ideal after heavy rain in the week but rain holding off on the day.
The event was closely contested but lunchtime leader Andy Wilks just held off local clubmember Colin Flashman (Blue class winner) to win by just 6 points taking the David Ayers Trophy. Local drivers John Fack & Alan Murton finished 3rd & 4th respectively.
Nigel Shute was into the silverware by winning the Frank Ayers Trophy in the clubman class.
Many thanks as usual to the marshals & organisers.
************************************************************** Tailpiece…………… Back in the late 40’s , early 50’s when the Dellow was originally designed/constructed it was basically a simple car, starting with an Austin 7 chassis and soon followed by a chassis of their own design. Running gear was also simple , using a Ford 1172cc sidevalve engine, 3 speed gearbox and back axle that could be found in any junk yard under a Ford “Pop” body. In fact it was so simple that many special builders latched on to copy this design. Simple. NO IT’S NOT, if it’s simple why won’t my blooming Dellow start ?
To explain, on the day of the David Ayers trial I drove in it out to Marshgate, spent a happy day marshalling and drove home again , put it in the garage. The following Wednesday I have to go to Plymouth in the afternoon, so I say to Vivien I’ll take the Dellow after all it’s a nice day. Just before lunch I open the garage, start the car and park it outside, switch off , go in and have a sandwich. Return to car, switch on and it refuses to start, I then spend 10 minutes tinkering with it all to no avail, push car back in garage and trundle off to Plymouth in the campervan.
On my return I grudgingly remove the bonnet to further my knowledge of non starting cars, to date my knowledge of non starting cars has been greatly expanded because a week and a half later the bloody thing still refuses anything more than a heavy smokers cough. When fault finding it is all too easy to jump in at the deep end and overlook the obvious so I have tried to be methodical in my process.
Having removed the distributor cap I noticed a spark coming from a low tension wire, got it thinks I, replace wire (even with additional sleeving) attempt to start, will it start? NO!
Next fit my in line spark checker to check good spark, yes, lovely spark, go off to scratch head and various other bits of anatomy whilst battery is recharging – will it start? NO!
Next check fuel supply , fine , mop up fuel from garage floor. Will it start? NO!
Next remove number 1 plug that way I can see if valves are closed properly on compression whilst rotor arm is approaching correct firing position, all good. But will it start NO!
I am now beginning to run short of ideas, Next – replace rotor arm, throw money at it by fitting 4 brand new plugs, still no joy. Maybe there’s a fault with the supercharger, disconnect inlet from charger, remove inlet manifold, replace with original twin carbs, recharge battery, nope engine is fully paid up member of “Dodo” fan club.
The car carries two HT coils, both giving the same result, get another one from cupboard, fit, same result. No Start! Is it an earth problem? Fit additional earth wire from engine to chassis, you’ve guessed it, NO!
The only simple item not be replaced is the dizzy cap because as it turns out the spare one I have been carrying for the last 4 years isn’t compatible. Order new one and in the meantime recharge battery again . The saga continues…… Bumper edition this month so thanks to all contributors, certainly makes the job easier, will have to hold the scooter ride article off to next month. J.T.
Once again I am sat in the office looking out longingly at the sun but I know you are all eager to read my monthly offering, well that’s what I tell myself. The club has been pretty active with events and meetings so much so that at this rate given the average age of a lot of us we may be needing a “little something” to keep us going, after all we have had 18 months of not a lot happening and it comes as a bit of a shock.
We finally managed to have an AGM with real people all in the same room and a good turnout it was too, some new faces and some regular ones, so much appreciated. After the usual appraisal of the previous year by the various officers it was then down to electing new ones. I have managed to step down as Chair, I took the job on in December of 2020 from Pete Cooper who had done sterling work as chair but as previously mentioned he was exceptionally busy with work and something had to give. As I said at the time my being in the chair was only to be temporary and now Joe Caudle has stepped up and will take over the reins. The full list of officers/committee members are as follows.
President: Robin Moore. Vice President:- L Connett J Caudle:- Chair. J Turner:- Vice chair / Newsletter . M Wevill:- Competition Secretary, P Wevill:- Treasurer . R Simpson:- Motorcycle secretary, N Cowling:- Social secretary, S Oates :-Membership secretary, A Prosser :-General Secretary Lisa Gregory:- Facebook, J Kelly:- data and Website manager. ACTC:- P Cooper. Committee members : W Kelly, P Gomm, S Riddle, J Cooper, A Rippon, L Rippon, A Murton, D Ruby. Junior members:- Ashley Ruby, Zac Ruby. Uncle Tom Cobley has stood down.
Chairman’s contribution.
As your new Chairman I am reprising the role I had about 20 years ago. Since then we have had a few new people join the committee but most of those are familiar faces, some I have known since I joined the club 40 years ago. During that time I have enjoyed officiating and competing in Our events and have also been, at various times, Competition Secretary, Newsletter Editor, Public Relations Officer and Vice Chairman. I am currently also the Club Safeguarding Officer.
Our last event, the Testing Trial, was a great success and it was wonderful to see a good entry and in some cases 3 generations of families in attendance with many of the youngest competing. It would appear that there are many new and younger members now. Very positive for the future of our club.
However these events need organisation. Clerk of Course Nigel and his team did a great job laying out sections etc. There were just enough marshals on the day and all ran smoothly.
The part of the running of the club and such events that is less obvious but enormously important is dealing with the bureaucracy. Mike Wevill is our Competition Secretary who ensures permits are in place and all Motorsports UK and AMCA requirements are met. For the Testing Trial he was also Secretary of the meeting, dealing with the online entries, those who needed to complete entry paperwork on the day and also ensuring signing on of competitors and marshals (thank you Lisa for your help) was all in order.
Mike has been Competition Secretary for many years and we now need someone to learn from him with a view to taking over next year so he can have a well earned retirement from the job. Without a Competition Secretary the Club cannot function. Whether you are currently on the committee or a member who would be able to take on this job please let us know. It would be great to know the future of the club is secure.
I look forward to our next events in September – the David Ayers Trial and the opening of the ‘pop up museum display that will run to the end of November.
Joe Caudle
************************* Now over to our club President Robin Moore.
The Ramblings of RHTM . Part 5 of the Graham Paige story. I re-called in part 4, the weekend away in the Graham when I drove to VSCC Silverstone for the race meeting, and didn’t return home to Trefrew before driving down to Sherfield English (Romsey) until 48 hours later, having covered 455 miles in this 32 year old vintage car. But to me that’s nothing new, I’ve never purchased a new car , nor have I been inclined to do so, in spite of having a hundred or so motor cars over my lifetime, and at least 15 different marques. It reminded me of the heading to a C & D (Cornish & Devon newspaper) press report of 60 years ago stating, “32 year old car wins again”. It referred to Wolseley Hornet MV 2718 that I was campaigning with some success at the time.
It was June 1966 when Dave Hilliard, ( Camel Vale President at the time) decided to sell the Singer Le Mans LM9, which he had purchased in 1946 whilst still serving in the RAF. Dave offered me first refusal as promised, and I was keen to purchase JB 4387. I decided something needed to go, and as Derek Adams of Okehampton Motors had expressed interest in the Graham it seemed the opportune moment to part company. I had met Derek Adams previously when he and his father owned the garage at the top of the rise leading to the town on the old A30. It is no longer there, having been developed into a housing estate some years ago. I remember calling there when it was a garage and filling station, at the time they had a Wolseley Hornet for sale, which I didn’t purchase.
Derek Adams came to Trefrew to have a look at the Graham. I remember he had a friend with him who owned a 1929 Hillman 14 at the time. Derek agreed my price for the Graham but wanted me to take a Mk 1 Ford Zodiac in part exchange, to which I agreed as I already had someone who would be pleased to take the Zodiac off my hands, and which balanced the books. Everything was “on the button” and a week later I drove the Graham to Derek Adams home at Octon House, in Station Road and changed mounts to return in the Ford. This was the one and only Ford Zodiac that I had experience of, but I must say it drove well, and would be much sought after today.
I have recorded a little of this story many years ago when I was writing under the title “Did You Know” for the Reluctant Publishing Company. I doubt there are many who recall Derek Adams and the garage he ran with his father, but Derek was well known for having a very large collection of Suede shoes.I’ll conclude this Graham Paige story next month, but you will recall that I mentioned in part 4 of the VSCC Welsh Trial and the famous section “The Snatcher” . This hill rises off the A44 just outside New Radnor.
The photograph below was taken by myself near the foot or the hill on one such occasion when the last competitor had tackled the hill. I couldn’t resist taking this snap of Bill Body, editor of Motor Sport Magazine , together with his wife Winifred, and “Jenks” , seated, his famous “Continental Correspondent”. You know the rest.
RHTM to be continued.
Centenary event. 7th of August saw a very good display of cars and bikes take over the square in Launceston, the weather wasn’t exactly on our side but everyone turned up and helped put on a display which did our club proud. There was quite a bit of interest from the public some of whom looked a little surprised but enjoyed the variety of vehicles on display, special thanks to David Uglow for driving the HRG from Callington in poor weather. At 90 David is still competing and enjoying the car!
The “Pop Up” museum is due to open in a couple of weeks time, all being well the date is set for the15th of September it will be situated just off the square in the High Street opposite the Coop store. The club display will be on show until the end of November with posters depicting each decade from the 1920’s up to present day, also on display will be artefacts, trophies etc belonging to the club. Well worth a visit but check the museum website for opening times. https://lawrencehousemuseum.org.uk/
Testing Trial & Taster event Sunday the 22nd of August saw a very good turn out of both cars and bikes for this event, in total we had 30 competitors for the main event and 4 people signed up for the “taster”, this time the weather was definitely on our side so the factor 50 sun cream was a necessity. We had 8 in the junior event on motorcycles and they were loving it. To watch these youngsters, one was only 6 years old, bobbing across the field and doing their very best to be competitive was great, even if parents and family members were all at strategic points of each test to make sure no one got lost, it was fun and it gave them a taste of what can be done if clubs like ours make the effort to include them.
Some of the tests were quite complicated so it meant being focused or getting lost, yes some people did the latter but in general it wasn’t a problem. Well done Nigel for laying out a good course, which I think I can say was enjoyed by all, even if there was a couple of “dishonourable dismounts”.
Forthcoming Events
Sunday the 12th of September is the date of the David Ayers Sporting Trial at Trevilla Farm, Marshgate by kind permission of Mr David Langley. This is a round of the BTRDA and ASWMC championship, we are hopeful of a good entry and as always marshals will be needed, this is a chance to see some of the top sporting trials drivers in action so please give it your support. Sunday the 17th of October we hold our Tamar Classic Road Trial covering West Devon and North Cornwall, I’m told there is a completely new route this year so should be a very good event, yes once again we need marshals. This is a round of the ASWMC and ACTC championship drawing competitors from far and wide with the usual eclectic mix of machinery on 2,3 & 4 wheels. ******************** Well once again I have somehow managed to come up with a reasonable size newsletter for your indulgence, especially if like me you are a slow reader. A word of warning, if I don’t have sufficient content for next month’s epistle I shall tell you all about my 180 mile Lambretta ride around the lanes of Cornwall & Devon, photos too !
All for this month J.T. Please send contributions to billjan299@gmail.com
