Club news, October 1985

For those not able to get to Brands Hatch for Saturday practice before the European GP, the Three Counties Showground at Malvern, Worcestershire, should provide an interesting alternative. It is called the Malvern Motoring Event, and is devoted to a wide range of Vintage, Veteran, and Classic cars, most on display, but some for sale by auction. Most of the displays are under cover, and some of the choice exhibits are Bugattis, T13, T37, T40, T57, Alfa Romeo 6C 1750, ERA, Riley, and AC Cobra, while the 500 or so vehicles also include historic commercials. A mock WWII battle is planned, and the children will no doubt enjoy the sight of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang — the film version, not Count Zborowski’s. Admission is £1.50, or 50p for under 12s.

Bearing in mind recent references to automotive mountain-climbing in Motor Sport, it is interesting to see an article in The Morris Register Journal on the same subject, although the particular attempt mentioned ended in failure when the Morris 14 was defeated by the appalling surface of a little-known Lakeland pass. More recent (and successful) trips to Holland, France, and Belgium organised by the club are described; Morris owners wanting to get involved should contact Bob Beaumont, 20 Chestnut Avenue, Gosfield, Halstead, Essex.

To coincide with the Malvern Motoring Event mentioned above, the Railton Owners Club will hold its AGM at the Bredon Hotel, Malvern at 8.00 pm on Saturday October 5th.

Many clubs now seem to be concerned either with one make of vehicle, or one aspect of the sport, so it makes a change to read The Acorn, organ of Sevenoaks and District MC, who are involved in a wide range of autotests, sprints, races and rallies both road and stage. The Acorn has just changed from A5 to A4 size and amongst its varied contents is a Table Top Navigational Rally that I am still struggling with! Membership Secretary is Mrs Anne Goodman, 55 Arran Road, Catford, London SE6.

Following recent articles on Turner and Buckler cars, readers may like to know how to contact the appropriate clubs. The Turner Register is run by Dave Scott, 21 Ellsworth Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP11 2TV and the Buckler Register is run by Stan Hibberd, 62 Burwood Road, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 4AJ.

Congratulations

As we closed for press we learned that Russell Brookes won his first British Open Rally Championship. Brookes, partnered by Mike Broad, secured the title by three points from Jimmy McRae when he took his Opel Manta 400 to victory in the Manx International Rally, with the sister car of McRae and Ian Grindrod finishing second in the event.