Issue 17 - December 1997

Geof Miller, ARC Press & Publicity
Brandlehow, Wolverton, Stratford-on-Avon CV37 0HF
Tel: (+44) 1789 73 1669

Circulation

There are now 29 UK clubs receiving ARC News direct from Lode Lane, which by my calculation leaves six who do not.

Can I appeal to all Membership Secretaries (or whoever does the job) to keep Andrew Neaves updated with membership addresses on a regular basis. After each issue of ARC News I get a batch of "change of address" notifications. I cannot do anything with these, the system can only work by regular update of club discs.

There have been three changes of Secretary recently, these being:-

Rover Sports Register Tony Atkins
27 Coventry Road, Warwick CV34 4LJ

Newcastle & Nantwich ROC Mrs. Georgie Hand
Hollinhurst Farm, Park Lane, Endon, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 9JB

North Wales LRC Brian Lewis
14 Woodside, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 8DX

Tyro Trials

I was interested in a snippet from Mark Freeman in a recent Somerset & Wilts magazine 'Full Tilt', pointing out that TYRO stands for "Try Your Rover Offroad" not "Tip Your Rover Over". He finishes off by saying - "I've a feeling attendances (in future) will far outnumber those at RTV's/CCVT's."

Bull Bars

Yes, it's that subject again I'm afraid. The Government have issued a consultation document, which I can't reproduce here, it's about 20 pages long. It looks at proposals as to how to deal with banning, or not banning, existing bullbars, and banning, or not banning, or testing, 'new' bullbars, and subsequent enforcement.

If you have strong feelings on this issue, get a copy of the proposals, and/or address your ideas to:

Mr. C. Howsham
VSE6
Zone 2/04
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR

as soon as possible, nominally by 31st Dec 1997!

Book Review

Did you know that the first jet engine used in powered flight was mounted as a "tail engine" in a Lancaster bomber in 1942? And did you know that one of the first jet engines to provide powered flight was built by Rover?

A new book is available in A5 paperback format (131 pages) called "Vikings at Waterloo" by David S Brooks, published by Rolls Royce Heritage Trust as No.22 of their Historical Series.

It details the wartime work on the Whittle jet engine by the Rover Company, and is a fascinating insight into some of the wartime history of Rover at Clitheroe and Barnoldswick in Lancashire.

It is available via the Heritage Motor Centre shop at Gaydon priced at £10.95 plus postage £1.00 . The ISBN number is 1 872922 08 2

1998 Events

Greystoke 98, Cumbria

Red Rose LRC and Cumbrian ROC are getting together again to run Greystoke 98 over Easter weekend 9th-14th April. There will be RTV, CCV, Winch Recovery and Gymkhana, lots of family activities, plus camping and caravanning. Contact John Sturgess, Fickle Hall Farm, Duckshaw Road, Darwen, Lancs BB3 2VA, tel 01254 771376 or fax 01254 774472.

Heritage Solihull Run, April 26th

Following a recent meeting at Lode Lane, we can confirm that most of the outline plan listed in ARC News 16 is now relatively firm. The start time is now anticipated to be 10.00 am rather than 9.00 am. Return to the NEC remains as approx 6.00 pm. On the return leg between Warwick and Meriden, a call into Baddesley Clinton (a Natural Trust property) has been added for afternoon tea. Sunset is at 8.14 pm on the day (over which we have no control!) so the firework display will start at 9.00 pm.

In view of the potential attendance levels, entry to the NEC and to Heritage Motor Centre will probably be by ticket only, details of availability later.

International Rally, Eastnor, May 21st - 31st

Latest news from the Planning Committee is as follows:-

Brief Timetable of Competition Events:-

Saturday 23rd Grand Opening, Showroom Event

Sunday 24th Cross Country Vehicle Trial, Concours d'Elegance (cars only)

Monday 25th Competitive Safari

Tuesday 26th Team Recovery, Concours d'Elegance (Land Rover products)

Wednesday 27th Inter Club Challenge, Concours d'Elegance (Land Rover products)

Thursday 28th Timed Trial

Friday 29th Winch Recovery

Saturday 30th Road Taxed Vehicle Trial, Closing Ceremony

Please note that the Concours for Rover cars will be held only on Sunday 24th May and will be held in the courtyard of the Castle. The Land Rover Concours on Tuesday 26th/Wednesday 27th will be held in the Rally Arena.

1998 is also the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of the Rover P3 car, it is likely therefore that this will be featured in the Car Concours. The 80" Land Rover did of course utilise much of the drive line of a P3.

Entertainment:-

To accommodate those who like peace and quiet, and those who like something a little more lively, we will have two marquees, with a bar in each. Nightly entertainment with live music has been planned, starting on Saturday evening with a late forties/ early fifties theme, dancing to the music of Ray Macvay and his orchestra. We hope as many people as possible will join in the spirit of the night and dress in the style of the era.

Other events throughout the week:-

Gymkhana, trailer reversing, scenic drives, factory visits (subject to demand), can all be booked and paid for on the day. Other attractions include a bike trial, childrens club,displays, demonstrations, talks, repair clinics, craft stalls, club stands, auto jumble, and not forgetting the most important, trade stands.

Site Services:-

Quality catering, toilets, showers, bus service around the park, and in the evening to and from the beer tent (we wouldn't want you to drink drive around the site, now would we?), and subject to negotiations, on-site banking, shop, telephones, caravan shop and gas, battery charging, and a daily bus service into Ledbury.

MROC as the local geographical club has taken on the mammoth task of Site Services management. They need a lot of help from other clubs or individuals, so if you or your club can help, please contact Steve Cook on 01527 525021

We are also looking for each Club to have a nominated caravan marshal, or rota of marshals, for its own area. Could all Clubs please notify their nominated marshal(s) to Steve Cook.

'First Aid' is already in hand but we would like to have a 'duty doctor' available throughout the rally, are there any club member doctors out there who would be prepared to help, even if only for an hour or two? Please contact Harold Lowe on 01772 716956

Shugborough 27th/28th June

The Series I Club and the 47-51 Register are getting together for the biggest ever Series I event. All ARC single marque clubs have been invited to have a club stand, and there will be lots of trade stands. Whilst the weekend rally is only open to Series I Club and 47-51 Register members, day visitors are, of course, welcome, at a nominal entry fee yet to be settled. In the region of 300 Series Is are expected, and the late John Parker's collection of model Land Rovers will be on display.

If you need further information or entry forms, contact Peter Hughes, 332 Priory Road, Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands B90 1BQ Tel 0121 430 4712.

Land Rover Register 1947-51 - Anniversary Tour 9th-22nd August

Anniversary Tour to Switzerland, details as in ARC News 16.

(up, back to issue 16, on to issue 18)

Disclaimer, March 1998

Last Updated:
30/12/2005