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

Admin

Lancs. & Cheshire ROC

Secretary is now Colin Simons, who has taken over from Andrew Stavordale. Contact him on 01565 733362 or Fax 01565 734156, or E-mail rovertorque@compuserve.com. He is also doing the magazine editor's job.

Wye & Welsh ROC

Chairman is now Roger Coppin, Tel. 01432 352153. He has taken over from Murray Wiltshire, who is now magazine editor.

RACMSA

The national governing body of UK. based motorsport has changed its name to "The Motor Sports Association - United Kingdom", and has a new 'MSA' logo. It's full formal title remains as "The Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association Limited", but in it's dealings with the Clubs, you will know it simply as 'MSA'.

1999 ARC Handbook

At long last Steve Kirby has received the necessary MSA material to go into the handbook. It is anticipated that publication, originally planned for December, will now be achieved in the not too distant future. Discussions are ongoing in Council for a change in format, and method of distribution, for year 2000 onwards. This will depend to some extent on the outcome of the Club's vote on the new proposals for the funding of ARC activities.

Alaska Expedition 1999

BSES Expeditions (Patron-H.R.H. The Duke of York) is operating an expedition for young people (16-20 years) to Alaska this summer. Kristian Allison, a young North Wales LRC member from Colwyn Bay, has been selected to go on this 'trip of a lifetime', and now needs to raise over £2000 sponsorship to secure a place. If you can offer any financial support, or advice as to possible sponsors, please contact Kristian, who is currently doing A levels at Wulfrun College Wolverhampton, at 24 Saffron Gardens, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5SJ, or telephone 01902 331192.

Land Rover Factory Tours

Tours of the Land Rover production facilities are apparently no longer available. Whether this is a short term stoppage or a total cessation, is not yet clear. If you had a tour booked, and have not yet been advised of the cancellation, contact Land Rover.

Leaded Petrol

I'm sure that you are all aware, by now, that 4 star leaded petrol is due to disappear from the forecourts later this year. Tests are still in hand to approve additives, and more technical advice is promised for the future. There are already a couple of leaflets available, free, from DETR, numbered T/INF/476 and T/INF/477, ring 0870 122 6236 for your copies. You can also get details from web site http://www.detr.gov.uk/.

Major B. Hervey Bathurst Memorial Raffle

The Camel Trophy Discovery was won by Mr. R. Thomas from Shrewsbury. A formal presentation ceremony was held at Eastnor Castle on Saturday 23rd January.

The Superwinch was won by Mr. Johr Rudolf from Switzerland.

The 12 month insurance cover, from NFU Mutual was won by Mr. A. West from Rochford, Essex.

The Bronco tyres were won by Mr. V. Leskevicius from Leicester.

Other prizewinners were:-

M. Street from Doncaster - a Performance jacket donated by LRC
H. Lidbury from Lymington - a steering guard donated by W&H Wheelcarriers
S. Brown from Chesterfield - an axle guard donated by W&H Wheelcarriers
B. Muggeridge from Staines - a pair of Land Rover side windows donated by Wigan Aluminium
D. Painter from Bolton - a limited edition print donated by Pete Wilford
C. Stokes from Bexhill on Sea - a diff. guard donated by M.J. Lee Engineering
K. Graham from Ripon - a gas bar-b-cue
M. Hall from Swindon - a Land Rover watch
R. Barnett from Brierley Hill - a Land Rover watch
G. Bush from Woking - Expedition Guide book donated by L.R. Experience
J. Kapteijn from Holland - a body warmer donated by Simmonites
T. Walker from Coventry - a Freelander model donated by The Toy Shop, Ledbury
J. Roberts from Ystradgynlais - 1 year magazine subscription donated by LRM
P. Forth from Castleford - a signed World Cup print
R. Carter from Diss - Assorted Lubricants
N. Figg from Sidcup - Assorted Lubricants
M. Evans from Mold - a gift from Craddocks
Mr. Hall from Lancaster - a gift donated by Landcraft
A. Reynolds from Tamworth - a gift from David Bowyer
M. Skidmore from Walsall - a gift voucher donated by Halfords
M. Jones from Bristol - 1 year magazine subscription donated by LRO
Mr. Abbott address unknown - a gift voucher donated by Tesco

Countryside Access

Help Needed

Tony Kempster, ARC Countryside Access Officer, needs your help as follows:-

Green road use evidence required for two routes in Wales.

This is your chance to come forward with vehicle user evidence for two well-known routes in mid-Wales. The first is a RUPP south east of Machynlleth for which Powys County Council has made an order reclassifying it as bridleway. The route in question links the ends of two county roads, one running south from Machynlleth which terminates at GR 784908, and one running north from Ponterwyd in Ceredigion which terminates at the county boundary at GR 783892 (1:50,000 OS sheet 135). An objection was lodged, and anyone with either documentary or user evidence should let me know ASAP. Together with statements from local people who are prepared to say that they used the route with horses and carts prior to 1930, any additional evidence could well result in byway status for this important route.

The other route is a RUPP between GR 812975 and GR 837960 (also on sheet 135), for which an order has been made reclassifying it as a byway. However, many objections have been lodged and a public enquiry is likely. Vehicular user evidence is therefore required to support byway status. Again, please let me know of any user evidence you may have.

National TRO Register.

I suggested to the last LARA meeting that a national register of TROs affecting green roads, could prove a useful reference base. The idea was accepted, and I agreed that the ARC would try to collate what information was available within the clubs. So I would be pleased if anyone out there can let me have details of TROs in their area.

If you can help in any way please contact Tony, urgently, on telephone 01797 252371, or by mail at Knelle Hill Lodge, Beckley, Rye, East Sussex, TN31 6UD.

Green Lane Day 1999

Don't forget 'Green Lane Day-1999' comes up on March 28th. LARA have appointed Mike Dyer as green lane day co-ordinator, and he has prepared a leaflet, with advice as to what to do and how to do it, to get best results out of the day's effort. For a copy of this leaflet, contact Mike on 01276 473907, or by E-mail on doghouse@cix.compulink.co.uk.

In Memoriam

I have received a letter from Geoff Fuller, which is reproduced below, in full:

On Thursday 26th. November 1998, an Inquest took place into the death of a close friend, and fellow member of the Association Of Rover Clubs, Dave Martin, and of his son Matthew.

Dave enjoyed a number of years as a member of Staffs and Shrops Rover Owners Club. He was involved with the Club magazine 'Tale Gate', and then became the Competition Secretary. He joined in everything, FVTs, RTVs, Competitive Safaris, Green Laning, and was very active throughout the 1988 National, and the 40th. Anniversary of Land Rover at Trentham. He was responsible for the Special Driving Sequences on the official video, and his was the camera vehicle. He went on to join the All Wheel Drive Club, and more recently the Newcastle and Nantwich Rover Owners Club, where he also left his mark.

His son Matthew, who was known to only a few of us, was sixteen, and was his father's son--cheeky- charming- and full of life.

On the 24th April 1998 their Land Rover left the road on a downhill right hand bend, and collided with a stone retaining wall. At the inquest, the reports were graphically detailed, and every aspect had been covered. The Police reported that, on inspection, the front nearside track rod end was found to be detached from the drag link tube. A strip down revealed all other components to be in good working order. Eye witnesses confirmed that the vehicle was not travelling fast. Dave's blood alcohol test was clear. They concluded that corrosion inside the drag link tube caused the components to part, during heavy steering, rendering the steering inoperative. The corrosion would not have been evident at the MOT test three weeks earlier. Verdicts of accidental death were recorded on both Dave and Matthew.

The Coroner requested that, through the organisations that Dave was associated with, as many people as possible be made aware of the hidden danger of concealed corrosion within aged components. Renewal of the tube(s) on an old vehicle was recommended.

Dave and Matt are very much missed by many, our deepest sympathy goes out to those left behind, especially Carol, wife and mother, and Dave's close sister Mandy.

Perhaps the most fitting memorial we can achieve to Dave and Matthew's memory, is that we prevent such an accident ever happening again, so please take special note of the Coroner's request in the penultimate paragraph of Geoff's letter.

Events Past

Hill Rallies 1971/72.

Did you take part in any of the three rallies held during 1971 and 1972?. If so, the organiser of those rallies, Roger Fell, would like to hear from you, particularly if you have any photographs, or even a participating vehicle.

A reunion is planned for October this year, co-incident with the 1999 Hill Rally, with displays of vehicles, photographs, press articles,etc. If you can help in any way, please contact Roger on Tel.01949 831056 or Fax. 01949 831062.

Events Future

Breckland LRC.---Fun Day---Sunday 14th March

10 am. till 4 pm., off the A47 at Beeston near Dereham. Map Ref. is 132/906166. Charges will be £2 per lap or £15 for the whole day. All vehicles must be road legal, and have seat belts for all passengers. Non-members will be allowed entry. For further details ring 01603 810962.

Lancs. & Cheshire ROC---Easter Interclub Event---2nd to 5th April

Camping, RTVT, CCVT, Recovery event, Day & Night Comp. Safaris. For further info. contact Colin Barrance on 01257 792802.

Land Rover Club Poland

Have several events organised for 1999, commencing in the Spring with an event in north west Pomerania, 30th April to 2nd May, and ending with a Millennium Year Eve bash from 30th December to 1st January 2000. During July and August they are running an expedition across Belorus to Russia and Siberia. If you would like more detail, contact; LRClub Poland at --Zbrojewo 2, Poland, 78-500 Drawsko Pom.

Tel/Fax. +48 961 34595, or by E-mail at lrcpl@pro.onet.pl.

Staffs & Shrops LRC --- Interclub Event --- 31st Apr. to 3rd May

May Day Interclub event at Rocester, Staffs. off the A50, on the B5030 half a mile past the JCB factory. Please note this is a revised location from that previously advised, following some uncertainties over the Blithbury site. Camping, RTVT, CCVT, Day & Night Comp Safaris, and a 'shiny vehicle off road drive'. For more info contact Mr/Mrs Von Bayliss on 01782 330923.

Lincolnshire LRC ---Interclub Event --- 1st to 3rd May

At Claxby, Market Rasen on 1st-3rd May with camping, RTVT, CCVT, (ARC club vehicles only),and Open Comp. Safari. Bike trial, Autokhana, Ba-Ba-Que (their spelling!), kid's disco, also available. For more detail, contact Paul Smith on 07971 342968 daytime, or 01472 851659 after 6 pm.

Austrian Rover Club --- International Rally Salzburg --- 13th to 15th May

I now have comprehensive details (in English) of travel arrangements and programme for this event, previously mentioned in ARC News 24. If you would like a copy (5 full A4 pages) send me a stamped sae. There is even a special deal for railway-car transport from Cologne to Salzburg (outgoing) on 12th May, and Munich to Cologne (returning) on 15th May. You can contact Viktor Swoboda on Tel. 0043 6245 84275 or Fax 0043 6245 842754, or contact the UK co-ordinator Ray Attwood of the Rover SD1 Club, Tel/Fax 01483 888432.

Heritage Motor Centre --- Land Rover Marque Day --- 2nd May

Following the preliminary details shown in ARC News 24, plans are now in hand for a full day of Land Rover non-competitive enjoyment, along the following lines:-

• A cavalcade from Lode Lane to Gaydon during the morning, with the usual 'line-up' in the arenas on arrival. Entry is open to Land Rovers of any age, but all vehicles must be road legal, and tidy. Club insignia or badges, up to a maximum size of approx. 15" square will be welcomed. Vehicles will be flagged away in type groups e.g.. Series 1s, Series 2s, Series 3s, Range Rovers, Discoveries, 90s, 110s, Freelanders, Specials, etc. If you wish to enter the 'run', please return the entry form below to Chris Savidge. A rally plate / plaque will be issued at the start of the run to all pre-booked entrants upon payment of an entry fee of (probably) £5. Please do not send any payment with the entry form.
• Special display of "Tempest Trek" (New Discovery) expedition vehicles.
• Special video shows and lectures on "Tempest Trek".
• Special Camel Trophy vehicles display, to mark the end of Land Rover's involvement with Camel Trophy events.
• Freelander 50/50 Challenge exhibition.
• Club displays.
• Marque merchandise.
• Land Rover themed cinema.
• Trade Stands and Autojumble.
• Children's entertainment.

The usual Club entry charges will apply - drivers of Land Rovers will get free entry, and all passengers in Land Rovers will get discounted entry. Individual attendance does not need pre-booking, but if you wish to enter the cavalcade, book in with Chris Savidge, Tel. 0115 926 7716.

If you wish to organise a Club vehicle display stand, a Trade stand, or an Autojumble stand, then contact Jane Roche on Tel. 01926 641188.

Yorkshire ROC ---ARC National Rally 1999 --- 28th to 31st May

Is now confirmed at Coumes Vale, Oughtibridge, Yorkshire, over the Spring Bank Holiday of course, 28th- 31st May. Details are available on web site http://www.landie.demon.co.uk/national/, or you can E-mail national@landie.demon.co.uk.

Entry forms are now available via the Clubs, but if in difficulty contact Helen and Mick Moses, 26 White Rose Way, Garforth, Leeds, LS25 2EF. Entries close 31st March.

Outline programme:

Friday		Reception opens midday, & Scrutineering opens
Saturday		RTVT & Team Recovery
Sunday		CCVT (15 sections)
Monday		Comp Safari & Winch Recovery
Tuesday		Site closes midday

Details of Gymkhana, Trailer reversing, and Concours will be available later.

Rover Friends Finland Club ---Euro Trial 99, Finland --- 31st July to 1st August

I now also have comprehensive details (34 full A4 pages in English) of this event, based at Ravijoki, Virolahti, Finland. Contacts are as listed in ARC News 24, or contact me for more detail.

All Rover Weekend --- Stoneleigh --- 28th to 30th August

John Capewell, an enthusiastic Velar owner, has caught another Land Rover 'bug' - Pre-Production Discoveries- following the recent purchase of one of the G---WAC series, for his wife's transport. He has been talking to Chris Savidge about having a reunion of these vehicles at the Stoneleigh Rally. If you have one of these vehicles, and can attend Stoneleigh on one or more days, please let Chris know- Tel 0115 926 7716.

Hants. and Berks. ROC---ARC International Rally 2000, ("ARC 2000")---27th- 29th May

Hants. and Berks. ROC are hosting the ARC International Rally 2000 ("ARC 2000") and already have a web site set up at http://www.4x4web.co.uk/ARC2000/.

They say "As befits an important event running at the start of the third millennium, we will be making extensive use of E-mail and the Internet in the organisation of this event, and aim to offer a full service to entrants on the net".

They already have a Management team set up, headed by Event Director, Ashley Pocock, and some of the important information is available on the web site such as:-

The competitions		there will be lots of driving around muddy and bumpy places
Timetable		start in the morning, and finish in the evening
How to enter		fill in the entry form
How to get there		buy a map
Safety requirements		asbestos underwear to be worn at all times
Special instructions for O'seas visitors		learn English and drive on the left

Last Updated:
30/12/2005