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

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ARC 2000 - Hants & Berks Rover Owners Club- News Update

Those members who were able to visit the Club's stand at the 1999 National will already know that ARC2000, the Association of Rover Clubs 2000 International Rally, will be held at Long Valley, near Aldershot, hosted by Hants and Berks Rover Owners Club. The site is about 35 miles south west of London, close to the M3 Motorway and about 100 miles from the Channel Tunnel.

Long Valley is a massive area of military land with no shortage of space for all the competitive events. It is a sand/gravel heathland site, usable in all weathers and the adjoining campsite has a network of tarred roadways so the whole venue is largely weather proof.

The Rally itself will run over the traditional weekend period from Friday to Tuesday, the main change from recent years being that the National CCV Trial will be held on the Saturday and the RTV trial on the Sunday. This will give CCV competitors who wish to do other events much more time to prepare for the Team Recovery on the Sunday or Competitive Safari on Monday. It should also ease scrutineering queues. The Sunday RTV trial gives competitors in that event more time to arrive, unhitch their caravans or camping gear, remove towing gear and pass through scrutineering.

There will be a scenic drive for those wanting some non-competitive off-road driving, although the organisers have yet to decide if it will be 20 miles long!

Hants and Berks are also liasing closely with the non-competitive car clubs to arrange the Concours and other events to suit them. They are also planning a range of non-Land Rover events for those less committed to off-roading which hopefully the whole family can enjoy.

Entry Forms from: Maureen Ridden, 9 Woodlands gardens, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 7TE (SAE please) Or telephone 01794 514834.

LAND ROVER UK NEWS

LAND ROVER WORLD-WIDE SALES RECORD

A record number of Land Rover models, Defender, Freelander, Discovery and Range Rover were sold in the first four months of this year. Due to the success of the Freelander and the new Discovery, world-wide sales rose by 30 per cent to 56,633.

The Freelander was launched at the beginning of 1998 and in less than 16 months is already the highest selling 4x4 off-road vehicle throughout Europe. The new Discovery and the revised Defender went on sale at he beginning of the year and are proving so popular with customers waiting lists of between six to eight weeks being experienced in many markets. Peter Kinnaird, Land Rover UK managing director said, "World- wide sales in 1998 were 151,000 which is the highest ever since production began in 1948. To be nearly a third higher so far this year is an incredible achievement."

Germany, France, Italy, Spain and USA Land Rover markets have all reported increases in sales varying from 45% to 111%.

Peter Kinnaird added: "We are hoping that the remaining two thirds of the year will be as good as the first four months. The 4x4 market has never been so competitive, but Land Rover models continue to set the pace in their respective sectors".

LAND ROVER COVER IS COMPREHENSIVE WITH A BIG 'C'

Land Rover drivers are set to benefit from a new comprehensive insurance cover available direct from Land Rover. Land Rover Financial Services has teamed up with Guardian Insurance to devise the package, which offers an innovative combination of features: - Generous no-claims discount allowances, free courtesy car during repairs, automatic cover for business use plus trailer insurance. Optional benefits include uninsured loss recovery service and full breakdown assistance.

All applications and claims can be handled without delay over the phone, removing the need for time-consuming paperwork. With this competitively priced package, the Land Rover Insurance is aiming to establish itself rapidly amongst the UK's leading vehicle insurers.

Th new package offers personal service and this claim is backed up by a set of service standards to which Land Rover Insurance undertakes to adhere to.

To obtain a quotation simply call 0845 075 0150 between 8am - 9p.m. (Sat 9am-5p.m. Sun 10am -2p.m.)

WANTED - RETURN OF BANNERS - CAN YOU HELP

Richard Hughes of the Land Rover Register 1947-51 has contacted ARC News seeking help with the following:

As with most Land Rover Clubs, the Register has a couple of banners with the club name that are used for displays such as at Billing or the ARC National.

Regretfully, one of these banners "disappeared" one night at Billing last year and the second was taken from the Club's stand at the National this year.

To have one taken at the National is particularly disappointing. It is an event run by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. At Billing a non-Land Rover person may have removed it and whilst that is possible at the National it seems probable that an ARC member has "borrowed" it, perhaps for a prank.

These banners are not cheap and with a club membership of 150, the replacement costs are a fair percentage of our annual subscription income.

The Club would be very grateful if the banners could be returned. If the individuals concerned could contact the Register then arrangements could be made for return with no questions asked. The banners are surely of no use to any other club or individual and whilst removing them may have seemed amusing at the time, it both costly and inconvenient to the Club concerned.

PLEASE RETURN OUR BANNERS!

Richard Hughes The Land Rover Register 1947-51

OBITUARY

ALL ROVER WEEKEND

NFU INSURANCE - ARC SPECIAL SCHEME - INSURANCE SAVINGS ON SECURITY SYSTEMS

Members who have their motor or four wheel drive insurance from ARC's special scheme provider, NFU Mutual, may be interested to know that it has some new secutity offers avaiable to policyholders which save money and reduce premiums.

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FORTHCOMING CLUB EVENTS

Please would Club Competition Secretaries/ Event organisers notify the Editor of Inter-club or Open to ARC Club events. Non-competitive events organised by/for Car Club and other non-competitive members particularly welcome.

NORTH WALES LAND ROVER CLUB'S AUGUST INTERCLUB WEEKEND - BALA 99 August 27th - 31st 1999

After the success of last years event celebrating 50 years of Land Rover, North Wales Land Rover Club will again be holding their popular August Bank Holiday Inter-club weekend at the popular LANDCRAFT site at Llandderfel, Bala, Gwynedd, North Wales.

This event features a scenic drive suitable for all Series, 101 and Forward Control, Defender 90, 110,130, Discovery, Freelander and Range Rover models. On the competitive front there will be a Bike Trial, Winch Recovery, Team Recovery, Gymkhana, Road Taxed Vehicle Trial, Cross Country Vehicle Trial, Competitive safari and a Dog Show. Plus mountains, Lakes , Railways and Food.

Booking and entry forms from Sue Bennett, Event Secretary, Camddwr Bach, Llanarmon-yn-Ial, Nr Mold, North Wales, CH7 4QJ.

ECKINGTON '99' - AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY - 27th - 31st AUGUST 1999

Peak & Dukeries Land Rover Club will once again host their Eckington '99' Interclub event over the August bank Holiday Weekend. The event features RTV, CCV, NIGHT AND DAY COMP SAFARIS, SCENIC DRIVE AND CHILDREN'S BIKE TRIAL. The event will be held at Hundall near Chesterfield 15 minutes from Junction 29 of the M1. Camping and caravanning on level(ish) field overlooking the Peak District.

Entry forms from Dave Banner, Comp Sec, 330 Nottingham Road, Eastwood, Nottinghamshire, NG16 2AQ. Tel : - 01773 785980 or e-mail: dave.banner@wpds.co.uk

SOUTHERN ROC 2 DAY TEAM CCV TRIAL - 11th/12th SEPTEMBER

Southern Rover Owners Club is hosting their 6th ANNUAL TWO-DAY TEAM CCV TRIAL at DEUDNEY'S FARM, HERSTMONCEUX, EAST SUSSEX over the weekend 11th/12th SEPTEMBER

This weekend of mayhem in the mud features two days of daunting sections in the infamous woods and ravines of Deudney's Farm. This challenging event is open to teams of two from all ARC Clubs. Camping/ caravanning available on site on reasonably level field with beer tent and food.

Entry forms and furthers details from Laurie Wright, Acorn Cottage, Resting Oak Hill, Cooksbridge, Lewes, East Sussex, BN8 4PS. Details of local B&B from Colin & Tracey Council, 73 Westmeads Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1LW. Tel: - 01227 771107.

MENDIP CHALLENGE 99 - 20th/21st NOVEMBER 1999

Somerset and Wilts Rover Owners Club cordially invite all ARC affiliated clubs to join them at West Harptree, located in the Mendip Hills, Near Cheddar, Somerset for their annual Mendip Challenge.

Following the major success of last year's event with over 80 c0competitors, this year the Challenge will be split into RTV and CCV trial days. The Mendip Challenge RTV will take place on Saturday 20th and the Mendip Challenge CCV Trial on Sunday 21st November. Camping is available all weekend and scrutineering from Friday 12 noon.

Entry accepted in advance only using the official form before 30th October. Entry forms from Keith Banks, Competition Secretary, 33 Great Somerford, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 5JQ

OTHER EVENTS

GUMTREE'S SUMMER CLEAR OUT

Gumtree Enterprises are having a clearance weekend on August 14th/15th during which time they hope to make an enormous dent in the huge assortment of Land Rover, Range Rover and Discovery parts which lurk in various pigsties, barns and the yard.Whether you are building a hybrid, restoring a Range Rover or a Series Alnd Rover, wanting parts for a Discovery or anything else connected with a Land Rover product, there is bound to be something for you.

Gates will open at 9.00am and close by 4.00 p.m. Camping spaces by prior arrangement. Why not spend a bit of time in sunny Sussex?.

For more details pleas call 01273 890259, fax 1273 891010 or e-mail gumtree@ukonline.co.uk

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NEWS FROM THE SCRUTINEERING COMMITTEE

Steering Drag-link failure. ARC News recently reported the sad news that two ARC members died recently as a result of the failure of the steering drag link on their Land Rover. This had been MoT'd only a few days earlier and all was well visually. It was apparent from the broken parts that water had accumulated inside the lower end of the angled tube and had caused corrosion adjacent to the hub arm end ball-joint. The tube had broken off next to the joint resulting in the accident. The Scrutineering Committee recommends that owners of all "Series" vehicles change this component unless they can recall changing it already recently. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Your attention is drawn to MSA regulation E.12.2.7. See page 217 1999 ARC Handbook:- Thick rubber, vinyl or similar is sufficiently "rigid" to comply. See also ARC rule A.12.4.

The adjacent diagram may help to explain the description in the regulation.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - RTV Trials vehicles 1 E.1 requires both the windscreen and either manufacturers hard top or a full set of hood sticks and tilt to be in place. i Please confirm the windscreen has to be a manufacturers (framed) windscreen and not a home made variety where the glass is fitted into the front hoop of the rollover cage. Confirmed

ii Do the hood sticks and tilt have to be full size, and the same size and shape as the original? Yes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Questions have arisen again about fuel tank breathers. On January 18th 1997, the Scrutineering Committee agreed that the definition in the MSA Yearbook is the one to use on this subject. This may not have been adequately publicised at the time. See MSA regulation Q.6. (See p256 1999 ARC Handbook.) Note that a non-return valve is only recommended. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Deletion of permission for the ARC to use it's own roll-bar designs from the 1999 MSA Yearbook. The MSA have written to us about this and stated that the omission was an error. They have also now agreed to accept as valid further aspects of ARC roll-cage design. These include drawings Q.4.1, Q.4.3. Q.5.1., Q.5.3.1., Q.7.6.4., Q.8.4.2., Q.8.5.1 and the text that goes with those drawings. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The ARC rule change procedures in the 1999 handbook had a facelift this year but suffered an error. In the process for Vehicle Regulation changes, the first paragraph should read: - (a) Proposals must be presented in writing to the ARC Secretary, signed by two committee members of the proposing club or by two committee members of the Scrutineering Committee, before the September meeting. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Steve Kirby Hon. Sec. ARC Scrutineering Committee

ARC News Distribution

Just a reminder that address updates are only done three times per year. The closing dates for clubs to send information are 1st March, 1st July and 1st November. If you change your address you need to ensure your club has registered your change of address and has then passed that change on in your club's next update to the ARC. The responsibility for getting any change of address to the ARC rests with your club. Any club, which has missed two updates, will be removed from the circulation list until a new address update is received. Please be aware that with the exception of duplicates, (which may arise if you belong to more than one club) all address errors should be directed towards your club. With a circulation list of over 10,000 addresses, the ARC cannot handle address changes. Club member address lists/updates to Andrew Neaves please - address as above in previous item. Thank you.

Sadly, both the news editor and the Secretary have received a quantity of rude and abusive phone calls from recipients of ARC NEWS - following member change of addresses

This Newsletter is compiled and edited by Paul Barton, ARC Newsletter Editor, for the Association of Rover Clubs Contact Editor at 26 Summerhill Grange, Summerhill Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1RQ Tel. 01444 452120 e-mail : Pbarton@Tandridgedc.gov.uk

ARC Secretary: Caroline Flanders, P.O. Box 363, Berkhamstead, HP4 3FR Tel. 01442 873567

THIS NEWSLETTER IS PRINTED AND CIRCULATED TO ARC MEMBERS COURTESY OF ROVER GROUP LTD

Association of Rover Clubs Ltd. Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 1806788 Registered Office, 65 Longmead Avenue, Hazel Grove, Stockport, SK7 5PJ

Last Updated:
30/12/2005