Paul Barton, ARC Newsletter Editor, 26 Summerhill Grange, Summerhill Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1RQ PBarton@tandridgedc.gov.uk

ADMIN

Chairman's Millenium Message

In the 1960's, a grouping of the first clubs led to the formation of the Rover Owners Association (ROA) which was succeeded in 1976 by today's Association of Rover Clubs (ARC). The passion for the product "Rover" is, I am sure, as strong today as it has ever been during those years even though much change has taken place.

In 2000, the Association of Rover Clubs is stronger than ever before and has the fortitude and resilience to boldly and positively move forwards into the 21st Century. Change will inevitably take place within our clubs, ARC and in the world's attitude towards the motor vehicle. The most recent example being the loss of leaded petrol.

It is well known that Rover is now parented by BMW, a highly respected brand in automobile engineering. The indications are that ARC's recognition in Munich and relationships with BMW are very positive and we look forward to this new era of Association/Company relations with enthusiasm.

Hants and Berks Rover Owners Club on southern England are hosting the first ARC International Rally of the new century. The event is firmly on-stream and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new from home and overseas. Although now overcome, again difficulties have arisen in securing a site with all the necessary facilities for this prestigious event. I fear this problem will become more apparent in the coming years and here the onus on ARC to use its strengths and powers lobbying the appropriate bodies to protect the activities and well being of our clubs.

On the subject of change, after a period of eight years I shall be standing down from the ARC Chairmanship at the next AGM in March 2000. My eight-year period in office has been exciting and progressive. I believe that during that time with the help and support of the many many determined and enthusiastic supporters of ARC it has been successful in its endeavours. It is now time for new blood to continue with the good work. To each of our member clubs and their members both overseas and here in the homeland of Rover, I take this opportunity of wishing you all the very best of Rovering in the 21st Century.

Peter Oakden - Chairman

EVENTS

Update on ARC 2000 International Rally - Hants & Berks Rover Owners Club

Event planning is progressing very well. Another booking form will be included next month if you haven't yet booked. Competitive event entry lists are filling up. Latest information is being captured and published on the event web site: Error! Bookmark not defined. .

Heritage Run 2000

In 1998, as part of the Land Rover 50th Anniversary celebrations, the inaugural Solihull Heritage Run was held. The title implied the intention of the organisers - Land Rover - that the event would become an annual one.

Early in 1999, with tentative enquiries to Land Rover having "fallen on deaf ears", it looked unlikely that the event would continue. However, late in February 1999, Heritage Motor Centre decided that they would take on the event, with help from ARC. Thus the 1999 Heritage Motor Centre Run took place. Organisation time was very short, but the event took place alongside Heritage Motor Centre's Land Rover Marque Day at the beginning of May.

In 2000, however, due to the 30th Anniversary of the launch of Range Rover falling on Saturday 17th June, the Land Rover Marque Day and Heritage Motor Centre Run have been moved to Sunday 18th June and will run jointly with the celebrations for "Range Rover - 30" and the Range Rover Register's birthday event on Saturday 17th June. This year's event is planned to be very similar to last year's (without the tour of the Proving Ground). At present, it is envisaged that the Run will start later (probably 1000 hrs) thus addressing one of the major criticisms from participants of last year's event. Camping on the meadow at the Heritage Motor Centre is also planned, where Range Rover Register will be holding their birthday rally.

Further details, including costs, will be set out in ARC News when these are confirmed by HMC. It is worth mentioning here that last year's entry fee of £5 per vehicle was greatly subsidised by HMC and did not cover costs, so an increase is envisaged to a sum that will cover costs, but it is anticipated that this increased entry fee will hold for several years unless the format of the run changes in response to the comments of participants.

All Rover Weekend 2000

It has been confirmed that this will take place, as in the previous two years, as part of the increasingly popular "Town and Country Festival" at the Royal Showground, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, on 26th, 27th and 28th August 2000. It is early yet to say just what the ARC stand will feature this year, but suffice to say that, in addition to their ever popular "charity off-road rides", the Range Rover Register are planning "something spectacular!"

At the time of writing, I do not have the pricing structure from the organisers, but this will be published in ARC News when available.

Chris Savidge Snr.

Range Rover Birthday Celebrations

The Range Rover celebrates thirty years since it's launch on June 17th 1970. To commemorate this achievement the Range Rover Register is organising a day of celebration events at Gaydon Heritage Centre on Saturday June 17th 2000.

The proposed programme features include:

* A display of Range Rovers including as many derivatives as possible.

* Mini cavalcades running from HMC and returning after a tour of the local area.

* A talk and films by Mark Clarke, inside HMC.

* Centre piece in the main arena will be a staged road traffic accident, demonstrating the role of the Range Rover with the emergency services, and contributing to the support of our adopted charity, which is the Air Ambulance Service.

* The club stand will also be present and we have organised a raffle to compliment the events.

* We also plan to have an Air Ambulance on display.

It is hoped that there will also be some dealership involvement, and possibly a hot air balloon.

* On the evening of Saturday June 17th, we have organised a dinner to be held at a nearby hotel (J15 M40) and welcome any ARC members who may wish to attend. We have also negotiated a room rate for anyone wishing to stay at the hotel for the RRR/LR Marque Day weekend or just the Saturday evening.

* Special rates have been arranged for camping at Gaydon and it is hoped that there will be reduced entrance fees to HMC.

Further details of camping, dinner, prices etc. Please contact CHRIS ELLIOTT 01676 534 756 or by email to pr@rrr.co.uk

NEW SECRETARY FOR YORKSHIRE ROVER OWNERS CLUB

Paul Davies has recently been elected to the post of Secretary of Yorkshire Rover Owners Club. He can be contacted on 0113 270 8262. Would all clubs please amend their records accordingly.

THE VERY LAST FIFTY ( Forty, thirty, twenty, going, going.....)

Well very nearly almost. We still have a few copies of the very special video produced by Rover, showing the History of Land Rover from conception and testing on that farm in Anglesey to the present day. Get your orders in now (this is a great Christmas present idea) to Andrew Neaves, 8 East House Drive, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 2HB. The cost is £14.95 including p&p for the U.K. and £15.95 for overseas. Cheques payable to "Association of Rover Clubs Ltd" please.

NEW ARC RADIATOR BADGES

New supplies of ARC radiator badges have been secured and are now available from ARC Non Competitive Clubs Co-ordinator, Chris Savidge. The badges are in stainless steel with polished stainless steel lettering over a maroon background to the ARC Viking Ship design. Fixing holes are provided. Priced at £7.50 plus £1 for post and packing you can obtain yours by sending a cheque made payable to "Association of Rover Clubs Ltd" for £8.50 to:

Chris Savidge, Wicketwood House, 86, Spring Lane, Lambley, Nottingham. NG4 4PG

Club Shop co-ordinators should contact Chris for details about "bulk" supplies.

FORTHCOMING 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.

OVERSEAS EVENTS - THE POLAR EXPRESS EVENT - MARCH 2000

The e mail address given last month should have read http://www.mikromarketing.no/express

OFF ROAD MOTORPORT - PROPOSED NEW PUBLICATION

Many competitors will be aware (frustrated?) by the lack of sustained coverage on the part of the three current monthly "Land Rover" Magazines of off road motor sport. Things are about to change with the proposed launch of a new fortnightly newspaper format If you agree that this is what the sport needs - a dedicated journal covering, trails, safaris, French Tout Terrain, desert raids, jungle events, fixture lists, event reports, technical articles etc then the next move is yours. It will only be viable if competitors and those with an interest in off road motor sport sign up for it. Commit yourself to £5.00 for four issues posted directly to you each fortnight. Give your support by sending a cheque to Off Road Motor Sport dated 1.3.2000 to P.O. Box 57712, Hinckley, LE10 2YZ.

No cheques cashed until the presses are rolling. The respected team involved in setting up the new publication includes Diana Andrews (Commentator and Sports writer). Send your cheque together with a note of the address you would like Off Road Motor Sport to be delivered to as soon as possible. Go on - Give them the green light!

Please Note - 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.

IMPORTANT - Participation at any competitive event or show is at your own risk. Although the ARC is happy to publicise such events it does not act as an agent for the organisers. Statements or opinions expressed in ARC News are not necessarily those of the ARC Council. You are advised to obtain independent advice on matters involving safety, finance or legislation.

Last Updated:
30/12/2005