Paul Barton, ARC Newsletter Editor, 26 Summerhill Grange, Summerhill Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 1RQ home@ukgateway.net ARC Secretary: Caroline Flanders, tel/fax: 01689 878105

 

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THE THIRD MAJORS MEMORIAL TRAIL - EASTNOR 8/9/10TH SEPTEMBER - SPONSORED BY UNIVERSAL SALVAGE AND SUPPORTED BY LAND ROVER WORLD MAGAZINE

Midland Rover Owners Club welcomed a record 39 teams to this year's event, which was run a month earlier in warm September sunshine rather than the traditional October downpours. But, just in case any of the 117 drivers thought the trial might be easier in the drier conditions, Midland's event team had set out the usual competitive and tough sections of which section 10 in Bronsil was to be the section on which the trial would be decided and a source of nightmares for many of the drivers for weeks to come. Of the 39 teams entered, just seven were contesting the standard class award and only two ladies teams for the ladies prize.

The infamous section 10, basically a mud run, changed all weekend and the tight gates, particularly form 12 to 8 caught out many drivers and only three competitors out of 117 made it thorough to the one gate. A single figure score was a definite bonus but an impossible dream for Southern 1. The Southern "A" team and winners of the event for the last two years, Ron Baker and Keith and Martin Leonard all scored 11 to pick up a massive 33 points which eventually was to play its part in the final results.

At the halfway point on Saturday evening, Staffs and Shrops 2 were in the lead with a further seven teams breathing down their necks. All of these teams were running to form and to seeding, behind S&S1 were 3 Southern teams, three Cornwall and Devon teams, Somerset and Wilts and Peak and Dukeries. Several drivers had single figure scores as the competitors returned to site after Saturday's sections. In the ladies competition, Cornwall and Devon Ladies team were leading from Midland Ladies whilst in the standards class; the three strong and formidable Lincs club teams were looking good.

Sunday dawned misty but with the promise of sunshine which dully arrived and bathed Bronsil in brilliant sunshine. As the day progressed Cornwall and Devon's 2 team started to look very good. Graham Smith and Mathew Basire were going great guns in the QT special. However a suspected broken diff in the middle of the day meant all three drivers had to share Dave and Julie Ellis's double driven motor. Julie, Wendy and Sarah quickly made it clear to the guys that if they broke the motor and ruined the chance of the ladies cup they could expect to do various unmentionable things including the ironing for a year! In the end, the consistency of Dave, Mathew and Graham, with scores of 24, 25 and 26 to give a total of 75 points after 20 sections was enough to give them victory and the Rose Bowl by just two points from Southern1 on 77 points - the 33 points collected by Ron, Keith and Martin on section 10 playing its part. In third place, just one point behind, were Somerset and Wilts on 78 and mention must be made of Keith Banks who drove to just 14 points all weekend - the best score of the weekend! On 80 points and 4th were C&D 1 - Paul Tucker, Howard Clinton and Anthony Retallack with Staffs and Shrops 2 in 5th. Just 5 points separated the top five teams and it could not have been closer.

SPECIALS CLASS 1st Cornwall and Devon LRC Team 2 - Graham Smith, David Ellis and Mathew Basire- 75 pts 2nd Southern ROC 1 - Ron Baker, Keith Leonard and Martin Leonard -77 pts 3rd Somerset and Wilts LRC - Keith Banks, Mark Freeman and Pete Lugg - 78 pts

STANDARD CLASS 1st Lincs LRC - Ben Knight, Tony Summerfield and John Denniss - 132 pts 2nd Lincs LRC - John Dawson, Nigel Taylor and Derek Yates - 146 pts 3rd Lincs LRC - James Boulby, Paul Brace and Stuart Brocklebank - 156 pts

LADIES CUP 1st Cornwall and Devon LRC - Sarah Grills, Wendy Arrowsmith and Julie Smith - 201 pts

Finally, a special thanks to everyone from MROC who worked so hard to make this event yet another memorable Majors for all competitors, campers and caravanners. Absolutely brilliant!

Paul Barton

THE ALL ROVER WEEKEND

Again an increase in the numbers booked-in, but some, entries both Rover car and Land Rover products, failed to put in an appearance. A good cross-section of vehicles were displayed, including for the first time at this event a Cross Country trials vehicle and a Comp Safari racer! About 70 units camped or caravanned and 40+ Day visitor vehicle passes were issued. Fine displays of vehicles were in evidence from the featured "Marques" this year - Range Rover and 101" Forward Control. Following-on from last year's "DECADE OF DISCOVERY" presentation, from which the new DISCOVERY OWNERS CLUB was born, there was a representative sample of this marque from pre-production through to Series 2. The Lightweight Land Rover Club was also well represented, including a half-size model, which proved popular with the visitor's children, (as well as those of A.R.C. members!).

Twice daily presentations were made by A.R.C. in the Motoring Arena. These were "themed" and included "30 years of Range Rover" - "Land Rover's early years" -"Rover Clubs through the years" and - "The Land Rover Story brought up to date" -" 25 years of the 101" F.C." and the " Land Rover Discovery".

The Range Rover Register presented their mock road-traffic accident in the GRAND RING each afternoon, complete with an air-ambulance helicopter, as their fund-raising efforts this year and in 2001 are in support of the National Association of Air Ambulance Services. The Register also ran their usual off-road courtesy rides, using both Land Rover's and the Royal Agricultural Society's off-road tracks throughout the three days of the event. A total of £3136 was raised from both collections, which just topped last year's figure of £3000 and can be considered an excellent result as the Saturday was very wet (near "Bordon style" weather).

The sum raised will go to the National Association of Air Ambulances, after small donations to the relevant benevolent funds of the Police, Fire and Ambulance services in recognition of the help and co-operation both at Gaydon in June and at Stoneleigh for this event. Remember the Range Rover Register raised almost £1000 for N.A.A.A.S. at Gaydon.

The A.R.C. Exhibition unit was put to good use - always busy and always full. Several enquirers were put in touch with appropriate A.R.C. Clubs and many lengthy technical discussions took place, all helped along by the near 500 cups of tea and coffee and vast amounts of Bonny's home-made cakes and biscuits, which were served over the course of the event.

Thanks are due to THE DUNSFOLD COLLECTION for the loan of three vehicles for display and to Dunsfold Collection Friends - Barry and Andrew Simpson and Cyril Smeeth for bringing up three vehicles for display. Thanks also to Ian Shilton (Leicester & Rutland L.R.C.) and Charles Whittaker and Lynne Caley of Midland R.O.C. for towing the A.R.C. Exhibition unit to and from the event.

As always special thanks to my wife, Bonny and to Sue and Ian Foster (Lightweight L.R.C.) for their help before, during and after the event and to Nick Chinery and June and Jack Green (A.R.C.) Martin Scott and Alan Gilham (Rover Sports Register), Chris Widerspin (L.R.R./ SERIES 1) and Mike Daley (M.R.O.C.) who helped on so many ways with the running of the stands.

Chris Savidge (Snr) Non- Competitive Clubs Co-ordinator

LAND ROVER WORLD MAGAZINE'S SUPPORT FOR A.R.C. EVENTS

I have been reminded that A.R.C. members may not have recognised the very substantial and welcome financial support offered by Land Rover World Magazine for A.R.C. events. During this year, under the editorship of John Carroll, support has been given to War of the Roses, A.R.C. 2000 International and the Majors Memorial Trial all of which has helped to make sure these events happen and via coverage in the magazine have brought A.R.C. events to the notice of potential new A.R.C. club recruits. Chances are that if you are at a big A.R.C. event you will see John or photographers Wayne Mitcheson or Garry Stuart out and about supporting the event and giving A.R.C. clubs publicity and coverage. Thanks Guys!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE DISCOVERY OWNERS CLUB

The Discovery Owners Club (DOC) is very much alive and kicking and growing daily. Membership is circa 280. The DOC has no members in Ireland and only 2 members in mainland Europe, we intend to grow overseas membership in the future. Mr. Luckwill has had his application for full membership of DOC recently refused, he never had any involvement in the management of the club and cannot speak for it in any way. If any members, prospective members or anyone else wishes to establish contact with DOC they can do so at the previously well publicised address or through our website at www.discoveryownersclub.com

Mailed on behalf of the Discovery Owners Club.

(Editors note - A message has recently been posted to an Internet Mail box claiming that the Discovery Owners Club is defunct - nothing could be further from the truth - the club is thriving and moving towards its first Annual General Meeting when a Committee and Officers of the Club will be elected.

ARC MEMBER CLUB EVENTS

A.R.C. INTERNATIONAL RALLY 2001 - 25th - 29th May 2001 hosted by Cornwall and Devon Land Rover Club -Newnham Park, Plymouth Devon.

Forms to book for next year's event now available from Mrs Jean French, 5 Pinewood Close, Plympton, Plymouth, Devon PL7 2DW tel no. 01752 338279. Web site details are to be announced shortly. There will be a "Follow on" rally on the site from 29th May to 2nd June. Plenty for all the family to do in the area - the new recently opened National Aquarium in Plymouth, plus the acclaimed Eden Project. Once again there will be a Concours D'Elegance with the forecourt of Newnham House available for the cars. More details soon.

HELP CORWALL AND DEVON LRC BY BOOKING EARLY ....BOOK NOW.

October DUE TO THE FUEL CRISIS THE LONDON TO BRIGHTON LAND ROVER RUN has been put back until Sunday 15th October - Phone Gary after 7pm on 020 8241 0470 for more information.

November 11th/12th Somerset and Wilts ROC - Mendip Challenge

Forms for booking in now available from John Donovan, Competition Secretary, 7 Campion Close, Thornbury, Bristol. BS12 1UF. Camping available Friday and Saturday night at £5 per night.

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.

Association of Rover Clubs Ltd. Limited by Guarantee Registered in England No. 1806788 Registered Office, 124 Crescent Drive, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1BE

Last Updated:
30/12/2005