Jan/Feb 2016 1
Officers and Committee Members CHAIRMAN
Matt Nichols ..........................07989 601774
VICE CHAIRMAN
Pete Hart ................................0117 9372611
TREASURER
Vickie Tubb ............................
COMPETITION SECRETARY
Paul Parker .............................01275 843478
SECRETARY
Paul Hemmings .....................0117 9566045
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
Zoë Tooth .............................01454 329231 49 Bowling Road, Chipping Sodbury BRISTOL BS37 6EP
MAGAZINE EDITOR PRESS & PUBLICITY
Scott Boulton ........................01454 852959 Kate Boulton .........................01454 852959 159 Long croft, Yate, BRISTOL BS37 7YN
SOCIAL SECRETARY
Andy Laurence ......................07825 953858
WEBMASTER & PRESIDENT
Allen Harris ...........................07970 198718
AWARDS SECRETARY
Dave Greenslade ..................07966 540842
LEAD MARSHAL
Mike Cole...............................07980 416075
CMSG REPRESENTATIVE
Mark Benstock ......................01454 311712
ASWMC REPRESENTATIVE
Mark Chater
CHILD PROTECTION OFFICER Richard Marsh .......................(after 6pm) 07786 068830 COMMITTEE
Chris Dymock.......................(after 6pm) 0117 9394265 Chris Buckley ........................07946 482169 Ady Taylor .............................07957 545432 Mark Tooth ...........................01454 329231
www.bristolmc.org.uk 2
_____________In_This_Issue______________ Page 4.
Chairman’s Chat Matt’s latest thoughts and insights.
Page 6.
A Brief Look Back At 2015 A very quick look at our events in 2015.
Page 10. Sandy Flying Solo Sandy Smith reports on his last event of 2015 and first event of 2016.
Page 12. Autosport International Show Some of our members help to encourage newcomers into the world of motorsport.
Page 14. CMSGCC Awards Some of our members pick up awards in the Cotswold Group’s AutoSolo Championship.
Page 17. Navscatter Andy Laurence takes part in the latest, and largest, Navscatter.
Page 18. A Tribute to Martin Cox Allen Harris remembers Martin, a long standing member who passed away recently.
Page 22. Drive By Chris ponders the future of electric, self driving vehicles.
Front cover: Sandy Smith at the South Hams AutoSolo. Photo by Scott Boulton, Jack Flash Photography
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Chairman’s Chat
“Heroes” by David Bowie
D
on’t you just love it when a plan, any plan really, comes together especially as part of a proper team effort. In our Nav Scatter last October we only had four crews; in part being down to the fact we were unable to invite Bristol Uni as their MSA registration had lapsed. We were, as they say, a bit gutted about that. We also wondered whether these events were still worth putting on if BMC members weren’t too bothered either, so we hatched a plan. We would run a desktop event at club night in January, overcome any issues inviting Bristol Uni and really try and promote our next (January) NavScatter within the club. Well without any real insight into how things would pan out it appeared to be a success with no less than twelve crews in total showing up. Now as anyone who knows anything at all about NavScatters will tell you, attracting twelve
crews to any event is virtually unheard of these days and so very well done to everyone involved, what a turn around and great result from what was a real team effort. I might be a bit premature in these matters but I feel as a member of Bristol Motor Club you need to be aware of a profit warning for 2015. Yes despite efforts to the contrary, subsidising the Llandow Track Day for instance, we did still manage to make some money but only thanks to interest earned on savings, the basic operation made a loss. It’s an odd consideration for a motor club, profit, or perhaps better phrased as positive return, and I know one that doesn’t sit comfortably with everyone. If I’m judging it correctly I think most people want to see the club prosper and I know the committee want to make sure we offer real value for money and so arguably the true goal is to break even on the basic operation, and then add any interest earned from savings on top. All will be revealed in our AGM in May, until then think of it more as a dent rather than a full write-off. After making it through the Xmas and New Year celebrations, followed in our case by dry January (a way it would appear to make a very long month even longer), I decided it was time to start work on the TVR. And despite a relatively large time gap to the Great Western Sprint at the beginning of this process, right now there doesn’t seem to be any time left at all and the car is still more apart than it is together. You might of course argue that was
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always the case even while it was on the road, I probably wouldn’t argue with you either. The thing is I would try harder but something called work keeps getting in the way. It appears now the only solution is to win the lottery, which in turn means I really must get round to buying a ticket. How about 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, as good a chance as any which makes you think doesn’t it. Still, got be in it, to win it. In BMC terms mentioning the Great Western Sprint is a bit like seeing flowers popping up for the first time indicating that spring is once again in the air. It’s not just the GWS either we also have our first Chepstow AutoSOLO as well. It is terrific news that our sealed surface season is upon us which begs two questions: Are you planning to compete? That’s brilliant if you are, or if not are you able to help out? After all running events is what we do. In fact I’m not sure what we are without that really, and as with many clubs for many things there is always a relatively small core who do, well most of it really. If you can help out please just let me know so I can put you in touch with the right person and as always it is very much appreciated. You never know it might even make you feel good inside as well. Depending on when you get your copy of DM we would have either just had or about to have our annual awards ceremony, this year at Filton Golf Club, which I am reliably informed involves a wide spectrum of winners, perhaps an indication of things to come. We did however have a few challenges dealing with ties at events for things like Best Bristol, but have devised a fair and transparent process for this which we will publish in due course. Basically our decision to score everyone who finishes second in class with twenty points means if everyone does finish second in their respective classes at an event, they all get the same score. Didn’t think of that I must admit, but like I said, it’s all resolved now. If you’re reading this before 28th February, it’s not too late to come along. If afterwards, it was amazing, but you
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Club Nights 1st March Club Night 5th April Club Night 3rd May Club Night
knew that already of course. Before I sign off I’ll just leave you with two thoughts: If your comp car is still in a million bits or even like mine just missing one vital component, someone who can drive it properly, good luck getting everything together on time. For everyone else if you are able to help out at an event and don’t already have your name down please do get in touch. You might end up a bit cold on the outside, but you will certainly have a nice warm feeling inside. In the magazine this month you will find reports from our last Navscatter, Autosport International and the Cotswold Motor Sport Group’s Award Ceremony, plus a tribute to late BMC member Martin Cox.
Matt Nichols
A brief look back at 2015
“Golden Years� by David Bowie
Our new MX-5 Challenge kicks off at our new AutoSolo venue: Chepstow Racecourse.
We had a new sprint venue at Hullavington Airfield which went down well. Unfortunately we have now lost the venue to property developers and after the 1st of April no more events will be held on the Airfield.
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Sprint Veteran Andy Laurence joins forces with newcomer Andrew O’Malley and become owners of a 2014 Formula Ford Ecoboost...
‌ Andrew learns about aerodynamics.
Dave Greenslade, a veteran of just about everything we do, has his first go in a single seater.
Our Chairman Matt Nichols completes his first season of circuit racing.
Matt
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And of course the old favourites:
The Great Western and Dick Mayo Sprints at Castle Combe
Llandow
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A very wet Family Sports Car Day
The Allen Trial
The South Glos Show
The Fedden Trial And Wiscombe
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“Always Crashing In The Same Car” by David Bowie Pegasus Solo, Aust services.
Last event of the year and despite it being a very wet day there was a reasonable turn out ~26 entrants. It was a chance to try some newly acquired rubber and have a bit of a play with my new suspension. A reasonable set of layouts from Pegasus club gave me the opportunity to have a nice play. The car felt good, rubber was doing its job and the car was fairly tidy, all I had to do was not get too greedy on the throttle to keep oversteer manageable and keep braking steady and manage the understeer in corners. I did a reasonable job and came 3rd overall, a couple of secs off the pace of FTD. Then I took my car for some setup at the motorsport college before the 2016 season starts, which for Autosolo, is in January. The guys did a good job on the car and gave me what I was after for my first event…….
…….which leads us onto the South Hams AutoSolo at Smeatharpe. With car now setup to dial out its tendency to understeer and give me a more reliable front end I was hoping for good things at this event, it was the first ASWMC championship round. Again, a very wet one. Well one thing was for sure, the front end was good but I was completely off my game. It was like there was satellite delay between me and the car, I just wasn't keeping up, lots of spins and opposite lock etc; no understeer though, the car now wants to rotate, which is what I was going for, just need to get a handle on it. Between that
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and getting lost on the course I had an absolute mare of a time, I only managed one correct run, which was actually very competitive. Overall the day was a wash out, almost a minute of class best. A bit more seat time should get me a handle on the current setup; roll on Kemble in Feb!
Sandy Smith
Chepstow AutoSolo We return to Chepstow Racecourse for our first AutoSolo of the year on the 5th of March. There are still a few spaces available, but be quick as it’s proven to be a popular event. Regs and entry forms are on the website (www.bristolmc.org.uk). Or email the secretary at kate-boulton@virginmedia.com
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AutoSport International
“Let’s Dance” By David Bowie
James, Alex and I met at 0630 to make the drive to the NEC for Autosport International. Whilst Alex had offered space in his Sylva Stylus, I turned him down in favour of the Astra for several reasons; the roof, the heater and the boot. Stopping for fuel on the M42, Alex had no feeling left in his hands, so James and I provided an array of gloves (and no offers to drive his car the rest of the way). On arrival, Alex needed a warm drink as we met Phil who'd managed to wrangle a two-day pass! A quick wheel change later and they were ready, I wasn't driving. Whilst Phil had kindly offered a drive in his MX5 (and I later learned Alex planned to offer me a drive but had got carried away and lost track of time), I was keen to stand on the gate and badger people going into the show. As the others warmed their engines, I started to work on the floods of people wandering past. I will never understand why an audience of motorsport enthusiasts are so difficult to get into a car for a passenger ride. During the day I was told I could sell sand in a desert but this was difficult. The rides were fun, free and there was no queue, but people were still reluctant. Some thought the cars were sub-par and some turned their nose up at the passenger seat but I've no idea what the rest were thinking. After nearly 7 hours of badgering with a mix of humour, sarcasm and peer pressure ribbing I'd been part of the team that encouraged 530 people to take passenger rides. That's a good result and I hear some potential new members arrived at the Go Motorsport stand to ask a bit more about it. So why did I stand there for 7 hours? The reason is simple; this club is nothing without its members. The more we have, the more we are. The club is all about the events it runs and they're organised and attended by members. We're often desperately short of noncompeting members to do the tasks like administering a championship, applying for permits and waving the flag at an event. Perhaps you'd like to take a minute to think about all your friends and whether any of them might have an interest in motorsport. Bring them to an event, invite them on Facebook or just like the club's social media posts. The more you talk about your motorsport with friends and acquaintances, the more people hear about us and the more help we get to do the things we enjoy. Now might be a good time to check you're following the club on Facebook and/or Twitter. Anyway, back to the show. I took an extended lunch break to wander around the show. It was packed. I tried on about a dozen different helmets (I wish I had a Hedtec head, rather than an Arai one - it'd save me a fortune) and pondered over some rather snazzy trailers. I drooled over the Audi R18 and marvelled at the Williams F1 motorhome, which appears to be bigger than my house. Now to ready myself for 2016…
Andy Laurence
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To everybody who helped out with making this happen, a massive “thank you” from me and through me the MSA’s appreciation. We pretty much ticked every box I could have hoped for: 1) 1229 signed on passengers. 2) You have to estimate this is over 2000 passenger rides. 3) We ran uninterrupted from before 9.00 to after 5.00 for 4 days so probably 2500 laps maybe more. 4) I have already had emails asking about coming out to play. 5) The MSA have a number of new senior officials taking up their new posts, I gather they were mightily impressed. 6) 94 people signed on to make it work. The really nice part of organising this event is everybody just gets stuck in and helps, I was forever having people saying “what wants doing next?” So I would like to repeat my thanks to everybody.
Richard Egger Regional Development Officer & Club Development Officer
Photos thanks to Jakob Ebrey
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“Fame” By David Bowie As Bristol Motor Club members we are all also part of the Cotswold Motor Sport Group, and eligible to enter their championships. This is something I have taken advantage of for the last few years by entering their AutoSolo championship, it only costs £5 to register and this year gets you access to 12 rounds all in the local area. 2015 paid off for me getting a second in class award at the recent awards ceremony in Cheltenham. For me this is just a chance to get out and play in my little Pug. It is by no means serious motorsport, but it is brilliant to still be able to get involved in a championship that has more rounds than I can get to, and to come away at the end of the year with a nice bit of glassware to put on display. Other BMC members picking up awards included: Steve Conner 1st overall, Adrian Walsh 1st in class, Peter Dickinson 1st in class, Richard Walsh 2nd in class and Andrew Bisping 1st in class.
If AutoSolo is not your flavour of motorsport CMSGCC also have championships for Stage Rally, Road Sport and Car Trial. All with many events around our area and with very reasonable registration fees.
Ady Taylor
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“Hang Onto Yourself” by David Bowie
We arrived at Sainsbury's in Emerson's Green at 18:50 for the first NavScatter of the year. It was strange to be starting the event in such a suburban location - it's normally a dimly lit layby in the middle of nowhere trying not to make eye contact with the more liberal layby users arriving after dark! Pete had the flags up so signing on was easily found in the far corner of the car park. We braved the weather to catch up with people we'd not seen for some time before drawing some phallic pictures in the dirt on Dave's passion wagon (with rear seats that convert to a bed, so he was clearly prepared for the other layby antics). Amazingly, 12 teams signed on, which is more than I've ever seen before. At 19:30, the route cards were handed out and we rushed back to the car to get plotting. At this point, we realised we were unprepared. We'd not plotted the finish and nor had we got everything to hand. Totally the opposite of Spence, who had two multi-LED arrays fitted for his navigator as well as a triple pencil holder, although I didn't spot a fitted sharpener. Scott fished everything out of the bag on the back seat and we got going.
We had two maps, so whilst Scott plotted the simple clues on the main map, I used the other map to plot the more tricky ones. I didn't get far before he was done and we continued the plotting of the 20 point questions. We moved on to the 30 pointers, but they were too tricky so we gave up and left the car park en-route to the first point. It was a simple 20 points next to the South Glos Show showground - volunteers needed for this August! We carried on through Pucklechurch, Hinton and Tormarton before heading back south on the Eastern side of the A46. Passing through Dyrham and Wick, we ended up at Doynton for the finish 15 minutes early but too far away from any of the ones we'd missed to get any more. It'd been a pretty rubbish run, missing several of the clues despite being in the right place. After a good pint and a chat with the other finishers, the results were read out and we were surprisingly third. Not that it matters - I didn't see any glum faces and I've no idea who finished in what positions. Roll on October!
Andy Laurence “We came third!! Woohoo!!”
Scott Boulton
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Martin Cox We are sad to have to report the death of fellow member Martin Cox.
I’m not sure when Martin joined the club, probably in the 1960s. As a relative latecomer, I only got to know him when he turned up to take part in our very first AutoSolo at Severn View Services in 2002. He took part in an elderly and somewhat neglected-looking Triumph Dolomite, and when his turn came to drive in the competition he showed only a very mild sense of urgency. We assumed that his caution was born of a determination to avoid any ‘wrong-course’ penalties, but then he explained to puzzled fellow competitors that his car was let down by having British Leyland’s worst-ever engine, and that it only survived if it wasn’t allowed to exceed 3000 rpm. He finished last. He was nevertheless highly enthusiastic about this new discipline which he felt was 100% in the spirit Martin at Weston 2007 of club motorsport, and thereafter supported Photo by Ady Taylor almost every AutoSolo event we ran, always dressed in blue jeans with a jacket and tie, and sporting his trademark handlebar moustache and full beard. He took part because he enjoyed the company of other members, and he enjoyed the challenge of negotiating the slalom, albeit at his own pace. It also became apparent that he regarded the last place on the scoreboard as his own, and became upset if anyone achieved a slower time than he had! I think the last time I saw him competing was at the Classic Car Autotest we ran at Shepton Mallet in 2013. He surprised us all by appearing in a Triumph Herald Coupé, with multi-coloured panels, presented in the standard rust trim that we associated with Martin. I’m not sure it was any more competitive than the Dolomite but he took part with gusto and provided entertainment for the spectators. When I asked him where he’d found the car he told me that it was in one of his lock-ups in Redland where he kept several cars in reserve!
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He was driving this car purposefully along Newfoundland Road in Bristol when I last saw him in late 2014. I emailed him to say how pleased I was to see it still running, and it was this email that his daughter found on his computer which enabled her to let me know of his passing. Martin had been diagnosed in 2014 with cancer of the tongue, and when the gearbox of the Herald failed last year he was not well enough to fix it. He had rejected treatment for the cancer and eventually succumbed in January this year. Martin will be remembered by members of all ages as a loyal club member and a gentleman. He enjoyed his motorsport and was quite unabashed at finishing last. His funeral was at Canford Crematorium on 10th February, and we extend our condolences to his family – daughter Rosie and son Steve.
Allen Harris
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3 Simple Rules for AutoSolo
Rule 1: Low drag is a must.
Rule 2: If you see a large collection of cones, avoid it.
Rule 3: Bring your own mug.
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3 Simple Rules for Sprints
Rule 1: Preparation is key.
Rule 2: Stay on the tarmac.
Rule 3: Really try to stay on the tarmac.
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Drive By
“Changes” by David Bowie
with the autonomous car thing. From what I’ve been reading, the idea must be that on-board systems within your own car will kay, I’m not really a closet Bob Dylan liaise with similar systems in other vehicles, fan, but I’m increasingly coming to the all overseen by some sort of nationwide realisation that the lyrics to his iconic protest network, to facilitate cars travelling to anthem (for the 60’s generation that decided required destinations without any human following in your dad’s footsteps wasn’t for input. Now, I’m not so much of a Luddite them and that meekly rolling over and having that I would argue such a system would be a your tummy tickled by a government who bad thing, given that we’re now a nation of seemed set to continue with antiquated more than 30 million vehicles and that’s an doctrines, was unsuited for, and unwanted by awful lot of drivers on our roads that aren’t a rapidly changing social climate) actually exactly, uhm, ‘on the ball’ at all times (readers seem to sum up my own technophobic, and of Driving Mirror, excepted, of course!). ever-so-slightly-cynical, view of the modern Even allowing for the mediocre world. attempts at driving by others that most of us For the past couple of years or so, will experience at some moment on our daily every car-related magazine I’ve been reading journeys, it’s interesting to note that our has contained articles on how the next great nation is recognised as having one of generation (funny how it’s always the ‘next the highest driving standards on the planet generation’...) of electric vehicles will be the which doesn’t mean we can interpret the Holy Grail of propulsion systems and stats to infer we are particularly that good, probably reverse global warming. And don’t but more the rest of the planet really are even start me on the headlong rush to playing catch up from an astonishingly long achieve autonomous ‘self-driving’ cars. way back. You only have to watch one of the Actually, thinking about it, let’s start dash-cam shows on television to realise that “♫ Times, they are a changin’…♫”
O
A Renault Twizy tries our grass AutoTest at the South Glos Show.
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autonomous driving will be an absolute life saver when compared with the truly shocking antics demonstrated by halfwits in America and Eastern Europe. I would imagine that being able to programme your vehicle with your required destination and then being able to sit back and get on with something else whilst your car quietly gets on with its chauffeuring duties, would be a very welcome improvement over the increasingly frustrating journeys we currently endure every day. And if the electronic systems seamlessly integrate the traffic streams and speeds to ensure the maximum flow of traffic is achievable at all times - no doubt leading to the elimination of traffic lights, as they would now be superfluous if the electronic systems are sorting everything out - and the systems also ensure our safety by eliminating accidents (which, let’s be honest, are purely down to human error), then happy days. An end to frustration and the associated road rage as tempers pass boiling point, and we all arrive at our destinations fresh as the proverbial daisy. And all this coming to a utopian paradise near you, uhm, well, at no time ever. Why? For a start, given the amount of downtime we all experience as our chosen form of IT goes on the fritz yet again for no apparent reason, the cost of the proposed systems will be at least three times whatever amount the pundits are purporting, as the only trustworthy example of electronic systems used in transport we are all familiar with (and therefore the one we will no doubt have foisted upon us), is used in aviation – and those systems are based on ‘triple redundancy’, so if one computer fails there are still two more beavering away keeping you airborne and not appearing as the lead story on the six o’clock news. As for seamless integration of traffic and the elimination of traffic lights - fat chance. There’s no way those in charge will
bin the good old traffic light as pedestrians will still have to cross roads and there’s been no suggestion of any other viable means of doing so, probably because there isn’t one. So city traffic will still be stop/start regardless of whether it’s oh-so-clever electronics or an organic mushy lump doing the steering duties. The best we can hope for is an end to the constant sequencing of traffic lights regardless of whether there’s a requirement or not, and a better flow of traffic outside of the rush hours. Another thought: if the automated car is travelling at the posted speed limit of 20mph, as it will be in all our cities in the very near future, and is programmed to recognise another impending incident of an idiot pedestrian about to take part in the honourable Chinese tradition of ‘Crouching Wan*er, Flattened Lemming’ and stepping into the road without so much as batting an eyelid, then surely it won’t be too long before people realise it’s fine to cross a road wherever and whenever they chose as there is absolutely no possibility of ever being hit by a vehicle? And the whole system will grind to a halt on every single occasion. So it’ll be a case of not so much an integrated traffic flow, as no traffic flow. Better add the kitchen sink to the list of things you should carry in your car; might as well use the grossly extended commuting time to do the washing up after you’ve finished the full English brekkie that you’ve cooked on your in-car stove on the way to work… Here’s the most intriguing idea though: as there would appear to be no such thing as an electronic system that can’t be hacked, then the potential for a higher functioning sub-sixteen year old, sun-dodging, acne ridden, bedroom dweller or, more worryingly, a malevolent foreign power, to bring about a truly epic, nationwide, multiple pile-up of Armageddon-like proportions and turning the entire country, and I mean the
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ENTIRE country, into an immovable scrapyard, is truly disturbing – better add a few hundred billion more to the development budget for a decent level of security. Automated vehicles: slower through cities than we already experience and prone to cyber-attacks that will really ruin your day. Of course there’s always an upside, and in this case? That the government will know exactly where, when and how far you travel, so at least the inevitable, arriving soon, pay-per-journey taxation levy will be accurate – I mean, your monthly invoice will be produced by an electronic automated billing system, what could possibly go wrong… Take heart though fellow petrolhead, at least you will be able to vent your frustration by leaping out of your, been-static -for-hours, automated car sculpture and administering a damn good thrashing to the blithering idiot who just stepped into the road and extended your commute from interminable to infinite. Still, enough doom and gloom, in the not too distant future we will have banished the planet wilting, fossil fuelled internal combustion engine to an obscure footnote in the history books and embraced the undeniable brilliance of the all-electric, pollution-free, battery powered car. Really? Okay, we’re starting to see the introduction of new, energy dense battery technologies that will go some way to eliminating the range anxiety of the rather limited products currently (sorry…) available. Tesla cars excepted; although they are a huge purchase price and there are no electric cars in the Ford Fiesta cost bracket. And it probably won’t be too long before high voltage, ultra-quick charging systems reduce recharging times to a much more userfriendly ten to fifteen minutes or so. Another benefit being of course, if you’re a city dweller - and more than 90% of humanity is – then the wholesale use of
A Mitsubishi I-MiEV at the BARC sprint at Rockingham.
electric vehicles will mean the noise levels in cities will drop dramatically - as modern electric vehicles are already infinitely quieter in operation that the old, slow, whiney milk floats that my generation immediately bring to mind whenever the subject of electric motivation is mentioned, and which can only be a good thing for everyone’s quality of life. Add in the huge potential for all wheel drive systems with an electric motor to each corner, and the possibilities for programming the driveline systems to offer truly prodigious levels of grip and cornering abilities, and the electric car of the future will be a driver’s dream-come-true (previously discussed automated driving excepting, of course). Yep, it all sounds just perfect, ticketyboo and hunky-dory. Can’t wait! Just a quick observation though - and all this electricity is coming from where, exactly? It’s just that, as a nation, there are serious doubts about how we’re going to generate our existing requirements for electricity for our homes and industry in the very near future without adding the constant suckling on the national grid of several million electric vehicles to the equation? So the options appear to be: the construction of a huge number of new fossil fuelled and/or nuclear power stations to be able to cope with the massive increase needed in the production of electricity or, uhm, nope, that’s it, as renewables – wind or solar power etc. really aren’t a serious contender at this level of requirement.
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Pollution-free electric cars, who are they trying to kid? Not with those options they’re not. I’ve just had a thought, once/if we fully adopt battery powered cars, would that mean our current sobriquet of ‘petrolhead’ will become ‘batteryhead’? Oh crap, we’re going to be called ‘Copper Tops’… Finally, I had a really great festive break, but here’s my Christmas faux pas passed on so that you may avoid similarly huge amounts of harsh language from your loved one. Not to mention rather a lot of attention from the RSPCA and local law enforcement… If you have your extended family’s very young children visiting for the Christmas break, of course it’s a lovely idea to borrow the all-white pony from your neighbour and, using a water-soluble adhesive, glue a paper maché horn to its forehead in order to have the mythical ‘Christmas Unicorn’ waiting when they arrive. However, if the glue doesn’t work too well then it’s probably best not to immediately lose your temper and resort to using the nail gun you keep in the garage. Especially if the children and their parents have just arrived and are stood watching… Must go, I’m off for a jolly good thrash in the Jaag – anywhere I choose – whilst I still can!
Chris Dymock
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2016 Calendar Date 28th February 1st March 5th March 19th March 1st April 5th April 3rd May 7th May 3rd June 7th June 19th June TBC June 5th July 23rd July 24th July 2nd August 6th and 7th August 12th August 3rd and 4th September 6th September 4th October 7th October 28th October 29th October 1st November 13th November 27th November 6th December
Event Awards Presentation Club Night Chepstow AutoSolo The Great Western Sprint Driving Mirror Deadline Club Night General Meeting + Club Night Llandow Sprint Driving Mirror Deadline Club Night Chepstow AutoSolo Endurance Karting Event Club Night The Dick Mayo Sprint BMC Family Sports Car Day Club Night South Glos Show Driving Mirror Deadline 5 Clubs Wiscombe Hillclimb Club Night Club Night Driving Mirror Deadline Navscatter Supercar Saturday Club Night Roy Fedden Sporting Trial Allen Classic Trial EGM and Buffet
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“Unwashed And Somewhat Slightly Dazed" by David Bowie
I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year and are now fully prepared and ready to go for the upcoming season. 2016 is now here and it’s been a fairly rocky start. You can’t open the paper without reading how one
celebrity or another has shuffled off this mortal coil (Did you notice the David Bowie Tribute?). There had also been a few deaths within our own extended motorsport community including: Nic Ayre (ASWMC yearbook editor and webmaster), Terry Thorne (Tel T Photography) and our very own
Martin Cox. Whilst their absence will be felt, the show must go on. We are only a couple of weeks away from our first AutoSolo of 2016 very shortly followed by our Great Western Sprint just 2 weeks later. There are a few changes that I’ve heard about which I am very much looking forward to, Dave Greenslade in Simon Clemow’s single seat Force PT most of all. The MX-5 Challenge looks like it’s in for another good year with an increase in competitors from last year, plus a couple of rule changes that should make
things a bit closer in the sprints. Don’t forget that you don't need a car to be involved in our events. We will always need marshals and event organisers. If you’d like to help out all it takes is an email or phone call.
Scott Boulton
If you would like to get in touch, my email is: scott_boulton@btinternet.com
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OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ EMAIL Pete Hart Paul Hemmings Chris Dymock Richard Marsh Paul Parker Mark Benstock Vickie Tubb Matt Nichols Mark Tooth ZoÍ Tooth Allen Harris Andy Laurence Dave Greenslade Kate Boulton Mark Chater Ady Taylor Mike Cole Scott Boulton Chris Buckley
peter.j.hart@btinternet.com paul@phemmings.freeserve.co.uk chris.dymock@intoheat.co.uk r_marshy22@yahoo.co.uk britishsprint@paulparker.f9.co.uk benstock.mark@yahoo.co.uk vickie.tubb@hotmail.co.uk matt@classiccarsdriven.com mark.tooth@tiscali.co.uk membership@bristolmc.org.uk allen@harris-bristol.com andy@andylaurence.co.uk davegreenslade@zoho.com kate-boulton@virginmedia.com mark@chater.demon.co.uk ady_tayloruk@yahoo.com cole.mike@btinternet.com scott_boulton@btinternet.com cbuckley@slb.com 28