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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
Scott Boulton ........................01454 852959
PRESS & PUBLICITY
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
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 Mike Cole...............................07980 416075
www.bristolmc.org.uk 2
_____________In_This_Issue______________ Page 4.
Chairman’s Chat Matt’s latest thoughts and insights.
Page 6.
MR2 Goes To Exeter Mike Smith buys a car and gives classic trialling a go.
Page 10. In Search Of A Finisher’s Certificate... Dave Greenslade tackles the Cotswold Clouds trial once again.
Page 12. The Breakfast Club “We’re all pretty bizarre. Some of us are just better at hiding it, that’s all.”
Page 14. BMC Awards Night Photos of the 2016 award winners.
Page 23. Membership Renewal Form
Page 25. Drive By Chris swaps his new car for a hybrid.
The next Driving Mirror deadline is the 7th of April If you have anything that you would like to send in, whether it’s work you have done on your car or an event you went to, send a few words and some photos if you’ve got them to scott_boulton@btinternet.com
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Chairman’s Chat
“Mr Brightside” by The Killers
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017 is already proving to be a mixed affair. Last month we received the news that we were to lose Chepstow Racecourse for our two AutoSOLOs on the grounds they needed to make surface repairs. I think they were in two minds whether they wanted us there or not and this was an opportunity, whilst construction of a new exhibition centre in place of a condemned stand got underway, to severe ties. Or put another way, I’m not expecting an invite for us to return at any point soon.
Then suddenly some magic happened. For my part I got the technology working, to a fashion anyway, Dave, Chris and Mrs N finished getting the magnificent awards out and the room filled with in the region of fifty people. If you were there I’ll let you judge, but as far as I could tell it all worked out in the end. The buffet was good, the awards looked amazing and the atmosphere in the room fantastic with some great banter in between times. Chris Dymock was also on form and best of all most of the silver and glassware got collected on the night. A In response, the good people of BMC began measure Dave uses to judge success. Well an immediate search for new venues and done to all who assisted and particularly to after finding ourselves parked up a few cul-de Dave Greenslade who puts in a huge effort in -sacs we currently have three shortlisted for coordinating everything. our summer AutoSOLO in July. Westonzoyland in Somerset, the Fire Service Training Facility in the Cotswolds, and the former Aust Services car park next to the old Severn bridge. Watch this space as we try to progress all three to achieve the best outcome for the club. On a more positive front we made the tactical decision to move awards away from a Sunday lunchtime affair to February’s club night instead. After publicising an earlier start time of 8:00pm and the promise of a buffet on arrival, at around 7:45pm things were looking a little bleak. Only one group of guests had arrived, namely Mike Smith and Bob Bellerby plus their respective other halves, who also must have wondered if they too had made the right decision. The laptop wouldn’t talk to the projector and only a third of the awards were out on display.
Dave polishes trophies more than he does his own cars.
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Club Nights
Also a big congrats to you if you won anything yourself, and to give those who weren’t there an idea our award winners ranged from people who had won their class right through to those who had been victorious in securing a whole championship. All good stuff, as you will no doubt see whilst thumbing, or scrolling, these very pages. Towards the end of proceedings there are three very special awards that get handed out being Marshal of the Year, Clubman of the Year and our recently introduced Outstanding Achievement award.
7th March Club Night 4th April Club Night 2nd May General Meeting & Club Night done Kate all your efforts are massively appreciated.
Mark Benstock is someone who helps a lot. Not just at events where that can be clearly seen and duly recognised but also in between times by amongst other things moving equipment to and from stores and collecting awards from the engravers, I could go on. No not for the first-time Mr Benstock senior was Marshal of the Year, and so very well done once again to Mark, a truly valiant effort.
Chris Bigwood is someone who regularly turns up at our club nights with wife Janice. That, and as one of the videos we aired on the night showed, some 69 years after he was labouring with others to lay down concrete on all the corners on the then new Naish Hillclimb. In 1948 if you wanted to find a venue you simply rolled up your sleeves, Kate Boulton stepped up at a time when we loosened your tie a little, and made one. needed someone to act as event secretary Congratulations to Chris on receiving our for our two AutoSOLO’s. Ably assisted by Outstanding Achievement award for 2016, husband Scott, Kate had to quickly learn the ropes of coordinating entries, publishing reg’s very well deserved Sir. and applying to the MSA for the right In Driving Mirror this month Mike Smith and permits. She had to do that at the same time Dave Greenslade both tell us about their as being a busy mum, and overcoming the adventures in the world of classic trialling, aftermath of major surgery. Not easy at all, Scott had breakfast at Castle Combe and but she did it which was something not lost Chris Dymock drives a hybrid. Plus photos on your Chairman and hence why Kate was from our awards evening. awarded Clubman of the Year. Very well
Matt Nichols
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MR2 Goes to Exeter
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t all started with an eBay moment. I had noticed this listing where in truth the MR 2 in question was badly advertised. I watched for a week and no bids. 10 minutes before the end still no bids and I got the car for £480. Full service history, 90000 miles, 5 months MOT, good tyres and thanks to George Osbourne no tax.
“On The Road Again” by Willie Nelson
Car loaded on the trailer and Tom the navigator decided the scenic route across the New Forest was for us. Everything went well till I came through a village with a 20mph speed limit. Just leaving the village at 18 mph I had an exchange with this very large lady on what was made to appear a very small horse who had a speed camera fitted to her helmet. I was told to slow down. I admit to being nearly as frightened as the horse so bit my tongue and waved goodbye.
It was down at Christchurch so I thought the Striker trailer would do but the MR2 is 6 inches too long and about 1 inch too wide. Transit fired up and trailer hired off I go. The former owners lived on a camp site in the New Forest, sorry the Caravan Club Campsite in the New Forest. Apparently, this is more upmarket for your box on wheels. More upmarket still for me was that it was on the site of an old airfield so plenty of tarmac/ concrete about to run the car without tax or insurance. The former owner drove it up and down as I was worried by the expensive boxes with wheels. The car was excellent. It went very well and but had a series of small dents down the driver’s side. Looked as though it was stored in a tool shed and the gardener did not care. Fortunately, I was of the same opinion.
I had not driven MR 2 until I got home. I have not seen a policeman on our estate for at least 5 years so it was no surprise at all to be visited just as the wheels of the MR 2 hit the road off the trailer. Giving no reason to be challenged I got the car down the drive ASAP. No real thought had been given to what I would do with the car. It is not pretty enough to pose with but when I had taxed it I discovered it went brilliantly. Truly a poor man’s Porsche !!! Corners on rails. Rev its variable bits to 4 and it takes off. What fun. Before the old king died I had an interest in road rallying but only did a few novice events. This was at the time the MN championship events were the tops and it was not unheard of for average speeds on selectives to be around 70mph. I was a sector marshal on the Rallye Dubonnet where the clocks were pared to give an average speed around this figure and the top cars all went quicker. Road rallying competitors needed to be very brave and well-resourced and I was neither so I looked elsewhere.
This led me to Production Car Trails - PCT’s. Slow tests of driving skill and car handling in muddy fields. I did a few years of this and my
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car control and ability to plan improved beyond measure. Beetles were the order of the day but it was my last car which turned me into a mechanic, a Hillman Imp. Much cheap fun was had and the cars always had to get me to school on Monday morning which they never failed to do but this was always a strong moderating thought.
The car had spacers constructed for the suspension to lift it. At the front a skid plate deflects the hits away from the radiator. A sheet of 15mm waterproof ply protected the main underbody of the car. Water pipes, fuel pipes, and electrics all run down the central tunnel of the car. A 3mm steel sump guard covers the fuel tank, engine, gearbox, diff and exhaust. A pair of Cibie Super Oscars (Pure When I told Rachel my daughter about the Motorsport Porn) and uprated headlights idea of doing a Classic Trial with an MR 2 her help illuminate our way and inside the car a reaction was PCT’s meet Rallying then. Nearly navigator’s light and extra sockets for the true. No high speeds but as I was to find out Poti, Sat Nav and other electronic aids were lots and lots of fun. fitted. A pair of stout rubber mats protect the I started to investigate the suitability of MR 2 sporting interior of the Toyota. Fire extinfor this type of event and was surprised that guisher, spill kit and 2 extra spare wheels on the engine cover and extra reversing lights it was not considered out of the question. complete the preparation. For any Classic Trial the car should be modified to cope with the nature of the roads. Lots of ground clearance and underbody protection. Other considerations like in Speed events are weight and power, and MR 2 is well endowed in these areas. It also runs on 15 inch wheels which gives the choice from a range of suitable rubber. Just as important as in speed events. The three ‘big’ Classic Trials are run by the Motor Cycling Club. The Classic element is the trial itself not the cars. The Exeter which we chose to start our currently short career has run for over 100 years and many of the tests have been present nearly as long. This event has a road mileage around 250 and 13 observed tests which are mostly ridiculously steep muddy hills. The event started for us outside Cirencester (10pm Friday) and the finish would have been in Torquay (3pm Saturday). We didn’t make the finish but more of that later.
The preparation and planning took a couple of months. Costs were low except for six tyres selected from a list (echoes of 1A, 1B, and 1C). We chose 165/80/15 Hankook Optimo’s, six cost about £300. Definitely no echoes of 1A 1B and 1C in this respect. We also needed spare rims but eBay filled this gap again. I had invited Paul Barker to join me in this adventure. Paul has made the mistake of beating me in the Striker in the past so inviting him to drive on an event like the
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Exeter without any previous experience seemed a good way of paying him back. I had planned to do Bristol MC’s Allen Trial but an event at Prescott where I had to receive a certificate of good attendance got in the way. Paul is partner in a firm of motor engineers in Swindon. I last enjoyed rolling round under cars just before I sold the Hillman Imp so the help and advice from Paul and the use of his garage facilities made getting ready easy and the car made the start at Cirencester with us both feeling confident it was as good as it could be.
weekend. If you think the MG drivers have it tough, I saw a young lady put on 4 waterproof coats before venturing out again. On leaving Haynes things started to get serious as we headed for the first of the observed hills. You are not allowed to look at these tests before you tackle them so we had availed ourselves of YouTube videos so the shock was not to be too great. We were wrong... it was. We pulled off the tarmac into a sea of mud and attempted the 90 left. We headed straight for the trees ahead and eventually Paul came off the throttle and the car steered around the corner. We got a good view of those trees but made it on to firmer ground and up the hill. Much amusement and discussion followed but you have not got time for this as you are making your way to the next test and concentration and accuracy of navigation is vital.
We found Underdown but drove past as cars were coming out so we expected an entrance further up the main road. Nothing there so came back and went in the exit which turned out to be correct. We then fell down the hill 9.47pm on Friday 7th Jan was black, windy to the start of the test. “It can’t go up there?” and very very wet. We followed an MG J2 down the A417 towards Marlborough feeling says Paul as we start. MR 2 was having none very grateful. All they had for protection were of this and sailed to the top. two aero screens. The competitors in the MG Petrol and we head for Norman’s Hump were to be awarded a Triple at the following which we are told is the first of the evenings Club dinner in Torquay. They had “stoppers”. If this isn’t enough in their gone clear on ALL of last year’s three MCC wisdom, we were given a restart which classic trials. The touring assembly converges means you must stop and restart usually at a at Haynes Motor Museum at Sparkford on place where the sensible thing to do would the A303. This year there were 250 cars plus be to gain momentum for the gradient ahead. 100 bikes approx. Our arrival time was Norman’s Hump was stopper for us – about scheduled to be 12.20 which we made easily 5yds from the top. We cleared Clinton, a to arrive with the place heaving. It is then you similar test, but arrived at the top with both realise this is a big event. rear tyres punctured. Ready to go
The museum at Haynes had more dripping motor cyclists than the M62 on a wet
These were quickly changed but now we had zero spares. We increased our tyre pressures
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on subsequent tests and made breakfast without further drama.
Simms had a large queue but to our surprise also spectators six deep cheering and clapping the performances of competitors. No pressure then and no real surprise we failed. We took the escape route to Lenda Lane and just after the junction we heard the clatter of a rock and the hiss of air. The lane was so narrow we were unable to stop for quite a way and the tyre was destroyed. Back to no more spare tyres. After much discussion, we decided that the sensible thing to do was to make a run for home as another puncture left us with no options.
A quick stop was made to the thick Quick Fitter in Exeter who true to form was very slow. He would only repair one tyre and kindly gave us a kit to repair the second. By this time, we were about one hour late - no penalty. Kingswell was a sea of mud. Our ground clearance must be lower than most cars as the front skid plate skimmed the top layer of mud and sent it over the top of the car. I must say we did find this very entertaining. Tillerton Steep followed quickly which we failed along with all other cars we saw. I made the only navigational error after this test as I think we made a wrong turn at the top of the public road escape route. Tom put us back on route for Fingle Bridge which we cleared only to puncture on the run out from the top to the tarmac link to Wooston Steep.
The sensible thing was discussed with the queue and we gave them our record card took off our numbers and made our way back to Exeter, the A303 and on to home. The wind stayed in our tyres and Paul slept for much of the way home. I hit sack at 7.30pm Saturday and woke at 8am on Sunday. We had loads of fun in tackling this challenging event which was a true test of machine, preparation and the resilience of the crew. The car is ready to go after punctures repairs and some stronger walled tyres for the rear. We hope to be back.
The MR2 at Fingle Photo by Dave Cook
Mike Smith Footnote: Running approx. 30 minutes behind us a Marlin had a very tragic accident on Wooston Steep when the driver lost control coming back down the hill. The car rolled and the crew were thrown out but the car then rolled on the driver who was killed. The passenger was injured but is recovering at home. My thoughts are with the families involved and with the stalwart marshals without whom we could not participate in any motorsports.
Wooston Steep was much steeper than it is on video and we stopped progress just after the junction. We now made our way to the infamous Simms Hill. In Islington Village whilst I got the tea and cakes from the ladies of the parish Paul set about creating another tyre with wind. This he did with the wrecking bar and electric pump from the large load carrying area of MR 2.
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In pursuit of a finishers certificate...
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n last months magazine Andy Laurence told of our exploits on the Allen Trial, which happily we completed (after breaking the car 1st time out three years earlier!!). That small bit of card with our names on it was very rewarding after what has become a serious rebuild for the old Marlin.
“Wishful Thinking” by China Crisis
torsion bars adjusted it gained at least six inches (Ooh Err!). The shockers, bushes, front tie bars and other bits were also modified to suit the rise in height.
I also looked at putting a box and tyre rack on the rear and came up with the plan to cut one into the body. After a chat with Pete Hart (the When I bought the car it had been partially Guru) he suggested it was legal as long as we modified for trials, so slightly lifted, roll bar, stuck to the outside dimensions in the tyre mounts and the like. It was a runner but regulations. (The accepted way up to this had no MOT and was obviously in need of TLC point is a box on top). So out came the but then again it was cheap! There wasn't grinder and a 6mm steel box was fabricated much time to get it ready for the 2014 to go in the hole. It's not just a handy space Cotswold Clouds so I concentrated on getting for stuff, it weighs around 45kg! It's also it working and not much else. It was clear strong enough to mount the tyre rack onto it, from that event that the car wasn't much so this was also made and welded on. good, we only got up one hill and even struggled getting to the start in places...not good. And then the diff let go…… What would we do without the Marshals??
Whilst the body was cut I made up a new wiring harness from front to rear, new brake pipes and hydraulic handbrake, and the fuel pipe which now all run inside the car to prevent damage. An onboard compressor After a serious nightmare getting the car back was also installed under the body with a suzy I parked it up and it got forgotten for a bit, line for easy use. The box can accommodate but I was always on the lookout for a Marina all the tools, spares parts, the battery and van diff and got very lucky with a very low also two 25kg sand bags for adjustable mileage diff and matching front hubs for ballast! £100! I also got some custom rear springs Whilst all this was being done I had the rear made which gave me the correct lift but with diff uprated and went about making a new the correct length shackles and with the front prop, this was made from a new Land Rover
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item which strangely had the same PCD of the Marina diff and gearbox. The flanges were machined and it was shortened to suit. I also modified the diff mounts to angle up the diff, dropped the gearbox to get as straight line as possible. Then it was obvious the new diff would hit the floor‌
With most of the big stuff done, time was running out for Allen Trial and with the MOT done on the Saturday afternoon before the event we finally had a car to do it in! I finally crawled out from underneath it at 9.30pm. Things didn't quite go to plan even though we finished, more of that next time‌.
The Marlin was originally made with wooden floors but mine had the alloy upgrade ones which were absolutely smashed to bits. So these were torn out and new ones fabricated from 6mm aluminium sheet. This allowed me to widen the transmission tunnel for the clearance and also strengthened the chassis ready for the beating it'll get! With the seats remounted and the centre tunnel remade it's made a massive improvement.
Dave Greenslade
2017 Calendar Date (Provisional)
Event
Saturday 25th March
Great Western Sprint
Saturday 13th May
Llandow Sprint
Sunday 9th July
AutoSolo TBC
Saturday 29th July
Dick Mayo Sprint
Sunday 30th July
Family Sports Car Day
Weekend 5th-6th August
South Glos Show
Weekend 2nd-3rd September
5-Clubs Wiscombe Hillclimb
Wednesday 27th September
Llandow Track Day
Sunday 12th November
Fedden Sporting Trial
Sunday 26th November
Allen Classic Trial 11
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds
The Breakfast Club I’m sure many of you are familiar with The Queen Square Breakfast Club, if not it is an informal gathering of petrolheads and car enthusiasts that usually meet on the morning of every 2nd Sunday in a month at Queen Square in Bristol. Occasionally they organise a special gathering, and this was one of them. This time they took over the paddock at Castle Combe Circuit for their Big Winter Meet. It was a ticketed event, only £5 per car (whether it has 1 or 7 people inside is irrelevant) and the tickets were limited to 500. There was an eclectic mix of cars from a McLaren 650s all the way down to a Vauxhall Nova, with everyone equally proud to show off their ride.
The show started at 0900 and was set to finish by 1400, plenty of time, so I relaxed and caught up with a few friends I hadn’t seen since the end of last season. At 1100 people had started to leave (it is a breakfast club after all), and I was still chatting. Panic set in as I had only taken a few photos, so I legged it around the paddock trying to grab as many cars as I could whilst there was still some to shoot. By 1230 only a handful remained, so I scarpered home nice and early. Hmm, breakfast club, that gives me an idea. As well as cars and cameras I consider myself to be a movie buff and I'm sure many of you are already familiar with John Hughes' 1985 classic The Breakfast Club. It's a comedy drama set in an America high school where 5 very different kids are spending a Saturday morning in detention (BTW I am not for one second implying that this meet felt like a detention). So lets have a look at some cars that might be associated with those kids: To begin we have Molly Ringwald's posh princess character, who I can imagine driving this Lambo:
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Emilo Estevez plays a typical high school jock who is on the wrestling team, so I can easily see him in this Dodge Ram:
And finally, my favourite character, the badass that Judd Nelson so brilliantly brings to life would have nothing other than the Challenger:
The nerdy Antony Michael Hall would no doubt be into the high tech Model X Tesla:
So there we go, a car meet that looks like a John Hughes movie, and who knows, maybe next time we'll have Ferris Bueller's Day Off.
Scott Boulton Ally Sheedy often gets overlooked in this film as she portrays the social outcast who people want to ignore, just like anyone who owns: What if I just stick it in reverse?
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BMC Awards Night
“Congratulations And Celebrations” by Cliff Richards
Andy Laurence 3rd Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Scott Boulton 3rd Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Paul Sunshine 2nd Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
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Dave Greenslade Best BMC Performance at the BMC Spring AutoSolo Receiving the Full Moon Cup
Martin Clemow on behalf of Simon Clemow Best BMC Performance at the Great Western Sprint Receiving the Castle Combe Plate
Nick Green Best BMC Performance at the Llandow Sprint Receiving the Horace Gould Trophy
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Alex Millard Best BMC Performance at the BMC Summer AutoSolo Receiving the Cruickshank Bowl
Andy Laurence Best BMC Performance at the Dick Mayo Sprint Receiving the 2 Litre Cup
Luke Trotman Best BMC Performance at the 5 Clubs Wiscombe Hillclimb Receiving the Joe Fry Trophy
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Bob Bellerby “King of Combe� Receiving the Watkins Nash Trophy
Ady Taylor and Dave GreenSlade
1st Place at the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Bill Bennett 1st Place in Class 2 at the Allen Classic Trial Receiving the Woodbury Chillcott
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Andrew Bisping Best Journalism Award Receiving the Barton Motors Trophy
Sandy Smith MX-5 Championship Winner Receiving the Hayward Challenge Cup
Dave Greenslade 3rd Place in the Bristol Speed Championship
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Luke Trotman 2nd Place in the Bristol Speed Championship
Simon Clemow 1st Place in the Bristol Speed Championship Receiving the Simon Hemmings Award
Ady Taylor 3rd Place in the All Rounders Championship
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Martin Clemow on behalf of Simon Clemow 2nd Place in the All Rounders Championship Receiving the 2000cc Cup
Dave Greenslade 1st Place in the All Rounders Championship Receiving the Chappell Cup
Chris Bigwood Receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award
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Mark Benstock Marshal of the Year Receiving the James Trophy
Kate Boulton Clubman of the Year Receiving the Wynns Shield
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Other award winners who were unable to be present at the ceremony were: Adrian Schmeider
2nd Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Matt Claydon
1st Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Dean Hogarth
1st Place in the BMC Winter Nav Scatter
Chris Buckley
Won the Catherine Hicks Award for Best BMC Performance at the Bristol Pegasus Sprint
Matt Facey
1st in Class 3 at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Bryan Brothers Trophy
Craig Allen
1st in Class 4 at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Renwicks Trophy
David Haizelden
2nd in Class 5 at the Allen Classic Trial
Mike Hobbs
2nd in Class 6 at the Allen Classic Trial
Mel Ellis
1st in Class 6 at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Highland Circle
Nick Gibbs
3rd in Class 7 at the Allen Classic Trial
Dick Glossop
2nd in Class 7 at the Allen Classic Trial
Ed Wells
1st in Class 7 at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Rootes Trophy
Neal Vile
3rd in Class 8 at the Allen Classic Trial
Gary Browning
2nd in Class 8 at the Allen Classic Trial
Dean Partington
1st in Class 8 at the Allen Classic Trial
Ryan Eamer
Best BMC Performance at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Glibert Best
Kevin Sharp
Best Clubman at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Redcliffe Cup
Tom Godwin
Best Navigator at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Bob Wood Trophy
Aaron Haizelden
1st Overall at the Allen Classic Trial and awarded the Allen Trophy
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Drive By
“Drive My Car” by The Beatles
exudes sporting pretension; with fat alloys wrapped in rubber band-like, ultra-low profile “Chris, can we swap cars for a couple of days tyres filling swollen wheel arches linked by next week?” the obligatory ‘sporty’ sill extensions below the doors, and enough lines, creases, curves mm, now this might just be the and vents across the bodywork to warrant its opportunity to provide the answers to a own Ordinance Survey map so you can number of questions that I’ve been pondering follow their numerous route changes as you recently… walk around the car.
H
As I wrote last year, following ‘Tiddles’ my S-Type Jaaag being written off in a multi-vehicle accident caused by an errant, uninsured van driver, my employer took the incredibly wise decision (sorry, he might read this sometime…) to offer me a company car. After extensive deliberation, my final selection was a top-spec Mazda 6 175 diesel Sport-Nav which was delivered by the dealership in the middle of June last year, immediately christened “The Scarlet Rattler” and which has turned out to be an excellent choice, with a wonderfully balanced chassis and more than decent performance provided by the 2.2 litre, twin-turbo diesel engine, which puts its 175bhp and stonking 310 lbs/ft of torque through the sweetest 6 speed manual gearbox I’ve ever used.
However, interesting though the folding of the bodywork sheet metal might appear to some, elegant it’s not. In my opinion (the only one that counts – my article) the effort to invoke a ‘dynamic’ look is far too fussy, and that grossly oversized front grille reminds me of the mouth of the alien creature in the film
Now, a month or so after The Scarlett Rattler joined the company stable, our Senior Operations Manager’s latest automotive choice rocked up one afternoon and ‘Predator’. immediately drew a lot of attention. It comes as no surprise to discover the RC is Because, parked outside the office was a aimed primarily at the North American brand new, Lexus RC300h F-Sport. Painted in market where ‘more is more’ and subtle is the brightest white this side of a polar icecap not a positive selling point (which might also on a sunny day. account for their recent choice of president; oh dear…). And the first impression is certainly in your face. This striking four seat, two door coupe
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Time to return to my opening line and explain what happened next. Like a lot of companies, the one I work for leases its cars on 4 year, comprehensive contracts and the monthly lease rates are based on anticipated total mileages the cars will cover in that time - usually around 15 – 20 thousand miles a year, or so - with additional costs charged ‘per mile’ if the agreed total mileage is exceeded.
Whilst the mileage requirements of individual roles within the company are reasonably easy to ascertain, occasionally something crops up which knocks the calculations into a cocked hat and, in this case, it was being awarded a major contract on the far side of the country. As I’m predominantly office based and averaging less than a thousand miles a month since The Scarlett Rattler was delivered, and my colleague managing this major contract has already clocked more than twice my mileage in less time, his request to swap cars for his next visit to Essex to help keep the mileage on the RC reasonable made sense.
with an additional 42bhp electric motor and associated battery pack, generating a total of 220bhp and 163 lb/ft of torque. All hooked up to a CVT gearbox. Which has a paddle shift ‘sport’ mode! With an empty weight of nearly 1800kg, it’s well over 200kg heavier than The Scarlett Rattler, half a second slower to 60mph and tops out at only 118mph (more than adequate, admittedly) – more than 20mph shy of my Mazda. In line with its sporting appearance, the RC is quite a bit lower in profile compared with my Mazda and you have to climb down into the (really comfortable) driver’s sports seat. Once ensconced, there’s no denying the much vaunted Lexus build quality although (whisper it), apart from the TFT-type virtual display in place of traditional gauges, the rest of the interior gives the impression of being just a little, uhm, last-decade Toyota – beautifully nailed together, but dated in its application.
So what’s the RC like to drive? Not surprisingly, just as you would expect of a It would also provide a great opportunity for decent GT car - that’s GT as in ‘Grand me to discover how the Lexus RC drives, Tourer’, not as in ‘British GT Championship’ given its perceived image (let’s face it, any car more’s the pity. called the RC – ‘arsy’ - has got to be an absolute animal, surely?) and also answer my Foot on the brake and prod the starter question as to the validity of hybrids being button and…nothing. Yep, the car is ready to touted as the antidote to the poisonous pull away in purely electric mode, although, diesel engine we appear to love so much in on a cold day if you leave it a few seconds the internal combustion engine will join the party Europe? of its own accord. As I really didn’t know anything about the Lexus, a quick bit of online research soon Slip it into ‘Drive’ – the gearlever has a produced the bare facts for the RC300h standard P, R, N, D layout, with ‘Sport’ F-Sport and the stats were something of a requiring a push of the lever to the left – and, uhm, you’re driving an absolutely normal surprise. automatic car. The ride is extremely quiet The drivetrain and performance figures really and comfortable and is a league better than weren’t what I was expecting; the drivetrain the Mazda, where road noise is rather is a 178bhp 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder petrol engine intrusive and whose ride is certainly firmer.
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But that CVT gearbox… although the pick-up is infinitely better than CVTs of old, there’s still an appreciable lag as you wait for the gearbox to play catch up with your prod on the loud pedal instruction and translate into actual motion. Which means the Lexus accelerates like it’s attached to a particularly slack bungee cord as you suffer having a four pot motor quietly droning away in the background at a disproportionately higher rpm to that you would expect for the actual road speed. It’s all a bit disappointingly lacklustre, especially
The RCs party piece, however, is the ability to run in electric mode only. Well, it probably is when you select to run as such, but left in normal drive the internal combustion engine chips in the moment you press the throttle with any greater force than that you would apply if someone had strapped a new born baby to the accelerator… Still, there is some entertainment to be had from the sci-fi electric motor whine as the car pulls away or comes to a stop, and following the dashboard display icons which keep you aware of how your energy sources are being utilised is absolutely fascinating during those moments you’re stuck in slow traffic listening to the local ‘Tedious FM’ radio station.
And the final important statistic, economy? When I first drove the RC after collecting the key from my colleague, the display was indicating 33.3mpg, with my best effort still yielding less than 40mpg. For comparison, The Scarlett Rattler hovers around the high 40s however you drive it and 50 something being easily attainable on the right journey. given the overtly sporting image the RC is apparently looking to impart. The RC is certainly more dynamic in Sports mode where you can control the gearbox’s shenanigans via the paddles, but the car’s still not, you know, quick, and ultimately there’s no getting away from the fact you’re just operating some pre-programmed patterns in a CVT gearbox and which feels very artificial.
So, my opinion of hybrid powertrains? Really very good at reducing a person’s tax liability and, uhm…. Finally, another warning from the Chris Dymock back-catalogue of life experiences. Received wisdom says you should never brake or swerve if you encounter an animal in the road. However, according to the judge, that doesn’t apply to when you’re suddenly faced with a mounted police officer…
On the road, the RC loses out to my Mazda when you’re comparing handling, as although the RC is a competent enough in the bends, you’re always aware of the sheer weight of the thing, and I think the Mazda is by far the more rewarding steer for somebody who enjoys driving.
Chris Dymock
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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