Classic and Competition car 147 December 2022

BySimonWright

McMurtryAutomotivereceiveSimmsMedal. TheRoyalAutomobileClub(RAC)presentedtheSimms MedaltoMcMurtryAutomotiveattheRACHeadquartersin PallMall.TheMedalisnamedinhonourofoneofthe RAC’sfoundermembers,FrederickSimms.Itrecognises ‘Anoutstandingcontributiontomotoringinnovation’by individualsorsmallcompanies,andonethatexemplifies the‘SpiritofAdventure’.Itisnotawardedonanannual basisbutonlywhentheTechnicalcommitteefeelsatisfied thataneventjustifiestheaward. Thecompanywereawardedthemedalfortheconception, deignandmanufactureofthestunningMcMurtrySpéirling, whichbroketheHillrecordatthisyearsGoodwoodFestival ofSpeed.Thecarusescuttingedgetechnologytodelivera powertoweightrationof1000bhppertonne.

AMGONEisnumber1atNurburgring-Nordschleife.

DTMRacingdriverandAMGbrandambassadorMaroEngel beatthepreviousrecordforaroadlegalproductioncarby eightsecondsonthe28thOctober2022.Itsetanofficiallap timeof6minutes35.183secondsforthe20.832kilometre track.ThehybridHypercarwithFormula1technologysetthe newrecordwithpartsofthetrackstilldamp.Itispoweredby onecombustionengineandfourelectricmotorswhich produce1,063hpandhasacappedtopspeedof352km/h.It hasacarbonmonocoqueandcarbonbodyworkandthe engineand transmissionunit areastressed member.Italso featuresactive aerodynamics.It usestheAMG 4Matic+allwheeldrivewith ahybriddriven rearaxleand electrically drivenfront wheels.

CaterhamSeven340. JustrevealedbyCaterham,thenewSeven340isthe latesteditiontotheSevenline-up.Itwillbeavailableinthe EuropeanandJapanesemarkets.Itsitsabovethe Caterham170andsupersedestheSeven275followingthe discontinuationoftheFordSigmaengine..TheSeven340 willbepoweredbythenaturallyaspiratedfourcylinder2 litreFordDuratecengine.Itproduces170bhp,providinga 25%increaseinpowercomparedtothepreviousmodel. Therewillbetwooptions,SorRpacks.Theroadgoing Seven340SisfortheGrandTouringexperience.Itwill comewitha5-Speedgearbox,roadsuspensionpack,14 inchclassicalloywheels,fullwindscreen,hoodandside screens,withblackleatherseats. TheSeven340Risaimedmoreattrackdayactivitiesand isfittedwithaLimitedSlipdifferential(LSD),sports suspensionpack,15inchOrcusalloywheels,fourpoint roadharness,carbon-fibredashboardandacomposite aeroscreen. PricesinEuropestartat€45,700fortheSeven340Sand €47,200fortheSeven340R.

PinnaclesofMotorsport andHypercarstogether. FortheWorldpremierofthe newLotusEvijaFittipaldi hypercar,twoFormula1 legendsarrivedatHethelto drivetwoverydifferentcars roundthefamoustestcircuit. Fiftyyearssincewinninghis firstWorldChampionshipat thewheeloftheiconicLotus 72,EmersonFittipaldiarrived todrivebothhisoriginalLotus 72andalsothenewelectric hypercarLotusEvijaFittipaldi, namedinhishonour.The Evijaishandpaintedinthe iconicblackandgoldcolour scheme,similartotheLotus 72andcarriestheEmerson Fittipaldinameontheside.It

alsohasnumerousother uniquedesignfeaturesto commemoratethesuccessful 1972season.Oneoftheseis ahand-tintedplanviewofthe Lotus72etchedintothe exposedcarbonfibreroof. Themostemotivedetailis thattherotarydialonthecentreinstrumentpanelhasbeen hand-craftedfromrecycledLotus72aluminium,ensuringa genuinepieceoftheiconicF1carispartofeachEvija Fittipaldi.

TheLotusEvijaFittipaldihasmorethan1972bhp (2000PS)whichmakesitthemostpowerfulseries productioncarintheWorld,creatingmorethan1,700Nm oftorque.Itdoes0-62mphinunder3secondsand0-186 mphinunder9seconds. Earlierintheweek,formerWorldChampionJensonButton haddriventheEvijaFittipaldiaspartofitsshakedown.He alsogottodrivetheLotus72. SeetheLotusvideoherehttps://youtu.be/SjNxUvgYuUU

AlexSmithHondaIntegrawaspartoftheRAFhandicapwinning teamlastyear.RAFTeamFlywheelwere48th thisyear,49th overall.

Thetraditionalseasonfinaleformanyclubracersisthe annualBirkett6HourRelayraceattheendofOctober. Thisyearwasthe74thrunningoftheevent,whichstarted in1951andonlymissed1987duetopoorweather conditions.Ithasbeenrunatvariouscircuits,having startedonSilverstoneclubcircuitin1951.Itdidacoupleof yearsatThruxtonin1971and1972beforereturningto Silverstone.Thenin1977itmovedtoDoningtonParkfor threeyearsbeforereturningagaintoSilverstonein1980. Attheendofthe1980sitmovedtoSnettertonforsixteen yearsbeforereturninghometoSilverstonein2001,where ithasremained,usingvariouscircuitlayouts.Nowituses

AlastairSmart-RadicalPR6waspartoflastyearsScratch

thefullGrandPrixcircuittomaximumeffectwithseventy teamstakingpartthisyear.

Theeventisuniqueinthatitconsistsofteamsofuptosix cars,thatruntheraceasarelay.Asonecarcomesinto thepitlane,assoonasitpassesitsgarage,thenextcar fromtheteamisreleasedoutontothetrack.Thereare twoawards,theScratchracewinnerswhocoverthe greatestdistanceinthesixhours,andtheHandicap winners.Teamsallrununderateamname,someofwhich canbeveryamusing,suchasBrakeDancers1,Seven GraduatesandVoteforPedro.Mostteamsconsistof competitorsfromthesameseries,althoughtheredoesnot

DavidRussellBMW328iwaspartofthewinninghandicapteamlastyear, thisyearRAFTeamFlywheelfinished48th onhandicapand49th overall

CharlesGraham-RadicalSR3RSXwaspartoflastyearsScratch winningteam,thisyearRJMotorsport1was3rd overall.

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seemtobearulestatingthatcarsinateamshouldbeofa similarperformance.ThatisajobfortheHandicappersto calculatetheteamsperformanceinrelationtoeveryother team.

LastyearshandicapwinningRAFMotorsportsteam returnedtodefendtheirtitleasRAFTeamFlywheel,with threeofthefourdrivers/carsfromlastyearstillintheteam. ThesewereSimonFrowen-FordFiesta,AlexSmithHondaIntegraandDavidRussell-BMW328ijoinedthis yearbyChrisSlatorinaPeugeot306GTi.Unfortunately, thisyearRAFTeamFlywheelwere48th onhandicapand 49th overall.TheScratchwinningteamfromlastyearRJ Motorsport3withDaytonaalsoreturnasRJMotorsport1 withtwooflastyearsteamreturning.ThesewereAlastair

TheRedRascalteamwereleadingthehandicapattheendofthefirst hour.KevinDengateMazdaMX5waspartoftheteamwhichfinished 70th overallandonhandicap.

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RyanHarper-Ellam&ShaneStone-RadicalSR3RSX. TheRadicalteamsproveddominantatthefrontofthe scratchracewithDorisNWHleadingfromRJMotorsport2, madeupofAshHicklin-RadicalSR3RS,LeonMorrell& CharlesHallsharingaRadicalSR3RSX,andMattJones RadicalSR3RSX.RawMotorsports-Rob’sWronguns’ held3rdattheendofthirtyminutes.ThethreeRadical teamswerealapaheadoftherestofthefield.Bytheend ofthefirsthourtheyweretwolapsaheadandstillinthe sameorder.TheHandicapwasledbytheRedRascal team,consistingofatrioofMazdaMX5sportscarswith shareddriversWilliamHayden&KevinDengate,Peter Williams&TimDoneandLeePhillips&RussellClarke.In 2ndplacewastheRAFTeamPerArdua,madeupofBrian Watson-Peugeot206GTi,OllyWaind-RenaultClio182, LloydHuggins-MazdaMX5andRobStark-Peugeot306 S16.Andin3rdplacewastheStWinifred’sSchoolChoir teamofChrisFantana-MazdaMX5Mk1,JimGloverFordPuma,NickGlover-MazdaMX5Mk2,AlanHarperVauxhallAstraandJezBanks-BMW116,allonthesame Grosslap.

Aftertwohourstheorderatthefrontremainedthesame butRAWMotorsports-Rob’sWronguns’haddroppedalap ontheleadingpair.OnHandicapitwasnowtheMazda Misfitsinfront,madeupofSimonWalker-Hansellsharinga MazdaMX5withJamesMcCain,StephenReece-Mazda MX5,AlexWilkinson-Hughes-MazdaMX5,William Pickard-MazdaMX5andNicolaFavot-MazdaMX5.They wereaGrosslapaheadoftheTripleA’sRacingteam, consistingofAndrewRath-SeatLeonCupra,Andrew& ChristopherEtheridgesharingaBMWM3andPhilKnibbin anotherSeatLeonCupra.In3rdplaceonhandicapwas theRAFTeamFlywheel. Athalfdistance,afterthreehours,DorisNWHwerestill leadingandnowalapclearof2ndplacedRawMotorsports -Rob’sWronguns’withRJMotorsport1,consistingof

CoventryMotoFest BreakfastMeeting

CoventryCityCentre, 22ndOctober2022. BySimon&JanetWright.

CoventryMotoFestheldaBreakfastmeetinginCoventry citycentretowardstheendofOctober.Aswellastheusual gatheringofvehiclesinMillenniumplaceoutsideof CoventryTransportMuseum,therewasanadditional displayinBroadgate,bytheLadyGodivastatue.

2020RenaultTwizyElectriccar

ThevehiclesoutsidetheTransportMuseumwerethemore modernvehicles,withaninterestingcollectionofmodified andlatermodelclassiccars.TheseregularBreakfast meetingsaredesignedforallenthusiaststobeabletotake part,sothevarietyofvehiclesrangefromvintagecarsright throughtofairlymoderncars.Allkindofmanufacturers wererepresented,withsaloons,sportscarsandhot hatchbacks.

Coventryhasbeenhomeformanyfamousmarquesfrom thepast,Triumph,Standard,Hillman,Humber,Riley, Talbot,Peugeotplusmany,manymore,butitsmost famoussonmustsurelybeJaguar.Withmanycarsbuiltat BrownsLane,Jaguarhaveproducedsomeofthefinest sportscarsandsaloonsoverthedecades.

1966Jaguar420G. OriginallynamedtheJaguarMarkTen,itwasJaguar’stop oftherangesaloonforadecade,from1961to1970.Itwas laterrenamedtheJaguar420GinOctober1966atthe LondonMotorShow.Theluxurysaloonwasaimedatthe Americanmarket.The420Gwasalteredslightlyto distinguishitfromtheoriginalMk10byaddingavertical centrebarsplittingthefrontgrille,indicatorlightsonthe sideofthefrontwingsandachromestriprunningdownthe sideofthecar.Theinteriorwasalteredbyadding perforationstothecentrepaneloftheleatherseats,a paddeddashboard,withtheclockmovedtoacentre locationonthedashboard.Airconditioningwasaddedas anoptionalextra.Itwaspoweredbyastraight6cylinder, 4.2litreengineanda4-Speedmanualgearbox.

TheJaguarXKSS. ThisisaroadgoingversionoftheJaguarD-Typeracing car.Only16werebuiltin1957andthen9weredestroyed inafactoryfirein1957.Theoriginalproductionrunwas supposedtobejust25cars,soin2016Jaguarannounced thatafurtherproductionrunof9‘continuation’carswould behandbuilttotheoriginalspecificationtocompletethe originalscheduledproduction. AfterJaguarwithdrewfromcompetitionafterthe1956

seasontherewereanumberofcompletedorpartially completedD-TypesunsoldattheBrownsLanefactory.To helprecoversomeofthedevelopmentcosts,SirWilliam Lyonstookthedecisiontoconvertanumberofthese chassistoaroadgoingsportscarfortheAmericanmarket. Onlyminorchangesweremade,addingapassengerside doorandremovingthedividerbetweenthedriverand passengerseats,plusthelargerearfinwasalsoremoved. Alargefullwidth,chrome-surroundedwindscreenwas added,withsidescreensaddedtobothdoors.For passengercomfort,abasicfoldingfabricroofwasadded forweatherprotection.Itwaspoweredbya3.4litre, straight6JaguarXK6engine,connectedtoa4speed manualgearbox. Unfortunately,thecarondisplayatCoventrywasnotan originalbutaverygoodreplica,aRealmHeritageXKSS. BuiltbyRealmEngineeringofHoneybournein Worcestershire,whosupplythechassisandGRPbodykit. TherunninggearistakenfromaJaguarXJ6,providingthe 4.2litreinlinesixcylinderenginewithupdatedtripleWeber carburettorsandthe5-Speedmanualgearbox.Thecar alsofeaturesanarrowedJaguarindependentIRSrear axle.Italsofeaturesreplica16inchDunlopracingwheels.

1951StandardVanguardPhase1. OndisplayinBroadgatewereseveralcarsfromthe StandardCarClub.Anotherlocallybuiltcar,theStandard VanguardPhase1,wasproducedbetween1947and1953. Itusedaconventionalchassistowhichavarietyofbodies couldbemounted.Itwaspoweredbya2litre,4cylinder OHVStandardenginewithasingledowndraughtSolex carburettor.Thisenginewasbasicallythesameasusedin theFergusonTE20Tractor.Thecaruseda3-Speed gearboxwithsynchromeshonallthreegears.From1950a cableoperatedLaycock-de-Normanvilleoverdriveoption wasofferedforanadditional£45,whichworkedontop gear.Thecarfeaturedindependentfrontcoilspring suspensionandaliveaxleandleafspringsontherear, withanti-rollbarsfittedfrontandrear.Cableoperated druimbrakeswerefittedtoallfourwheels.Tomaximise interiorspaceacolumngearchangewasused. Ithadatopspeedof78mphandcouldacceleratefrom060mphin21.5seconds.Fuelconsumptionwas22mpg. Whennew,itcost£671.

1952TriumphRenownLimousine. AnotherfamousCoventrymarque,Triumph,madenearly 16,000oftheRenownmodelbetween1946and1954,but

NeilHowardStagesRally

ThefirstSaturdayofNovembersawtheNeilHoward StagesRallyreturntoCheshire’sOultonParkcircuitforthe traditionalsinglevenuerallyandfireworkdisplayafterthe mainevenhadconcluded.With8specialstagesandover 50milesofcompetitivestagemiles,mostlyontarmac,the rallywasorganisedbyBoltonLe-MoorsMotorCluband sponsoredbySalfordVanHire,thisyearitwastheopening roundofthe2022MGJCircuitRallyChampionship. Thefirsthalfoftherallyinthemorningsawthecircuitbeing usedinreverse,unusualforthecircuit,withallrace

thetopfiveoverallplaces.VictoryforBirdandMorton confirmedtheirrecentdominanceoftheevent,winningthe sameeventin2021.

JohnandAlexStoneintheLegendsFiresVWPoloGTiR5 wouldhavebeenamongstthefavouritesasusualatthe startoftherallybutatwisteddriveshaftonstageonecould notberepairedandtheirrallywasoveralmostbeforeithad started.

ChriswoodwarrdandKevinIkin,HondaCivicTypeR DaveOrrittandTomParkes,FordEscortMkIIRS2500

PaulMunroandCallumCross,FordFiestaR5 PaulWalkerandLiamWhiteley'sMitsubushiEVOIX

werealmostfiveandahalfminutesbehindtheleader,the sightandsoundofarallylegendbeingdrivencompetitively broughtbackalotofmemoriesforthespectatingcrowd. FirstEscorttofinishwasthe2500ccMk2ofChris WoodhouseandAlanGilbert,themorningstagessawthem runningverycompetitivelybuttheafternoonstagessaw themdropoffthewpace,butagoodresultoverall. YorkshiremanandrallyregularKevinProctorandco-driver LauraConnellcamethirdintheFordFiestaS2000T,a steadydrivespoiltbyonepenaltyforclippingachicaneon stage5,oneof39similarpenaltieshandedouttocarson

theevent.

Onthepenultimatestage,asdarknessstartedtofall,both leaderFrankBirdandsecondplacedSteveSimpsonhad incidentsthatcouldhaveendedtheirralliessoclosetothe end.Rainhadbeenfallingmoresteadilyasthedaywent onandthestagewasgettingmoreslipperyeveryminute. Onthegravelsectionofthestage,ontheoutfieldfacing thepits,Birdhitabumpandthebouncedaroundalmost

AdrianSpencerandMarkHewitt,AdgespeedSubaruImpreza

outofcontrol,Birdadmittingthathehadcomecloseto losingthecar.Almostatthesametime,Simpsonspunhis Fiestaandstalledthecar,bothcarsnearlygiftingvictoryto KevinProctor.

Previoussponsoroftheevent,solicitorGrahamCoffeyand SionCunniffintheFordFiestaS2000Tfinished9th,

makingthetoptenfortheeventawho’swhoofprevious eventwinners.Inthepasttenyearstheeventhasbeen wonbyGrahamCoffey(2),SteveSimpson(3),Kevin Proctor(3)andFrankBird(2). TheNeilHowardStageswasthefirsteventofthisyear’s CircuitRallyChampionship,witheightroundsintotal,the remainingrounds,mostlyatMSVcircuitswithatleastone amonthculminatinginthefinalroundinApril2023at Anglesey.

TheLancasterInsuranceClassicMotorShow,with Discovery+wasbacktoitspre-coviddaysthisyear,filling sixhallsattheNationalExhibitionCentre(NEC)fromthe 11thtothe13thNovember.Thethemeforthisyearsevent was‘partofthefamily’.Atotalof69,324enthusiasts attendedthe showoverthe threedays,with plentytoseeto keepthem entertained.With 300carclubs andover3,000 vehiclescreating amazing displays,along withspecial featuresand tradestands, youreallyneed morethanone daytoviewit.

StartingwithHall1,a largerHalloftheshow, thereweredisplaysfrom someofthelargercar clubs,manyinvolvedin motorsportevents,suchas theVintageSportsCar Club(VSCC)whichhad severalvintagecarsonthe standrepresentingthe differenttypesofactivities theclubisinvolvedin, includinganERAsingle seaterusedforracing,hill climbsandsprintevents. TheMidlandAutomobile Club(MAC)whorunthe historicShelsleyWalshhill climbvenuealsohad severaldifferenttypesof carsontheirstandtoshow thatalltypesofvehicles can competein hillclimb events. The Bugatti Owners Club (BOC) whorun the Prescott hillclimb course had several

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GouldGR59JHillClimbcar

AlfasudontheAlfa RomeoOwnersClubstand

ERAonVSCCStand

vintageBugatticarsondisplay,plustheBébéPeugeot. ThiscarwasdesignedbyEttoreBugatti.Heoriginally offeredthedesigntobothaGermanfirm,Wanderer,and Peugeot,whotookalicencetobuildthecarfortheFrench Market.Theyshowedthecaratthe1912ParisMotorShow andbeganproductionin1913.Tokeepcostsdown,they fittedaPeugeotstraightfourengine,whichproduced around10bhpat2000 rpm,anda2-Speed gearbox.Theythen replacedthegearbox witha3-Speeddesign. Withaweightofjust770 lbs,thecarhadatop speedof37mph(60 kph).Italsoachieved somemotorsport successinthesmallcar class,takingaclasswin atMontVentouxin1913. Atotalof3,095were built

Hall2 hadadistinctlyFrenchairtoitwithCitroen,Peugeot, Renault,SimcaandTalbot(Matra)allrepresentedbymany differentcarclubs.ItalsocontainedtheSilverstone Auctionsarea.

TheCitroenCarClubhadaninterestingreplicaoftheBBCTVRovingEye CitroenBX.Alltheoriginalvehiclesarebelievedtohavebeenscrapped. TheXMwasthelastvehicletocarryapersonontoptofilm.Theywere usedtofollowHorseRacing,Speedwayandprocessions.From1954a successionofCitroenvehicleswereusedincludingtheCitroenEstate (Safari),theDS(1971-1973),theCX(1983)andtheXM(1992).

1970Peugeot404

1968CitroenMehari

Hall2

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ClubMarcosInternational

LancasterInsurancePrideof

Ownershipwherevisitorsatthe showvotedfortheirfavouritecar onthestand.Thewinnerwas IanCroftwithhis1968Lotus ElanPlus2.In2ndplacewas the1976FordEscortRS2000 ofWilliamFlay,followedby StephenCheape’s1981Ford Fiesta950Popularin3rd.

PrideofOwnership

PrideofOwnershipwinner IanCroft,1968LotusElanPlus2

Hall8 waslinkedfromHall4byawalkwaycorridorwhich containedfastfoodstandsdownonesideandhistoricrally carsdowntheotherside.OnceenteringHall8,oneofthe smallerhallsintheshow,itwasfullofFordmotorvehicles. WithFordbeingprobablythebiggestsellerofcarsinthe UKoverthelastonehundredyears,thereweremanyof themostpopularcarsfromthepastondisplay,likethe

Hall5 isthefinalhalloftheshowandisoneofthelarger hallsoftheshow.Alargeareaattherearwastakenbythe SportingBears,whohadaccesstotheoutsidetotake peopleonDreamRidesinclassicandsupercarsfor charity.Nowintheir30thyearofoperatingDreamRidesfor charity,theyraised£35,767,whichtakestheirfundraising totaltoover£3million.AttheothersideofHall5wasthe LiveStagewhichfeaturedvariouscelebritiesfromTV, includingMikeBrewerandRichardHammond.Another

UsuallyrunningShelsleyWalshhillclimb,theMidland AutomobileClub(MAC)alsorananannualsprintmeeting atCurboroughinOctober.Agoodentrytackledthefigure eightlayoutroundthetrack,runninginthenormaldirection fromthestartline,roundthemolehillandtheShenstone hairpin,thenatthecrossover,returnonwoodside,runup themainstraighttothecrossoverandre-runroundthe Shenstonehairpin,beforefinishingdownthemainstraight tothefinishline. Aftermorningpractice,eachcompetitorhadtworunsinthe afternoon.AttheendoftherunsitwasRayRowaninthe DallaraF300whosetthefastesttimeofthedaywitha 56.00secondrun.Hewasnearlytwosecondsfasterthan 2ndplacedTonyCottonwhowassharingthedriveinthe DallaraF300,whosetatimeof57.86seconds.In3rd placewasChrisGoodredsinanOMS28,whoalsotook

Threewheelingthroughthecross-over.StephenBaxtertookaclass win(C2bmodified)inthePeugeot205,8th overall.

Carsover2000cc winnerAndrewNorrisinaPorsche911 Carrerawithatimeof63.84secondsin6thoverall. Theclasswinnerswerecomingthickandfastnowwith7th placedMartinHarveyinaWestfieldSeiwZestytectaking ClassBbRoadCarsSpecialistProductionCars witha timeof63.98seconds. In8thplacewasStephenBaxterinaPeugeotRWL Motorport205withatimeof64.70seconds,takingthe classwinin classC2bModifiedCarsSeriesProduction cars1400ccupto2000cc.

In11thplacewasDavieManAlfaRomeo4c, winningclassA2bRoadcarsover2000cc.

DavidGiddeninaLotus23was9th,winningclass MB SportsRacingandRacingcarsmanufacturedupto 1971inclusive. Histimewas64.46seconds. Followingonin11thplacewas classA2bRoadCars SeriesProductionover2000cc DavieManinanAlfa Romeo4cwithabesttimeof64.85seconds. Thenext1stinclasswas13thoverall,AnthonyBrown drivinganAudiTTwithatimeof66.01seconds.Hewas

Classwinner(MBSports&Racingcarspre1972)DavidGiddenLotus 23B,9th overall.

TheonlyrunnerinClassC4bfor4WDwasAnthonyBrownAudiTT whowas13thoverall.

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ClassA1bRoadcarsto2000ccwinnerPeterTaylorMazdaMX5 14thoverall.

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theonlyrunnerinclassC4bModifiedCarsSeries ProductionCars4wheeldriveofanyenginecapacity. Only0.26ofasecondbehindwastheClassA1bRoad CarsSeriesProductionupto2000ccwinnerPeterTaylorat thewheelofhisMazdaMX5,Wirthatimeof66.27 seconds.

ClassC1bModifiedCarsSeriesProductioncarsupto 1400ccwasanotherwithjustasinglerunner.MikeGallery inaMorrisMiniCooperSsetatimeof67.91seconds.

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MikeGalleryMorrisMiniCooperSwastheonlyrunnerinClassC1b ModifiedCarsupto1400cc.

WinnerofClassA3bRoadCars4WDwas GrahamGodfreyAudiTTMk1,23rdoverall.

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ClassA3bRoadCarsSeriesProductionCars4Wheel DriveofanyenginecapacitysawGrahamGodfreyinan AudiTTMk1,whowas23rdoverall,taketheclasswin. AnotherclasswithjustasinglecompetitorwasclassA4b RoadCarsSeriesProductionCarswithspaceframedor nonferrouschassis.DavidLeeinaLotusElisefinishedin 27thoverallwithatimeof70.26seconds.

AnothersinglerunnerclassA4bRoadcarswithspaceframechassis sawDavidLeeLotusElisetake27thoverall.

FinalclasswinnerwasLloydJonesMarcos1800GT-36thoverall

PeterWaltonAustinHealey3000BT7was2ndin theAustinHealeyChallengeclass,20thoverall

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ThefinalclasswinnerwasLloydJonesinaMarcos 1800GTwhofinished36thoverallwithatimeof72.34 seconds. ThemeetingwasalsoaroundoftheAustinHealeyClub SpeedChallenge.Therewasagoodsizedentrywith RichardMasontakingtheclasswininhisAustinHealey 1006,finishing19thoverallwithatimeof69.09seconds.

AustinHealeyClubSpeedChallengewinnerwasRichard MasonAustinHealey10076whowas19thoverall.

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Hewasonly0.38ofasecondaheadofPeterWaltoninhis AustinHealey3000BT7,whowas20thoverallwithatime of69.48seconds.Taking3rdplaceintheAustinHealey classwasPaulBakerinthemoreunusualJensenHealey Roadsterwhofinished21stoverallwithabesttimeof 69.55seconds,withonly0.46ofasecondseparatingthe topthreeintheChallengeclass.

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3rdintheAustinHealyChallengeclasswas PaulBakerinaJensenHealey,21stoverall.

TheNewUnnamedClassicCarGroup

30thOctober2022. TheOldWagonandHorses. BySimon&JanetWright. ToyotaCelicaGT4rallyandroadgoingversions. Seehowmuchlowertherallycarsits.

TheNewUnnamedClassicCarGroupholdregular meetingsattheoldWagon&HorsePublicHousebetween StourbridgeandKidderminster,ontheborderonWest MidlandsandWorcestershire.Afterarecentincreasein availablespacebehindthepub,themeetingshavebeen gettinglarger.Themeetingsarefreeandwelcomeany

AnimpressivelineupofclassicAmericancarsfromtheBlackCountryCruisers. 1974LincolnContinentalMarkIV

ThePontiacGTO.

Modelwasmanufacturedbetween1963and1974.In1963 GeneralMotorsstoppeditscompaniesfrombeinginvolved inmotorsport,sothemarketingpeoplestartedto emphasisestreetcarperformance.Theytookthenormal 5.3litreTempestsaloonandfittedbigger6.4litrePontiac V8enginefromthefull-sizedPontiacGrandPrixhardtop. Thenewmodelwaspromotedasahighperformancecar toappealtotheyouthmarket.Initialproductionwasgoing tobelimitedto5,000cars.TheGTOnamewasinspiredby theFerrari250GTO.InItaliantheGTOdesignationstands forGrandTourerHomologated,whichmeansithasbeen approvedbytheFIAforracingintheGrandTourerclassas aproductioncar,havingatleast100produced.Although notofficiallycompetinginmotorsport,Pontiacdidhavethe modelhomologatedin1964sothatitwaspossibleforthe GTOtocompeteinEuropeansportscarraces. ThecarhereisaRamAirmodelwithanupdatedengine whichproduced370hpand445lb-ftoftorque.Ithada specialhigh-flowexhaustmanifold,high-flowcylinderhead, highlift/longdurationcamshaftandalargerRochester4barrelcarburettor.Thisgaveitatopspeedof124mphand a0-60mphaccelerationtimeof6.2seconds,withthe quartermileachievedin14.5seconds.

1969PontiacGTO

1972Austin1300Countryman. SomethingbuiltlocallyatCastleBromwichin Birmingham,wasthisveryunusualAustin1300 Countryman.Theestateversionofthebestselling 1100/1300ADO16wasintroducedinMarch1966atthe GenevaMotorShow.TheADO16rangewasdesigned bySirAlexIssigonisasalarger‘Mini’withthebody designdonebyPininfarina,ItwasbuiltatLongbridge andwasthetopsellingcarintheUKfrom1963to 1971,exceptfor1967.Duetoitslowproductionvolume, theestatemodelwasassembledatPressedSteel FisheratCastleBromwichwherethebodyshellwas made,insteadofLongbridge.Itwasalsobrandedasa MorrisTraveller.Initiallyitwasonlyofferedwiththe 1098ccASeriesengine,butin1967italsogainedthe 1275ccASeriesengine.Thisproduced58bhp,which gavethecaranippyperformance.Thesewerethe sameASeriesenginesthatwereofferedintheiconic Mini. Ithadthesametransverselymountedengineand gearbox,liketheMini,drivingthefrontwheels.Ithada

Hydrolastic fluid suspension system fittedtogive asmoother ride.The saloonwas availablein a2or4door option,but theestate versiononly cameasa2doorplusrearopening. Thiscarhasbeenrestoredbythecurrentowner,with theinteriorhavingbeengivenspecialattention. Accordingtoofficialfiguresthereareonly2Austin 1300Countrymancarsleftontheroadin2022.

ScottMoraninaSkodaFabiaRally2,doingwhat hedoesbest-settingfastesttimesatPrescott

AquicklookaroundthepaddockofRallyePrescottbrought homethefactthatthiswasnoordinaryrallyorhillclimb. Youreyeswereinevitablydrawntoamouthwatering collectionofSlowlySidewayshistoricrallycars,butregular

Prescottattendeeswouldhaverecognisedquiteanumber oftin-tophillclimberstoo.MostoftheSlowlySideways crewweredemonstratingbutafewhadoptedfortimed runsintherally.Asexpected,therewereplentyofEscorts

EdmundBurgessbroughtsomerealclasstothe eventwithhis1924BugattiType13Brescia BeautifulFord RS200ofJimAvis

thepriceforthestandardcarwas£1066! Theformatallowedforonepracticeandthentworunsup thehillfollowedbyabreakforextralightingtobefitted.At dusk,therewasanotherpracticewithtwomorerunsinthe dark.SlowlySidewayscarswouldalsoget4runs throughouttheday.Asyouhavetoexpectwithcarsofthis thegravel

DaveKedwarddragshisLanciaRally037outof

©SydWall

©SydWall

age,someSlowlySidewayscarsfailedtoappearthough forgoodreasons.TimBendlewasunabletobringhis uniqueMGMetro8R4dueto asteeringproblem.While thereareafewMetros aroundwithotherengines replacingtheoriginalV6,this oneisspecialinthatithas neverhadaV6installed. AfterthebanningofGroupB, aSpanishdriverboughtan enginelessMetrofromthe factory.TheV6wasknownto havetroublewithdustsohe plumpedfora4.6litreRover V8fromJEEngineeringwho hadplentyofexperience buildingtheseenginesfor Paris-Dakarcarsand subsequentlytheMetrohad averysuccessful6yearsin

IrelandforjustoneeventandthenintoRoger’sownership in2005.Althoughtheconditionsweregreasyallday,there wereonlytwoorthreemishaps,oneofwhichbefell DuckworthwhoslippedovertheedgeatSemibutwithout damage.JohnPickwasnextinfifthon53.62s,the hillclimberinhiswellknownAMSMurtaya,a2seater sportscarusingImprezarunninggear. AspecialmentiongoestothesuperlittleVauxhallNova GTE,AndrewEggersharingthefamilycarwithisdad,

models.TheMGiSMARTconnectedcarfeaturesas standard,withliveservicesonTrophymodels.Thereisan integrated,interactingdualscreentechnologywith configurable7inchdriverdisplayanda10.25inchfloating infotainmentsystemwitha4-speakeraudiosystem.It comeswithAppleCarPlayandAndroidAutoasstandard, whiletheTrophymodelhasanupgraded6-Speaker3D system.TheTrophymodelalsogainsSatelliteNavigation, 360degreeparkingcamera,heatedfrontseatsand steeringwheel,aheightadjustingloadingfloor,wireless phonechargingandanauto-dimmingrearviewmirror. Pricesstartfrom£25,995OTRfortheSEStandardRange model,£28,485fortheLongRangeandfrom£31,495for theTrophyLongRange.andcomeswiththeMGtrademark 7-year/80,000milewarrantyasstandard,whichremains oneofthelongestfully-transferablewarrantiesinitsclass.

Local‘second-time-around’racerKevinIngram(LolaT332) gothis2022/23SASAutopartsMSCF5000TasmanCup RevivalSeriescampaignofftoagreatstartwithan absolutelydominantpole-to-chequered-flagwininthefirst raceofthenewseasonatthebigMGClassichistoric motorracingmeetinginFeilding.

Inamannervirtuallyidenticaltotheonewhichnettedhim hisfirstpole/chequersdoubleatthefinalroundofthe 2021/22SASAutopartsMSCSeriesearlierthisyear, Ingtramsetabestlapof1.07.16inthecategory’squalifying session(very)earlyonSaturdaymorningbeforestorming awayfromfellowfrontrowstarterTonyGalbraith(Lola T332)andtherestofthe12-strongfieldtocrossthefinish linewellaheadofthirdquickestqualifierGlennRichards (LolaT400)whofinallywonhisrace-longbattleforsecond

Fielding’sManfeildCircuitChrisAmonoverthe(Nov12-13) weekend.

Thenlaterinthedayhestormedawayfromfellowfrontrow starterTonyGalbraith(LolaT332)andtherestofthe12strongfieldtocrossthefinishlineaheadofthirdquickest qualifierGlennRichards(LolaT400)whofinallywonhis race-longbattleforsecondplacewithTonyGalbraithonthe lastlap.

NotthatfarbehindatthelinemeanwhilewasBrettWillis whosettherace’sfastestlapwithatime-of1:06.77–in hisnewly-finished….LolaT332.Andinfifthplacewasyet another….LolaT332,inthiscasetheex-Graeme LawrencecarofBlenheim-basedseriesstalwartRussell Greer,whogamelyfendedofftheadvancesfromafired-up ShayneWindelburn(LolaT400)forthelatterpartsofthe race.

TonyRoberts(McLarenM10B)©

FastCompany/MattSmith

GlennRichards(#99LolaT400)©FastCompany/GeoffRidder

Makingabigimpressionalittlefurtherbackinthefield meanwhile,wasClassAstalwart,TonyRoberts,who qualifiedhisfavoured‘high-wing’McLarenM10A9thand crossedthefinishlineintheracein7thplace,keepingup withthelikesofcategorynewfaceBruceKettinhis…..Lola T332!

AsitturnedoutKett’sweekendinhisnewlyacquiredT332 waseffectivelysnookeredbyarecalcitranttiming transponderwhichkepttelling‘thesystem’thatthecarhad stoppedwhenitplainlyhadnotandwasstilllapping quicklyandconsistentlywiththemid-packbunch.

TherewasoneDidNotFinish(DNF)inthefirstrace, AucklanddriverGrantMartin(TalonMR1A),whosnapped agearboxinputshaftashewasleavingthedummygrid.

Fortunatelywithaspareinputshaftonhand,Martinand

crewmanStuLushwereabletoeffectanimmediaterepair andmakeupfortheDNFonSaturdaywithaconfidenceboostingwininthesecond6-lap(reversegrid)SAS AutopartsMSCseriesraceonSundaymorning. Martin’swinningTalonendedupleadinghomeTony Galbraithinsecondplace,withKevinIngramthirdandBrett Willisfourth.

Tothefinalnowanditwasacaseofmoreofthesameasa relaxedandconfident-lookingKevinIngramconducted anotherabsolutemasterclassin‘leadingfromthefront driving.’ NeitherIngramnorhisclosestroundrivals,GlennRichards (LolaT400),orfellowLolaT332runnersTonyGalbraith andBrettWilliscouldeverbeaccusedofaslackeningof thepaceatanystageofthe8-laprace,theirfastestrace lapsallinthe1minute05secondsbracket.

CannockandDistrictCarClub(CDCC)heldthelatest roundoftheirWheelspinSeries2022usingacoupleof testsroundtheCurboroughsprintcourse.Runningunder theUKMotorsportStreetCarregulations,theseriesisopen toanyroadgoingcarandattractedtheofficialStreetCar MinientryfromMotorsportUKforBenLancasterinaMini Cooper.Hefinished26thoverallwithatotaltimeof671 seconds.

TestA,theMainTest,startedatthecommentaryboxand wentupthemainstraight,roundseveralchicanes,which arelocatedallaroundthecircuit,leftatthecrossovertothe Shenstonehairpin.Herethedrivershadtodoa360degree turnaroundamarkerconebeforecontinuingdownthe mainstraighttothecrossoverandtakingarightturnto finishthecoursedownWoodsideandfinishingjustoutside thecommentaryboxgate. TestB,theStartLineTest,startedatthepaddockgateand proceededdowntherighthandsideofthetracktowards thesprintstartline.Thedriverthendoesalaproundthe circleattheassemblyareabeforereturningdowntheright sideofthecircuit(theothersidetowheretheycameup) towardsthepaddock.Theyfollowthetrackroundtotheleft

Takingtheawardfor2ndinClassEwasThomasAllisonin aMazdaMX5.Hewas4thoverallwithatimeof593.3 seconds.Hewasfollowedhomeby3rdinClassE,Gary RidgwayinaMazdaMX5withatotaltimeof589.9 seconds.AlsoinClassEwasJimBryantinaMazdaMX5, whofinished6thoverallwithatotaltimeof607.3seconds. Takingtheawardfor1stinClassAwasAshleyPearce drivingaNissanMicra.Withatotaltimeof614.7seconds, theywere7thoverall. In8thoverallandtakingtheawardfor1stinClassDwas MaciejCzechowiczinaFiat126,withatimeof620 seconds.

2ndinClassAand11thoverall-DaveRennocksVauxhallNova

MarkBrotherhoodinhisBMW318Ti,whowas12thoverall. Thefinalawardfor2ndinclasswenttoAdamHumphreys inaRenaultClio.Hewas14thoveralland2ndinclassB.

2ndClassEand4thoverall-ThomasAllisonMazdaMX5

JamesCrudgingtoninaNissanMicratooktheawardfor 3rdinClassA.Hewas15thoverallwithatotaltimeof 639.1seconds. Only0.9ofasecondbehindwasBarryManselldrivinga RenaultClio.Hetooktheawardfor3rdinclassB,finishing 16thoverallwithatimeof641seconds.

ThenextclassawardwenttoOwenCuleinaMiniCooper. Hefinished18thoverallwithatotaltimeof642.8seconds, taking3rdinClassC.

ThenextclassawardwenttoMiroslawNastalczyk,who tookthe2ndinclassDawarddrivingaLexusis250,

2ndinclassBand14thoverall-AdamHumphreysRenaultClio

2ndClassD,23rdoverallMiroslawNastalczykLexusis250

©JanetWright

TheMicrasharedwithKatherineGough-FastestLady,39thoverall.

finishing23rdoverallwithatotaltimeof658seconds. ThefinalclassawardwenttoJohnWinterinaMazdaMX5. In33rdoverallandwithatotaltimeof706,5seconds,he wasawarded3rdinClassD.

FastestJunior-SamHarbourMazdaMX5,18thoverall.

TheawardforthefastestJuniorwenttoSamHarbourina MazdaMX5.Hewasclassified19thoverallwithatotaltime of648.6seconds. Taking2ndintheJuniorcategorywasOscarFletcherina FiatSeicentoSporting.Withatotaltimeof784.9seconds, hewasplaced42ndoverall.

ThefinalawardwenttotheFastestLady,KatherineGough inaNissanMicra,39thoverallwithatimeof746seconds. ClassFhadtwoentrieswithTomBishoptakingthefastest timeintheclassinaVauxhallNova.Histimewas590.2 whichwouldhaveplacedhimthirdfastestoverall.Hewas wellaheadofPhillipBlickinaFordEscortMexicoMk1 whowas2ndfastestintheclasswithatimeof648.5 seconds,whichwouldhaveplacedhim20thfastestoverall.

FastestNovice-PaulGoughNissanMicra,25thoverall…

TheFastestNoviceawardwenttoPaulGoughinaNissan Micra.Histimeof670.1seconds,25thoverall.

FastestinClassF-TomBishop,VauxhallNova.

©JanetWright

©JanetWright