ISSUE FOUR 2011
STFIELD WORLD
WESTFIELD SPORTS CAR CLUB
CHAIRMAN'S RAMBLINGS H
i all, I hope you are getting some witnessed over the last 18 months or so. better weather where you live As you may imagine, there was much than we are here in Staffordshire. debate around the reasons why the My car is firmly fixed into its parking membership was declining in numbers spot in the garage as it has been too wet - the consensus was that people are to take it anywhere for weeks. pulling the drawstrings in' generally. I hope things improve for the W5CC Evidence of this is clear with a number track day at RAF Cottesmore on Friday of Sprint meetings being cancelled this 26th August. If you are not aware, please year due to lack of entrants. take a look at the website (or page 2 in A motion was passed at the meeting this issue) to find details of this day to look at the significant spend faced by which includes an open pit lane, sprint the club in producing and distributing sessions, tuition and more! the magazine every other month. You Since the last edition, we have held will have noticed a questionnaire the WSCC AGM at the Curborough Sprint attached to this edition (on the back meeting in June. The main topic for of the address carrier sheet) — the j conversation was the slow decline in committee and I would be most grateful membership numbers that we have of your time in completing this and
sending it back to me. As this is such an important decision, I think it right that we gain a majority view on the future of the magazine within our club. On the subject of a number of sprint meetings being cancelled, our thanks needs to be extended to Nick Algar who has worked tirelessly and quietly in the background arranging a number of replacement meetings so that those of us who compete in the WSCC Sprint Series can enjoy a full and varied season. Thanks Nick. A final shameless plug; please put the 19th November in your diary as the date for the annual WSCC Dinner and Dance at the Lea Marston Hotel near Sutton Coldfield.
COVER PICTURE
We will publish a full itinerary for this | event shortly, but as usual, the event will incorporate the WSCC Sprint Series awards for 2011 and much fun/chat/ | drinks etc. besides. Not to be missed! That's all for now. I hope you find a little bit of good weather in between the downpours, so that you can get out there and enjoy your Westfields. If you | do, remember to keep it safe. Regards, Paul
IN THIS ISSUE: Chairman's Ramblings WSCC Trackday, Cottesmore Fitting a Gel Battery Tour Ecosse Around the World - news from the Area Organisers
20
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It all gets too much for Glen on the recent Tour of Scotland (see page 4).
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Club Web Site: w-vv-w.wscc.co.ulc The disclaimer bit... No material or photographs etc. that appear in Westfield World may be reproduced, in any form whatsoever without prior permission of the committee. Westfield World is published in good faith, and the views expressed therein are not necessarily those held by the Editor or Committee. The Club, Committee, Editor or contributors cannot be held liable for any loss, injury or damage alleged to have been caused by following advice contained in this publication. Where appropriate names have been changed to protect the guilty. The Westfield Sports Car Club logo and the MSA logo are registered trade marks and must not be used without prior permission.
WESTFIELD WORLD - ISSUE FOUR 2011
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AROUND THE WORLD News from the WSCC Areas
See inside back cover for area meet and contact details
than getting one.
Black Country www.wscc.org.uk
Lined upon Sn
S
un, Sea, Sand and - Doc Martin? The Black Country's annual getaway this year was Cornwall. As usual when heading to the south-west we met up at the Michael Woods Services on the M5, for our rip-off "full English" breakfast and bad service that we have j come to expect. After fuelling up, and arranging | a second mortgage to pay for it, we headed down the motorway to the Exeter Services, where we had arranged poor visibility to meet Pete and Jan who had travelled due to the mist I down in their Sebring (a Healy 3000 it was quite replica) the day before. When we unsettling and arrived Pete was nowhere to be seen. eerie. He had had trouble with the wires to A horse had his horn, (not a sexual pastime I hasten left a present to add!) shorting out and blowing a fuse in the r o a d when he turned the steering wheel. for me and as After a quick repair he eventually I parked up at arrived (horn-less), and we carried on jj the Jamaica Inn I found it had spread our journey southwards. U itself nicely all over the rear driver's Tintagel was bathed in sunshine as §j side stone guard — thank god my exhaust we drove down the main street to our H is on the other side! A few yards of digs - The Pendrin Guest House. After jj toilet paper from the gents soon had unpacking it was time to find the nearest || it removed. It's important to get it off pub for a well-deserved drink or three ;v while it's still fresh, if you let it dry it and arrange a large table for the ten of : becomes a hammer and chisel job. us that evening for our meal. Monday After a superb breakfast we headed along the Atlantic Highway to Port Isaac. This is where the popular TV series Doc Martin, staring Martin Clunes, is filmed in which the town is renamed 'Port Wenn'. As we walked down into the town we saw that they where filming outside the cottage that is used as Doc Martin's surgery. We walked around the harbour and, along with the crowds of people, watched them filming. After a light lunch, a little lubrication, and a photo-shoot we headed back to Tintagel for a break (quick nap) before going out for our evening meal. Tuesday My Daughter and her husband Ben had come to stay with us on Monday for a couple of days. After breakfast, I took my son-in-law with me to fill up with fuel before we started out for the day. He has been with my daughter for over eight years and this was the first time he had been in my car. Needless to say following our short blast he wanted one. My daughter (who would prefer to spend that sort of money on clothes) said he could have one as long as it was bright As we left the village a thick mist pink! He's thinking about it. descended. Around 10:30 we all set off to our Our next stop was the Jamaica Inn first destination — Healey's Cider Farm on Bodmin Moor, made famous by the Daphne DuMaurier novel of the same at Penhallow, Truro. If you're ever down name. Her book was made into a TV this way on holiday it's certainly worth a visit. They have shire horses, goats, pigs, drama in 1983 staring none other than Patrick Mcgoohan, who also starred (if a large bullock and peacocks running you didn't already know) in the sixties free to keep the kids entertained, and cider, wine, and spirit tasting for the series The Prisoner - the reason I built adults, but be warned, you may only get my Westfield in the first place! a little sample but their products are Pete was navigating using his Sat Nav, believed to be ex-KGB issue as it always potent! takes us past government and military After loading up Brian's boot (he facilities, and this trip was no exception. was in his Mazda) with all our bottles we headed south down the A30 to the We ended up driving across the runway of a disused American airbase. With the Cornish Gold Centre at Redruth. Not
WESTFIELD WORLD - ISSUE FOUR 2011
only d o e s it have lots of jewellery but it also has a Back to the Future DeLorean and a James Bond A s t o n Martin DBS.
This is another place that's well worth a visit. There are lots of shiny things to tempt the ladies — probably why it's free to get in!
After a photo-shoot around the huge miners statue in the car park, we headed to The Badger public house in Lelant for an early dinner. The Badger does an excellent carvery in the evenings but I phoned and confirmed that they did bar meals during the afternoon. They did, but were not expecting ten people wanting a cooked meal to turn up at the same time, apparently the chef got in a right tizzy. After a very enjoyable meal we headed towards our last port of call - St. Ives. Prior to our tour I had contacted St. Ives Council to see if they would allow us to park on Smeaton's Pier, rather than park half a mile away in one of the public car parks. There are a few parking places on the pier but you've got more chance of winning the lottery Ifriend/y seal at St. tves
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Permission was granted and after a couple of hours wondering around the town and watching a friendly seal, who had visited the harbour, we made our dash northwards back to Tintagel. The journey was stressful as the wind had ! got up making driving and keeping your I hat on a bit of a challenge. It took its [ toll as only four of us went to the pub when we got back. Wednesday My daughter and her husband left after j breakfast to join their friends for the • remainder of the week in St Ives. Brian j and Chris also left us at this point. They ' had only booked till the Wednesday due to another commitment. As it turned out ' they could have (and wanted to) stayed another day. Unfortunately, their room was needed and it would have been too much hassle to find somewhere else in Tintagel just for one night. Wednesday is traditionally our free day when we give the westies a rest and explore our surroundings. Four of us decided to do a short coastal walk to see if we could find the Tintagel Maze. This is a rock carving believed by some to be over 4,000 years old. It is the same pattern as one found in Crete. The Victorians heavily influenced and added to the legend of King Arthur at Tintagel, so some people think the maze may have something to do with them. We did find it, next to a ruined monastery and mill. What should have been a leisurely stroll around the coast turned into a rock climbing expedition, covering a fair few miles.
I got the chance to visit Tintagel Castle on the afternoon. This is not for the faint-hearted, or high blood pressure sufferers. There is a very steep walk down to the entrance and an even steeper climb into the first part of the castle. My wife gave up on the first set of steps. I, being a man, decided to carry on only to be defeated when climbing up to the second part of the castle, called the Haven. A Land Rover was provided at a small charge, for people to be transported up the steep climb back to the town, we admitted defeat and paid the £2 fare which was well worth it. Instead of our usual evening pub grub, we decided to have an Indian. Pete and Jan didn't fancy one so they had
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We also had a good turn out for the Supercar Sunday at Gaydon. The weather was kind the cars were polished and www.wscc.co.uk/area/warwickshire the people friendly (many thanks to the • n the last update I'd commented that Chiltern 7's for allowing us to tag along). • we had been graced with some nice Although not ultimate supercars I think • weather. Unfortunately, I'd been my favourite was either the Morgon or away on holiday during the best of it. the new Lotus Evora. Before we had a I'd like to apologise to the Westfield long and twisty blat home we did stop J community for tempting fate and saying off at Wellesbourne Mountford Airfield |"l just hope I've not missed the best to watch the Vulcan Bomber doing some [ weather of the year". The weather over high speed taxiing. the last couple of months has not been the best although we have managed to have a few good days and a few events nevertheless. We had a strong presence at our first Curborough track day this year. Although there was a few little showers there were no major incidents and everyone | enjoyed the day. One of the highlights j of the day was Chippo showing off his new car stickers. Apparently, he is Unfortunately, I could not attend the advertising his new Carbon Wrapping AGM this year due to other commitments. service although don't tell him I sent One of these was a Westfield Drift you ;-) or he will start with his godfather Day at Milbrook. I have to say what a impressions ;-) thoroughly enjoyable day was had by
Warwickshire
Wirral/N. Wales
ime has flown by yet again and not many miles done in the Westfield. I have missed quite a few runs out recently due to work commitments, but thanks to John (farmer) and Darren Preston for leading the way on a few of the Sunday runs. These two guys always seem to come up trumps when it comes to finding those little back roads with the great scenery.... The run out on Sunday 20th June was just Jeff and Richard. They left the Tudor Rose and headed off for a run to the Great Orme along some good twisty 'B' roads to Llandudno, then up the tram road to the cafe for a bacon butty and mug of tea - only to be told breakfast food finished at 11.00am and they only sell tea in a teapot with a cup a saucer. Jeff didn't get an answer when he asked if he had to stick his little finger out when he drank it. They then headed through Conwy Casle to Llanrwst where Richard's Westi started to loose water [new water pump needed] so there were no heroics and had a steady run back. John Dolan's Y Ddraig Goch was originally organised for June but due to the forecast for rain it was rescheduled for the beginning of July. A good time was had by all with some of the best driving roads that wales has to offer. Here is a quick run down of the events of the weekend by Mike Curtis. Y DRAIG GOCH (YDG). The 'Red Dragon' Tour of Wales 2011. This year's YDG tour was three days for the first time — and what a three days, great weather, fabulous roads and a very good Guest House. Friday 1st July, we set off for
T
all. I'd recommend anyone who fancies car control at the limit give it a go. The instructors are very knowledgeable and soon had us all going sideways. It's a testament to the Westfield cars that they manage to take the abuse day in day out. If anyone is thinking about what to get as a Birthday present for their loved one who has everything then look no further. Now, Where's there a airfield where I can go to practice my newly found skills •> We have several more events planned in the coming months, including a trip to The Black Country Living Museum Transport Show and our second Curborough track day of the year (Please put your name down and pay your deposits ASAP to confirm your place). For more details please check out our area web site (www.wscc.co.uk/area/ Warwickshire), our facebook page (WSCC Warwickshire), or the WSCC Boardroom forum. If you would like to be added to our e-mail distribution list to be kept
| wonderful roads around Lyn Brianne. One downside to all these single j track roads is the amount of cowsh't, j I Jeff went through a large wet patch on i the road at speed, got covered himself, I and covered Darren and John who were j following close behind. Plenty of tissues j were needed for the facial clean ups. On returning to the guest house \ we were asked by the owners to pose j the cars for publicity photos on their : front lawn. Half an hour later after ! some frantic cleaning, the cars were i assembled and some good photos were taken. Jeff's V8 had developed a very loud their tour of Wales squealing from the rear brake calliper Llangollen, to Darren's Cafe, to sample during the day and as we were all tired a wonderful full breakfast. Many thanks it was decided to sort out the problem in the morning. for the hospitality. On leaving the Cafe car park, Darren's wife Sandra bravely Day 3 (Sunday) saw Jeff up at 4.30am to mend his brakes, he let us all know stopped the traffic for us all to leave at 7am that he in convoy. We had fixed them then had a • Jeff ami Koichard on the Or,, by gunning the great first day V8 down the touring Chirk hotel driveway Castle, Vyrnwy, and waking us Bala, Dolgellau, Machynlleth, all up! We c o u l d Rhayader and not leave the eventually area without ( 7 p m ) we one last blast r e a c h e d down the Llandrindod Elan Valley Wells and our our all-time accommodation, the Highland Moors Guest House. It favourite 'Blat'. At Devil's Bridge we again posed for photos, this time by proved to be an excellent choice with the Station Master as the narrow gauge good, secure car parking, very friendly steam train was due in 10 minutes. and clean. Highlight of the day was the We then set off for home. Not directly 35 miles of single track road between as we had Bala and found another Dolgellau over good looking the mountain single t r a c k tops passing road on the only one car map around and a van. the Nant-yD a y 2 Moch reservoir, (Saturday) saw a road none us exploring the of us had Brecon Beacons, sampled before frequently and w h a t a getting lost fabulous way (thanks for the to end our tour. map reading It was a beautiful road and scenery with Frank!). A trip across a closed army some excellent stretches of tarmac with firing range caused a few concerns but it was worth it when we experienced the fast sweeping switchback bends. Oh joy!
WESTFIELD WORLD - ISSUE FOUR 2011
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informed of upcoming events please drop me an e-mail to steven-mead® ] steven-mead.com As a closing note I'd like to welcome John to the club with his V8, hopefully I we will be seeing you at one of our regular area meetings soon (third [ Thursday of the month at The Falcon Inn, Hatton ) BCINU, Steve
In summary we all agreed that we had three of the best day's motoring. Over | 700 miles of the best Welsh roads with great scenery, great weather (weren't we lucky) and, to top it all, excellent ! accommodation. Thanks must go to John (Bollocky Bill) I for organising the tour, Jeff for his route * planning and Darren for his wonderful breakfast, and Frank for making us laugh about his map reading. For a full two page report keep an eye out in a future magazine for a full spread including many more photos. Our July club night was somewhat of a damp affair. Whichever way we turned we found the rain. At one point on the way back we had no choice but to put the roof up, and I have to say its not very graceful getting in especially when your 6'5"; but was still good to get out in the Westi despite the rain. A warm welcome to our newest local member, Tommy from Farndon near Chester who came along to say hello in his pretty well sorted SEiW Westi. A very tidy motor, but he has only owned it for a few weeks and the upgrade-itis has already set in. Talk of new cams etc. are on the cards, although to be honest there is not too much more he can do. He has come from the world of Robin Hood sports cars but, thanks to an elderly Gentleman who pulled out and wrote Tommy's Robin hood off, he has now joined us. As I type this article we are getting ready for the Pageant of Power, a fantastic day out for the whole family and now firmly penned into the calendar. This will be our fourth year at this event, a must for the motoring nut. An upcoming event for the diary is the Gold Cup, held at Oulton Park on the 28th-29th August. This is one of the highlights of the year and, as in previous years, we will have our club stand there. See the events section on the WSCC forum for more details. Our monthly meets take place at the Tudor Rose pub at the junction of the A550 and A540, next to Two Mills Honda, on the first Tuesday of every month — everyone welcome Mark
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