Pendle District Motor Club Newsletter
May '95


Contents


CHAIRMAN'S CHAT

It's been a hectic April for me and several of the committee. On Saturday 22nd of April Ian, Alan, Les, Robert (Les's lad) and yours truly set off to marshal on round two of the British Rally Championship, the Pirelli ToUr of Cumbria. Ours was the 1st Forest Stage which was the 3rd Stage overall, Stages 1 and 2 being on Carlisle Airport. The 1st car being due at 12:15 meant that a reasonable start time from home was in order. The main interest for me was in Car 1 driver ex-world champion Ari Vatenen co-driver Michelle Moutons (co-driver of Audi Quattro days Fabriza Pons) then of course all the F2 cars etc. etc. Being so early on in the event we were assured of seeing all the top seeds and sited as we were at junctions 3 & 4 on a non-spectator stage meant that we had very little to do so had a virtually uninterrupted viewing for the whole of the event. One thing that struck me was the effort put into the PR side of the event by the sponsors Pirelli, every marshal who signed on got his own Marshal's Bib, a pair of Pirelli decals, a whistle and an entry list. A far cry from the Network Q RAC where all we received was a 25p plastic badge, oh and a woolly hat (we only got that when we complained). When the hats arrived we were a third short, guess what not every one who marshalled got the goodies, let's hope that for the '95 RAC, Network Q get their act together. Well that's todays moan out of the way so let's get back to the event. Once King Ari had gone by, the usual procession of F2 cars followed, and although driving quickly, to me they don't generate the same excitement as the 4wd Grp. A turbocars. The event results have been well documented in the press and on TV so I'm not going to repeat them. Needless to say Ari won by over 2 mins. having had a trouble free Rally. Local lad Neil Simpson in the Clubmans Spec. Nissan finished in 18th place after having had a 3min off. However following his early bath on the 1st round, and his exclusion (for driving standards failings) on the "North Humberside Forest Rally" l'm sure that he was pleased to get a top 20 finish.

After finding a local Hostelry, being all heart, I told Alan I would drive home thus allowing him to have a gargle. So 6 pints later we set off for home after a perfect day, even the weather had been good.

Sunday dawned bright and clear, we set off, Ian and Les to watch Alan and I debut Diane's Clio, on the first Scammonden Hillclimb. The classes this year have really been tightened up, with both Production Car and Modified Production Car classes having to use Class 1 list Tyres i.e. Standard High Performance Tyres, but definitely no Racers, Slicks or otherwise. This event being a counter for not only SD34 and ANWCC Sprint and Hillclimb Championships, bu~ also The Morgan Owners, Mini Cooper Register and Nottingham Sports Car Club Championships. There were 75 entries, the best l've seen for ages. Perhaps a resurgence of Hillclimbs is on the cards, let's hope so for our August event.

Our class was split into 2 over and under 1800cc so Alan and I had to compete with a 16v VW Jetta, a 16v VW Golf, a Nova SR and an Alfa Romeo Guiletta Sprint

3 more Pendle crews appeared, Pete Arnold in his Hillman Imp, and sharing this car new PDMC member Mark Parkinson (welcome Mark) and late entry (surprise surprise) Russell in his Renault 5GT Turbo, one of several in his racing stable. Not only does Russell not know what day it is, but also his competition number, asking Alan for two 2's and two 3's, for Neil's benefit that's because Russell's number was 23, and you have to have numbers on both doors. However when Alan gives them to him oops! I'm car 22, enter the 1" wide black tape. Scrutineering caused no real problems, except the usual sarcastic dig from one of our own "Mutt and Jeff" scrutineers Mr Affable himself, dear old Chris Mansley (I'm not worthy Chris!!!) who suggested competition numbers should be on the doors on a contrasting background, but what's wrong with black numbers on a white door asks Russell?? don't argue replies Chris.

No problems throughout the day, although Russell did take to the grass several times. Comparing times to when we usedI "Slicks" on the 5 Turbo with high boost, we were approx. 1.5 seconds slower, so with Slicks etc. the Clio could be as competitive. As usual I set off with a reasonable time then got progressively slower throughout the day and into the timed runs. On the last timed run I started to listen to the tape of AC/DC's "Heatseeker" this gave me the impetus and drive (what a load of Bull**** but that's my story) to record a 33.50 to give me 4th in class. Alan as usual was 1.5 seconds quicker than this gaining 2nd in class with a 31.71 beaten by only O.17 seconds. Russell finishing 2nd in class beaten by 0.64 seconds. The most embarrassing result (to Peter anyway) was that Mark's first Hillclimb in fact his first ever event sharing Peter's car netted him 1st in class on 33.87, with Peter 2nd on 34.05. Don't worry Peter in all the events where Alan and I have shared my car I have never beaten him!!! So ended a successful day for PDMC crews, with 3 out of 5 picking up award's, and more importantly a load of much needed "Alsecure" League points, well done and thanks to all.

Whilst this was going on Les was working on the tests for the May 7th Autotest, a league event as well as an ANWCC Novice Championship round. Held as usual on Rolls-Royce plc car park. The event attracted 10 entries, including Alan who "Borrowed" Ian's Astra and Bill Chadwick in the veritable Sierra Estate, out to claim the precious points. A well run event, the 10 crews attempting 20 tests and all receiving an award. No hiccups and no problems, saw the crews going home happy at 4 o'clock, with their awards and printed results, the "Club" generator and printer making light work of the latter.

Well that just about sums up all my activities for April. This unfortunately will be the last Newsletter for those who have not yet paid their membership fees, of £6.50 single or £8 double, It's not bad is it into the 5th month and several, nay lots have not paid, it's less than 55p a month or 14p a week and what can you buy for that these days, not even the Motoring News. So sorry folks you will have to contact Ian ASAP. We really do need all the members we have but we can't give free membership!!!

Whilst on membership, may I take this opportunity to welcome new member Mark Parkinson whose past mororing history I do not know, but if his first event success is anything to go by he will be a force to be reckoned with and hopefully a good league points scorer. Also joining this month are Andrew and Janet Potts, who although members of Garstang & Preston M.C. have recently moved into our area (Paythorn) and, business allowing, hope to become actively involved with PDMC welcome to them both. The down side to Andrew joining is that any league points he scores this year will be accrued to the club he first scored any 95 points for, i.e. Preston & Garstang. Whilst not helping PDMC's cause, his points will not be available for our rivals. This is a rule brought in to stop the less than honest clubs from pinching/poaching successful crews/competitors to better their own league cause.

Update on the Clio project, Kitchens have now straightened and repaired the shell with new panels. It's now ready for Bill to weld/strengthen before having the cage fit. I've still got loadsa bits for the 5 Turbo, some items, discs, shocks etc. will fit any of the 5 range. So give me a ring if you need any or know of anybody who needs any.

Finally may I on behalf of Diane and her Father (Richard who produces the newsletter) thank all club members past and present for their kind messages of sympathy, following Diane's Mum's tragic accident.

Thank you

Rod

Back to Contents


Night Navigation Reports

by Bill Chadwick

28th March 1995
Well until last month's event I was convinced that the crew of B.Barker/R.Marsden would win by a mile, but a no show on last month's event and an easy win by Neil Bye has taken it down to the wire with just one point in it.

So it was head to head for N.Bye/S.Bye and R.Barker/C.Titusmidgley I had tried to make it a bit more demanding but to no avail both crews coming home with a clean sheet, so it went to mileage to decide who won, Neil/Steve just getting it by 1/2 mile and the series by two points.

I hope all the competitors enjoyed the events and have been bitten by the bug for night events and will go on and enter proper night rallies. I know Neil has and has progressed on to Sand Racing and is quickly making a name for himself with the Coast Guard Service (Potential sponsors?).


Autotest Report

by Bill Chadwick

7th May 1995
Having promised to do the event months ago, I fully intended to have a competition car on the road by now, but pressure of work has put me back months so it was the trusty Sierra Estate that rolled in to the Car Park on Sunday morning after the trip to the start of the Towers Leck rally to cheer on Pendle crews. At No.2 was Paul Charmbury/Paul Burns and No.30 Neil Bye/Abigail Illot, Neil fresh from the local Sandcross?

Anyway back to the Autotest, the last one of these I did was 1975 in my old Mk 1 Escort Rally Car. The Sierra Estate is not the best car to h/brake around bollards and by lunch the clutch was cooking and was very woolly so I had to nurse it for the rest of the day, but apart from getting lost on a couple of tests I enjoyed it and got some SD34 points. I'm thinking of doing the RAC in the Sierra next.


Back to Contents