The trouble with going on holiday is that sun, surf and a pleasant glass of vino take priority for once over reporting motor club crew antics. From what I have gleaned the Red Dragon was a mud bath due to unseasonably wet weather but a few crews braved it with Jason Pritchard rediscovering his mojo to finish a close second to Nick Elliott, both in Ford Escort RS1800s.
Bob and Dale Gibbons are desperate to lift the Category One title in this years BHRC and were able to score points at their leisure as all their adversaries stayed away. Bob didn't enjoy the power sapping stages but prospects for the year are now much brighter.
Craig Jones was rapid once again in the green BMW but a number of mechanical issues caused by the rough conditions pinned him back enough to lose out to his main class competitor. Dai Block and Glyn Jones made a small error and rolled the yellow BMW very gently which put them out but the car was repaired very soon after getting it home.
The Mewla Rally was contested by Jon Hawkins who sat with Mark Jones in his rapid BMW after a late entry was placed. All was going well with a top ten result on the cards before mechanical woes intervened. James & Lisa Chappelle posted a rare retirement, the Mini taking a dislike to the long fast stages and deciding to stop braking.
The Woodpecker was the next event for Craig, Dai and Glyn with both Beemers fettled for action again. Craig was fast on stage one but a couple of off road excursions on stage two put paid to a decent result. Dai and Glyn fought on all day but they also dropped down the order at one point for an unknown reason.
The Manx and Caerwent await and there will be a record number of crews out. Three BMC crews are off to the Isle of Man and four crews will be out at Caerwent. If anyone wants to write a personal account of their adventures on these events feel free to write something and send it to Martin Leonard
Cars to the Claydons Classic Tour
Last Saturday, 3rd September Oxford Motor Club promoted a classic car tour starting at the Cotswold Wild Life Park at Burford and club members Chris & Gethin Phillips wheeled out their 1967 Austin-Healey Sprite to support the event. Not a long event that culminated at Claydon Manor near Milton Keynes at the first running of the Cars at the Claydons classic car show taking in a sixty mile route through the scenic rural Cotswolds.
A modest yet quality entry of 23 cars left at 09:45 led away by a 1924 4.5lt Bentley Le Mans after sampling the delights of the now regulatory bacon butty - albeit the start for the Brecon Motor Club crew was some 97 miles prior leaving the Peoples Republic of Talgarth at a little before 7! Having tackled the route without mishap Claydon Manor was reached by lunchtime where crews were to free to enjoy the delights of a small but interesting collection of classics from a 1914 Fraser-Nash race car right up to an original road going Ford RS200 still on its original Pirelli P7 tyres. The rain had just started to fall and as some of the "polishers" ran for their car covers (what's that all about??) the BMC crew relented, dug out the soft-top and headed West for the 120 mile home ward jaunt through some pretty horrendous rain.
Fortunately the weather had eased by the time they reached Three Cocks enough to enjoy an alfresco pint at The Old barn and just in time to see fellow BMC crews of Craig Jones and Dai Bloc pass on their way back from the Woodpecker Stages dragging their respective BMW cars behind them - obviously too focused to enjoy a beer! A successful first time classic run for Oxford MC and well worth the effort particularly as several of their members are very supportive of Brecon's events.
This Sunday Brecon Motor Club will be holding a Treasure Hunt followed by a BBQ.
The Treasure Hunt is being organised by Dave McIntyre and it will be starting from Tafarn y Garreg GR 160 - 850172 with participants leaving between 1 pm and 2 pm. All are welcome and if you intend having a bash let Dave know on 01685 723783 or 07748 536604
The BBQ will take place from 3 pm at Lakeside Club House at Llangorse Lake, tickets are £12 each and can be obtained from Mark Weller.
Monday August 8th 2016
What a classic day Brecon Motor Club had at the Mountain Centre again this year. Club Chairman Paul Evans and wing man Mark Weller attracted over 350 vehicles for display making the show one of the biggest in Wales. The dedicated charity for this year was Wales Air Ambulance and a healthy £750 was raised to benefit their cause. A small auction took place at the end of the day and thanks go to Chris Jones of McCartney's for his fine efforts. Thanks must go to the hard worked stewards who were busy the whole day.
Everyone present appeared to enjoy themselves and burgers and ice cream sold in huge amounts. Below are a few images from the day.
The annual karting trip to Herefordshire Raceway is almost upon us, Thursday August 11th is the date for the evening session. Last year we had tremendous fun with a contingent from Builth joining us to spice it up. Can Craig Jones hang on to the title or will close challenger Steve McPhee be there to spoil his day? If you want to come along let Martin Leonard or Wayne Palmer know and we will get you booked in. The evening ends with a fish and chip dinner delivered to the club house.