AUTUTMN 2011 A REMINDER THAT SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE NOW DUE FOR YEAR 2011 – 2012. No further newsletters will be sent after this one if you haven’t paid. CANCELLED – LYNN STAGES AT SCULTHORPE 23RD OCTOBER - CANCELLED If you have any ideas of what you would like to see in this publication, please contact me – EDITOR. The club website is updated regularly; check it out for further information and news.

Website www.bordermotorclub.co.uk Border Motor Club are also on

CHAIRMAN’S CHAT There’s no doubt about it. Despite the weather playing tricks and trying to convince us that it’s still summer, the status quo has been restored, and Autumn is with us for certain. It’s the ‘season of mists and mellow fruitfulness’, and as the nights draw in, salads give way to soups, hearty casseroles and proper puddings like apple crumble; (does anyone suddenly feel hungry?) To your Chairman, Autumn also means something much more exciting; because to me it’s the season I associate with rallying at its best. When night rallying was at its height, this marked the end of the summer break and the resumption of serious sport, with events in September, October and November; (by which time crews had nearly all run out of motorcar, money and energy). Two rallies in particular were always keenly anticipated. The Tour of Mull would always follow the same pattern; a meeting of friends, the long drive up, a few moments of calm waiting for the ferry on the quayside at Oban, then a long weekend of pure motorsport, challenging for both competitors and marshals, all taking place with a backdrop of magnificent scenery and star-filled skies (when it wasn’t raining, which it normally does up there). The other major event was the RAC Rally, and stages at Clumber, Chatsworth, Harewood, (followed by a dash to the Lake District for Grizedale the next day), the North Yorkshire forests, etc. The RAC rally still exists (in spirit if not in size), and so does the Tour of Mull of course; but if you can’t get involved in either of these two events, then mark November 26th in your diaries, because Border will probably be helping Clitheroe with the Hall Trophy Rally on Blyton. It’s very much a local venue for us, so the more help we can give the better. Autumn leads on to Christmas, so make another note for the Border Xmas dinner at Artie’s Mill on 7th. December, for some good food and entertainment as well; (and let’s face it, if you’ve managed to get to the end of this year intact, that definitely calls for some form of celebration!) Winter is also a time for planning things for the following year. I can’t give too much away at this point in proceedings, but there is a strong chance that Border will be organising a major event before Easter next year. If the next Chairman’s Chat contains a plea for help, I will REALLY mean it! and it’s not far away. Spring follows Winter, and Winter follows Autumn; and like I said, Autumn is here already.

NEWS

Hall Trophy Rally Blyton on 26th November

Border are co-promoting this event with Clitheroe & District Motor club. Club members are required to assist, contact Andy Hill, 01246 241683, chiefmarshal@bordermotorclub.co.uk as soon as possible 12 Car Rally championship 2011 - 2012 5th October - Organised by Chris Woodcock. Postponed, new date to be added. 16th November - Organised by John Savage. 4th January - Organised by Adrian Woodcock / Vicky White. February/March 2012 - Table Top Rally organised by Nick Leuchars. BBC TV featured the essential role of volunteer marshals during its coverage of qualifying for the 2011 British Grand Prix. Pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz visited a round of the MSA British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton earlier this year to don the orange overalls. His experiences of the day made a great entertaining feature and demonstrated just what a valuable job the marshals do at the thousands of events up and down the country every year. The feature was set up as part of the Go Motorsport campaign which is designed to get more people involved in the sport as competitors, spectators or volunteers. The British Motorsport Marshals Club reported more than 5,000 visits to its website as a result of the programme and 300 enquiries for marshalling taster days. The story can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yczVhGVe6Eo At the start of the September Classic Paul Moran was busy adjusting the rear view mirror when it was pointed out to that although he was sitting in the right hand seat, it was actually a left hand drive car. The lack of steering wheel in front of him should have been a big clue. From Jan 1st 2012 all Category 1 and 2 stage rally cars, as defined by 2008 regulations, are required to comply with (R)47.1.1, and Category 3 cars defined by ’08 regulations must comply with (R)47.1.2. In accordance with (R)47.1.2, all old Category 3 cars with a Competition Car Log Book issued prior to 1 January 2009 must be re-inspected to obtain a new Category 2 CCLB before participating in events from 1 January 2012. Any car that has been converted from front-wheel-drive to rear-wheel-drive will not meet the new requirements for Category 1. Some may be able to meet the requirements for Category 2, but note (R)46.3.2, which states: “Substitution by a space frame chassis will not be accepted”. Also note that (R)46 limits the amount of modification that can be carried out to the vehicle structure. Any car that falls within Category 2 is required to be examined, with Category 2 papers applied for and issued. Guidance notes on MSA website or see http://www.msauk.org/site/cms/contentviewarticle.asp?article=759

A new regulation to take effect from 1 January governing the type of seat that is permitted within stage rally cars. The new regulation (to be read in conjunction with R48.10.6) is as follows:

R48.10.6.1 - For any vehicle issued with an MSA Competition Car Log Book prior to 1st January 2009, the requirements of R48.10.6. are satisfied until 31st December 2012. This is provided that the seat(s) have previously been FIA Homologated and in addition the seats have the appropriate seat mountings in accordance with R48.10.6. Date of Implementation: 1/1/12

The effect of this is that for the 2012, competitors will not be mandated to replace seats that have previously been FIA homologated.

Comments from Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive: “This issue has generated substantial correspondence from competitors and a considerable amount of debate at Regional Association meetings in recent months. The MSA makes no apology for its commitment to improving safety within motor sport and there is complete agreement that standard production car seats have no place within stage rally cars. This new regulation will achieve that and allow a further 12 months to consider how best we move forward in the future which, being mindful of the current economic climate and the interests of existing competitors, seems entirely sensible. Much of the debate has been fuelled by the absence of definitive data to indicate whether the lifing of parts by time is the best way of ensuring safety. We need to look carefully at the research available and perhaps commission new studies, before arriving at a conclusion that is substantiated by fact. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts in bringing this debate to a pragmatic conclusion; I believe that it is a good example of the governing body listening to its members. Finally, I would like to reiterate that the responsibility for the safety of a competitor lies exclusively with that competitor. The MSA reminds everyone that just because items are within their ‘life’, does not automatically make them safe. The MSA continues to advise competitors to take all possible precautions to keep themselves and others safe in the course of their motor sport activity.”

Background information - The current regulations for a rally car issued with a Competition Car Log Book (CCLB) prior to 01/01/09 do not specify any details regarding the type of seats to be fitted other than a requirement for head restraints and that they should not tilt, fold or recline independently. This means that, for cars under the CCLB pre-09 regime, standard production seats, in good order and with a serviceable locking mechanism, would be permissible. The FIA introduced homologated seats in 1998, so these have been available for 13 years. Regulation R48.10.6 was introduced three years ago at the time of the K37 review, giving a three-year warning that by 01/01/12 all rally cars would have to be fitted with seats that hold a current FIA homologation, so would be no more than 5 years old. The new regulation ensures that from 01/01/12 all rally cars will be fitted with seats that are currently or have previously been homologated by the FIA, but does not mandate that seats with previous FIA homologation must be replaced by currently homologated seats.

Series 3 & 90-110 Owners club have bought equipment to allow them to print to industrial standards on a wide range of items from clothing to mugs. Other clubs or organisations needing small runs of any of their items can go to www.thelandroverclub.co.uk Ian Lees, a disc jockey for Scunthorpe Hospital Radio, made his debut on the Lincoln Green Stages co-driving for Mark Booth in his Escort Cosworth. He interviewed the driver and his team, as well as recording himself on the stages for broadcasting to the patients. There will have been plenty of material, as they stopped on a couple of stages, but got going again, before retiring on SS7 with a bent axle. The in car footage shows the crew coming into the service area, the co-driver picking up a drink, and undoing it. Mmmmmmm, fizzy drink bouncing round in rally car for 5 miles, can you guess what happens next? Think the inside of the windscreen needs cleaning now!!

Current Stage Rally Championship results

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU - DECEMBER 7TH ARTIES MILL

EVENT REPORTS

Opposite Lock, Manby 23rd July – Mel Hudson/Roy Bell Stuart (21st O/A, 10th/2nd in class.) Stuart Ranby/Paul Rhodes (Retired SS1.)

Ran the loose this year which really makes Manby. Bit damp in the morning, but both crews opted for slicks. Mel/Roy got back to service, but Stuart/Paul did not. On SS2 found them in a ditch about 2 miles in, both OK and out of the car, but major work needed to the left front side. Two class results shown for Mel/Roy as put in with 4WD on this event, 2nd in Class 4. Photo kindly supplied by Robert Macioszek, a valued member of Stuart’s service crew.

Richard Burns Memorial Rally, RAF Marham 13/14th August – Blair Bushby/Paul Rhodes (10th O/A, 3rd in class.) Paul Moran/Vicky White (41st O/A, 16th in Class.) John Martin/Neil Cahill (68th & 10th in class) Blair Bushby / Paul Rhodes - Car 32

This two day Rally in Norfolk to remember the life of Richard Burns & raise money for good causes has to be one of the best organised & supported events of the year. The serious hard work put into the venue by Kings Lynn & District motor club, the RAF & the sponsors was fantastic.

We travelled down on the Friday afternoon and arrived to find that Paul Moran, Vicky, Adrian & Laura were already there & base camp set up. No dramas with the car at scrutineering, just a conversation regarding Blairs' overalls. The Scrutineers had picked up the grey area in the Blue book about them, but Blair was one step in front with two letters from the MSA confirming they were acceptable on National B Rallies. A BBQ & a couple of beers completed the night.

Saturday dawned wet and warm with forecasts varying on if or when it would stop raining and a full complement of service crew when Dean arrived to join James & Adrian. Day 1 consisted of a pair of 13 mile stages followed by a couple at 17!!!! For the first stage Blair opted for wets front & rear with full soft setting on the roll-bars. Anti lag could wait for dryer conditions.

With stage diagrams at the ready we headed to arrival control for SS1. A small delay as seemed the case all weekend before we set off into a very wet looking stage. Braking into the first 90 left caused mild understeer as Blair got to grips with the car & the conditions. Don't forget this is no normal set-up with a gear lever reversed & everything still bedding in. Little heat in the tyres but cautiously we found our way across the gulleys, through the narrow curbed sections & round the uniform chicanes, all drivable but needing to be respected. Our time of 14:38 proving to be a little off the pace but we were still in the rally.

It stopped raining on the start of SS2, but still lots of standing water. The change to soft slicks worked for the first lap but started to go off on the second. However a drying line improved our time by 45 seconds & up to 23rd O/A.

Next up the longest two stages of the event and a chance in the improving conditions to make up more places, so for SS3 it was hard slicks, full stiff roll-bar settings and anti lag turned. What a difference, the noise increase is one thing but the pulling force incredible. Carefully off the line & then full power. Time to catch a glimpse of the clocks showing 120mph before braking and scrubbing speed off so quick it's unbelievable. I check the watch at 8 minutes & we are still on the first lap, last time I managed stages this length was on Mull. Second lap saw more of the top end

up, and was left for the rest of the event. Checking interim results & we are now in 17th O/A but 39 seconds away from the top ten & 3rd in class.

We joined the queue for the final stage of the day behind a 6R4 & watched the new Prodrive mini WRC star, but what could we do on this one. “20 secs quicker” I suggested to Blair as we approached the line. We took 19 secs off our previous, again 11th fastest Now up to 15th O/A, and it looked as though 11th O/A was possible, should everyone keep running tomorrow.

Sunday dawned bright, dry & warm, and stayed that way for the rest of the day. A pair of 11 milers then two at 14, reversed to yesterday. SS5 & 6 and another 2 11th fastest times combed with problems for others left us 10th O/A & 3rd

Could we hold position on the last pair of stages? SS7 had a small new section, but Blair kept the power on round the long 180 sweeps using all the runway, 4 wheel drifting for long stretches. The only real problem of the weekend was miss-judging the inside arrow on a fast left collecting the stake & cone. It just felt like we’d brushed it but when we got back to service I could not open the nearside door. The boys had to remove the side skirt to let me out. Typically on very laid back service times this was our shortest at 30mins so they patched the side exhaust guard & riveted the skirt back.

The final stage was now about defending 10th spot rather than making up the minute to 9th. Another good stage saw us improve by 14 secs to keep in front of the others with Blair finding the outer edges of adhesion on the curves.

Finishing an event as well supported & organised as the Richard Burns Memorial Rally with a 10th O/A & getting 3rd in class E was cracking, and a small trophy now sits on the shelf back at home. Thanks to Blair & the crew, and Paul M for the “hotel”. That was 10th overall out of 115 starters, well done – Editor. Centenary Stages, RAF Cottesmore 21st August – Mel Hudson/Roy Bell (29th O/A, 8th in class.) Vicky White/Paul Moran (60th O/A 13th in class) A new venue for this years event with only six stages, but with two at 11 and four at 15 miles long was excellent value for money, even though hard on tyres. The crew who were second overall in a M3 BMW had new tyres for every stage except one. Well they were new to the car, but second hand, but even so at £30 each that’s £600. With a long and wide main runway searching for the split the first time round was difficult, all you could see was heat haze and wall of black tyres so it was just go over to the right and sort it out when you get there. The organisers provided a sighting lap in convoy which was useful, but what appears flat then, isn’t necessarily so at full chat, as was found out later on Spinning off onto the grass led to loads coming into the car via the open navigator’s window, nearly had a bale by the time regained the black stuff. It also didn’t help that there were new pads fitted which had not been bedded in properly. Went onto the grass avoiding a chicane, but missed the landing light at the side of the runway, as it was attacked from the opposite direction to what was expected. Even the yellow peril chewed up front tyres in 3 stages but putting put hard compounds on saw the rest of the day out, and apart for a split hose, which a fellow competitor spotted in service (Thanks for that) no other problems and were happy to finish in top 30 out of 82 entries, on an event which was all about power and had loads of tarmac specialist cars there. Paul/Vicky became Vicky/Paul, no not a sex change, Paul’s Escort had developed engine problems, and the Saxo was brought into use, which meant a swapping of seats. Vicky was really pleased not to be last, and on the second use of each stage recorded a lot quicker times, 44 seconds on SS7 & 8

Lincoln Green Stages, Blyton Park 10th August. – Chris Woodcock/Adrian Woodcock. John Savage/Paul Rhodes. Mel Hudson/Roy Bell. All three crews finished, with 1st in class awards for John/Paul and Mel/Roy (1st in class 4 was 2nd overall, hope that makes sense,) together with Spirit of the Rally award for Mel.

Everybody enjoyed the event, good use of the limited layout of the venue by Lindholme Motor Club, even had the Supermoto jump in. With only a couple of tight corners, and no really long straights, driver & co-driver were kept busy, and the stages felt longer than 5 miles. No damage to the Mini, and dented drivers door to the BMW courtesy of a tight chicane, but the Saxo came off worst after hitting a tyre bale on the chicane entry to the jump, finishing the stage with the front bumper hanging off and radiator burst. Good work in service got them going again, but they were lucky to finish when the gearbox started locking up on the final two stages, causing all sorts of handling problems. Nice to see Roy Brader there as MSA steward, he had another offer nearer to his home, but decided to come and visit his old stomping ground.

You can never get away from a camera, Chris & Ade captured spinning in the left picture. All pictures kindly supplied by Nick Huntridge of Lindholme Motor Sports Club.

September Classic, 4th September (Well it wouldn’t be August would it!) Fifteen crews set out from the 7 Lakes Country Park near Crowle on the 85 mile route in very changeable weather, with some braving the elements and having the roof down. Thankfully the rest of the day was warm and predominately dry. A timely phone call from the course opener, Chris Woodcock, of a diversion 20 miles in meant they could be briefed on the reroute as they left. After the start Paul planned to follow the route for the first 55 miles or so before short cutting to the finish at Huby, North of York. but only got to Eastoft before finding John Marchment‘s Spitfire parked by the side of the road. Thinking the worst he stopped, but no problem, John was only either taking the roof down or putting it up. Fellow club members Adrian Woodcock & Paul Moran were taking part but also acting as course closer, so slotted in behind and waited for the Triumph to continue. A fuel stop for Paul in Goole let the other two on their way, but at the diversion signs he found them stopped again. After a brief natter & look at the map they all decided ignore the diversion and went down 2 two miles of road that had the tarmac removed. It was actually quite smooth and had no traffic in the opposite direction - Wonder why that was!! Letting the other two on their way, Paul drove the next few miles steadily looking for the clues in the road book, and not long before the planned cut to the finish came across Mel & Christine Hudson parked up, luckily with no problems, they were just having a minute, so he headed to the finish at the New Inn, set up the table outside for results, ordered a coffee & and awaited the competitors. A luxury on this part of the route was the course opening marshal at the start of the gated road section, so the crews did not have to get out their cars. Once the first car got to the finish it wasn't long before everyone was accounted for. While they sorted food & drinks the results were finalised and it found that 13 crews had won, so 1st place was decided on the oldest car, which was the Jaguar XK140 of Mel & Christine Hudson. Thanks to those mentioned above, Roy Bell & John Savage for doing the start, TSW Printers for the route books and the owners of the 7 Lakes and New Inn. Special thanks go to Josh aged 8 for navigating the opening car and to Georgie, also 8, for helping with signing on, navigating for Paul & doing the results. (Get them started young) Good day overall, hope everyone enjoyed it. Looking forward to next year, and more crews to make it even more worthwhile. Woodbridge Stages, Woodbridge 24th September. Paul Moran/Vicky White. Unfortunately due to ongoing engine problems, a non-start for the crew. Harold Palin Memorial Rally, Manby 1st October. Mel Hudson/Roy Bell 16th O/A 3rd in class A damp, windy, and cold airfield in Lincolnshire is not very inviting, so it was nice of the organisers to add the hottest October day for a hundred years for this event. Well it was out of the car, but as the day wore on, and temperatures rose, had to put the heater and fan on to keep the car as cool as possible, so BMW was a mobile sauna. The front tyres that had chopped up on Cottesmore have now done two smooth events, used at Blyton as well, might get a couple more out of them at Sculthorpe, but the rears are knackered. The only negative can think of was Mr Smooth went to Mr Raggy on the last stage because he wanted to play with handbrake. Thought he had got that out of his system on SS4 when he tried it out at the hairpin near the entrance, (Navigator’s fault apparently, should have told him not to do it) and it didn’t work, but oh no, he wanted to play. Didn’t affect the finishing position though. Great quote from Dave Hemmingway looking for Mel “Oh is he between holidays then?” Thanks to Phil Woodcock for servicing, and all marshals for enduring the hot conditions.

Photograph by kind permission of Kenton Rose, Czechered Flag Photography. Paste highlighted text into Facebook search box for further events, as his website is being updated. Three more from the Forest Green Stages again kind permission of Kenton Rose.