Welcome | TR Register Essex Group

October 2008

Bulletin 49

La Belle France!

The Group’s week away in Normandy was a roaring success with excellent top-down weather and minimal mechanical trouble. Eleven cars made the trip via the channel tunnel to Houlgate and all returned under their own steam. This is not to say that the trip was without incident! Dave Mayes thinks he may have had a fill of contaminated petrol from a French motorway service station which caused a persistent misfire and general rough running. Terry Pritchard had us all worried when he arrived at Folkstone Terminal in a cloud of steam! The electric fan on his superb TR2 had failed to function and overheating was a real worry during the rest of the journey down through Normandy. The fault was eventually diagnosed as a failed relay, which was easily replaced. A full report of the trip will appear in Essex Group News but, suffice to say, it was a wonderful break with plenty of superb TR motoring, food and excellent company. If you fancy joining the repeat run in September ’09, speak to Group Leader Andy but be aware that places are limited!

Great day at Battlesbridge

John O’Connor did a first class job of co-ordinating this year’s visit to the ever-popular Battlesbridge Show on Sunday the 28th September. The R.V. was at “The Old Windmill” where the management laid on free coffee – I’m sure they did not expect so many of us to crowd into the bar so early on a Sunday morning and the manager was kept very busy dispensing cups of excellent fresh coffee! We rolled out of the “Windmill’s” car park at 9.45 and then spent the next two hours sitting in the traffic jam which started a half mile from the Rettendon Turnpike roundabout! Fortunately, the show ground is downhill from Rettendon so there was plenty of freewheeling potential and no problems with TRs overheating although several other classics were not so fortunate. Only one of the 19 Essex cars fell by the wayside due to a cylinder head core plug giving up the ghost on the way to the “Windmill”. The show was the best attended to date with over 5,000 vehicles attending but the organisers fell down badly this year with their traffic management arrangements. Even pre-booked exhibitors (as we were) experienced massive delays getting to their pitches. Once on site the show lived up to expectations and a thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all. The event winds up at around 4 o’clock and a sizable contingent of the Group decamped to “The Royal Tiger” for yet another Thai/Indian nosh up! Andy D has asked me to report that a blue camp chair was left on our pitch – so, if it’s yours, give Andy a ring on 01245 492416 and he will bring it to the next regular monthly meeting.

Racing at Snetterton

Group Members Phill Lambe (TR6) and John Hatton enjoyed a successful day racing at Snetterton on Saturday 4th October and were supported by a small group led by Events Co-ordinator, Steve Tant. The feedback I have received was very positive and the feeling is that we should do more to support our racers (even if John’s car is an MGB!) so, watch this space next season.

Forthcoming events

The next event on our list is Race Night on Saturday 15th November at Warley Village Hall. This is a very popular family event with plenty to keep both adults and children amused. Ticket are now available from Andy and Terry and include a Fish (or Chicken) and Chips supper. Bring your own nibbles and drinks. To prevent dangerous overcrowding, ticket numbers this year have been limited to 70, so don’t delay in booking your places!

Whilst on the subject of ticket sales – don’t forget to reserve your place(s) for the Christmas Dinner Dance. This is on Saturday 13th December at the usual venue – Stapleford Abbots Golf Club. This event is excellent value for money at £35 per head including wine on the table and the disco. Terry Blake now has the menu and is ready and waiting to relieve you of some dosh.

Items for sale

If you have any items/cars for sale (or wanted) e-mail the details to Mike Boling and he will include them in the next available Bulletin. If you don’t have access to the net, a written note will do.