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If you would like more information on an article, or have some news you would like to share with the rest of the group. Contact the Essex TR Secretary, Mike Boling or the newsletter editor Carol King

March 2010

Bulletin 66

Bulletin archive

Just because it is winter.....

With the exception of just a couple of dry, bright days, the weather over the past four weeks has remained pretty foul and TR activity has remained low to non-existent! I managed to take advantage of one of the better days and gave The Flying Banana a buzz round the lanes of the Hanningfields – the first time she had turned a wheel since the end of November! Even though the fuel must now be around 4-5 months old, she started second pip – a testament to my Magnecor leads and Albertronic distributor.

Although the weather has been pretty dire, attendances at our regular monthly meets have been surprisingly good and the Essex Group continues to attract new members and we were very pleased to welcome Peter Franklin, his wife Maureen and their TR6 to the Group when they turned up at our Rabbits meeting at the beginning of February.

An evening with David Mountain

A record thirty-nine Members assembled at Revolve Technologies in Hutton on Tuesday 23rd February and were enthralled as David Mountain (of Mountune fame) walked us through his highly technical world of performance engine tuning. The cleanliness of the Mountune workshops would put some National Health Service operating theatres to shame and the whole facility bristled with the latest technology which, David tells us, is essential to ensure the utmost performance and reliability from the race engines they build at this plant. The company has a vast experience of modifying units for The Ford Motor Co. and also has worked up units from Jaguar and built from scratch an all alloy competition engine based around proprietary motorcycle cylinder heads. The company also undertake commissions from private individuals who are fortunate enough to have deep pockets! This was probably the most popular Technical Evening the Essex Group has staged and we were all delighted when, later that evening over a pint, David very generously offered to arrange a reprise visit later in the year. Many thanks David - we all had a fascinatingly informative and thoroughly enjoyable time and are looking forward to a repeat performance!

Beware of those modifications

Still on the “modification” theme; I have had a heads-up from Essex member Roger Warner in connection with a recent article in Classic Car Weekly. The concern is that older cars which enjoy exemption from Road Tax may have to declare any “modifications” from standard spec. It has been suggested that some major mods (R&P steering, disc brakes etc. etc.) might require Individual Type Approval and the consequent issue of a “Q” plate which would result in the loss of the Historic Vehicle concession. I have pursued this matter with Allen Forster at H.Q. and he will be consulting with Chris Cunnington on this subject. As Chairman of the FBHVC, C.C. is well placed to comment on this rumour, so watch this space!

Come along to the AGM

I am pleased to report that “TOW” has now re-opened after the alterations to the bar area and this month’s meeting, which will be given over to the A.G.M., will go ahead as planned on the 23rd. Please make an effort to attend and, by making your voice heard, contribute to the running of the Group. The Meeting this year should be fairly interesting – not only has the present Committee a couple of discussion points to put to the Membership but, unless things change in the next two of weeks, there will be no Committee to take over the reigns after the Meeting! This is not due to the reluctance of the incumbents to serve for (yet) another year but simply the fact that no one has bothered to formally propose anybody for the necessary posts! Clubs which suffer Committees to self nominate are treading the shadowy path of nepotism and I would hate to see the Essex Group move back into this arena, so please get your fingers out and start nominating! As in previous years, a buffet will be served after the evening’s proceedings.

Le Mans this year?

Fancy visiting Le Mans 24 Heures in June? Essex member Dave LeSerf has a spare seat for this trip (11th to 13th June inclusive) with everything booked including camping. If you are tempted, give Dave a ring on either 07748 276780 or 01371 850973.

Essex Group Regalia

Polo Shirts @ £17.50
Sweat Shirts @ £20.00
Rugby Shirts @ £20.00
Fleece Gilets @ £20.00

The above are available from Mike Boling

Items for sale

Ernie Turner has the following items for sale:

Good condition, black leather/sheepskin Flying Jacket with black wool lining. Men’s large size - £60 ono

As new condition, Baily’s of Glastonbury Flying Jacket. Brown with tan lining. Men’s large size - £150.

Ernie can be reached on 07711853557.