REVS - News Letter Feb - 2016 News 2016 Club Event and Classic Calendar dates released. AGBO Rally Latest News. “PaintworX” are our confirmed sponsors for the third year. The event attracts HRCR “Old Stager Championship” Barri Wilmot / Clare Bird take awards in 2015 AWMMC HOE Stage Rally championship, see story. Nov. Clive King / Anton Bird. Mini finishes on Wales Rally GB National, First in Class.
HOE Rally Championship award winners Barri Wilmot / Clare Bird
Nov. OMC @ NEC Classic Show get very late offer of BRM Grand Prix car for stand. High average age of Marshals revealed in MSA survey not good for our sport.
Clive King / Anton Bird finish Wales Rally GB, a difficult event for this little car with extreme weather and stage conditions plus a gearbox change on Friday night to 3.35am, rewarded with a class win.
w w w. o we n m o t o r i n g c l u b. c o. u k Club Contact Information. Home is based at Aldridge Social Club, High Street. Aldridge, Walsall. WS9 8LZ OS map Ref, 139/058.5, 008.5 GPS : 52°36’18.9”N - 1°54’53”W Club Meet Every Wednesday, 9.00pm. Committee Meet First Wednesday of Month, 8.00pm Club contacts and club event responsibilities as follows: President. David Owen OBE Chairman. Simon Whittick, [Slithering Santa, Web Site] simonwhittick@btinternet.com Vice Chairman. Anton Bird [AGBO Rally, REVS Editor, Club Event Pictures] antonbird@talktalk.net Club Sec. Roger Tolley.... r.tolley@blueyonder.co.uk Treasurer. Michael Ward ... michael_ward70@o2.co.uk Committee members: Robert Cotterell. Competition Sec. [Happy Landings PCA, Graham Hill Sprint, Bright Sparks PCA] robert.cotterell@btinternet.com Clare Bird. [Social Sec, Publicity, AGBO Rally, Child Protection Officer] birdy_2212@hotmail.co.uk Barri Wilmot [Club Equipment Officer]............ barriwilmot@aol.com Ruth Langford [Chief Marshal, Trophies Officer]..... pinkfairy66@hotmail.co.uk Abe Shenker. [Asst. Chief Marshal]........ abe.shenker@yahoo.co.uk Other Contact details. Club Archives. Lynn Whittick. [Contact through Simon Whittick] Melvyn Cox . [Championship Scorer] ....... melvyn.cox@blueyonder.co.uk Hilary Bird. [Membership Sec.] hilarybird1@hotmail.co.uk Classic Section Co Ordination Martin Parks....... martinparkes518@btinternet.com Roger Tristram....... rtristram@blueyonder.co.uk
w w w. o we n m o t o r i n g c l u b. c o. u k News Continues. In a recent survey of car clubs OMC come out at 13 in the UK !! 2015 Awards presentation night, details in this issue. Tom Bishop/Paul Langford 4th o/all Telford Road Rallybut no report. Dec. Slithering Santa Full entry plus a few, and great weather for a change. Jan. OMC attend HRCR open day at Gaydon To promote AGBO Rally & Classic Section. Stop Press……... AGBO Rally Smashes 100 entries in six hours !!! Now stands at 140. A quality entry with superb mix of old & new.
“Classics” - Final Show of 2015 The NEC classic show was a great success, the motoring press reported that there were more than 1800 cars from over 230 clubs in the NEC’s five largest halls and a record attendance of 68,790 over the three days. Our Club stand in hall 3 was very busy throughout the 3 days with most interest shown in Paul Moran’s ex Rubery Owen Downton tuned Mini and Derrick’s Prize winning Ford Escort Harrier. Having loaded up my truck with club equipment on Wednesday it should have been an easy journey with my Imp on the trailer to the NEC on Thursday morning. Wrong, there was huge hold ups around the Belfry/A446/M42 junction (thanks Di for the tip off) and this meant a slightly longer diverted journey. With extra help provided by Simon Whittick and John Littley we all set about the task of arranging the cars, banners, gazebo etc in the small allocated space. Things were going well when suddenly a man appeared with an ex Graham Hill BRM P48 saying it was for us! We had requested a BRM earlier in the year via David Owen but hadn’t received confirmation from Rich Hall so I presumed that it wasn’t going to happen; now suddenly we had too many cars for our small stand! Kev Robinson kindly dropped out with his Talbot Samba to make a space for the BRM. It was about 4 o’clock when the stand was finally finished and I have to say a huge thanks to everyone who contributed with good ideas about the layout etc. Over the next three days we had a huge amount of visitors to our small stand. Having a varied display of cars seemed to generate more interest rather than the one make stands and the most popular part of the BRM was the “bacon slicer” single brake disc at the rear! Thanks to everyone who helped look after the stand over the three exhibition days, some even took time off work on the Thursday and Friday to be there, also other friends, relatives and OMC members who made the journey to come and say hello. Clearing up on the Sunday evening went reasonably well. Elaine and I finally got home around 8.00pm. OMC have applied for a stand next year and the organisers have said they will try and allocate us a larger one, if we are successful in getting a stand and you would like to display your classic then let please us know. [Article cut back a little to get Pictures in ... Ed] Article by : Martin Parkes, Classic Section coordinator.
O we n M o t o r i n g C l u b Still require information re AGBO Rally. [Road & Stage] Anton Bird is attempting to write the history of this event from its inception in 1960 through to our present format as a stage rally at Weston Park. If any members have any information no matter how small or trivial you may think, please forward to antonbird@talktalk.net especially the following years, 1961,67,69,76,82,84 Up Date: Archive magazines required to decipher early history and a trip to Warwick University (Coventry) to trawl the Rubery Owen company archive, held in the Uni Library files, is planned. Club Members, competition plans for 2016 Clive King/Anton Bird. [Cooper S] HRCR Old Stager “Mini Cup” (Clive now an OMC member) James Nicholls, [Peugeot 205 & Nova,] various Stage & Road Rallies Barri Wilmot, [Nova] No championship, various Stage rallies starting with Brean Stages in Jan. If any OMC competitors in any discipline wish to be mentioned in this section in future publications please contact with details. Social Scene up date. 27.Feb 2015 Awards presentation Dinner at Great Barr Golf Club Tickets £10 per head (OMC subsidised 2 per full member only @ £10 each) Three course meal included, smart casual only. A recent survey of UK car clubs by Intelligent Car Leasing placed OMC at No.13 of 30 they surveyed. Quite how a car leasing company can come to that conclusion I don't know, Quinton came out at 26 !!! See the survey at http://www.intelligentcarleasing.com/blog/the-top-30-car-clubs-inengland-2015-2016/.
Classics: Sunday Morning meet dates for Middleton Hall : April 3, May 1, June 5, July 3, Aug 7, Sept 4, Oct 2.
OMC Club events for 2016
OMC Classic Events 2016
March 20 AGBO Stages Rally Weston Park. April 3 Ernest Owen PCT, Catton Park. May 15 Happy Landings PCA, Catton Park. June 12 Graham Hill Sprint, Curborough. Oct 16 Bright Sparks PCA, Curborough. Dec 27 Slithering Santa PCA Curborough.
May 19 or 20 Ragley Hall June 12 Curborough display @ Sprint July 17 Walsall Show [Provisional] August 7 Shugborough Hall Sept 3&4 Shackerstone Festival Sept 25 OMC Classic Run Nov 11-13 OMC @ NEC
Nov 2015. More from OMC @ NEC Classic Car Show
Rallying GrpB debate. The recent MSA Autumn Mag had a good article asking “Was GrpB the pinnacle of rallying”, having seen them in action many times in the period as far as spectacle goes yes, but for the future of our sport and practicality no. We now have conclusive proof from WRC Finland this year that the modern 1600 cc cars in WRC are faster, the 1000 lakes this year was the fastest ever, that's fact. The comments from Marku Allen (Yes) & Malcolm Wilson (No) are interesting. Allen (Yes) Comments: “Nothing else is the same, tiny roll cages, all plastic bodywork, sitting on top of fuel tanks, every time you drove the car you were scared (be no fun if you weren't !) huge power” He ends by saying,” The only ones not scared were crazy or had no imagination.” Wilson (No) Comments: “Fire spitting monsters, yes, but all had mechanical issues and big differences in performance” (6R4 = 380bhp, Quattro = 600bhp+) and then plods off into modern day WRC cars and of course M Sport. One comment he does make which makes real sense, “WRC cars today are all of similar performance, reliability not being an issue, therefore it is the driver that makes the difference”. I totally agree with that statement having watched a lot of modern day WRC and believe that is how it should be. Conclusion, are you a YES or a NO (Was GrpB the pinnacle of rallying) I'm a no for many reasons, the major one being the tragic death of Henri Toivonen in Corsica, reputably using nitrous fuel, not proved or questioned at the time, every thing has to move on. BUT having been through the era and witnessed them in action, I would hate to have missed them. Some of these cars can still be seen in action today, you can catch the GrpB clubs occasionally at Curborough, a spectacle still well worth a visit.
Was this Lancia Stratos considered GrpB? probably not, but who cares, a great picture, one of my favourite rally cars ever, picture taken by me at WRC Rally Germany a couple of years ago... Ed
Gallery GrpB.
Above: OMC member Barri Wilmot admires T16 (Possibly) !!
Above. Audi Factory Museum in Germany have been trying to buy the above Ex works car from its Irish owner for a while.(Genuine Blomquist works car apparently the only one of their versions they do not have, he has been offered serious £££ ) seen at Curborough 2014.
Article and pictures : Anton Bird
“Old Stager” Mini Madness 2015........... By Anton Bird A successful year in HRCR Old Stager Mini Cup for Clive King & Anton Bird, Clive taking second in the drivers championship and Anton winning the Co Drivers title. It started back in March 15 by winning the category at Rally North Wales, followed by another category and class win on a wet Epynt in May finishing 20th overall no less, a fine result for the 64 Cooper S. Then on to Dowm Ampney {disgusting venue Ed.. Opinion.} in June for the Red Dragon Stages. AB partnering Paul Kendrick in a borrowed Mini, a poor run really, with car and other issues all day, finishing 3rd Mini (but second for the co driver) due to an unregistered contestant in 2nd spot. Only three Minis from eight starters finished this event, says it all about the venue I think. The Sweet Lamb Stages Rally was cancelled in July due to lack of entries, so a lengthy lay off ensued before the Manx in September. Back with Clive in the “S”. Its always been my favourite event and remains so, super fast and long, it requires some big driver commitment and big co driver concentration, especially in the night sections. The event was split into two rallies for HRCR Mini Cup, our “S” winning the first by nearly four minutes to the end of SS11 and retiring from the second part with a broken clutch release bearing at SF14, but this was enough to secure the Co Drivers title at least. Clive required one more score which we attempted to gain on the Cambrian in October. The car was retired at the end of SS3 due to a broken drive shaft. This event was disgustingly rough, the poor little car was never going to survive that terrain, thus Clive ended up with second o/all driver in Mini Cup the car also won its respective class in the HRCR championship. After the win back in March at Rally North Wales, we found to our amazement we had won in a prize draw a free entry to Wales Rally GB, after many phone calls and conversations the car gained some serious sponsorship for this event. The main one being “Mini Sport” of Padiham. Report Next Page..........
Clockwise from top left: Cambrian, Manx, Epynt, Red Dragon
Left & Below. Two pictures of what is considered to be a world record!! For the most competition rally Minis ever assembled in one place, total was 14. The place, TT grand stand pit lane pre the 2015 Manx Rally. [not all cars present when pictures taken] Can we beat this at the AGBO ???
Wales Rally GB, eport. Clive King & Anton Bird. Car 274.
Extreme weather conditions and stages torn to shreds by WRC action did not stop the “Mini Sport� sponsored Cooper S finishing this very difficult event. A broken gear box on Friday caused a very late night fix, bed was welcome at 3.45am. Still in the event with a long Saturday ahead, starting with the Chirk Castle spectator stage, no dramas here. Foul weather was encountered on the long run down to the Dovey complex, these two stages were very difficult for the car 11 miles in Garthiniog and over 20 miles in Dovey, both stages torn to shreds by previous WRC action (twice that morning!!) and the national runners in front of us. The rain in here also torrential, with ruts full of water you never knew how deep any of them were, some almost swallowed the car, but to our amazement we got through. The following road section some 50 miles up to Dyfnant we witnessed some of the worst road and weather conditions for years, swollen rivers, flooded roads and over turned lorries in the gales. On arrival at the start of the Dyfnant stage we had to traverse a ford running as a fast river some 20 feet across and nearly a foot deep !! The marshals on the other side were sure we would be swept away, no fear over she went. The Dyfnant stage was 12 miles and in most parts in better condition than previous stages, this was followed by 8 miles in a dark & foggy Aberhirnant we were lucky to traverse these two prior to the second pass of the WRC so both were in better shape than stages in the Dovey complex.
Wales Rally GB Continued. Back to Chester for service, 90 minutes sorted the car, our service pitch was like a rugby srum, there was that much interest in the car. A quick feed and bed early after hardly any sleep the previous night. A later start on Sunday was a bonus, but again another longish run out to Clocaenog, a 6 miler, once again the Mini struggling with the road conditions in the stage, onto the Great Orme, Clive had never managed to complete this stage in previous rallies he had always encountered problems on or before this one, but not this time. Forest Tyres on tarmac make for exciting handling, it was believe me!! 3 minutes 13 seconds, will do. Another long run back to Clocaenog for the last stage, don't understand why it was arranged like this, going round in circles all day creating mega road miles was ridiculous. A slight delay on the start became a problem as the weather again worsened and as the minutes ticked by it was getting darker, eventually we start with just enough light. Only 6 miles but seemed never ending, the roughest stage encountered on the entire event, decimated by WRC and 4wd front runners in the National. Seven cars off in here including the then National event leader and surprisingly Jimmy McRae, after all those miles they go off in the last stage unbelievable really. We make the stage finish, finding marshals drowned and hanging on to anything stable in the howling gale. One said to me he felt as if he had been on a North Sea trawler in a hurricane all day — they were in a very exposed position next to an enormous reservoir !!!. Back to Chester, very pleased to get round with the oldest car in the event, and the only one on 10” wheels !! 51st and a Class win, what a result. The weather for most of the three days was atrocious, the greatest praise should go to each and every marshal that stood out there and endured those awful conditions, well done to all. We would like to thank “Mini Sport of Padiham” for their valued support with car prep before the event and on event support from their employees Rob Eastwood and Michael Anderson, also further support from Craig King and Bruce Mills a great job by all especially during the gearbox madness on Friday night. Other thanks for support go to HRCR, John Connor @ JWC Financial Solutions, Dee Side Classic Campers, British Mini Club, MAR Motor Sport, Dennis Motor Sport, KPB Photography, & RP Joinery.
Jump in Sweet Lamb revealed some colourful language on in car camera!!
Manic Gear box change late into Friday night/Saturday 3.45am.
Thank you “MINI SPORT”
2015 Nova adventures, Barri Wilmot & Clare Bird. An increase in power was required over that available in 2014, so a substantial investment was made in a set of throttle bodies, thus converting the engine to fuel injection. This solved one problem but caused many others as the season unfolded. May, Red Dragon, Down Ampney, broken drive shaft through increased power out put, DNF. June, Abbingdon Stages, fuel starvation, and drive train problems, part cured at he event but only a trophy rally finish. After this event more development work took place re the fuel system, the addition of a big swirl pot cured the starvation problem. Also considerable investment was made in a new Hockley diff, drive shafts and front suspension, this cured the drive train problems completely. On to August, Throckmorton, Carfax Stages, 3rd in class A, 19th o/all car running like a dream all day, I heard requests for more power !!! September, Caerwent Stages, 2nd class A, 27th o/all another good result. October, Dukeries at Donnington, a good result spoiled by an idiot on track pushing them into a bale whilst comfortably running at 2nd in class for most of the day. Eventually finishing 7th class A, 59 o/all. All this action in AWMMC HOE championship netted the crew Third Class A driver, Second Class A Co Driver, and Clare winning first o/all lady Co Driver. December, Rockingham Stages. The usual end of season run out as its good value and not far away. 3rd in Class /?? oall. This should have been an easy class win, a dodgy fuel sender spoiled a good result. More Work !!
Some 2015 Nova HOE action.
OMC Championships 2015 How they finished.
Stage Rally Driver 1 B.Wilmot [4] 46.8 2 P.Kendrick [1] 15.0 3 J.Nicholls [1] 13.6
Q
Road Rally Driver 1 J.Nicholls [3] 34.4 Q
Stage Rally Co Driver 1 T.Bishop [11] 111.5 Q 2 A.Bird [4] 88.3 Q 3 C.Bird [4] 56.8 Q
Road Rally Nav. 1 D.Allman [4] 45.3 Q
Auto Test 1 T.Bishop [7] 146.3 Q 2 S.Whittick [4] 47.7 Q 3 J.Nicholls [2] 64.1 Q
Sprint 1 M.Parkes 2 D.Wallbank 3 T.Bishop 3= B.Rushton
[2] 23.3 [2] 22.2 [2] 20.0 [1] 20.0
Marshals Points Championship 1. Ruth Langford 215
2. Paul Langford 190
3. Anton Bird 140
3 Events in all categories to qualify Q - send your results to : melvyn.cox@blueyonder.co.uk
Marshals Section MSA publication “The Marshal” reveals via survey that the average age of a marshal to be 56.6 years old !!! A frightening fact, where have all the kids gone, stuck in an X box I suppose. MARSHALS WANTED for AGBO STAGES RALLY March 20th. Further details on any events please contact Chief Marshal Ruth Langford. 07855 487426 or.. owenmarshals@hotmail.co.uk
Wanted 4 off (could get away with three) 5.1/2” x 13” Ford Steel wheels, can refurb. contact 07702 567383 [Organisers please forward dates of events should you wish them included in this section]
Results [Competitors forward results if you want included in this section]
Next OMC REVS [June 2016] [Articles mid May latest] If you have not renewed your membership this will be the last magazine you receive.
OMC welcome the following new members.> January 10....2016 Elaine Parkes, Sutton Coldfield [A] Classic Clive King, Sedgeley, W.Mids [Stage Rally] Stephen Abberley, Clayton le Woods. John Davies, Sutton Coldfield Chris Hetherington, Fradley Adam Jennings, Sutton Coldfield [Auto Test] Peter Jones, Irchester. Stuart Lilley, Sutton Coldfield [A] Lucy Roberts, Lichfield [A] Classic Mark Smith, Llanymynech John Littley, Sutton Coldfield, Classic
Rob Morris, Ibstock Steven O`Sullivan, Cannock Ashley Pearce, Rugeley, Auto test Steve Pearce, Rugeley, Auto test Daniel Pearce, Rugeley [J] Auto test Sam Perks, Rugby [J] Nick Roberts, Lichfield, Classic Michael Davies, Sutton Coldfield Terry Trelfa, Whittle le Woods Di Littley, Sutton Coldfield [A] Classic
O we n M o t o r i n g C l u b 2015 OMC Awards Presentation Night / Dinner is 26th Feb @ Great Barr Golf Club (tickets ÂŁ10 per head restrictions apply) are available through any committee member or e mail Clare Bird (birdy_ 2212@hotmail.co.uk) Club & Event Award Winners for 2015
Road Rally Driver, The Rivers Fletcher Trophy... James Nicholls Road Rally Navigator, The Peter Spear Trophy... David Allman Stage Rally Driver, The Robert Cotterell Trophy.. Barrie Wilmot Stage Rally Co Driver ...................... Tom Bishop Sprint Championship.... No Qualifiers Race Championship, The LMP Trophy..... ..... Wayne Langridge Auto Test Championship, The Charles Clark Trophy.... Tom Bishop PCT Championship, The John Owen Cup..... No Qualifiers Marshals Points Chmpshp ....Tony Matthews Cars Cup.. Ruth Langford Chief Marshal`s award... H.J Donaldson Trophy Paul Langford First OMC Navigator on OMC events. The Richard Colley Cup Ben Davies Intasprint Fasteners cup .....U/17`s Award...... Brodie Holland OMC Club Member of the year..... The Captains Cup ... Awarded TBA Meritorious Achvmnt. 2015 R.I.C.S Cup.... Martin Parkes & Roger Tristram First Novice Driver of the year.. KNM Shield Brodie Holland Meritorious Achvmnt. in Motor Sport 2015.... The Bill Donaldson Cup Clive King & Anton Bird Nutter of the year.... Dennis the Menace award We have one Driver of the year..... The Presidents Cup Tom Bishop Off Road Driver of the year....The Shorrocks Cup Tom Bishop OMC club events champion.....The Clubmans Cup Kevin Hardwick
Have you ever stopped and thought who are the people who's names appear on our club trophies, well after considerable research, I can now explain in detail in the next issue of REVS exactly who all these people are or were. If space permits I will also introduce our new Graham Hill Trophy a replica we have had made of the original BRM grand prix car steering wheel (Awarded to FTD on the OMC Graham Hill Sprint) The old version had to be retired due to its considered value, rarity and also its deteriorating condition. All will be explained.
Send info to antonbird@talktalk.net
Annual Awards Presentation Dinner Saturday 27th February 2016 Great Barr Golf Club 7.30 for 8.00 start Smart casual dress Menu Starter: Vegetable Soup Choice of Main courses Dessert: Vanilla Cheesecake Coffee & Mints ÂŁ10 per person (subsidised by OMC) 2 tickets only per full member at this price. ÂŁ20 per ticket thereafter.
Tickets available on request from any committee member
Regalia, Etc.
OMC 50th Anvrsy. Base Ball Cap in stock £5
Pin badge £2.50 incl. postage, contact editor.
Key Ring in stock £1
OMC Mug in stock £3
New Deluxe club logos (see left) now available. Add £2.00 per garment to below
Polo Shirt Navy Blue Incl club Logo .....
£12.00
Pure Lamb’s Wool Jumper “V neck” .. Navy Blue, Incl club Logo.. £30 Pure Lamb’s Wool Jumper “round neck” .. Navy Blue Incl.Club Logo.. £30 Sweat shirt Navy Blue Incl club Logo .. £15.00 Round Neck “T” Shirt Navy Blue Incl club Logo ...£10.00 Soft-shell Fleece, Full length Zip front .... Navy Blue Incl club Logo... £32.00 All garments available S.M.L.XL.XXL and include the standard club logo embroidered in Yellow, other colours available on request. Baseball Cap Blue / Fawn insert in peak front, with club badge ....... £ 5.00 Club Logo (in required colour) embroidered to own garments...£7.50 Marshals Coats Day-Glo Orange, Short with club logo on rear £22.00 Marshals Coats Day-Glo Orange Long with Club logo on rear £20.00 All items are to order through Clare Bird ... Email .. [birdy_2212@hotmail.co.uk] NEW SUPPLIER NO DELIVERY/POSTAL CHARGE We have in Stock: Navy Blue with club logo embroidered. T Shirt L x 2 ....£5.00 each, T Shirt S x 2 ....£5.00 each, Sweatshirt L x 1 ...£10.00, Baseball Caps ....£5.00, Marshals Hi Viz Coat x 1 (Orange Long with club logos) ....£10.00 Marshals Hi Viz Coat x 1 (Yellow no logos)....£10.00
“PaintworX” AGBO RALLY 2016, Weston Park , 20th March. When this issue of REVS comes through your front door preparations for this years “PaintworX” AGBO Stages Rally will be well under way. For the third year in succession we are indebted to Phil Wright from “PaintworX” in Burntwood (Specialist in Paint and body work—Escorts in Particular) for sponsoring the event. The clubs Premiere event this year will again be part of The AWMMC Heart of England stage rally championship, we also welcome for the first time the HRCR “Old Stager” championship, this will also include the 2016 HRCR “Mini Cup”. This will see the top UK Minis {Thats old type Minis} battling through Weston Park. A superb entry with a great mix of old & new.
Welcome to “The PaintworX AGBO STAGES” Rally 2016 As usual we are appealing for assistance on Friday and Saturday set up and of course as many marshals for the event on Sunday as possible. We will also probably require assistance on Monday after the event to clear the remainder of the additional spectator safety barriers and other signage required for this years event. A considerable amount of extra work and expense is having to be put in for 2016 to comply with the new MSA Safety recommendations re Stage Rallies. Regs were released on Jan 16th for both championships & the entry filled in six hours. New MSA Stage Rallying rules have meant lots more work for the team let alone expense on additional safety equipment. For the first time at Weston Park, we can only offer spectator viewing areas, connected by walk ways and crossings, there will be three areas available with a link up to the service area. NO other parts of the park will be accessible. A safety statement from OMC AGBO rally committee will be released on the OMC web pages and social media prior to the event.
AGBO RALLY 2016 March 20th Weston Park. AWMMC HOE & HRCR Champshps.