REVS - News Letter June - 2016 News Feb. Awards presentation Night (2015), liked by all who attended. Super Venue will be used again. March. AGBO Rally, big hit with competitors but hard work for organizers. report inside. Ade & Lindsey Baker win first OMC crew on AGBO. OMC, Clive King & Anton Bird take first HRCR Mini Cup on AGBO. April. Ernest Owen PCT, new organizing team David Allman & Tim Beard to be praised for their first year in charge, a great success, well done.
Awards night for 2105 season @ Great Barr Golf Club
April. Several members attend first classic meet of the season at Middleton Hall.
Above: Paintworx AGBO RALLY, Paul Evans & Steve Turner take win by two seconds on last stage fight out with Roger Moran & Oliver Davies. The event had a superb mix of old & new this year, club gets excellent MSA safety report.
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 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, 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 Coordination Martin Parkes....... 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. May. Good entry for Catton Grass auto solo. May. King / Bird win HRCR Mini cup round two on Epynt.
Above, By the strangest coincidence whilst trawling the RO company archives at Warwick University (looking for AGBO stuff recently) I found this article. I presume it is talking about the car on the right. [ED]
Visit Report. Coventry Museum of Transport. On a recent trip to the revamped Coventry Museum of Transport I came across the below BRM. It has a Ferguson 4WD system, quite a surprise as I had never seen one of these before. The re modeled museum is now amazing, unlike its dingy predecessor and unbelievably still has no entrance fee, well done Coventry. All of the exhibition halls have been completely rearranged modernized and substantially added to, Jaguar have obviously contributed with some of their heritage collection and have their own impressive section. The museum is now well worth a visit. I am trying to organize a club trip to the venue, but this can only be a day time week day visit, check OMC web site for any info.
Tech Craft BRM from Warwick, complete with 4WD !! Race History anyone?
O we n M o t o r i n g C l u b AGBO Rally History [Road & Stage] Update: The story so far, many corners have now been filled in, having now visited Warwick University to trawl the Rubery Owen Company archive which they hold. ANY information about the event for the following years is still required, 1969,1976,1982,1984 plus as a stage event @ Wilbarston 1988,1989 & 1990. I now require old club magazines to continue the research. During the visit to the Archive at Warwick Uni, many other things came to light, the best of these will be published over time in REVS, (see back cover of this issue). An article will be put together at some time re RO`s involvement with the “Bluebird� land speed record car, something I think few club members would not know happened, the commitment to the project was massive as was the total commitment to F1 BRM team. This fact is witnessed from the amount that was written in the day in company publications, I will feature some in the future.
2015 Awards Presentation Evening The social club buffet was never a good option, but for a few years we had little support for a more formal evening. With renewed interest voiced by many members over the last twelve months for the formal format to be reintroduced, the event at Great Barr Golf Club was put into place, and what a well received evening it was. 44 attendees including the majority of the award recipients and a few invited guests . A very comfortable room, not too big, with eating and seating options which were perfect for our occasion. All options of the meals offered were excellent and well received by all, also considered superb value. The organising team will make sure that we have no date clash for next years awards evening as this cost us a few ticket sales and a number of awards not collected, as some of our award winners attended another clubs awards function on the same night. For 2017 we would like to re introduce a guest speaker slot, can members keep this in mind during this year and put forward any nominations, ideally someone to take on that role of finding and securing a suitable candidate. Can we get Tony Mason again, what a night that was, any one remember it ? So funny.
Left: Some of the 2015 club championship award winners at the superb new venue, Great Barr Golf Club.
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 19 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
Owen Motoring Club Trophies — The History Left. The AGBO Road Rally Trophies. We have a full set bar one, that being the old first O/All trophy. Would it be possible to get it back to the club to join its partners ??? I would like to photograph it at least for the AGBO archive. Some famous names added to these cups during the Motoring News Road Rally championship years, late 60`s through to late 70`s. ?
Owen Motoring Club trophies circa 1965, does any one recognise the cup first left of the steering wheel in the centre ? All others are identified.
Above: Is the old First O/all AGBO Road Rally Cup in the picture ? Do any of our membership recognise it? We have several old club cups/trophies that have gone missing over the years does any one still have one ? The old Wild Cam Auto cross winners award has been missing for years, a mounted cam shaft, any ideas out there??. Should any one have any old AGBO road rally photos, I would be grateful for a copy for archive and for a book that I am trying to produce about the event. Ed.....
The People & Companies behind the names on Owen Motoring Clubs annual championship cups and awards. Robert Cotterell Trophy. OMC Stage Rally Drivers Championship. Awarded to the OMC member amassing the most points in one year in stage rally events. Bob Cotterell a long standing club & committee member still holds the post of club competition secretary. Stage Rally Co Driver Championship Trophy. (Not Named) Awarded to the OMC member amassing the most points in one year in stage rally events. (Originally “The Thomas Taylor Trophy� named after a deceased member) The original cup had to be replaced a couple of years ago due to it splitting into two parts !!! The Rivers Fletcher Trophy. OMC Road Rally Drivers Championship. Awarded to the OMC member amassing the most points in one year in road rallies. Rivers Fletcher was the publicity officer for The Rubery Owen Group and the F1 BRM race team of which Alfred Owen was the saving benefactor. A Bentley apprentice under the guidance of W.O Bentley and also a riding mechanic with Malcolm Campbell, at the age of 74 he drove a V16 BRM F1 car at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb wheel spinning all the way up at over 100 mph !! In his later years he toured a film and lecture evening around the UK explaining his hill climb, race and BRM exploits. He died in 1999. The Peter Spear Trophy. OMC Road Rally Navigator Championship. Awarded to the OMC member amassing the most points in one year in road rallies. Peter Spear was Director of research for the Rubery Owen Group of Companies, he also had input to the BRM F1 race team via Tony Rudd. The John E. Owen Cup. (John Ernest Owen) Awarded for the OMC Production Car Trial Championship. John Owen brother of David Owen [Existing Club President] joined the family business in 1963 after a year as a management trainee at Jaguar Cars.. Became a director and operated in the domestic equipment and agricultural divisions of Rubery Owen, eventually becoming Managing Director of the Darlaston Company and its associated factories. He still is Vice President of OMC. He played Rugby for England and was capped 14 times. Charles Clark Trophy. Presented to OMC by The Charles Clark Motor Group of Wolverhampton which was a Rubery Owen owned company. Awarded to the OMC member amassing the most points in one year in Auto Tests. A.J Mathews Trophy A recent addition to the club awards, in recognition of Tony Mathews completing 50 consecutive years as Clerk of the Course for the OMC Graham Hill Sprint. This impressive trophy recently replaced a rather poor and worn out predecessor. Awarded for first o/all in the annual OMC Sprint championship. The Goggin Trophy. A mounted vintage spark plug. Awarded to first o/all on a OMC 12 car road rally of the same name, believed made and presented to the club by John Parsons, one of the clubs most colourful characters, now sadly deceased.
Presidents Trophy [No Name associated] Driver of the year, scores from three branches of motor sport (driving only) no more than three scores from any one discipline. Chris Shorrock Trophy. Chris Shorrock was the inventor of the supercharger; originally he set up as Centric Superchargers in 1934, by 1957 the company had become part of the Rubery Owen group, after this acquisition Chris Shorrock became a Rubery Owen employee. The Award is presented to the off road driver of the year, scores from at least two types of off road event, no more than 4 scores to count from any one discipline (excluding rallies).
Clubmans Cup. [Not Named] Awarded to the member with the best points total on all of the events run by OMC during one year. H.J Donaldson Trophy. This is One of two trophies presented to OMC by Bill Donaldson's family after his very premature death. Our Chief Marshal nominates a winner for special services in the marshals section, usually over a period of years. The Graham Hill Trophy Presented to first o/all finisher [FTD] at the Graham Hill Sprint held at Curborough every June. A very special club trophy. This is an actual BRM Grand Prix race car steering wheel mounted on an oak plinth. The wheel was donated to OMC in 1963 by Graham Hill. The original trophy, now a little tired, was retired from service in 2015 after fifty years service. A unique and valuable piece, now on permanent loan to the Bourne Heritage Collection. An admirable replica commissioned by OMC has now taken its place. Pictures of old & new in next pages.. Plus old RO News article re this award. The Graham Hill Cup. Presented to first OMC finisher at the Graham Hill Sprint. I think we all know who Graham Hill was. !! KNM Shield Presented to the Novice Driver of the year, Shield presented to the club by Kevin Moore former member. Best four scores to count from any sector, two events must be OMC run events. The Tony Mathews Cars Cup known as the marshals cup, was presented by Tony Mathews ex chairman OMC. The award is presented to the club marshal accumulating the most points for marshalling duties in the year. R.I.C.S Cup (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors). This trophy was presented to the club by the West Midlands Branch of RICS in appreciation of seven club members assisting on an event in 1987 called the “Three Peaks Walk� the award is presented for a meritorious achievement for the year in any club section, it can be an individual or a group award. The Captains Cup. Owen Motoring Clubs premier award. Presented to the OMC member for services to the club over and above normal expectation. Usually awarded for services over a number of years. This cup was presented to OMC by Norman Ferris who was a founding member of OMC and he was the clubs first chairman.
Richard Colley Cup Presented to the highest scoring Road/Stage Rally navigator on OMC rallies. This is now only the first OMC co driver on the AGBO Stages Rally. In previous years when we have run any club road rallies those results would also be taken into consideration. This Cup was presented to OMC by the Colley family after the death of their son Richard, an OMC member, on the Manx Rally in 60`s Intasprint Trophy. Presented to the young achiever of the year (Under 17`s only) Cup presented to OMC by Intasprint Fasteners, an Aldridge based company. Dennis the Menace Self explanatory goes to our nutter of the year, there usually is one. Slithering Santa Piston. Awarded to First o/all on the Boxing Day Auto Test. (Believed to be an original BRM F1 Piston & con rod) The Richard Southam Trophy Presented to OMC by the Southam family after Richard, an ever present club member sadly passed away in 1988. This award is given for endeavour, a member chosen from any section of the club not just for motor sport. If someone has really tried and had many a set back, it is acknowledged by this award. The Bill Donaldson Cup Presented to OMC by his family after Bill passed away a number of years ago. A big friend of mine, still miss him [Ed..] a very sad loss, Bill was involved with every aspect of OMC, particularly marshalling. This award is presented to a club member for Meritorious achievement in Motor Sport – any section – in one year. Jenkinson Jug Presented to first OMC finisher on the Ernest Owen production car trial. Terry Jenkinson was a very active member of OMC in its early years serving as chairman and public relations officer. He was the central stores controller at R.O later moving on to the Coventry Climax fork lift truck div. In later years his interests turned to cricket and he wrote “The 125 year History of Bloxwich Cricket Club” LMP Engineering Trophy Presented to OMC by Lionel Lawrence, ex Lucas employee working in the race ignitions division, and latterly the same in his own business. Lionel a real car lover with a beautiful red drop head E type, Aston Martin DB9 & something called a HWM (I think). A friend to many club members and another who has sadly passed away. This Award goes to first OMC member in the Circuit Racing championship. Not many contenders in this category, usually one !!. The Tony Rudd Trophy Awarded for First o/all at the Happy Landings grass auto solo, now run at Catton Park. The events title was chosen because it ran at the old Walsall Airport site (near Aldridge) for many years. Tony Rudd was Technical director and race team manager for BRM and had a very close relationship with RO through Peter Spear RO Director of research and Alfred Owen the RO chairman and BRM benefactor. The Bright Sparks Plug Presented to the winner of the Bright Sparks auto test
held in October at Curborough each year. The David Owen Cup Awarded by OMC committee by vote for the best OMC event in any one year. David is current president of OMC and son of Alfred Owen, and until recently very involved with the running of the remaining RO interests. The Ernest Owen Plinth (Copper Plough) Not the most attractive award in our collection. Awarded to first o/all on the Ernest Owen production car trial, an event also held at Catton Park each year. Ernest W. B Owen was co managing director of the RO group and brother to Alfred G.B Owen. Alfred who took over the running of the company in 1930 after the death of his farther. Ernest joined him as joint managing director in 1934. Ernest taking responsibilities for the agricultural equipment division of the RO group – hence the plough shaped trophy. The Grace Owen Rose Bowl Awarded for first o/all on a 12 car road rally of the same name, that OMC once organised. [Helen] Grace was Sir Alfred Owens eldest child and joined RO in 1952; she was associated with the preparation for retirement programme and office development until her own retirement from the company on marriage. The Original Graham Hill Sprint FTD Trophy on the left and its replacement on the right.
The original Graham Hill Sprint Trophy on the left is soon to be donated on permanent loan to the Bourne Heritage Trust. It will be put on display amongst other BRM artefacts that they hold. It had seen its best days [50 years] as our Graham Hill Sprint FTD award. The Replica wheel was manufactured by Motalita to our instructions & came out of great quality and remarkably similar.
Classic Scene
The classic car show year is now well and truly under way with local shows attracting a lot of attention. Owen members have been showing their cars and hopefully promoting our club. Middleton Hall was well attended by Owen members on 3rd April; Derrick Wallbank has provided a report from the new Curborough Hall farm classic vehicle show which was on Sunday 10th April. On the annual FBHV classic car "drive it day" which was on Sunday 24th April Elaine and I along with about 7 other Owen crews took part in the biennial Midland Automobile Club classic car run. There were a total of about 188 cars starting from different venues culminating at Shelsley Walsh where there was hot food and a brass band playing. Everyone had a chance to drive the hill and be photographed, my Imp performed perfect all day until Ricky Evans paid it a nice compliment just before setting off up the famous Shelsley hillclimb and then it decided to cough and splutter all the way up! Roger T and Brian Austin handed out about 50 leaflets advertising our “Tony Matthews OMC Classic Car Tour” at the finish. I’ve had requests for entry form’s already for this event which is due to take place on Sunday 25th September. Elaine and I did a total of 225 miles in both cars that day which included dropping off our navigators (my Brother Dave and his son Luke) at their home in Wombourne on the return journey. [Report by Martin Parkes, classic section.]
Lets go back a bit ....
April. OMC Club Members Left. Martin & Elaine Parkes, Imp & Sprite @ start for MAC classic run. Right. Derrick Wallbank, Escort Harrier & Barry Mansell, Morris Minor @ the new Curborough Farm meet.
Above: Conclusive proof that the Graham Hill trophy
completed fifty years service, here being presented at the 1965 awards evening for the 1964 season.
Still going back. Recently re surfaced pictures:
Above: Do any members have any information re the above, an event organised & run by OMC, The E.C Payter Rally. Nothing exists in archive, when was it (someone mentioned early 70`s) , where did it go ? Any documents / info / pictures out there?
Above & Left: We know the answer to this one, club members Pete Smith & Mike Sones on the 1970 RC Rally of Great Britain (when it was a proper rally). Love the side burns Pete !!!
PAINTWORX AGBO STAGES RALLY 2016 From an organisational point of view, it was the most difficult we have had to tackle but the long hours of planning and discussion between team members paid off in spades. We were given very late notice that an MSA safety delegate would be attending our event this year. Not unexpected with all the new MSA spectator safety rules for 2016 (26 page safety document & 16 page safety car document plus training course for several). Luckily we had decided months back that it was time to take control of the spectating situation by erecting three large interconnecting spectators zones, a big statement and a huge task, but this worked perfectly on the day. A new look AGBO this year, we welcomed HRCR Old Stager & Mini Cup championships for the first time, this totally changed the look of the event, which was the plan. Our event has become seriously popular over the last few years, victims of our own success, we got 140 entries in 24 hours !!! This was a problem for the entries Sec. but after a few days was masterfully unravelled into a provisional entry list. Over the years the event had become a bit of an Escort, Peugeot procession and needed a change, by including HRCR we achieved a superb mix of old and not so old, modern technology in some and absolutely non in the other, a real treat for the spectators. I have seen many superb pictures posted in social media, from them you can sense the old RAC Rally going through Weston Park as it did many times. The event started on time but soon ground to a halt with a start clock problem, (where were you Vaughan Allcock?) restarting some 20 minutes later and ending up with the first stage being scrubbed. Cloudy and cold in the morning but dry, turning into a beautiful sunny afternoon with a stunning sunset through the trees. Fast and furious action all day at the top and further down in the Mini Cup pack, (18 Minis started and we think that is a world record, beating the Manx record of 14 in 2015) having lost time in the morning Ray Smith our Clerk of the Course assisted by club member Dan Lister (doing his CofC training) and of course the very able Mr. Sones as compt. Liaison officer, all doing a great job in clawing time back throughout the day to enable them to run the full 10 stages planned. At the start of SS10 Paul Evans (Car 4) & Roger Moran (Car 1) were joint leaders, with five times winner Oliver Davies (Car 73, running at the front, a very very late entry on the day from first reserve) two seconds behind them. Obviously all being well tuned in at the end of the day, a scrap was going to happen and it did. Oliver over revving his Escort and breaking a cam shaft leaving Paul Evans to take his first AGBO win by 2 seconds over previous AGBO winner Roger Moran, poor old Roger he lost by 1 second last year !!! All round a great day. HRCR Old Stager winners were car 21, Stuart & Jack Anderson, HRCR Mini Cup winners car 29, Clive King & Anton Bird (OMC) continued..........
AGBO continued
The AGBO team is not big and could do with some more commitment from the membership, but what we do have is a dedicated team who all know their jobs backwards and perform magnificently over the entire weekend on the event & as a team have made this event what it is today, a smash hit with the competitors. With all the new rally spectator safety rules to consider for 2016, set up now takes most of Friday, all day Saturday and is finished off on Sunday morning, some dedication by the few. How do OMC thank the dedicated few who make this event happen, a huge task. The new look safety set up was achieved by the teams determination to succeed and succeed they did. The club should be very proud of the fact that our designated MSA safety observer, a very experienced person in this field, (she is responsible for Wales Rally GB stage safety set up no less,) gave us an “A� in the final comprehensive safety report and that's above standard requirements. Also commenting that our previous years at Weston had given us the experience to cope with all the major safety changes demanded for 2016, finally commenting that the MSA did not have a good safety template for a single venue, but they do now. The thank you cannot be any bigger to all involved, just a brilliant performance, from the entire team.
AGBO Action 2016
Pictures courtesy:
OMC Championships Scores > 1.6.16 Competitors forward results if you want included in this section
Stage Rally Driver 1 Clive King [2] 53.04 2 Adrian Baker [1] 28.00 3 James Nicholls [2] 22.00
Road Rally Driver 1 []
Stage Rally Co Driver 1 Anton Bird [2] 53.00 2 Lynsey Baker [1] 28.00 3 Paul Kendrick [1] 23.70
Road Rally Nav. 1 []
Auto Test 1 Melvyn Cox [2] 18.57 2 Simon Whittick [1] 12.00
Sprint 1 D.Wallbank [2] 8.00 2 []
Marshals Points Championship > 8.5.16 1= Paul Langford, Ruth Langford 100, 3= Melvyn Cox, Clare Bird 85 3 Events in all categories to qualify Q - send your results to : melvyn.cox@blueyonder.co.uk
Marshals Section Further details on any events please contact Chief Marshal Ruth Langford. 07855 487426 or.. owenmarshals@hotmail.co.uk A big contingent from OMC marshalled at the D`Isis Stages MIRA recently. Marshals required for OMC Sprint @ Curborough June 12th
Wanted : 5.1/2” x 13 Ford steel wheels (3 would do)......0121 353 7560 For Sale : Next OMC REVS [Sept. 2016] [Articles mid Aug. latest] We require your news, event reports, results good or bad, marshalling requirements, wants and sales, etc.
Ernest Owen Production Car Trial A change of date for 2016 from the forever October event date, also a change to the event organising team. After many years under the guidance of Nick Pollitt & Gary Preston (who OMC would like to thank for the effort they have put into this event over numerous years.) a new team have now taken the reins, club members David Allman & Tim Beard. OMC congratulate them for taking over running the event and making such a professional job of it first time out well done.. The new April date brought a definite improvement in the weather, but the previous nights rain left the tests for the event very treacherous in places. Thus some quick re arranging of a couple of tests ensued before the event started on Sunday morning. Event won by Rupert North in a Mini, sorry no report or pictures (copies received are low resolution). Rally News, Barri Wilmot has completed the rebuild of the Nova, the usual more work, expense and longer to complete than expected but now finished it looks superb, only a short shift gear linkage kit left to fit. Clive King / Anton Bird blew the opposition away on round two, “Dixies Challange”, Epynt on May1st. beating nearest rivals by nearly three minutes over twelve stages in the HRCR MINI Cup also first in class and 25th o/all
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. Baseball Caps ....£5.00,
Marshals Hi Viz Coat x 1 L (Orange Long with club logos) ....£10.00 Marshals Hi Viz Coat x 1 L (Yellow Long no logos)....£10.00
Rubery Owen gave massive support to both the above, a story about Bluebird and RO`s commitment to it will eventually hit the pages of REVS. I think most will already know about its commitment to BRM and its F1 success. (This was the cover page of RO publication “Goodwill� summer 1964.) We have a few more interesting pages for future editions of REVS, which I dug out of the RO archives at Warwick University recently.