New Dinner Venue for 2009
We are pleased to be able to announce that the annual HRCR Dinner and Presentation night will move back to a traditional hotel venue for 2009.
We have enjoyed the facilities of the Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon for the past three years, where we have received exemplary service from that venue's conference team. Unfortunately the fact that there is no accommodation on site is now starting to have an impact on the event and also our plans for the future, so it is with some regret that we have made the decision to move.
Following extensive investigations we have chosen the Barcelo Daventry Hotel which has easy access from both the M1 and M40. It offers spacious and modern facilities and has benefited from a recent total refurbishment. Special room rates have been negotiated for a reserved 90 bedrooms and the main function suite can accommodate well in access of our requirements.
The fact that we have moved the annual function back to a hotel will enable us to hold the Annual General Meeting over the same weekend. The dates for your 2009 diary are: Dinner dance and presentation night, Saturday 28th February 2009; AGM, Sunday 1st March 2009.
Added: 17th April 2008 [permalink]
HRCR Scenic Tours series kicks off
The 2008 series of Scenic Tours has kicked off with the inaugural running of the ‘Taith Cymru' organised by the members of the South Wales area of the HRCR.
31 cars set off from the Museum of Welsh Life at St Fagans on the outskirts of Cardiff to cover the 140 miles route through some of the most stunning scenery in Wales. The cars ranged from a 1947 MGTC, a Dellow, several MGBs and a few Minis, through to some slightly more modern but nevertheless interesting vehicles. The forecast was for snow and whilst the mountains had a covering and there was an odd flurry during the day, it was mainly bright sunshine, if a little cold. One or two braved the elements with tops down, whilst some like the Dellow had no choice. The event visited several places of interest and finished with a excellent three course meal at the Castle Hotel in Landovery. A fuller report of the event will appear in the next issue of Old Stager.
The next event is Cirencester Car Clubs ‘Corinium Run' on Sunday 20th April which has another 80+ entry. Again a report should appear in the next issue of Old Stager.
Regs are now out for Ross & District Motor Clubs ‘Bluebell Run', Sat 3rd May and can be accesses from their website. http://www.rossmotorsports.co.uk/ or by contacting Simon on 01531-820761.
Added: 16th April 2008 [permalink]
100 Rally Series is so popular
After three events, the HRCR 100 Rally Series is showing its popularity, unfortunately through the number of disappointed members being turned away when the 12-car permit rallies become fully subscribed. The formula which allows crews to concentrate on their regularity timing, without the pressures of tricky route plotting and intricate map reading, has certainly struck the right chord.
The Essex 100 on 28th March allowed twelve lucky crews to enjoy four regularity sections on a 100-mile route around quiet Essex lanes, starting and finishing at the Crow residence. Typical of the competitors were Robin Shackleton and his son George who had won a free entry in the HRCR Shop's Open Day raffle. Robin was navigating for the first time, George was on his very first rally and they completed the full route in good time to finish 8th in their Austin A40.
The next HRCR 100 rally is to be run by the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Area on Saturday 24th May and with only 12 places available, preference will be given to those who have little or no experience of competitive rallying. They already have a good selection of entries so anyone hoping to get one of the 12 places must send in their entry now.
Further details of these events can be found via the 100 Rally Series section of this website.
Added: 31st March 2008 [permalink]
HRCR celebrates at Race Retro
As the founding club of the historic rally movement celebrates its 25th anniversary, there was a party atmosphere on the HRCR stand at Race Retro, the Historic Motor Sport Show at Stoneleigh, over the weekend (14-16 March).
To follow the event's 'Ford' theme, two Ford-powered Sunbeam Tigers graced the HRCR stand. Both cars drew the crowds and many marvelled at the original state of the ex-works car of Graham Rood, which represents a wonderful time warp in the manner in which it has been preserved.
The HRCR uses this show to meet club members and welcome new members into the organisation. Throughout the three days of the show, representatives from all the club's championships were on hand to answer questions.
A number of personalities visited the stand, including HRCR President Paddy Hopkirk and Vice President Bill Price. Stuart Turner took time out from his Motor Sport Safety Fund work to entertain HRCR volunteers, while another very welcome visitor was Rosemary Smith. As an ex-Rootes driver, Smith rallied Sunbeam Tigers in period, while rally historian Graham Robson was also a visitor to the stand.
The HRCR Club Shop enjoyed a brisk trade, particularly with specialist books including 'The Works Tigers' written by Graham Rood. Rood's car was the 1966 Tulip Rally Tiger, finishing third overall and first in Group 3, crewed by Peter Harper and Robin Turvey. It was last of the works team Tigers.
Added: 17th March 2008 [permalink]
New HRCR North Lincs Area Planned
Experienced HRCR member Brod Purdy is planning to start a new area group to cover the North Lincs/South Humberside area. The exact timing and location of the area's activities are still in the planning stage, but Brod will be pleased to hear from fellow historic rally enthusiasts in the area.
To hear more about his plans and to offer your support, contact Brod on 01472 399381 or e-mail brod@pr4motorsport.com
Added: 17th March 2008 [permalink]
The HRCR Economy Run 2008
Regs are now available for this years Economy Run which takes place on Saturday 21st June. Demand has been high with deposits received to reserve places even before the regs were published, so if you want to enter this years event please do not leave it until the last minute as you may be disappointed.
The Economy Run will retain its now familiar format of starting with a hearty breakfast at the Talbot, near to Biddulph Grange Gardens, before heading out into the hills and dales of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire for a 120 mile route with a lunch halt at Crich Tramway museum before finishing with afternoon tea at Cranage.
As always we offer great driving roads and excellent company in one of the most scenic parts of the country. Our simple formula for calculating a winner, whereby the competitor nominates their target consumption and then strives to achieve it gives everyone an equal chance of winning.
This year the event is being supported by www.ClassicRallyChat.co.uk, the historic rallying internet forum, and we will again be supporting the work of the Save the Children fund.
For your copy of the regs, contact John Hunt on 01782 516275 or email hunt07@btinternet.com
Added: 3rd March 2008 [permalink]
Good Attendance at AGM
We had one of the best attendances for many years at this year's AGM, held in Yorkshire on Sunday 24th February. Was it the fact that we had moved to where the largest single concentration of members lives or had they all come to see the outstanding Shell film presented after the AGM by HRCR Vice President Philip Young together with the latest Peking Paris video? We will never know.
HRCR President, Paddy Hopkirk and Vice Presidents Philip Young, Robin Stretton, Jim Porter and Bill Price were all re-elected for another year. Chris Hunt Cooke was re elected as Chairman, Stan Appleton as Competition Secretary and Mike Harrison as Treasurer. Brian Thomas retired as a committee member although he will continue to co-ordinate the Scenic Tours Series of events and David Kirkham, Andy Gibson who both stood down on rotation were re-elected. Paul Loveridge and Geoff Twigg were both voted on as committee members.
During the meeting the Chairman presented Paul Loveridge with a cut glass decanter in recognition of his work over many years as Competition Secretary.
The full minutes of the AGM will be published onto the Members area of the HRCR web site shortly.
Added: 2nd March 2008 [permalink]
