Midland Centre Notes for 'Safety Fast!' - November 2008

Compiled by Brian Osborn

Well we are nearly at the end of the Centre’s 75th Anniversary year already, not surprising we are that old when the years go so quickly. Only the Anniversary Luncheon to go at the time of writing. Will be over by the time you get this, so a report on the festivities next month. 

Looking back over the past month we have had the Autumn Trial at Burton Dassett on 28th September where a good entry of almost 40 cars frolicked on the grassy slopes. This year very lush after all the watering they have had over the summer and also very wet to start the day which limited the climbing abilities of most competitors. The day was pleasant with some sunshine so it dried during the day and the scores went down.

This year the outright winner was David Dye in his A7 with a score of 82 points lost. The Best MG was Fred Bury who won the Allen Trophy.  The alternate Best MG (in this case pre ’55) was Martin Price in his sprint prepared TA who won the Autumn Cup. Just goes to show that ordinary road cars can do well. Just a pity we didn’t have more MGs entered to give him some competition.

This year we had a group of Bucklers entered for what must be the largest gathering at a trial for many years, the Best Buckler award went to Carl Talbot. The Lieges were also out in force so they had a Best Liege award which was won by Steve Kenny. Ron Bailey was Best A7.

Other class awards went to – James Smith (BMW); David Storer (Midget); Keith Oakes (Dutton); and Geoff Hodge (RDT). The best Novice was Jack Endley (Liege) and the best Non Expert was Richard Askew (Midget). Well done all of you, and a big thanks to all the marshals who made it all possible. All in all a very good day, even the pub down the hill had recently re-opened and we finished packing up just as the rains came.

The following Saturday saw our marshalling team heading for Derbyshire to help marshal on Bamford Clough one of the premier hills of the MCC’s Edinburgh Trial. Haven’t heard about their day yet, but I think the only Midland Centre entry was myself and Tony Lake in an MGB borrowed from Vic Lockley of Ross-on-Wye. My usual bouncer Martin Price was otherwise engaged covering a race report for Safety Fast.

It was a cold but dry start that found us tackling the various class 0 sections, initially in the dark. The most challenging for us were Little Litton (very slippery), Great Hucklow (very rocky), and Excelsior (very rough), but we survived to finish on time and claim a “Tin” or class 0 award. Good fun, all I need now is a car for the Exeter in January; my MGB is still indisposed with a major attack of tin worm.

Looking forward – we have the Natters Christmas Dinners coming up in December, contact your local Natter for details, then the Swan Natter will be having their annual walk sometime between Xmas and the New Year, more next month or phone me. 

Then on New Years Day there is the CHILLY WILLY RUN usually to the VSCC meet at Much Marcle, times and starts in next months notes. We usually then start the New Year by marshalling on the Clee Hills Trial organised by the MAC on 18th January. Then off we go again for our 76th year.

We are currently drafting the calendar of events for 2009, including the Spring Trial in March, the Spring Sprint on 5th April and the Welsh Rallye on the 9/10th May, so if any of you have any suggestions for the year, then please let our chairman John Fry know on 01584 88 1374 ASAP. We might even get the postponed Autosolo in next year.