20 FULL pages Reports and photos from LRS Challenge & Tixover Charity Challenge event Committee Meeting minutes AGM agenda Christmas Dinner menu

OCTOBER 2011

Page 2

Contents

Off the Beaten Track October 2011

2 Change of Date 2 AGM

2 Christmas Dinner

2 Facebook 2 Editorial 3 Viking Trial Dates

All the dates listed together with the LRS Challenge events

5 Chairman’s Chat 6 Results from

Billesdon Who came where?

7 MSA News 7 VFWDC OFF-ROAD

CHARITY EVENT SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

13 Reports from the Billesdon Trial

15 LRS Challenge Round

6 Report from the Challenge

17 Committee Meeting Minutes What was decided?

18 2011 Championship Scores

19 How to get to Weekly Hall Wood

Map and directions to the October trial site

20 Christmas Dinner Menu

Members may advertise personal sales and wants in this magazine, free of charge. Please note that the VFWDC committee accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or the authenticity of the material contained therein. All members’ names and addresses are held in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

Change of Date

The October trial is on Sunday 23rd October which is NOT the last Sunday of the month.

AGM Please note that the Viking Four Wheel Drive Club’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Wednesday 2nd November 2011 at the Rose & Crown, Houghton on the Hill starting at 7.30pm. The agenda items are detailed later in the magazine. Please make every effort to attend. Christmas Dinner The club Christmas Dinner will be held at the Shires in Peatling Parva on Saturday 3rd December. The menu is on the back cover and included with the magazine is a pro-forma to make your choice of meal. Please note that only 40 places are available so get your £10 per person deposits as quickly as possible to Pip if you would like to go. Please make cheques payable to Pip Evans. If you are unsuccessful in getting one of the 40 places Pip will of course return all deposits.

Facebook The Viking 4x4 Club is now on Facebook. Just have a search for Viking Four Wheel Drive and you’ll find us there. You can make a comment and upload photos too if you wish and of course you can click the

Like box and make us your friend. Hopefully this will get us a bit more publicity and encourage you all to keep checking up on what’s happening.

EEddiittoorriiaall

Wow, another 20 page

magazine! The LRS

Challenge has now

completed for 2011 but

there’s an excellent

write-up from Pip

complete with pictures

later in the magazine.

The comments on the LRS

Facebook page do make

interesting reading and

it sounds like everybody

had a real great time

both on the last round

and on the other 5

rounds as well. Congrats

to everyone involved in

organising such a

successful championship.

Also later in the

magazine is detail

about the first event of

the Winter Series

Beginners challenge style

events. The first one is

held in aid of Macmillan

Cancer Relief. Please

consider entering this

event and the others

which will be detailed in

later magazines.

Cheerio Simon

Articles for inclusion in

October’s magazine by

Tuesday 15th

November

please.

OCTOBER 2011

Page 3

Viking Trial & LRS Challenge Dates

Date Venue Type Facilities RTV+/CCV RTV Showroom

19/12/10 Yarwell

Allen Sharp Chris Underwood Ray Lee

Ian Robertson

30/01/11 Tixover

Andy Shrive Andrew Weatherby

27/02/11 Stainby

Dave Andrews Angie Gomm

Steve Green

13/03/11 LRS R1 Newton Lodge,

Derbyshire

27/03/11 Duck End

Simon Goodall David Hedley

17/04/11 Coney Green

Ray Lee Jim Davies

Ruth Tallis

01/05/11 LRS R2 Uplands Coppice,

Glazeley, Bridgenorth. WV16

5LS

22/05/11 Marefield

Pip Evans Simon Biggs Alistair Scarlet

Chaze

05/06/11 LRS R3 Yarwell, Lincs.

PE8 6PN

26/06/11 Bullring Farm Harbury

Graham Lapidge Sue Carver

Ian Robertson

10/07/11 LRS R4

Duck End, Kettering, Northants. NN14 4AD

31/07/11 Newton Lodge

Tom Gardner Jim Davies Brian Elliott

21/08/11 Billesdon

Simon Biggs Alistair Scarlet

04/09/11 LRS R5 Bickford Field, Shurdlington,

Cheltenham GL51 4XP

25/09/11 Yarwell

Dave Andrews James Brown

02/10/11 LRS R6 Coney Green,

Stourport, Worcestshire.

DY13 0TE

23/10/11 Weekley Hall Wood

Chris

Underwood Dave Hedley

27/11/11 Stibbington

Simon Goodall Andrew Shaw

OCTOBER 2011

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2011 Club Membership Fees

Membership for 12 months

(includes all members of your family) £25 Magazine by post

£15 Magazine by email

Day Membership £5.00

Trial Fees £20.00 per trial for driver

£5.00 for 2nd driver/TYRO and £5.00

for passenger

A.M.D.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE

MERRYLEES

LEICESTERSHIRE

01530 230023

Range Rover

Land Rover

Discovery

Parts & Accessories NEW & USED

ALL YEARS ALL MODELS

Well done the LRS

Challenge for

another exciting

year

OCTOBER 2011

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Chairman’s Chat

Chairman’s Chat

The month started off badly

with the news that Ray Lee had

been badly injured in an

accident. Things got worse

when Sandie Parsons, the

owner of the Yarwell site got in

touch on the Wednesday before

the event to say that she had

double booked the venue.

Fortunately, she also owns

Tixover and she was letting us

use this instead. There was a bit

of panic while we tried to let

everyone know about the

change. Thankfully Simon

Goodall came to the rescue with

a global e-mail to let everyone

know. Thankfully, everything

went well at Tixover and

everyone seemed to have

received the message.

We were pleasantly surprised to

joined by the Deacon brothers

Mike and Anthony who are

founding members of the Viking

Club. They don’t come along

very often, but Mike showed us

that he hasn’t lost his touch by

winning class 1 in RTV+. We

were also surprised to see Ray

Lee turn up to compete. He was

a bit smashed up, but nothing

was going to stop him trialling –

brave man.

The Coney Green Challenge was

another resounding success

with yet another full entry. A

huge thank you to all the guys

and girls who worked hard to

make it all run like clockwork.

Congratulations must go to

Viking members Allen and David

Sharpe, who annihilated the

opposition to take 1st overall in

Class 3 of the LRS Challenge

series. Sadly, the event ended

early for me with a completely

smashed CV and a twisted half-

shaft. However this did give me

an opportunity to have a chat

with the trials rep for Midland

Off-road Club (MOC) Our

numbers turning up for trials

have dropped in recent times,

but only 4 guys had expressed a

desire to enter their last trial.

These 4 guys decided to drive

over to join in with the Staffs

4x4 Club for their trial. When

they got there, they only had 4

guys turn up as well, so it was a

good job that they’d gone over

to make an event of it. They

have asked if we want to get

together for some events next

year so that we will all have

plenty of competitors. This will

be discussed at the committee

meeting.

I write this article just before

going to the meeting which will

discuss venues for next year and

matters for the AGM. The AGM

will be on the November Club

Night, so please make an effort

to be there. As per usual, all

committee positions become

vacant at the AGM so if you

want to become more involved

in the running of the Club, or

are prepared to help run and

organise events, please let me

know. We would all love to just

turn up and have a fun day, but

this can’t happen if members

don’t set it all up before hand.

These things don’t happen by

magic, so please help.

I am now looking forward to the

next trial at Weekley Hall Wood

near Kettering. It’s a very large

venue which I have worked hard

to get. I’m excited to get in

there to explore and to see

what the terrain is like. I would

like to ask all members who

come along to the venue to be

on their best behaviour and

make sure that no litter is left

laying around. The estate

manager will be about so I want

to show him that we are a

responsible and well behaved

club. The Challenge guys might

like to come and have a go, as it

will be a venue for one of next

years’ Challenge events.

That’s all for now, hope to see

you all at the new Kettering

venue soon.

Cheers Pip.

TREASURER WANTED

The club needs a new Treasurer.

Are you willing to be that person?

Please consider standing for the

post at the AGM on 3rd November.

OCTOBER 2011

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2011 Committee

Chairman Pip Evans

01858 433128

Treasurer Matt Crabtree

01162 404250 Events Secretary Donna Bradley

01530 222168 Sites Co-ordinator

Pip Evans

01858 433128 Scorer Kevin Bradley &

Simon Goodall Awards Secretary

Kevin Bradley

01530 222168 General Secretary

Andy Shrive

01858 433775 Membership Secretary

Tony Davies

07850 314987 Social Secretary Vacant Position H&S Rep Simon Evans

01162 213956 Webmaster Simon Goodall

01858 445837 Magazine Editor Simon Goodall

01858 445837 CPO Andy Weatherby

07748 966555 Green Lane Rep Richard Jeacock

01858 463579 Youth Rep Richard Evans

01162 213956 Showroom Rep Ian Robertson

01455 208174 RTV Rep Ray Lee

02476 674732 RTV+ Rep Richard

Cumberland

07787 508854 Club Shop Pip Evans

01858 433128 Challenge Rep Allen Sharp

07974 082161 Chief Scrutineer Paul Cumberland

07860255303 General Committee Members

Bev Cumberland, Hayley Evans

MSA Rep Kevin Bradley

01530 222168

RESULTS FROM TIXOVER

Showroom: Class 1

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Mark Anning 0 6 0 0 0 0 0 9 7 0 22

Paul Anning 9 5 0 5 7 0 0 0 8 0 34

S.H. Autos Modified Showroom

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Ian Robertson 6 2 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 18

RTV: Class 2

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Brian Davis 0 3 8 0 1 5 0 4 3 3 27

Simon Biggs 0 3 8 4 0 0 0 2 4 9 30

Alistair Scarlet 0 0 8 3 9 0 0 0 5 8 33

Class 3

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Tom Ludlow 10 5 2 0 9 6 0 8 3 8 51

Graham Lapidge 10 3 5 8 6 0 4 10 4 7 57

Simon Goodall 10 3 7 5 9 9 6 10 9 9 77

RTV Modified Invitation

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Ray Lee 0 0 9 3 4 0 0 0 0 8 24

RTV+:

Class 1 C of C

Tom Gardner

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Mike Deacon 8 5 8 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 23

Anthony Deacon 6 4 8 1 1 7 2 0 0 0 29

Paul Cumberland 4 8 5 8 0 0 0 6 0 0 31

Richie Cumberland 5 6 5 0 3 9 2 0 5 1 36

Class 2

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Pip Evans 6 5 5 7 8 0 6 8 6 4 55

Class 3

Name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Total

Richie Frost 5 4 1 3 0 2 4 0 2 0 21

For Spares or Repair

M Reg (1994) Suzuki Vitara JLX 3 door. Hardtop. Dark grey. 1590cc 16 valve 80,000 miles 5 Reasonable tyres. Good engine. Central locking/immobiliser/alarm. Folding rear seats. CD player. Offers.

Tel: 01455 209463 Email: Ali280688@aol.com

OCTOBER 2011

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National Motorsport Week to start with Goodwood and end with Grand Prix Next year‟s National Motorsport

Week (30 June to 8 July) will feature

two of the most popular events on the

UK motor sport calendar: the

Goodwood Festival of Speed and the

Santander British Grand Prix at

Silverstone. The grand prix dates were recently

confirmed as 6-8 July 2012, while The Earl of March, patron of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, has announced that the world‟s largest celebration of motoring culture is provisionally scheduled to take place over the weekend of 29 June to 1 July. “While these two high profile events will help us to put the spotlight on the UK‟s world-leading achievements, it‟s essential that we maximise the

opportunity to engage with more people and encourage them to get involved,” said MSA Chief Executive Colin Hilton. “Whether it‟s as a competitor at grass roots level, an active member of a local motor club, or a trackside volunteer, motor sport has so much to offer. There are many opportunities in many different disciplines for those inspired and excited by these major events, and that‟s what National Motorsport Week

is all about.” National Motorsport Week 2012 will build on the great success of this year‟s initiative, which shone a spotlight on motor sport with a range of activities, from open days at some of the country‟s top teams to novice taster days organised by motor clubs throughout the country

Go Motorsport at the National Motorsport Show This year‟s National Motorsport Show – Motorsport UK – at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on 5-6 November is being run in association with Go Motorsport. East Midlands Regional Development Officer (RDO) Richard Egger will be manning the Go Motorsport stand at the show, and all clubs, societies, and associations are being offered free floor space. For more information visit www.motorsportshow.co.uk or email info@motorsportshow.co.uk Join the Go Motorsport campaign There are many ways for you to play your part in encouraging more newcomers into all areas of motor sport: Direct anyone interested in competing, volunteering or visiting a live motor sport event to the „Go Drive‟, „Go Help‟ and „Go See‟ sections of the Go Motorsport website, www.GoMotorsport.net

Help us to set up a visit to your local school by emailing the relevant contact details to info@GoMotorsport.net

Promote the initiative by running Go Motorsport decals on your competition car. A selection of free decals is available from info@GoMotorsport.net

Include Go Motorsport advertisements in your event programmes. Artwork is available from the „downloads‟ section of www.GoMotorsport.net

Establish web links to the Go Motorsport website where relevant

or possible.

Distribute Go Motorsport and Let‟s Go Karting promotional materials. Flyers, pencils, DVDs and other materials are available from info@GoMotorsport.net

VFWDC OFF-ROAD CHARITY EVENT

SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS INTRODUCTION. Viking Four Wheel Drive Club Off-Road Charity Event (in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Support) is an event that will encompass various disciplines of off-road club motorsport that will attract the 4x4 enthusiasts. The events will consist of: Orienteering, Trial, Gymkhana and Treasure Hunt Sections. Eligible competitors must be able to comply with the regulations as set out below. 1. The Viking Four Wheel Drive Club will organise a Clubmans Off-Road (4x4) Orienteering Event on Sunday 8

th

January 2012 at Newton Lodge, Derbyshire.

Jurisdiction. 2. The event will be governed by the General Regulations of the MSA, (incorporating the provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA), these Supplementary Regulations and any written instructions that the organising club may issue for the event.

Authorisation. 3. MSA Permit Number has been applied for.

Eligibility. 4. The event is open to all VFWDC members and members from the following clubs: Midland Off Road Club Buxton & District Land Rover Club. The entry fee is £25.

Objective. 5. The object of the driving event is to locate and visit various way-markers, the location of which will be indicated by map on the day. Each way-marker will be identified by a number to verify it is the desired objective. The way-marker will be attached to a fixed point on the objective.

OCTOBER 2011

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A control card (attached by the Scrutineer to a consistent point on all vehicles) must be marked with the pin punch (the way marker) in the correct box as proof that the objective has been visited. The vehicle must negotiate close enough to the point to collect the way marker without detaching either the pin punch and or the control card. There will also be special tasks, which are worth extra points. These may include driving and non-driving puzzles, trials sections which may be required to be completed in reverse gear or against the clock. Any code boards sighted must be recorded as required. The event will be for individual vehicles, each of which must carry one driver and one co-driver (herein referred to as a Team) providing they are accommodated in securely fixed seats and wearing approved seatbelts or harnesses.

Programme. 6. Competitors will be required to sign-on and present their vehicle to the Scrutineer between 08.00hrs and 09.00hrs on Sunday, 8

th January 2012, where

documentation and instructions will be distributed, allowing entrants to locate way-markers and complete tasks. Drivers Briefing, to which all competitors MUST attend, will be at 10:00 where further verbal instructions may be given.

Classes. 7. The event will be split into the three following classes: Class 1 - Showroom. Must have a current MOT and valid Road Taxation. The maximum vehicle width shall be 2000mm (78 ¾ inches). Battery must be secure - and covered to prevent acid spillage unless fitted under the bonnet, please ensure battery clamp is visible to the Scrutineer. Seat belts - minimum requirement – 2 point -, which must be chafe free and securely fixed. Tyres minimum pressure is 22 P.S.I. Road legal tyres only ~ which includes the speed rating. Only tyres fitted to wheels of standard diameter as supplied by the manufacturer may be used, however a more aggressive tread pattern is acceptable.

The maximum tyre diameter shall be 915mm (36 inches). No form of suspension lifts are allowed, however body protection, up rated bumpers and the removal of vulnerable lower trim panels are allowed. Fiddle brakes, Portal axels, four wheel steering and/or duplicate drive wheels are not allowed. General condition of vehicle should be reasonably clean with no sharp edges and have all rotating parts covered. Class 2 - Modified. Must have a current MOT and valid Road Taxation. The maximum vehicle width shall be 2000mm (78 ¾ inches). Front and rear towing points must be solidly fixed to the chassis, with high tensile bolts (if welded to scrutineer‟s discretion). Throttle return springs - 2 acting directly on the butterfly spindles/pump. Battery must be secure - and covered to prevent acid spillage unless fitted under the bonnet, please ensure battery clamp is visible to the Scrutineer. Seat belts - minimum requirement – 2 point -, which must be chafe free and securely fixed. Fire extinguishers 1.5kg Zero 2000 or 1.75lt AFFF foam, Tyres minimum pressure is 22 P.S.I. Road legal tyres only ~ which includes the speed rating. The maximum tyre diameter shall be 915mm (36 inches). Portal axels, four wheel steering and/or duplicate drive wheels are not allowed. General condition of vehicle should be reasonably clean with no sharp edges and have all rotating parts covered.

Class 3 – CCV.

Foot brake must be effective. Hand brake must be effective. Front and rear towing points must be solidly fixed to the chassis, with high tensile bolts (if welded to scrutineer‟s discretion). The self-starter must work. The steering must be in good order. Throttle return springs - 2 acting directly on the butterfly spindles/pump. Battery must be secure - and covered to prevent acid spillage

unless fitted under the bonnet, please ensure battery clamp is visible to the Scrutineer. Roll over protection (R.A.C.M.S.A. blue book or A.R.C. spec) minimum requirement is a manufacturer‟s hardtop (which the scrutineers must pass) with all bolts and fixings in place. Seat belts - minimum requirement – 2 point -, which must be chafe free and securely fixed. Fuel tank must be securely fixed and free from teaks and cap seals must be in good condition. Tow rope 25mm nylon or polypropylene with a braided eye at both ends). Fire extinguishers 1.5kg Zero 2000 or 1.75lt AFFF foam, Tyres minimum pressure is 22 P.S.I. Road legal tyres only ~ which includes the speed rating. Exhaust, suitably silenced with exposed parts shielded. The maximum tyre diameter shall be 915mm (36 inches). Portal axels, four wheel steering and/or duplicate drive wheels are not allowed. General condition of vehicle should be reasonably clean with no sharp edges and have all rotating parts covered. In the event of a major damaging incident a Scrutineer must inspect the vehicle before continuing.

Awards. 9. Awards will be presented to the highest placed team in each class. Special awards will be presented at the organisers discretion.

Road book. 10. Teams will be issued with location maps and instructions which will detail the scoring system and which way-markers classes are allowed to collect. There will be three grades of way-markers to collect depicting different degrees of difficulty. Timed sections will be limited in length to less than 200 metres as per MSA rules.

Officials of the meeting. Secretary of the Meeting Kevin Bradley 11, St Matthews Avenue Worthington Ashby de la Zouch Leics. LE65 1SF 01530 222168 sites@viking4x4club.com

OCTOBER 2011

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VIKING 4x4 CHARITY EVENT

8th JANUARY 2012 - £25 per vehicle Newton Lodge, Nr Donington Park (DE7 8BQ)

70 acres of wood and mud to explore 3 classes – ‘Showroom’ ‘Modified’ ‘CCV’

More info vikingteam7@viking4x4club.com

OCTOBER 2011

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OCTOBER 2011

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OCTOBER 2011

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Reports from Tixover

RTV We had a reasonable turn out at Tixover with 7 people competing and a visit from Rob Vizma who you may remember from about 12 months ago, who swears he’s going to get a new vehicle so we look forward to seeing him compete very shortly! Also making a welcome return was Tom Ludlow with some nice new rubber on his Dakar. Dave and Angie had set up some cracking courses. Tixover was unusually dry so we started off over the back of the site in an area not usually travelled because normally it’s too muddy, the elephants graveyard! There were two sections here both of which proved to be quite hard. Sections 1 was OK except all of the larger cars caught the 10 cane but at least we were even. This was a good route through s puddle up the hill and down again before a final climb to the 1 gate. Reversed proved easier except all the larger cars were caught out by the 3 cane where the turn was just too tight to make and nobody put their shunt there! Section 3&4 were further into the

unknown area with a couple of mud runs. Nothing that proved too difficult to get through except I did manage to cross axle my vehicle and got stuck as I tried a different line into the 7 gate, clearly the wrong line! Powering through the mud runs made people catch canes that should really have been easy, but that’s the name of the game! We then headed for the centre of the site over by the large tank trap that looked to have been recently dug out. A nasty cross axle at the start of this section caught out quite a few, long and short wheelbase alike until the later runners spotted the correct line to take. We had lunch then reversed this section. Whether it was the sandwich I ate I don’t know but a lack of effort saw me cross axled where really a bit more right foot and I would have got through. Points were slipping away as the others managed not to fall into the same mistake as I did. We were then on the small hills down from the entrance for sections 7 & 8. You needed a sat nav to remember where to go but the problem was the quick changes in momentum needed between short steep uphill, then short steep downhills which proved to be very tricky. Reversed the bigger cars had

trouble getting a clean approach to the 10 gate with only Tom managing to get through it. Finally we did the long steep hills by the entrance. Powering up the hill Dave and Angie had set a gate just off the main ruts which required a quick climb out in the last few metres. Everybody did that but the crossed canes just after caught me out and the angled cane at the top of the down slope caught everybody else out. Reversed this proved a big challenge to get up the hill which had now got a covering of loose rubble. Grip was lacking as wheels spun resulting in some high scores. Being so far off the points by this time I decided to chicken out and just hubbed gate 10, knowing my Disco was in for an MOT the next day I did not want to break anything important! (It passed by the way.) Well done to Tom Ludlow who won class 3 on his first outing this year, clearly the new rubber did the trick. Thanks also to Dave and Angie for using bits of Tixover we had not recently used. Simon G RTV+ If you’ve read the Chairman’s Chat report, you will know about the dramas earlier in the week which meant that we ended up at Tixover instead of Yarwell. My main concern was to try to make sure that everyone knew about the change of venue. There was also one other minor problem which presented itself on the morning of the event. After Simon Goodall’s sterling efforts to ensure that we all used the green lane to get from the A47 to the site, the police had cordoned it off so we were prevented from using it as they were clearing up after an illegal rave.

OCTOBER 2011

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We had a healthy turnout of six competitors for the RTV+ section for this event. Allen Sharp was missing due to a big Challenge event in Devon against some of the top teams in the country, but our numbers were bolstered by the welcome appearance of Mike and Anthony Deacon. For those of you who don’t know them, they are the owners of AMD Land Rover spares who have always advertised their company in our club magazine. They were there at the formation of the Viking Club back in the 1970’s and their Viking membership numbers are 2 and 3. Tom Gardner had set this one up for us and he started us off with a couple of tough sections near the pond. There were some concerns about one steep drop through gate 7, so Tom opened out the gate to make it a little less of a drop. We all collected points on section one, with Paul Cumberland doing the best effort by gaining a 4 in his new truck. Everyone gained either a 5 or a 4 on section 2 with no one able to climb up through the steep climb to the 4 gate. For section 3, Tom had utilised a very rocky

section. There were again concerns that vehicles would be unable to make the initial climb onto the rocks, but we nonetheless gave it a go. There were a few 8’s and 9’s gained on this one, but Richie Frost managed to use his Shunt to good advantage to gain a score of 1. Section 4 was the reverse of 3, but the climb onto the rocks was deemed too difficult. This was sorted by competitors building an impromptu rockery to make a bit of a ramp onto the top of the big rocks. The scores were a bit more respectable this time, with a few clears being attained. Progress had been quite slow so it was lunchtime by the time we had completed 4 sections. We had a leisurely lunch hour then went back to the pond area for section 5. Tom must have taken pity on us as the afternoon sections were a little less taxing than the morning. Most of us managed to get pretty low scores on this one, apart from myself as I was collecting scores like they were going out of fashion. This section was reversed with a few clears, but there were also a few who hit the 7 gate. Mike Deacon seems to have taken some wonder drug at this point as it was

the start of a run of clears right through to the end. Tom led us to a section nearer to the site entrance for section 7. This was a nice open section which utilised some lumps and bumps over sandy ground with none of the truck breaking rocks about. The Deacons’ delightful little series 1 was obviously feeling indignant at being put through its paces and demonstrated its distain by blowing a top hose. Luckily, they had a spare, so this was quickly fixed and they were off again. Section 8 was the reverse of 7. This one proved to be a little tricky, with a few high scores being collected, but strangely, there were also a few clears. We then moved to the big slopes to the left of the main entrance, but found that the RTV crew were in the same area so we waited for them to finish first. Sections 9 and 10 were fairly straightforward and most competitors cleared these, again apart from myself as I was still engaged in a points collecting frenzy. The final analysis was that I had collected a huge score of 55, but still managed to come first in class, as I was the only one in the class. The real competition had been in class 1 with the 4 competitors fighting hard for supremacy. Paul Cumberland was still getting used to his new motor and collected 31, Anthony Deacon had 29, Richie Cumberland had 26 but the class win went to Mike Deacon on 23, having had an excellent run of clear rounds. However, the class act of the day was Richie Frost in Class 3, who skilfully manoeuvred his Rangey and by clever application of the shunt facility collected only 21 points on the day. A good day was had by all and a big thank-you to Tom for setting up for us. Pip Evans

OCTOBER 2011

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LRS Challenge Britpart Round 6 – Coney Green

After a week of record breaking temperatures and the highest October temperatures since records began, the LRS Challenge had its final round of the 2011 championship at the excellent Coney Green off-road site. This event was individually sponsored by Britpart, the leading independent wholesaler of parts and accessories for Land Rover vehicles, supplying in excess of 800 customers worldwide from government agencies to trade outlets. There was another full entry of 35 trucks for this event and as we have come to expect the pre-event instructions and general administration was to a very high standard. The organising team had everything working like clockwork and signing-on and scrutineering went very smoothly. The drivers briefing was held dead on time at 09.45 and the event got underway at 10.00. The organisers have been keen to give competitors the best possible challenge experience and are always looking for ways to improve and to react to post event feedback. For this event, the punches were spread out more widely across the whole site in order to minimise

bunching and the punch locations more visible as competitors wanted the challenge to be more about getting to the punches rather than hunting for the punch locations. This worked a treat as no one was grumbling about driving around aimlessly trying to find punches and there was hardly any queuing to get to punches. Once again, the tough nature of the event manifested itself in the form of broken trucks and the casualties were gradually mounting up as the day progressed. The post event LRS facebook group was again full of tales of woe, with Si Sagar reporting an early exit with a burned out winch motor and a punctured rad, his only fail of the series. Gordon Conway reported a broken half shaft at about the same time, but was able to carry on in three wheel drive. The usually unbeatable Simon Lee had engine problems which resulted in his only fail of the series. Simon reported that his truck fired up and ran perfectly for an hour without fault the next day, he is flummoxed as to what the problem was. Roger Smith posted the fact that his truck had overheating problems –

along with his winchman. With such a hot day, this was a problem that a number of competitors encountered. There were also posts from marshals Dean Holt Jon Dunn and Greg Longson stating how much they enjoyed officiating at the event despite some very early starts. There is no doubt that the LRS is a tough, competitive series, but much has also been said about the friendly and helpful nature of the events. This was perhaps best demonstrated when Dan Hickling rolled his truck against a tree. The position of the truck necessitated a lengthy recovery,

OCTOBER 2011

Page 16

Team 24 pairing on Mark Towle & Andy Finlay and Team 8 pairing Chris & Tom Booth gave up a considerable amount of punch collecting time to help right the truck. The recovery could have been effected very quickly, but the guys took their time to gingerly right the truck so that no damage would be caused. Amazingly there was no loss of fluids, the truck fired up easily, so Dan and winchman Simon Essam were able to carry on shortly after. As per usual, the event came to an end at 16.00 and Kevin Bradley again crunched the numbers to announce the scores in record time. Things proved to be close between 2nd and 4th on Class 1, but Roger Smith and Andrew Savage were clear winners on 4034 points. Class 3 was almost a carbon copy of class 1, with 2nd to 4th being very close and once again the indomitable Sharp brothers, Allen and David taking the spoils with 6349 points. The scores were more spread apart in Class 2 with Dan Hickling and Simon

Essam coming 3rd despite the down-time after their roll with 4132 points. The usually all conquering Simon Lee and Jonathan Wood were relegated to 2nd place with 4848 points. An amazing score considering their early retirement. However the Class win went to young Jake Cooper and winchman Steve Jeffries with 5335 points. Jake has struggled hard to become more competitive as the series progressed and his efforts were finally rewarded with a well deserved class win. Event sponsors Britpart had generously donated a winch kit bag containing various bits of winch kit to each of the class winners and Clerk of the Course Andy Dunnicliffe and series sponsor Derrick Johnson handed out the trophies and prizes for the victorious teams. The event winners were announced at the event, but the LRS championship has one more twist to keep the guys guessing. Only the best five scores count from the six round championship. This gives

competitors more of a chance if they have to miss a round or if they have one bad event. It also makes the final scores much closer than would otherwise be the case. In the Championship scorings, 30 points are awarded for a win, 28 for 2nd 26 for 3rd etc. Kevin Bradley, ‘scoresmeister extraordinaire’, sat at home in a quiet place to work this one out. There are so many superlatives, so many people to thank, so many tales of triumph over adversity, so many sponsors and volunteers to thank, so much more to say about the LRS Challenge series that it would be impossible to do so in this report. This will be done in a Season Overview in the next edition of this most excellent publication.

OCTOBER 2011

Page 17

Committee Meeting

5th October 2011

Present: 9 members

Apologies: Kevin

Bradley, Richard

Cumberland

Minutes of last meeting

Pip read out the minutes

of the last meeting.

Matters Arising

Any volunteers to run

the beginners Winter

Challenge series? Has to

be simple set up for

beginners. Yarwell mid

Jan, possibly Stainby in

mid March, Fees will be

£25 per vehicle.

Charity Challenge is

Newton Lodge in January

8th at Newton Lodge

Kevin B is organising

this.

Simon G will source a

new club flag.

Boughton Estate Pip has

signed the contract we

have 6 dates between

April & October.

Inter Club Trials

Idea of a joint

interclub trial with MOC

and Mid Staffs. The

proposal is for a series

of 6 trials. Each trial

would be a joint club

championship and also

the individual club

championship scores

would count as well.

Would mean 4 less events

for us to organise and

pay site fees for. Trial

fees would go to the

organising club. There

was some discussion

about the differing

rules of the different

clubs. This was agreed

in principle and Pip

will explore further.

Scouts Experience Day -

was a well attended

event this last year and

was well received. Was

agreed to try and get

the Oxenden site in a

date in May.

Equipment - need cane

top numbers. Where to

get them? Does anyone

know of a supplier?

First Aid kit needs

refreshing particularly

with Safety Scissors

Andy S will source

these.

In mag - did anybody

pick up the RTV+ fire

extinguisher.

AGM Matters

We need a new treasurer

and a meeting secretary.

Agenda Items

1. Punitive Measures 2. Change RTV+ to CCV

Stop using RTV+

Vehicles to be CCV

compliant.

3. Maximum tyre size to be 36"

4. No change in fees

Meeting closed at 9.15

ALWAYS WEAR CLEAN UNDERWEAR Always wear clean underwear in

public, especially when working

under your vehicle.

From the Daily Star comes this story of a couple who drove their

car to Asda, only to have their car

break down in the car park.

The man told his wife to carry on with the shopping while he fixed

the car.

The wife returned later to see a

small group of people near the car.

On closer inspection, she saw a pair

of hairy legs protruding from under the chassis.

Unfortunately, although the man

was in shorts, his lack of

underpants turned his private parts into glaringly public ones.

Unable to stand the

embarrassment, she dutifully stepped forward, quickly put her

hand UP his shorts, and tucked

everything back into place.

On regaining her feet, she looked across the bonnet and found

herself staring at her husband who

was standing idly by.

The RAC mechanic, however, had to have three stitches in his

forehead.

THE BEST AUSSIE PICK UP LINE EVER?

An Aussie walks into a pub and

takes a seat next to a very attractive woman.

He gives her a quick glance then casually looks at his watch for a

moment.

The woman notices this and asks:

'Is your date running late?' 'No', he replies, 'I just got this

state-of the-art watch, and I was just testing it.'

The intrigued woman says: 'A

state-of-the-art watch? What's so special about it?'

The Aussie explains: 'It uses alpha waves to talk to me telepathically.'

The lady says, 'What's it telling you now?'

'Well, it says you're not wearing any panties.'

The woman giggles and replies: 'Well it must be broken, because I

am wearing panties!'

The Aussie smiles, taps his watch

and says: 'Bloody thing's an hour fast!'

OCTOBER 2011

Page 18

TYRO Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Dan Bryant - 4 - 4 - 3 - 4 4 - 19

Clayton Hedley - 3 4 4 - - 4 - - - 15

Joe Bryant - - - 3 - 4 - 2 - - 9

Liam Gee - - - - - 2 - 3 1 - 6

Richard Evans 4 - - - - - - - - - 4

Sian Bradley - - - - - - - - 3 - 3

Jake Duthie - - - - - - - - 2 - 2

Showroom 1 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Richard Bryant - 4 - 4 - 4 - 4 - - 16

Steve Green - - S - - - - - - - 4 4

Mark Anning - - - - - - - - - 4 4

Paul Anning - - - - - - - - - 3 3

Showroom 2 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

David Hedley - 4 4 S - - 4 - - 4 16

Showroom 3 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Donna Bradley - 4 4 4 - 3 4 4 4 - 27

James Brown - 1 3 3 - 4 - 3 3 S 4 21

Steve Green 4 3 - - - - - - - - 7

Michael Cockram 3 2 - - - - - - - - 5

Richard Bryant - - - - - - - - 2 - 2

SH Autos Modified Showroom Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Ian Robertson S 3 3 - 2 3 S - 4 4 8 27

Chaze Melluish - 2 4 - - S 4 - - - 4 14

Andrew Shaw - 1 - 4 - 4 - - - - 9

Brian Elliott - - - - - - - S S - 8 8

Simon Evans 4 - - - - - - - - - 4

Andrew Weatherby - S - - - - - - - - 4 4

Richard Jeacock - 4 - - - - - - - - 4

Shaun Russell - - - - 4 - - - - - 4

Dave Ellard - - - - 3 - - - - - 3

Kim Andressen - - - - 1 - - - - - 1

RTV 1 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

0

RTV 2 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Alistair Scarlet 4 4 4 4 4 S 4 4 S 2 8 38

Chris Underwood S 2 1 - 3 4 2 - 4 - 4 20

Simon Biggs - 3 3 3 - S - - S 3 8 20

Andrew Shrive 3 S - - - - 3 3 - - 4 13

Brian Davis - - 2 - - - - - 3 4 9

Paul Sutton - - - - - - - 2 - - 2

David Parks 2 - - - - - - - - - 2

Richard Parks 1 - - - - - - - - - 1

RTV 3 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Jim Davies 3 4 4 4 S 3 - S - - 8 26

Angie Gomm 4 3 S - 4 - 3 3 - S 8 25

Simon Goodall 2 2 3 S - 2 4 - 4 2 4 23

Graham Lapidge - 4 - - 4 4 S 4 - 3 4 23

Sue Carver - - - - - - S - - - 4 4

Tom Ludlow - - - - - - - - - 4 4

RTV Modified Invitation Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Ray Lee S 3 4 4 S 4 4 4 4 4 8 39

Dave Andrews 4 4 S - - 3 3 3 - S 8 25

RTV+ 1 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Richard Cumberland 4 4 - - 3 4 S 3 - 1 4 23

Paul Cumberland - - - - 4 3 - 4 - 2 13

Mike Deacon - - - - - - - - - 4 4

Anthony Deacon - - - - - - - - - 3 3

RTV+ 2 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Tom Gardner - 3 - 4 4 2 3 S 4 S 8 28

Pip Evans - - 4 3 3 S 4 - 3 4 4 25

David Parks - - 4 - 2 4 - - - - 10

Paul Cumberland 4 4 - - - - - - - - 8

Richard Parks - - 3 - 1 3 - - - - 7

RTV+ 3 Name D J F M A M J J A S O N Set Total

Richard Frost 4 4 4 3 S 4 4 3 4 4 4 38

Allen Sharp S 3 S 4 4 3 - 4 3 - 8 29

2011 CHAMPIONSHIP SCORES H

The next Social Evening is on Wednesday 2nd November 7.30pm at the

Rose & Crown, Houghton on the Hill. THIS IS ALSO THE VIKING 4x4 CLUB AGM

OCTOBER 2011

Page 19

How to get to

Weekly Hall Wood

1. 1. Travelling East along the A14

(From the M6 towards Cambridge)

2. Exit the A14 at junction 7 (Stamford, Corby, Kettering,

A43) 3. Keep left on the exit sliproad

4. At the roundabout, take the 1st

exit towards Corby, Stamford (Also Rockingham Motor

Speedway - RMS) 5. Drive along the dual

carriageway for about 1 mile.

6. At the roundabout, keep to the left land and take the 1st exit to

Corby, Oakham A6003 also RMS Continue to follow A6003.

7. Continue for about 1 mile. You

will pass under electricity pylons, shortly after you will

see a Green sign on the left showing that the right lane

closes in 350 yards. Look to your right and you will see the

site entrance on the other

carriageway. At this point – take the right lane and look for

the next right turn. 8. Do a U turn at the junction and

head back towards Kettering.

9. Turn Left onto a gravel road with a Barton sign to the right

of the entrance. 10. Follow the gravel track until you

see a parking area to your left.

Note: You may find it easier to

approach via Corby as you will be

on the correct side of the dual carriageway.

1. From Market Harborough, when

you get to the large roundabout at the BP petrol station on the

outskirts of Corby, take the 3rd

exit - A6003 towards Danesholme & Kettering and

follow it all the way. 2. Go over one roundabout.

3. Pass under a railway bridge then electricity pylons.

4. Shortly after the pylons, keep

an eye out for the sign – Geddington 2, Light vehicles

only, just after passing this sign, take the gravel road to

the left.

Nearest Building to the site entrance: Botany Farm House

Rockingham Road Glendon KETTERING NN14 1QG

OCTOBER 2011

Page 20

This Years Viking Christmas Dinner is at:

The Shires, Peatling Parva LE17 5PU

Festive Disco Party Night - 3 course meal including disco £24.95

Saturday 3rd December 2011. 7.00 pm for 7.30 pm Ends Midnight

To Start:- Help yourself to our extensive chilled seafood and savoury smorgasbord including: poached salmon, giant

prawns, mussels, pate’s, savoury hors d’ouvres, cured meats, cold roast meats and an assortment of seasonal salads,

dressings, crunchy bread and accompaniments. (If you want any of these, the order code is SS)

OR served to your table:

S1.Home made fresh mushroom soup enriched with double cream topped with a stilton cruton.

S2.Chilled various seasonal melon soaked in a Pimms syrup.

S3 Deep fried breaded camembert draped in a warm orange marmalade sauce.

S4. Creamy potted smoked haddock with a mature cheddar cheese gratinee.

S5. Deep fried fresh breaded mushrooms with a home-made garlic mayonnaise dip.

S6. Warm Cajun chicken in a bed of bacon and Caesar salad.

S7. Home-made chicken liver pate’ enriched with port and cognac with a caramelised onion

marmalade.

S8 Grilled giant tandoori chicken shashlick with mint yogurt onion salad and mango.

S9. Oak smoked salmon with capers and fresh lemon juice (£3 extra)

S10. Giant butterfly king prawns pan fried in garlic butter and onions (£6 extra)

To Follow – Let our chef carve for you a choice of our oven-roast joints

Roast leg of lamb, Roast loin of pork and crackling, Roast topside of beef with yorkshire pudding, Bonus crown of

turkey with chipolatas. (If you want any of these, the order code is MC)

Then help yourself to our market fresh vegetables, potatoes, traditional accompaniments and of course – out rich

stock gravy and giant Yorkshire puddings.

OR you may help yourself to our smorgasbord for your main course, all served to your table.

M1. Deep fried creamy brie and fresh spinach wrapped in filo pastry with a hot cranberry sauce.

M2. Slow roast Mediterranean vegetables with bubble & squeak.

M3. Wild mushroom and goats cheese tarte with a fresh tomato salsa.

M4. Fresh asparagus on a bed of rocket with a poached egg and parmigiana cheese.

M5. Fresh baked cod fillet with a herb crust and lemon butter.

M6. Fresh grilled plaice fillet with pancetta & oyster mushrooms.

M7. Monkfish, scallops and king prawns in a cream Pernod & garlic sauce (£6 extra)

M8. Fresh baked fillet of North Sea halibut with a shrimp butter (£6 extra)

M9. Chicken Melton Mowbray stuffed with stilton wrapped in bacon in a Madeira cream sauce (£2 extra)

M10. Bonus half crispy roast duckling with oranges and Cointreau (£5 extra)

M11. Individual fillets of beef wellington (£7 extra)

M12. Rack of lamb (£7 extra)

M13. Surf & Turf (£7 extra)

M14. Prime sirloin steak garni (£5 extra) (If you select a Steak choice, please state if)

M15. Prime fillet steak garni (£7 extra) (Well Done (W) Medium (M) or Rare (R) )

To Finish – A Selection of Desserts.

There are limited places available. The first 40 people who hand a £10 deposit to Pip Evans will get a

place. There may be a chance for a few more places if the pub has spaces but this will need to be

confirmed before a place can be confirmed. If no space is available, your £10 will be refunded.

Fill out your menu selection and return it with £10 deposit to Pip.

Additional forms from http://www.viking4x4club.com/ChristmasDinner.pdf

Viking 4x4 Club Christmas Dinner

Saturday 3rd December 2011 7.00pm -7.30pm

The Shires Peatling Pava

Name of Party Leader Contact Phone Number

Name Starter Main Steak Code

Fred Bloggs SS M14 M

Deposit enclosed £10 per person

Please make cheques payable to Pip Evans