2010 Mile of Triumphs

Heavy, persistent rain forecast in East Anglia was not a good omen for the hastily re-arranged 2010 Mile of Triumphs at Fleggburgh, near Great Yarmouth this weekend. It tipped down on Saturday, we attended briefly, visiting CT friends in their hired mobile home for coffee, which was luxury compared to the campsite, with around 20 or so Triumphs camping one felt really sorry for them in their quagmire of a camp site. On the Saturday, there was a 95 mile run around Norfolk, which as it passed virtually by our front door we managed to do the route in reverse.

Sunday morning was even worse, it poured down all the way to Fleggburgh, standing water everywhere, with most of our CT members not attending, there where probably around 45 cars for the run to Yarmouth which for one Stag owner was eventful, being tail ended by a 4 x 4, making a mess of the chrome bumpers. Roundabouts where a bit slick as I found out with a large power slide, much to Gills disgust. We stuck with it for the run and the line up on the sea front, before some of us took shelter with coffee and bacon sarnies in a beach side cafe. The wind was up off the sea, and it was not too warm! so we spent a while in a few amusement arcades then left for home via the harbour road where we paused to watch a medium sized bulk carrier being towed out of the inner harbour to sea.

The event will take place next year, on the last weekend in September, and will revert back to original format of Show on Saturday, Mile of Triumphs on sea front Sunday, followed by rum around Norfolk, then back to Fleggburgh for a Funkana. Hopefully with decent weather. A few pics in between the rain.

Some of the Brave souls we turned out.

Head of the Queue for the Run to Yarmouth Sea Front.

Turned out nice again!

You can see the conditions which kept a large many people away.

Lined up along the Sea Front at Great Yarmouth.

Mor rain on its way.

Bulk Carrier towed out backwards from Inner Harbour.

Must have been a tense moment as the wind gets it and pushes front round to shore.

Tug gets control as pilot boat rushes to the scene.

Tow rope dropped and Bulk Carrier away under its own steam.

Next is the RBRR as 3rd driver with Andy Dann and Tony Cox, if he gets the car sorted.

Norfolk Gala

With the show season coming to an end, Sunday 5th September was Norfolk Gala Day at the Royal Norfolk Showground. This is a quite large show, and CT Norfolk Area had a good turnout. We had a corner plot, with plenty of space to park the cars and erect the gazebo, along with the usual flag and banner. We where a little away from other classics, being near the motorbikes, I think when we applied for a club stand they thought we where a motor bike club? Will remind them next year who we realy are.
On the subject of shows I notice that on recent CT forum posts there appears to be a negative opinion of shows in general, and of those who attend shows, also of shows run by other clubs and the term polishers is often used, I dont think you could apply this to CT Norfolk Area, yes we may have approx 8 to 10 realy nice, shiny cars, as well as other more scruffy ones, one of each of mine included in both catergories, but dont forget, these are driven quite regulary to shows all through summer, covering high milage totals in the day, Norfolks a big county! They also attend the smaller driving events, scenic runs, etc. Better this than sitting in a shed all year and only being brought out for the one big driving event. The club has to cater for both young and old, and for those who want to do either driving or showing, or both or surely it would not survive. Infact come to think of it the forum and the fairly vocal advocates of driving events are not truly representive of the membership of CT, I would guess they represent less than 10% of the CT membership. Anyway gripe over, Note:-this is my own opinion and I wont be discussing it.

Anyway, on with the show, there is plenty to do at this show, not only loads of classic cars, but trucks, both new and old, in fact I discovered for a small charity fee you could drive a truck and trailer around a section of the grounds. There was also classic and modern buses, including a couple of low floor buses of my design from back in my Marshall Bus Division days of about 12 years ago. There was also military vehicles, various demos by the police, fire, and ambulance services, as well as a host of stalls, a craft show, a car boot, and auto jumble, along with a beer tent and variety of food. In the main ring a couple of Monster trucks did a spot of car crushing, a dare devil biker jumped a few cars, and jumped through a ring of fire, and elsewhere where dog displays, raptor displays, dancing, music, and martial arts.
This was my first time out in my 7 since my back op about 6 weeks ago, so not being fully fit I just slowly hobbled round looking at a few things leaving others to do the grand tour.

Usual CT Norfolk Line up.

And 3 more round the corner.

Bernard Matthews original Austin. Bootiful!

2 Magenta Triumphs caught my eye.

Also 2 MK1 Escort Mexicos.

And a customised Triumph Renown.

Classic Car Mart

Gill got a couple of copys of Classic Car Mart tody from her photoshoot and twin test up against a Fiat X/19. Was a reasonable article, showed the TR7 FHC in quite good light, especially as a cheap, reliable runner, with all parts affordable, although IMO the author was a little biased towards mid engined classic sportscars and reckoned the X/19 had the edge in handling due to mid engine layout. All this from a 5 minute drive! I am hard pushed to think of any other mid engined sportscars from mid 70's to 81. The X/19 she was up against was the later (about 8 years younger) Bertone model.
Oh, and they inserted wrong picture of interior in TR7 column!
I made sure TR Drivers Club and Club Triumph got a website mention in article.
In next months Classic Car Mart is a Herald v Vittesse twin test.

Wednesday I got the all clear from the surgeon after my back operation to drive, so today, I drove the DHC for the first time in six weeks, its being a bit neglected in August, the passenger footwell had an inch of water in it, looks as though the door seal in the corners has flattened and is letting in water, also the N/S rear well in the boot was full of water, I had left a roll of bog roll in there since Le Mans, and it had gone soggy and blocked the drain hole.
Needed a good clean too for Norfolk Gala tommorow.