The TR International Weekend this year will be held over the weekend of 15th - 17th July 2016 at Lincolnshire Showground. The event is set to be the largest gathering of Triumphs in the UK this year as we feature the Club Triumph National Weekend and Standard Triumph Marque Day on the Sunday - all part of the same event!

The annual Concours D'Elegance and Pride of Ownership awards have been a mainstay of the event for decades and this year will enjoy a full makeover under the new management of Andrew Smith and his team. The awards will also feature displays and prizes for un-restored Triumph 'Survivors'. Andrew Smith gives us an update on the latest progress below.

Things are moving at pace. I have undertaken my first recce of the Lincoln Showground and, by the time you read this update, I will have carried out a second recce in mid-January. In the main, the internal and external facilities at Lincoln Showground are excellent and the surrounding countryside is steeped in history with many places of interest to visit. With nicely polished floors, the 'Concours Hall' at the Lincoln does not afford quite as much space as Avon Hall at Malvern and this will lead to a more intimate atmosphere. The Concours Hall will host the Meguiar's Concours categories and the Penrite Triumph Survivors display. There will be prudent use of internal space and greater use of the outside area, particularly as entries from Club Triumph are a welcomed addition.

Current planning assumptions will see the Pride of Ownership entries displayed in the outside area adjacent to the Concours Hall. The awards ceremony is planned to be held on the grassed outside area (with a wet weather contingency in place) and the timing is planned to be brought forward from its traditional 4pm to around midday on Sunday; this will allow greater participation by members, the public and celebration of award winners.

Reviewing the existing rules, guidance and scoring criteria for the primary categories is almost complete and where required have been amended or rewritten - all to be published on the club's website and Forum in due course. However, it's safe to say the general format will remain relatively unchanged for 2016, but with some significant changes planned for 2017 and beyond; evolution not revolution!

I am also reviewing the individual trophies awarded with the intent, subject to budget, of ensuring better quality awards are presented. In addition, all category winners will be photographed with their award next to their pride and joy – results and photographs will be hosted on the club's website and Forum within 5 working days following the International Weekend.

Meguiar's, sponsors of the Concours events, have eagerly agreed to conduct at least three 20 - 30 minute individual product demonstrations per day in the Main Foyer e.g. interior care, soft top care, paintwork and engine bay detailing etc. The plan is to use TS2 as the glamorous 'model' and Meguiar's will also be giving away free product samples to those gathered around. Demonstration timings and programme to follow.

Meguiar's will also be hosting a Concours Detailing seminar/workshop at their UK HQ in Daventry on Saturday 7^th May – details and booking can be found here.

I would still very much welcome volunteers to step forward to assist with running the Concours Event - help is needed from setting up the hall to judging, and a few things in-between. So if you are interested and willing to help please email me on TRRConcours@gmail.com advising me what you'd like to help with, or call me on 07796 177115 (weekdays after 8pm and anytime at weekends).

So, this was just a brief update on current concours progress and outline planning for Lincoln. I will update further on progress.

The International Weekend in Lincoln 15-17th July 2016 is getting closer and there's still a lot to do!