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Round Britain Reliability Run


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OK, it's a Club Triumph event and to be honest, it looks a bit mad. But 2000 miles in 48 hours - I'm up for a bit of that! Sounds like it might be an adventure.

 

So, I'm 6'2 and 13 stone. My co-driver is 5'10 and 15 stone. We'd plan to do it in my TR3 and before I go any further with planning suggesting such madness to him, I thought I'd post up here and see if anyone had done it before.

 

1) It sounds fun. But is it really? Do you enjoy every minute or spend 90% of the time trying to stay awake, keeping one eye on the road and the other on the oil pressure/temperature gauge?

 

2) 2000 miles in 48 hours in a TR3. Madness or perfectly do-able?

 

3) Anyone else thinking of doing it from here?

 

Would appreciate anyone who has done it before commenting on their experiences.

 

Thanks.

 

Richard

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Yes, brilliant event, I loved it!

 

Did it in my TR3A first, and then 2 years later with a friend in his TR7V8. Admittedly the 7 was more comfortable, but no issues whatsoever in the 3A!

 

Roger Hogarth is an addict on this event and lots of other TR Register members also participate!

 

Club Triumph produce an excellent level of organisation and support.

 

Easy it is not, challenging it is, and rewarding without doubt if you manage to complete it.

 

Ian

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This and the other CT event, the 10CR (http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/forum10/Blah.pl/Blah.pl? Click on the "Events" button) are unique in classic motoring, AFAIK.

I've done both, once in an open two seater, twice in a four, with a three-man team. Tiredness is a real problem in the first case and careful 'watch-keeping' with the non-driver taking a sleep is IMHO essential. The driver MUST be able to navigate for themselves some of the time. After all, if you were a commercial driver, you or your firm would be breaking the law, however you do it!

 

There is a third, still informal event, that Top Gear used a while ago, across England west to east, against the Sun, The Sunset to Sunrise Challenge. Can you drive from Lands End to Lowestoft, the east-west extremities, on the night of Midsummer's Day? I didn't think it was possible without illegal speeds, but others have carefully worked it out and done it. http://club.triumph.org.uk/cgi-bin/forum10/Blah.pl/Blah.pl?m-1403630733/s-0/

 

John

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Well I've joined up with Club Triumph and spoken to my mate this morning, who thinks its a stupid idea. Which of course means he's up for it!

 

The list is currently at 151 with a maximum 150 entrants so we'll be on the reserve list but fingers crossed we get a place if we enter.

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Well I've joined up with Club Triumph and spoken to my mate this morning, who thinks its a stupid idea. Which of course means he's up for it!

 

The list is currently at 151 with a maximum 150 entrants so we'll be on the reserve list but fingers crossed we get a place if we enter.

 

I think that says how popular the event is, but don't worry, they always seem to fit everyone in as there are always some who have to drop out for various reasons.

I look forward to your article in TR Action..................

Good luck

Ian

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Hi Richard,

I've done it twice (2010 & 2014). The first time I did not prepare properly and was completely knackered on the third day. Thankfully My son Russell got me through.

2014 was the other way round - absolutely brilliant run - When we got back tot he finish I could have done another 4 or 5 hours -

Pro Plus & Redbull - works wonders.

 

Take useful spares, phones, maps, satnav, and the CT roadbook.

Plan your turns at driving and sleep when you can. Do not stop and talk at the check-in's. Sign the book and get going.

For the most part it is fun. There are periods when it is hard. When you have finished you will be chuffed to bu99ery.

 

Tim Hunt is a CT and TRR member and has done the run for the last 18 or so events - completely mad.

 

Roger

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" The first time I did not prepare properly and was completely knackered on the third day. "

 

That might have been the result of all the energy expended at the afternoon tea and cake stop . . . . . wrestling with Tyson Staffie, and having your face licked clean !! :D

 

You can blame me Roger, no problem, it was Tyson's first visit to a TR event . . . . . :rolleyes:

 

Cheers

 

Alec

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Encouraged by Richard (Rhino_Mac) I have entered too! (well on the wait list I guess) Ben's Wife was up for it - she reckons it will be one of the few times she will be allowed to drive NSU!

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2016 will be my 5th RBRR, current list of cars I've completed it in is: TR4 (Dove) , TR7 coupe, (Coca Cola Levis car as part of the TR Register / Classic Car Weekly team with TS2), TR7 V8 convertible (Grinnal, mine) and the last in 2014 was in a TR6.

 

The first time I did it was the hardest, but with experience comes the ability to cope with the tiredness and plan your sleeps and driving rota better. Car preparation before the event is key (not posh tuning bits, just solid reliability) as is keeping on the move and not taking too long at control stops. Learn the map and route many weeks beforehand and visit the drivers briefing and listen carefully to the advice.

 

Don't forget, Club Triumph are joining us at the TR International Weekend this year where we will have some of the experienced RBRR teams on display and in the arena for interviews for the 50th anniversary of the event. A good opportunity for novices to have a chat with some experienced RBRR fans and get some reassurance and advice.

 

The camaraderie on this event is second to none, as is the overwhelming feeling of achievement!

 

Beware the stretch between Gordano Services, Bristol and Lands End - this is when tiredness peaks.

 

See you there, team 43.

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I would expect anyone on the waiting list now will get to start, so get on that list!

 

With 150 entries there will be 20-odd drop out in the final month or so as cars fail to be ready, crews augment, co-drivers tell you they need to go to a wedding etc etc.

 

I found 3-up is the best solution, not so easy in a TR!

 

Some argue that having 3 drivers spoils to purity of the event.

 

One option is to tie up with a few guys in 4-seaters and send a spare driver round with them just in case.

 

Cheers

 

Colin

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well, I've found my co-driver at last so the entry went into the postbox about half an hour ago.

 

I think I will be somewhere around entry number 158 (just after Ben) so hopefully we'll get in. I might try and do something for charity through my business - we have about 30,000 followers at the moment via various social media platforms so with a Just Giving page and good cause hopefully we might be able drum up some cash from the general public (I realise it's in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind but I have a few other local charities a bit closed to my heart that could benefit from this too).

 

Looking forward to this now! Should be a blast and if I get lost on the way round, I'll just follow the sound of Bens TR3 in front of me!

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Fingers crossed Richard.

I'm trying to work out if Ben's wife's experience as an ultramarathon runner will come in handy! I don't think she's done 2000 miles in 48 hours. ????

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  • 4 months later...

Well, I've just heard from Club Triumph that we are now in! No 156. We appear to be the only TR3 and almost the oldest car...........no pressure!

 

Serious fettling now required! (for the car and the crew) :)

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I got my email today as well Ben - no. 158.

 

I believe there is another Red TR3a in the fleet that is local - a chap called Mike Aldridge owns it. I met him at Highcliffe Castle last year and he belongs to Three Counties Classic Car Club so I might catch up with him at the next meeting.

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  • 3 months later...

Fettling continues.

 

Nerves stating to jangle (I have confidence in the car but not this half of the crew!!) I'm spending a small fortune on spares on the theory that if I carry it the original installation won't fail!

 

Taking the old Cobra Cub seats out in anticipation of the arrival on Friday of the new, luxury bespoke seating from Racetorations. The co-driver says her bottom deserves it! (Who am I to disagree -_-;))

Vast quantities of Rain-X on order too.............

 

post-13503-0-74605400-1473802125_thumb.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Ben,

Do your new seats recline? Periods of sleep in the passenger seat are essential.

Graham (Team 139)

Graham, they don't recline but they are very comfy :). We will be taking a pillow!

Are you going to the Drivers Briefing?

 

post-13503-0-29497700-1474659541_thumb.jpg

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Sleep won't be a problem for me......I managed to fall asleep for most of the 4hr trip to Lincoln for the IWE blasting up the motorway with the hood down (I hasten to add that I was the passenger, not the driver!! :lol: ). ..............and that was in the old seats which I really didn't get on with. I don't know how many flies I must have swallowed :o

 

Looking forward to meeting you Graham, and team 139 and very excited about this event.

 

Vicky.

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