Brunel Newsletter No 197 - February 2018
Group Leader Ramblings
Just a reminder it is our AGM at the March meeting so if you wish to nominate yourself, or someone else for any of the club posts could you please do so at least a week before so I can issue the names in time for members to decide who they wish to vote for on the night.
Sadly another month where I have to report the sad loss of one our members.Audrey Gregory, partner of Dave Walker, sadly passed away in January, Audrey joined a number of events including camping over at the last two IWEs.For most of us our most recent memories of Audrey will be at the Christmas dinner.The funeral was held on 14 February 2018.
Social Reports of Recent Events
Footman James Great Western Classic Car Show
2018 is ramping up nice and slowly with only one local event for us this month, being the The Footman James Great Western Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallet.We have supported the summer show for the last few years but the thought of standing around in near freezing conditions was considered beyond the call of duty for all of us so no TR Register stand for this one but a few TRs turned out for the Classic Car Park, all proudly displaying TR Register badges.I'm sure I know HUD, the white TR6 behind mine, so apologies for not mentioning a name.At 5 degrees and only occasional snow flurries it wasn't bad enough to put the roof up but I do confess to winding the windows up on the way home.Not bad for a southerner as my Scottish friends said.Shame about all the dirt on the side of the cars but the organisers thought it would be fun to get our classics, all polished up for the day, to drive through a mud ditch to get to the classic car park.How we laughed.
Brunel Events Coming Up
Quiz Night – 21 February 2018 (not confirmed)
Derek Roberts kindly offered to organise a quiz night for the February monthly meeting.Apologies, I've been a bit slow in following that up.
Brunel Lunch on Mendip – Sunday 18 March 2018
Bob & Ginny invite you to join them for 'Lunch on Mendip' at
HARTLEY'S KITCHEN & BISTRO
At 12.00 for 12.30 on Sunday 18 March 2018
For those of you that have not already discovered this venue, it is tucked away among some commercial premises at Rookery Farm, approximately 2 miles south east along the B3135 from its junction with the A39 at Green Ore / The Ploughboy Inn. The OS Map Ref. is Sheet 183, ST 603 482. Postcode BA3 4UL.
The restaurant is run by Paul Hartley who is the author of several culinary guides and who prides himself with providing a personal service using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. He has owned several classic cars in the past and he particularly welcomes visits by individual cars or groups.
In view of the vagaries of the Mendip weather in March, this will be a purely social function. If the weather is fine, please bring your Triumph, if not, then you will not be frowned upon for turning up in your 'Eurobox'.
Please use the form to indicate your menu choices and send with your cheque in favour of Brunel TRs to: Bob & Ginny Sackley, 2 Home Close, Wrington, BS40 5PX. (Tel. 01934 862672) to arrive by Fri. 02 March. We have reserved 20 places, so book early!
The booking form is near the back of this newsletter, see you there.
There will be a TR4a nearing completion of a very thorough rebuild by Richard Lyons the resident at Rookery Farm, maybe we will get a glimpse.
AGM – 21 March 2018
The AGM will be held at the Jubilee Inn on 21 March 2018.Please let me have any items for the agenda you wish to raise and nominations for the following posts as soon as possible.The meeting will take place in the main dining area of the Jubilee Inn.
The posts for election by TR Register Brunel Group members are:
- 1.Group Leader
- 2.Treasurer
- 3.Social Secretary
- 4.Membership Secretary
Other Classic Car Events Coming Up
TR Track Day – Wednesday 4 April 2018
Kev Bryant has announced the date for the next TR Register TR Track Day at Castle Combe.It will be held on Wednesday 4 April 2018, further details to follow.Fettling now complete, and I've hardened up the front Koni's.
TR Register Spring Ball – 06 to 08 April 2018
This hugely popular event is back by popular demand and with limited spaces is set to sell out quickly so don't delay! A TR Register goodie bag will be presented to each couple on arrival.
Friday – A variety of ideas for local attractions and walks for early arrivals, two course buffet dinner in the evening followed by an international award winning entertainer.
Saturday – Huge buffet breakfast, organised TR runs through the Peak District plus guided visits to local attractions and walking routes such as Chatsworth House and Haddon Hall.
The evening offers a Black Tie Dinner commencing with a Champagne reception plus a three course meal including wine followed by tea or coffee. Following the dinner you can dance to live music with all the classic songs from the 50's, 60's and 70's.
Sunday – Another sumptuous locally produced buffet breakfast followed by a trip to a local attraction before departing for home.
Drive It Day – LIONS BRIMAR Run – Sunday 22 April 2018
This Drive It Day event has been supported by Brunel Group members for a number of years and raises a good sum of money for charity
It all started in 2007 when Brian & Mary Curtis arranged a small gathering of classic and vintage cars inside Clarks Village to raise funds for the Childrens Hospice CHSW.
In 2016 the Clevedon Lions Club took over the running of this event, and they continue to support CHSW as well as the Great Western Air Ambulance and Lions Club charities.The booking form is at the end of this newsletter.
Drive It Day – TR Register Event – Sunday 22 April 2018
Derek Hurford, the TR Register Director for Southern England has arranged a group of groups event where each group can meet up at the Haynes Motoring Museum to create a mass TR gathering.We can either make our own way there or travel down as a group.Museum entry fee is £12.50, parking is £3.50 refundable with a museum ticket, and a meal package is £28 including museum entry and parking.Please let Derek Hurford know if you are going, his contact details are delhurford@hotmail.com and mobile 07542 596718.I will probably be there for breakfast but most will probably be there for 11.00.
Prescot Hilclimb – 11 June 2018
Details on p44 of TR Action issue 303, it is an event held in association with the E Type register.In short, we have 5 untimed runs up the hill for £25 plus £5 for any brave passengers.I have taken our daughter and son-in-law up in the past, I think they enjoyed it.OK, £5 a minute compared with about £1.50 a minute at Castle Combe is a bit dearer but it is just as much fun.Who can resist.Gates open 09.00 first run 10.00.
Classic Car Show – Shepton Mallet – 16 to 17 June 2018
Initial call for interest, display car(s), and volunteers.Could you please let me know if you can volunteer a car or some time.
Bath Festival of Motoring – 16 – 17 June 2018
Clashing with Shepton Mallet again.If you are going could you please contact Roddy.
Classic Le Mans 2018 – 6 to 8 July 2018
2018 is another Classic Le Mans year.At least two of the group are going over for this one.
It will be held on the Grand Circuit 24 Hours of Le Mans. At the last event in 2016, more than 123.000 spectators saw nearly 550 race cars on the track and 8.500 cars in the general enclosure specially designed to accommodate 180 clubs representing 60 brands!
Paul Hogan – Regional Metings 7 May and 2 June 2018
Paul says: When I was elected Chairman in my manifesto I promised to try and put on some regional meetings. Well this year we have arranged meetings at two venues in order to see how they are received by the membership.The first of these will be held at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon on Monday May 7th. As its bank holiday Monday, Gaydon will be hosting their annual Vintage Steam Fair and so there will be much more to see and do. Details of this will be in the event section of the website and in the TR Action. The entry price is £9.00 per person, payable on the day.
The other regional meeting is going to be held at Beaulieu, the National Motor Museum on Saturday June 2nd. For those that don't know, Beaulieu is home to several land speed record cars including the iconic Bluebirds. Details for this event will again be in the event section of the website and in the TR Action. You will be able to purchase tickets for this event via the TR Register Club Shop. The entry price per ticket is Adult £18.00, Children (Age 5-17) £7.50.
The club has negotiated excellent discounts at both venues which represent a considerable saving on normal gate prices. We hope to see as many of the midland and southern area TR groups at these venues as possible so please ask your members to support these new events. Feel free to contact either myself, Paul Tunnadine, Derek Hurford or Terry Smith if you require more information.
Technical Talk
A follow up on the MoT
My TR6 passed it's MoT at the second attempt.
- 1.The only outstanding advisory was the steering being a little bit stiff.Having investigated further, the rack is fine, the near side is fine, but the top pivot on the offside was a bit stiff so plenty of tlc and it now turns much easier.It drives freely so I'll keep an eye on it and leave it at that till next year when I have my annual safety check.
- 2.Bob Sackley mentioned his went through first time with just the usual oil drip advisory, isn't that a design feature of TRs?
- 3.None of our TRs will need an MoT soon unless they have been substantially modified.Does anyone know what that means for a TR?
For Sale
TR3A – John Dresser
It has a replacement chassis, replacement rear axle, gearbox rebuilds (last one by Kevin Savage), engine rebuild, complete new electrics with option to swap from alternator to dynamo, rally seats, etc. It has a soft top, tonneau, metal hard top and aero-screens + a spare set of wire wheels. Currently it's in very good, near immaculate condition, body and mechanics, although not concourse. It is not your average/standard restored TR3. Please contact me for more details.
Wants
Stainless Steel Wheel Trim for TR6
If anyone has a Stainless Steel Wheel Trim for TR6 going spare could you please let me know.
Sidescreen TR
David Radford is looking for a sidescreen TR, if you are looking to sell I will put you in touch.
TR8
One of the group is considering buying a TR8, preferably one of the original UK ones, but I think he will consider a good conversion.I don't know of one in the group but if anyone has one to sell please let me know and I'll put you in touch.
TR5
There is a TR Register member looking for a good TR5.If you know of one looking for a new home please contact the TR Register office.
That's it for this month, see you Wednesday.
Dave