Melvyn Rose Memorial Trophy

Chris Hillman has kindly donated a trophy in honour of the work put in to the Club by Melvyn over many years.

In keeping with this theme, Chris has asked that the Trophy be awarded to the person/s who the Club members feel has given the most to the Club over the past year.

The trophy will be awarded at the annual prize giving event (Sat Jan 17th 2009).

To vote, you are asked to either, write to: Chris Hillman, Beckington Motors, Bath Road, Beckington, Somerset BA11 6SW, or give him your vote in a sealed envelope (your name is not required, as this is a secret vote) at the next trial. The votes will be counted on the night.......SO GET VOTING NOW!!!!

Mendip Challenge 2008

For once I was well chuffed to be proven wrong! - Well I did say the weather’s never great on the Mendips didn’t I!!

What a well put together weekend we had - I'm not going to embarrass individuals - we all know the huge team effort that went into the event and it's great to see non committee and newer members becoming involved.On the Saturday it was even possible for visitors who offered to marshal to be thanked but told they could take it easy - if this is a sign of the Club's commitment then running next years International Rally R.T.V. will be made all the easier. The Mendip Challenge is a great two day interclub event and that's all down to the members - lets keep it that way.

On the 2nd October, nineteen of us headed north to Solihull for a factory visit - I was unsure what to expect - most factory visits I’ve been on have been free so the thought of parting with £30 to be shown something the manufacturer is trying to sell to you seems a bit alien. The content of this visit and the depth of knowledge our guides had (we had three) and the fact we all love the product anyway made the 3.5 hours fascinating. Loads of useless facts were made available, hundreds of our favourite product viewed and we didn’t get to meet the bloke who puts the rusty hinge screws in. For those of you who couldn’t make it but would have liked to, I’m sure with a minimum of twelve names Jemma could organise another trip next year.

Your committee are keen to try new ideas - please support events and speak up if you have strong views one way or the other.

Mark Freeman

President

I Have heard nothing but good reports about the Mendip Challenge.

Many thanks to team Jane and Pete for running reception. All the Clarks for providing two days of excellent competition and a fine body of marshals. (volunteers not pressed). Stirling job from the Comp Sec's and there other halves for coping with the huge amount of work before, during and after the event.

You know it's going right when you are at a drivers briefing and "are there any questions" is asked, and a deathly hush comes the reply.

The only slight hiccup being all the trophies being smash at the engravers just before the event and the replacements not being ready till noon Saturday.

Slightly concerned about marshal numbers on Sunday for the CCV and must thank the members from other clubs and passengers who gave up their day to fill the gaps, especially Ray Godwin (Wye & Welsh) who drove over from Wales just to marshal for the day and having to pay the bridge toll for the privilege.

Still a Welshman paying to go home is one thing but an Englishman paying to visit just isn't right. Who's bridge is it anyway?

Anyway that's the practise session over. On to the Nationals.... Which will easily require double the effort in time and people power if we are to make it the same success as the Challenge.

Again thanks to all of you for all your hard work.........so far.

Wols

Some of the views expressed in this article may not be those of the members or committee of SWLRC. The Chairman would also like to point out that due to an accident of birth. He was born at St David's hospital, Cardiff and is still awaiting the call to don the Red shirt at the Millennium Stadium.

Well, what can we say, but thank you to the weather God, what fantastic weather we had all weekend.

And another thank you to everyone who helped Phil and I out, we probably would have struggled a little bit without your assistance.

It turned out to be a very tiring weekend, up at 06:30, bed at silly o'clock (probably our own fault!!), each day, but everything ran very nicely, except for my generator, which ran, but failed to provide any power. Thanks to Dougie for letting me borrow his all weekend.

The raffle went down very well and we managed to raise £772.61 for Dorothy House. It is intended to ask a representative to come along to our next trial (at Binegar) for a presentation, we also intend doing a write up (with photo) and send this out to the various Land Rover magazines we all read and see if they will publish it (about time we got some good publicity).

We have had good feedback from a few of the other clubs/members, go to the Mendip Challenge page to read them.

George

Well, what a brilliant weekend. Who would have thought we would have had glorious sunshine each day, especially up at lamb’s lair?

Many thanks to everyone who helped out over the weekend, clerks for setting up some good and challenging sections, scrutineers for getting up early and grovelling around under trucks, the ladies for helping at signing on, all of you who gave up your time or drives to marshal, our main sponsor Mr Rob Cavell, and George for all the hard work he put in to event before it and on the day.

I spent time over the weekend just floating around and talking to people, it was great to see everyone having a laugh, enjoying the sections, falling over on sections ( Mr Simon, Mr Ellis, etc, etc.) and generally having a good time. I also spent some time refitting the front wing on my trialer after a certain young lady decided to go tree hugging. (if anyone has a 90/110 o/s wing going cheap please let me know).

The only thing I didn’t like about the whole weekend was the getting up before seven each day, especially Sunday after a very chilled out and social night down the Burrington.

I would also like to say thanks to everyone who donated prizes for the raffle and helped raise a brilliant amount money for Dorothy house.

That’s all from me, see you next month at Bineger.

Phil

If anybody else has Menip Challenge photo's that we can put on the web site, contact the webmaster.

Social Events

This year we have decided to split the AGM and end of year prize giving up. This means those of you who win in the annual league will be able to receive your trophy’s in January.

The plan is to host the annual prize giving at the Mill at Rode on Saturday 17th January. The format for this evening will be a three course dinner, prize giving and disco. Members are welcome to invite friends and family. The venue has requested a table plan for the evening so if you wish to be seated with certain people please let me know (max of 8 per table).

The AGM will follow in February / March and will include a buffet & skittles as usual.

A couple of members have mentioned to me they would be interested in a club karting day or evening. If anyone else is interested please let me know and I shall look to organise one for spring next year.

See you all at the next trial

Jem

Events 2009

A link is available from the Events/Results page to the provisional events for 2009. As you will notice, there are very few names yet. This is to try and encourage more members to give it a go.

You won't necessarily have to set it out on you own as a first timer, I'm pretty sure a more experienced driver would be willing to help you out.

If you fancy setting up a particular trial, then let either Phil or George know and they will put your name down.

Expired Memberships

The records held by the Membership Secretary (temporary), show that the following memberships have either expired, or are due to expire next month. If you have renewed your membership, please let me know ASAP and I will update the records. If not, then see either George or Phil at the next trial (with cash or cheque), or post a renewal membership form (with cheque) to the address on the Membership Form.

Yatton Keynell 21st September 2008

Chairman

A beautiful misty morning full of prospect as to a sunny day to come. The promise of a pub lunch at the local inn with my co C of C the charming Jemma , the thought of a day away from harvest all filled my heart as I drove to Yatton Keynell to set up last months trial. I should of known better.

By what should of been lunch time we only had three sections laid out and both Landrovers refusing to start. Bread and cheese was purchased from the village shop and eaten from the very hot bonnet of the car, a sort of nearly cheese on toast. Things were not going well.

After lunch with both cars now running it got comically worse. Jemma trailblazing a new section got hooked up in a tree and while waiting recovery, stepped in a wasps nest. Me, thinking she was practicing some new moves for the dance floor watched on in mild amusement till articles of clothing started to be discarded. I think she has just about forgiven me and I did go back to her car to recover it with Chris and Reg (who also was attacked).

Now don't let me put you off clerking a course. We need more Clerks. Next years calendar will need to be filled and it good fun to have a whole day to play without upsetting anyone.

Anyway back to the grain drier for me.

Wols

Comp Sec CCV

Well, it’s late in the evening and late in the month and once again I’m sat in front of the computer struggling to write a report.

After a lot of hours getting the trialer ready it was a bit of a disappointment not going to the majors this year but it was nice knowing it was ready for Yatton and hopefully it will mean more people will come to the Mendip challenge.

Thank you to the clerks this month, Wols and Jem, and thanks to everyone who helped Jem after she was attacked by a swarm of wasps while setting up a section. It's not often she is desperate to get her top off in public.

The day went very well, with great sections and great weather. Well done to Rod for driver of the day.

As you read this the Mendip challenge will only be days away, entries have been coming in well and we are looking forward to a good weekend.

Don’t forget on the Saturday night there will be a bus to the Burrington Inn from the camp site. Hope to see you all down there for a beer.

That’ll do.

Phil

PS looking ahead to December we are planning to host another time trial. This will take place on Sunday 28th December, further details will be posted later in the year.

Another date for the diary, Saturday 17th January, the annual prize giving / dinner dance is to be at held the Mill at Rode. Again further details will follow later.

Comp Sec RTV

Well done to Chris and Reg for finding us some slightly different routes this year, something that is hard to do at Yatton.

At least the weather was a bit more friendly than last time.

I would like to remind new drivers that there is always someone who will give advice, or even sit in with you to help you understand how off road driving is a totally different ball game to driving on the roads. The clutch is there mainly for changing gear and not controlling the vehicle.

Saying that, even more experienced drivers can have the odd scare or two, especially if the vehicle jumps out of Diff-Lock!!

Things are progressing nicely for the Mendip's, burger van, toilets, evening venue, transport all booked. Trophies are being engraved and should be ready for picking up next week.

The proposed trial sites have now been posted for 2009 and we are looking for C of C's for just about all sites. So if you fancy a go then let either of the Competition Secretaries know, or ay Committee member. If you have never done it before,or have recently joined the Club, no problem. I'm sure we can find someone a bit more experienced to lend a hand.

One of the side jobs associated with being the Membership Secretary, is to provide the mailing list for the Club Magazine. However, there is no definitive list at the moment. You are all asked to contact the Webmaster to let him know of your preference, as the Magazine will always be available on the Web Site.

That's all for now folks..............

George

Membership Secretary

Derek has decided to resign from the job of membership Secretary due to work and personal commitments.

George will be taking over for now to get things sorted and up to date.

To assist in ensuring the membership list is up to date....... All drivers will be required to show their membership card, before being allowed to sign on.

NO CARD, NO DRIVE!!!

Esther & Zoe have run the Bristol half Marathon

Esther with her friend Zoe from the village (Rode). Successfully completed the Bristol Half Marathon in a time of 2h 45m 21s.

Who knows what next??? A marathon, no....................they call them Snickers now don't they. Only joking, well done to both of you.

Esther would like to thank everyone who sponsored them, they raised over £1,000 for CHASE.

They were raising money on behalf of CHASE a charity which provides hospice care for Children. Esther chose this particular charity as she has a cousin with Muscular Dystrophy who is helped by CHASE.

If you would still like to donate please go to their web site at JustGiving.co.uk.

SWLRC takes the Baskerville Challenge Trophy

Following a series of mishaps (a few blown diffs and 3 fuel pump problems to name a few) the Club still managed some excellent results. Full details will be posted once the final results are available

In the mean time, congratulations to Rob Withers, Dave Lansbury and Tim Simon for winning the Baskerville Challenge Team Trophy.

Minutes/Notes from the ALRC EGM 12th July 2008

Having read the minutes, there are only 2 points that jump out:

Proposed Rule Change 6 -

“In support of the ALRC stated policy intention to encourage standard vehicles in competitions, modified class vehicles competing in the National RTV trial shall only be permitted to compete for a class award in their class and not for overall position in the event.”

The Rule Changes 1 – 5 will be included in the “Changing the Rules” document currently on page 125 of the ALRC 2007 Handbook.

The Rule Change 6 will be included in the ALRC Supplementary Competition Regulations in Section M – Road Taxed Vehicle Trial Competition Regulations – M.4 – National RTVT and will be implemented on 1st January 2009. It will also be highlighted in the SR’s for all future National Rallies.

Helmets information.

Type BS6658 type A helmets are valid up to 1st Jan 2010.

Type BS6658 type A/FR helmets will take over on this date.

So if you’re buying new, get a BS6658 type A/FR helmet.

Lara - High Court challenge