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Torque of the North
The monthly newsletter of the AHC Northern Centre
February 2024
AHCN - Torque of the North - February 2024

Torque of the North - February 2024

Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
Hi ,

I’ve been trying to find a day with no salt on the roads to give my cars a run.  A few years ago, after a particularly bad winter, one of them developed flat spots on the tyres... a very expensive lesson in movement or lack of it. 
 
Talking of which, we’ve lots to look forward to in April, from a Don Barrow talk (“King of Navigators”) to a trip to Ambergate in the Peaks (Great British Car Journey - think Austin Montego etc) and a variety of “Drive It Day” options from around the North. With events starting to populate the Northern Centre Website, keep an eye out to plan your 2024’s Healey events
 
News from around the North

Every Second Counts - Navigating and co-driving in the ‘60’s with Don Barrow
2024 is the 60th Anniversary of BMC Works Rally Team’s outright win at the 1964 Spa-Sofia-Liege Rally by Rauno Aaltonen and Tony Ambrose in BMO 93B.
Don Barrow (back left) & Timo Makinen (ARX 92B) had to retire due to a lack of spare tyres.  Later that year he and Timo came 2nd in the RAC Rally driving BRX 852B, Paddy Hopkirk & Henry Liddon are on the right.
 
We are delighted to have persuaded Don Barrow to come and talk to us ‘Every Second Counts’ - The life of DB’s Navigating & co-driving from the ‘60’s. If you’ve ever been to Race Retro, you’ll know the format, with a romp through the exciting and hairy times of works Rally teams, with low budgets and a much simpler approach to motor sport!
 
Don will be with us on Tuesday 2nd April 2024 at 2-4pm in the AVRO Heritage Museum, Woodford, Stockport, SK7 1GD. [what3words:///living.once.units]
£5 pp to cover costs & refreshments, with a plan to Zoom the Don to a PC near you!
 
If you want to join us at the museum or Zoom in - email Doug at: chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk

Great British Car Journey
As a part of the Austin family, all members of the Austin Healey Club have been invited to support the following event and take advantage of a massive club discount.

Austin Extravaganza!

The First of our BIG Themed days for 2024 celebrates the Great Sir Herbert Austin and the cars that bore his name with an AUSTIN EXTRAVAGANZA.

Sunday 14th April

At “Great British Car Journey” in Ambergate, DE56 2HE.
From 10am - 4pm, £10 Per Person (normally £18.50)

Book Tickets Here >>

£10 entry per person for occupants of ANY Austin car from 1905 to 1989. Includes full access to Great British Car Journey interactive museum, café and facilities.

Price valid up until a week before the event - book now to avoid missing out! On the day prices are £15 per person - including museum entry…

Drive It Day this year is Sunday 21st April 2024 and there are drives being organised in several areas across the centre: Scotland, North Wales, Yorkshire and the Northeast.  Contact your area rep below for details of a drive near you.  Please buy a rally plate to support childline.
Thirlestane Castle - was a last-minute addition to the programme last year which proved to be a very successful highlight of the AHC Scottish calendar. Based in Lauder, TD2 6RU, this show is a must for all members based in the old stomping ground of the Border Reivers. Richard Spalding has kindly agreed to take on the organising of a club stand and he needs the details of entrants and cars by 5th April to secure a pitch. Contact richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk to book your place.

Yorkshire Elegance - Details are starting to firm up with the show raising its profile to become the Northern equivalent of Salon Prive.  Now being held at the luxury venue of Grantley Hall (HG4 3ET) and involving most of the prestige car clubs of the UK, the organisers have once again invited us to display amongst some very impressive classics.  This year we have been allocated tickets to display 10 cars on two days rather than one - this should allow us to get 20 plus members cars and occupants into the show over the two days.  Ladies Day & Concours Preview, Tuesday 16th July, and Revival Day & Concours Awards Wednesday 17th July are the days that we are supporting but a Driving Day on 18th is also available directly from event organisers.  Check out https://thefastlaneclub.com/yorkshire-elegance for full details of the show and general admission options.  Details of AHC discount later.

We will be oversubscribed for this Northern Centre event so entries will be limited and may be balloted / selected to provide a representation of the marques.  Cars will be required to remain on stand for the full duration of the day.   Please contact Jeff Hollinshead, yorkshire@ahc-northern.org.uk to join the club ticket list stating your preferred day/days and planned display car.

Once again, the AHC National Concours will take place at the Yorkshire Elegance on Revival Day, Wednesday 17th July and entries will be managed by the Concours Secretary on the National Club website.  Great opportunity once again for northern cars to bring home the trophies!

Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend - A real favourite this, registration for Hebden Bridge is open and expected to be fully booked rather quickly.  Our cars are suited for the Group P: post war cars 1941-1966 category on Sunday 4th Aug.  Book in at:  https://www.hebdenbridge-vintageweekend.org.uk/2023-vehicle-registration and let Jeff Hollinshead know you’ve booked!.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
  • **NEW** Tuesday 2nd April - “Every Second Counts” A  talk by Don Barrow,  co-driver with the works rally team from the 1964 Spa-Sofia Liege Rally.  2-4 pm at the AVRO Museum, SK7 1GD.  Email Douglas McClymont at: chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk
  • **NEW** Sunday 14th April - Great British Car Journey.  £10pp entry to this fabulous motor museum’s Austin celebrations when members prebook and arrive in their Austin-Healey. (normal entry price £18.50pp)  Book Tickets Here >>
  • Sunday 21st April 2024 - FBHVC Drive it Day 2024 - AHC Northern Centre drives in Scotland, Yorkshire, North East and North Wales.  Contact your area rep below for details and joining instructions.  See https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/drive-it-day for FBHVC website to buy your plate and support Children in Need.
  • Fri-Mon 3rd-6th May 2024 - May Bank Holiday Weekend.  Cedar Court Hotel Harrogate. Contact Paul Johnston:  vicechairman@ahc-northern.org.uk Mob: 07785 790710
  • **NEW** Sunday 2nd June - Thirlestane Castle. In the Borders, contact richard.spalding@ahc-northern.org.uk by 5th April to book your place at this event.
  • Sat/Sun 13th/14th July 2024 - Glamis Castle.  Scottish Transport Extravaganza. Contact Ian Walker at scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk to get your car on the stand.
  • Tues/Weds 16th/17th July 2024 - Yorkshire Elegance 2024 Grantly Hall near Ripon in company with the AHC National Concours.  Contact Jeff Hollinshead at yorkshire@ahc-northern.org.uk to join the club ticket list.
  • Wednesday 24th July 2024 - Gawsworth Hall BBQ and Drive. We will have an exclusive tour of the Hall with a picnic lunch on the lawn followed by a Cheshire drive and our own BBQ back in the grounds of the Hall, later in the day. 
  • Sunday 12th August 2024 - Classics over Sands  - https://classicsoversands.org for more information - Phil Kershaw on 07836 622293.
CENTRE CONTACTS
  • Northeast - Contact Murray at tyneside@ahc-northern.org.uk for details of future events and noggins or on 07850 286999 or via WhatsApp
  • Yorkshire - Contact Jeff Hollinshead on 07800 974418 or at yorkshire@ahc-northern.org.uk or via WhatsApp
  • North Wales - For information on Noggins and events contact John or Jill on 07766 706554 or via WhatsApp
  • Scotland - Contact Ian Walker on 07740 148881 or at scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk or on WhatsApp - Scotland - North East - For local Noggins, contact Tony Ball on 07703 349679 or on WhatsApp.
  • Northwest - Contact Mike Stonier on 07941 757648 or at events@ahc-northern.org.uk
  • Lakes and Dales - Contact Norman Butler on 07788148485, lakesanddales@ahc-northern.org.uk or WhatsApp.