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

Torque of the North - April 2024

Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
Hi ,

Membership Renewal
In the next few days Revcounter will wing into your home, bringing the usual delight to you and derision from the rest of the family!  I’ve never understood how my hobby can provide so much amusement.  Now, if you haven’t got around to the wonderfully modern way of paying (Direct Debit), inside is your reminder to rejoin ASAP and a heads up that this may be the last Revcounter (& TOTN) you’ll see until you renew!  So go to www.austinhealeyclub.com and click on My Membership under the Members' Area menu to renew today.
 
News from around the North
It’s been a quiet month this March driving wise but it’s great to see that the North Wales father and son racers; John and James Hughes, have already got their season off to a cracking start with a terrific weekend out at the Donington Park CSCC meeting featuring the Lackford Engineering Midget and Sprite Challenge.

James is seen on the right taking the Chequered Flag in his Sprite as a clear winner whilst at the same time, lapping his dad John in his Lenham Sprite, as he crosses the line.  John didn’t come away empty handed though, winning first in class and “Driver of the Meeting”.  Congratulations & good luck for the rest of the season.  Watch the race here on Youtube. (start of race at 57:49, finish at 1:22:21)

Drive It Day this year is Sunday 21st April 2024 and there are drives being organised in several areas across the centre:

  • Northumbria: Cobweb Run with MG Car Club Tyne Tees Centre.  AHC Northumbria will be joining the MG Car Club again this year for Drive it Day.  First car is waved away at 10:00 from Seaton Burn, Newcastle on a choice of two routes at 77 or 106 miles.  Contact Murray Shand below for more details and to join in.
  • Yorkshire: Meets at 9:30 in Sowerby Bridge for a 50 mile moorland drive with lunch at Winterburn Inn around 12:30. Make your own way home after lunch. Contact Jeff Hollinshead below to join in.
  • North Wales: Meeting at Tweed Mill, St. Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 0UY.  Arrival at 10.20am with time for coffee.  Depart 11.15am.  Drive 50-60 miles to lunch.  This is subject to change if necessary.  Please contact John or Jill for details.

Please buy a rally plate to support childline at www.fbhvc.co.uk/drive-it-day

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.
The Historic Festival Weekend & Show in conjunction with HSCC featuring classic sights and sounds; a two-day meet of classic cars, vintage vehicles, historic racing and music and performers from 1950's - 1980's.

Croft is earlier than previous years and the AHC is organising a club stand on Sunday the 11th of August, although it’s being organised differently this year.  The club will submit the member entries in one application to receive free tickets for club members.  Contact Murray Shand for details and to book your place on the stand giving the following: Driver’s name, vehicle make and model, Reg No, e-mail address.  Closing date 5th July.
Northern Centre at Yorkshire Elegance
The AHC has once again been invited to display our cars at the Yorkshire Elegance on their Ladies and Revival Day, Tues/Weds, 16th/17th July 2024.  This year the YE has moved to Grantly Hall, Ripon, HG4 3ET, for a grander affair and now has even more prestigious car clubs, sponsors and displays than ever.  For full event details please visit: https://thefastlaneclub.com/yorkshire-elegance

You will have seen in March’s Revcounter that the AHC National Concours is also taking place at Yorkshire Elegance on Weds 17th July, so this is a real opportunity to “mix it” with the most exclusive cars outside of London’s Salon Privé.  Entry to the AHC National Concours is via the National website.

We’ve secured 10+ Austin Healey places on each day with tickets for two occupants, (£15pp)  aiming to display the range of marques within the club.  Attendees will need to have the car on stand for the full day: 10am-5pm.   However we expect to be oversubscribed, so you’ll appreciate we’ll be looking for members to be flexible on dates to help planning.

To register your interest, please contact Jeff Hollinshead at: jeff.hollinshead@ahc-northern.org.uk giving your name, car type, reg, occupant details and preferred day of attendance.  Further details on the centre website as we get closer to the event.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS
  • 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
  • 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.  We are charging £15pp to increase the number of cars we can display.
  • 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. 
  • **New**  Sunday 11th August - Croft Historic Vehicle Weekend. AHC will have a stand on the Sunday; the club will submit the member entries in one application to receive free tickets for club members.  Contact Murray Shand for details and to book your place giving the following details: Driver’s name, vehicle make and model, Reg No, e-mail address. Closing date 5 July.  See club website for full details
  • Sunday 12th August 2024 - Classics over Sands  - https://classicsoversands.org Classics over Sands takes place, each year, in the beautiful Edwardian town of Grange over Sands.  The show takes place on the town's recreational field, overlooking Morecambe Bay: this is a great day out for all the family with over 300 cars and bikes on show and stalls and activities to entertain everyone. For more information - Phil Kershaw on 07836 622293.
CENTRE CONTACTS
  • Northeast - Contact Murray at tyneside@ahc-northern.org.uk or on  07850 286099 or via WhatsApp for details of future events and noggins in the Northeast
  • 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.