Torque of the North - September 2024
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
With a packed calendar, there was something for everyone in the “North” this August, pretty much wherever you lived. Great to see Mike Stonier “on the podium” as well as Yorkshire, Lakes and Northeast getting in on the action. However, the prize has to go to Lakes and Dales, with two runs scheduled for August “monsoon-ed” off!
Oulton Park
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A wet end to July saw grey days at Oulton Park and our moving to a bigger and higher location due to flooding, fortunately, both the view and the racing were excellent. The “500” Owners Association with their ‘50’s 500cc racers provided “buzzy” entertainment, however, the sight and sound of the Historic Grand Prix Association’s “70th Anniversary of Gold Cup” was what really stole the show. With their 50’s / 60’s legends, such as Cooper, Maserati, BRM & Lotus they were magnificent and certainly lit up a damp and cloudy day.
Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend
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Photos courtesy on Mike Robinson
Another great turn out at the Rotary Club’s Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend which saw classic car enthusiasts intermingle with many Steam Punk fans who were also celebrating their Hebden Festival over the weekend. The time lines of the cars and the dress of the Steam Punks certainly seemed be of a bygone era. Thanks to Yorkshire member George Waddington for making this a “key” event on the club calendar.
Lakes and Dales August noggin and run
The phantom Lakes and Dales Noggin and run, ably run by Richard Hague (wounded in combat with his motorbike - another story) & his wife Sharon, was cancelled due to appalling weather. We then settled for a new date, longer run, with a lunch stop at the Fat Lamb... only to be hit again with a local monsoon (although we still went for lunch)! 3rd time lucky, don’t think so, big thanks to Richard & Sharon though for trying. Given its nearly winter up here, we’ll be trying again in the Spring.
Croft Historic Vehicle Weekend
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The sun was out for probably be the best Croft Historic event ever. With 20 cars on display and virtually every mark of Austin Healey covered, including a prototype BN4. 15 Healeys participated in the parade lap on the track and one of our members, Neil Blogg took first prize for best looking classic sports car on the parade with his 3000 MkI. This is a growing event and is well worth the journey for those outside the immediate area of Northumberland - keep your eye open for next year. Thanks to Murray Shand for making this such a successful club event.
Classics over Sands
After torrential rain in the Lakes, we seem to have had one day of sunshine, which coincided with the day of the show. With a full inventory of 300 vehicles (entries closed a month before) and getting on for 3000 visitors, we also had the best Healey turnout in the history of the show. With over £8,000 tipped for Charites, thanks to everyone who made the trip up here. Pic below of Peter Evans lovely 3000 in the sun.
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Two days of good weather in Cheshire made for a lovely weekend at Tatton with the pitch full on both days. The tasty BBQ by Mike Stonier and crew (Bernadette Stonier and Jacqui Johnson) kept everyone in good humour. Full marks to Mike for picking up 2nd prize in the “Best Club Stand” vote, although it might have had something to do with the smell of the barbie.
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Last weekend saw the Healeysport’s Speed Championship rounds 11&12 take place at Loton Park with two Northern Centre members competing in two of the classes. A damp start was replaced with good weather for the racing that saw Rob Owen record a PB on the hill in the Sprite class and Murray Shand come 1st over the weekend in the Big Healey Class. Well done guys.
Still to come!
Yorkshire Area Last of The Summer Meet 2024 Sunday 13th Oct
Meeting on Sunday 13th October at 11am at The Motorist, New Lennerton Lane, Sherburn in Elmet, LS25 6JE for a Brunch on site, although I'm reliably informed that Sherburn Aero Club across the way does better food! We are exploring the possibility also of an hour’s light aircraft flight with 3 sharing the cost per plane.
Contact Jeff Hollinshead to register your interest in either or both by phone, text 07800974418 WhatsApp or email at jeffhollinshead@gmail.com
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Northern Centre AGM 2024
The Northern Centre AGM will be held in Brighouse and will coincide with the regular Yorkshire Noggin and Natter. It will take place at 8pm on Wednesday 16th October 2024, at the The Black Horse, 204 Towngate, Clifton, Brighouse, HD6 4HJ. Members will be able to join the AGM virtually on Zoom or in person at the meeting where light refreshments will be provided.
All Northern Centre members are welcome so please join us to air your views on how we run the Centre, hear what we are planning for the coming year, and to vote in the committee.
We always want to hear from members who wish to become more involved with the running of the centre.
Please advise secretary@ahc-northern.org.uk if you would like to attend in person. Alternatively, e-mail webmaster@ahc-northern.org.uk if you would like to join the meeting virtually on Zoom.
Watch out for more details about the AGM on our website. For more information contact the Chairman: Douglas McClymont on 07940 313947 or,
chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk
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Treasurer
We are always looking volunteers to join the committee and this year is no different, in that we need a new Treasurer for next year.
We have been fortunate in Jonathan Pilkington as our Treasurer over the last 6 years, with his enthusiasm and energy, however he has decided to stand down at the AGM. Whilst this is a vital role in the running of the centre, it doesn’t require accountancy skills: Jonathan describes the job as “straight forward”. If you’re interested in getting joining the committee, this is a great opportunity to get stuck in. We meet as a committee; 6 times a year over Zoom so no need to travel too far to join in. Contact Doug McClymont at chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk or 07940 313947 for more details.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
- **New** Sun 13th October - Yorkshire Area Last of The Summer Meet on at 11am at The Motorist, New Lennerton Lane, Sherburn in Elmet, LS25 6JE for a Brunch on site. Contact Jeff Hollinshead to register your interest by phone, text 07800974418 WhatsApp or email at jeffhollinshead@gmail.com
- AGM - Yorkshire - Wed 16th October - See website for full details.
- **New** Tue 5th November - Skittles Night . Our annual Skittles Night at the Bickerton Poacher, Bulkeley, Malpas, Cheshire, SY14 8BE. Meet 19:00 for food at 19:30 followed by a game of skittles. Please let Mike you are coming for numbers: events@ahc-northern.org.uk
- Other events are being organised at local area level at short notice via Whatsapp groups. Get yourself on the groups and intothe action by getting in touch with your local rep below.
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.
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Show's bid to help Southport
Aintree Circuit Club and CCW join forces to help community left reeling after atrocity.
Classic Car Weekly has teamed up with Southport’s Classic & Speed event to raise funds for those affected by the terrible events in the resort last month. Event organiser, Aintree Circuit Club, will use the classic car displays on 15 September in the town’s Victoria Park to support the families and communities affected by both the stabbings last Monday (29 July) and the riot by far-right protesters the following day.
Want to enter your classic into this not-for-profit event or donate to the organisation's online fundraiser? Click the button below to read the full article and find out more.
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