SE Region review of 2013

So, as the year ends we look back on 2013 and see where we have been and what we have done with our MR2’s. We know there has been a decline in our membership over the last few years due to the recession and we have tried to adapt to these circumstances where possible and hopefully as the economy comes out of recession our membership will again recover to what it was. Gladly there are still a few of us here keeping the club active in the south east and we really appreciate their support. The following posts show the photos which we hope you will enjoy. As we have mentioned previously a lot of the events were shared with the Drivers Club as we have a good relationship with them now, we are invited to their events and they are invited to ours. It works well and keeps up the interest when there are a lot of cars around. Our events for 2014 will be very similar to 2013, so if you have a MK1 MR2 and haven’t joined up with us yet you would be very welcome to come and join us.

9th March - Dyno BHP Test

A Dyno testing morning in Erith, Kent, in the shadow of the Dartford bridge crossing over the river Thames, I believe most people have been over that bridge at some point where the M25 crosses the river? A standard Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 plus two modified Mk2’s with different conversions, both undertaken by Woodsport. A 2 litre turbo and a 3 litre V6 was tested against each other with very interesting results. There is a separate report about this day in the this section of the forum and it was very enjoyable with a bit of friendly rivalry between the two modified Mk2’s and finished off with hot tea and bacon rolls.

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This is only eligible for Mk1 MR2’s as the cars need to be 25 years or older. This is a great event, apart from the classic cars there is the Historic Naval Dockyard to explore which has been in existence since the 16th Century building and maintaining warships from the reign of Elizabeth I right up until the 1970’s when the last of the cold war nuclear submarines was launched. However, in 1980 the Dockyard was closed as a working naval dockyard and is now preserved and is open to the public as a museum. It has lots of fascinating buildings, some of which have been restored and exhibits where and how they made the ships. There are three war ships in docks that you can wander around so there are lots to do and see. This show is free to enter but you are required to apply individually to obtain entry passes. When clubs are involved they meet in the car park outside and enter all together.
http://www.thedockyard.co.uk/steamandtransport

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‘Call the Mid Wife’ is filmed here

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Part of the scene from the TV programme

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HM Submarine Ocelot 1962

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Torpedo Tubes

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HMS Gannet 1878

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HMS Cavalier 1944

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The ship building sheds now a life boat museum

This is a club national event. Organized and led by Pete and Kelly Mason. However, only those from the south east came on the run but we were joined by MR2’s from the Drivers Club, IMOC and Owners clubs so we were well supported. It was another brilliant days driving with us all trying to keep up with Pete and as usual some of us got separated from the main convoy, it’s virtually impossible to keep 20 odd cars together all of the way but we manage to catch up at junctions and traffic lights although with Pete’s knowledge of the area the route we take seems to avoid most of these, still there are regular stopping points where we are able to congregate before setting off again.

The run started at the Eureka Leisure Park in Ashford adjacent Junction 9 of the M20 with the run starting at 11.30am. From Ashford we drive along the A20 for a while then turn off onto the country roads heading south through the Romney Marshes until we reach the Kent coast then we follow the coast before stopping at the Pilot Inn at Dungeness for lunch. After lunch we drive towards Rye going through Camber Sands then turn right and stopping for a short break at Bresnett. Then off again towards Tenterden then a short stop at Woodchurch before heading back to Ashford where we finished at approximately 4.00pm.

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We chose to make it a long weekend at Eastbourne and had a leisurely drive through the Ashdown Forest before joining the A22 for the approach into Eastbourne on the Friday afternoon. We booked into the Travelodge at Wilmington Drove before going to the seafront to explore the town where we had a quiet evening meal. It was an early start on Saturday. We were due to meet at Richard Pells’s house just a few miles from the hotel at 8.00am where we were given a very welcome cuppa tea and bacon roll before heading off. There wasn’t really any room to park twelve MR2’s outside Richard’s house so obviously we caused a bit of a nuisance for the neighbours. They weren’t too happy about it until we told them we would be gone in half an hour but they stayed outside to admire the cars and wave us off as we departed.
It was very busy at the showground and we had a very enjoyable day despite quite a lot of rain. We returned to the hotel to stay on Saturday night to have an enjoyable evening meal in the company of Debs and Paul, Steve and Cathy. On Sunday morning the weather had cleared up and it was forecast to be sunny all day long. We made our way back to the showground to meet the others. As the sun was out the show was extremely busy all day long. We spent a long time looking at all the cars, listening to the live entertainment and took a walk at lunchtime to get fish and chips to eat on the beach. Great! As the show closed, all the show cars made their way home along the Eastbourne sea front. It was like a parade in itself, pedestrians pointed, clapped and waved as the cars went past.
It was an excellent way to finish the day.
www.magnificentmotors.co.uk

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This is a weekend of motor sport within the grounds of Crystal Palace Park, hosted by the Sevenoaks & District Motor Club. The motor sport comprises of timed sprints around the park on both days. Some of the course goes over the original race track although you’d never know it unless you had researched about it. Cars are categorised according to their ability, this enables all sorts of cars to take part, anything from a standard MR2 to a single seater racing car. We are able to amble around the temporary paddock to get up close to the competition cars and the start line always has lots of spectators. The weekend is very popular with the public so is very busy with an electric atmosphere. The car show is also very popular so there is always someone to talk to about ours cars.
www.motorsportatthepalace.com

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Meeting for drinks in Alans front garden the evening before

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Lee Beach walking in the Paddock area

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Watching from close range the starting point

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A small local summer fair with a car show with about 60 cars just a mile from where I live so I just have to go and support it. I asked Steve Kingsnorth to join me in his newly acquired supercharger as I knew he was keen to show it off. Steve was also coming to the Bromley Pageant the next day so we made a weekend of it.

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This is our most popular car show which is claimed to be the largest one day classic car show in the world. A special club display was shared between the Mk1 club and the Drivers club. With 18 cars on display we were one of the largest car displays at the show. This was as always is a busy day with lots to do and see. There is a main arena with arena displays going on throughout the day, a large dedicated cars for sale section, the one make parking area which was huge, funfair and large auto jumble area.
www.bromleypageant.co.uk

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It was a sizzling hot day and we were travelling along the M25 at 8.00am towards the new Toyota Headquarters in Epsom with the roof off and sunglasses on. (It doesn’t get much better than this.)
We were the last to arrive and everyone else was already inside. Toyota GB had opened the showroom and provide refreshments for everyone which was very nice. They also put out a 2006 model Mk3 MR2 which was one of the last off the production line and is now retained by Toyota and never to be sold plus a new GT 86 for us all to look at and admire. The run was well organised with four of the convoy of 12 having radios to ensure we all kept together so nobody would get lost. The traffic I admit was quite heavy through Redhill and along the A25, It was such a sunny hot day everyone was out on the roads. Once we turned off and headed to the Ashdown Forest the traffic cleared and we were able to relax and enjoy the drive. It wasn’t a race but a nicely controlled leisurely cruise. We stopped a few times on the way, at a tea place for an ice cream, the Ashdown Forest and Beachy Head on the coast before finishing at a restaurant for Sunday dinner. I left at Beachy Head as we were eating at home with the family so we said farewell and thanked them for a great day out.

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Meeting in the Car Park of Toyota GB Car park

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The run starts passing the modern HQ building

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Every August, Motorsport vision which runs Brands Hatch offer a few evening track days on a weekday. These cost just £89 (plus helmet hire if required) which is extremely cheap for Brands Hatch, you would normally pay nearer £300 for a full days track day so apart from being a bargain offers you the chance to try out a track day for a short time.

There are different options when choosing a track day, timed sessions or open pit lane and track days for novice drivers or general track days. We like to opt for the novice track day so you don’t get so many race cars on the track. They are supposed to be for standard or tuned road cars although the odd race prep car does come along as a last minute booking.

We arrived at 3.30pm to sign on and attend the drivers briefing. At 5.00pm we are on the Indy track and follow a pace car for a few laps known as sighting laps. After that we’re free to do what we like. Our MK1 is pretty standard and goes around the circuit quite well as it is quite bendy so we’re driving pretty much in 3rd and 4th gear all the way around the 1.1 mile circuit. We are not as fast on the straights as most other cars and we are often overtaken on these parts but we hold our own around the bends. After about eight laps though the engine is getting hot and the brakes are fading fast so we have to return to the pits to let the car cool down before we can set off again.

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This was our first visit to the Wings and Wheels show. Once again we joined the drivers club and we needed to meet them at 7.00am at the Pease Pottage Services on the M23 so we could convoy to the airfield at Dunsfold park situated 9 miles south of Guildford and accessed via the A281.

Dunsfold Park is formerly a Second World War Aerodrome but is now a thriving business park and aviation centre. It is also home to BBC’s Top Gear and has been the backdrop to a number of TV and Hollywood blockbusters including Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, Nanny McPhee, Spooks and Come Fly with Me. Wings and Wheels has been based here since 2005.

There was entertainment throughout the day with the show divided in two halves, one side being the wheels section, the other the wings section. Dunsfold is a huge site with 32 acres of ground and runways so there was plenty of room. There were speed demonstrations from all sorts of exotic cars roaring along the runway which we watched from quite a distance away (health & safety I suppose) but the cars were parked up during the day where you could see them. There were plenty of Ferraris, a couple of McClaren ‘s, a Jag XJ220 and plenty other marquees and of particular interest to myself a vintage Buggatti who’s value I couldn’t even imagine. The wings section comprised of static displays with plenty of aircraft plus a large number of military vehicles and aircraft were present with exhibitors dressed up for the occasion in military uniform. Very interesting if that’s your thing.

Unfortunately the weather was pretty wet throughout the day and although it didn’t dampen our spirits it did affect the air displays that were supposed to be flying throughout the day. Only a few planes could reach the airfield to give a few low level fly passes which was disappointing but understandable. Perhaps next year will be drier!
http://www.wingsandwheels.net/

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Pete Mason organised a new Kent run. Two events on the same day we were spoilt for choice!
The new route started at M20 Hythe services and involved driving along the coast around Folkstone and Dover. The route works out around 50 miles with three stops. The first is at the Honda Bike Café. The next stop is at the battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Fern with the final stop at Samphire Hoe right on the beach at the base of the famous white cliffs of Dover. Pete reports back a very successful route. “This is a great run with some fantastic roads” says Pete and is now keen to introduce the run in our calendar of next years’ events.

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Following their summer fair and car show the Harris Hospice organisers that as the cars are very popular at the summer fair they would hold their own classic car show at nearby Tripes Farm in Chelsfield just a short distance from Orpington, my home town. Tripes Farm is generally used for boot fairs so it actually suited a car show very well. We were surprised and delighted at how well attended their first car was both by exhibitors and the public. It was well organised, especially the public parking, there was a few stalls and an arena so there was something to see all day long. I’m sure as time goes on this show will get better and better and become a regular show on our calendar.

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Modified Live is a touring show in regional circuits of high performance and speed, with events both on and off the track and an interactive element that has an appeal extending beyond motor racing events. Track action included the pinnacle of motorsport, with Benetton and Hesketh F1 cars taking part in demonstration runs. Other highlights on the circuit include the final round of the season for the spectacular Time Attack championship - a 'beat the clock' challenge for highly tuned road cars plus racing from a combined grid of Civic Cup and Smarts 4U Racing series cars!
There is also the opportunity to take your own car on the track for just £25 but everyone preferred to enjoy a sideways ride in a Drift Taxi for just £10. The action wasn't just restricted to the track - there are 'show and shine' competitions, a sound system challenge, mobile dyno, entertainment stage, trade stands and car club displays which we all enjoyed.

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Brilliant write-up Alan, it's been a hell of a year! Hope to see you at a few events in 2014 :D

Thanks Ben. I was browsing through the photos and thought I'd share them. 2014 is going to be even better than last year. I'll look forward to seeing you!

Very good reading this and really good pictures. Thanks again Alan. Was quite a good year for us I think particularly with Ben and Steve getting Mark 1's again. Teaming up with the Driver's Club has evolved into something quite special as well. Good also to see previous members Pete Kyte and Jinxy at some events. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year plus Pete Mason and Kelly and their new cars. Can't wait to see Pete M's 1.5.

Thanks Alan.

Excellent review of the events over the last year! We enjoyed seeing everyone and look forward to meeting up in 2014.
It's just a shame we live so far away, otherwise we'd be able to attend more of the events.

Happy New Year!

Ray and Nicola

Great review Alan!

I hope to make at least one event down your way in 2014. There looks like a great variety of shows and meets. Keep up the fantastic work! :)

Hope you're well in 2014.

Cheers,
Tom

Get yourself down for the Kent Coast Run, dude :D

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Originally Posted by Ben

Get yourself down for the Kent Coast Run, dude :D

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The Kent Coast Run looks great, but even for me, a 460+ mile round drive before adding on the run mileage is a bit excessive for a day out! Hehe!

I'll keep an eye out for one of the full weekend events though definitely.

See you soon dude!

Awesome write up there Alan

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Originally Posted by andyj

Very good reading this and really good pictures. Thanks again Alan. Was quite a good year for us I think particularly with Ben and Steve getting Mark 1's again. Teaming up with the Driver's Club has evolved into something quite special as well. Good also to see previous members Pete Kyte and Jinxy at some events. Looking forward to seeing everyone next year plus Pete Mason and Kelly and their new cars. Can't wait to see Pete M's 1.5.

Thanks Alan.

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New cars?? I've had my mk1 I got at the mo 2 years now!!! And it's been running since mid last year and done a couple of the events above
And kels one gotta had that now almost a year

Mine is currently have some suspension and welding done. Then stripping it out for a track toy

Will have a passenger seat I'll take ya out In it ;)
Look forward to seeing you andy

Yes, guess they're not so new Pete :) Look forward to seeing you also.

And you Andy ;)
I think we have been doing different shows
You would really like the Dover run it's nice calm and sedate

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Originally Posted by pistol pete

And you Andy ;)
I think we have been doing different shows
You would really like the Dover run it's nice calm and sedate

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Yes it's been some time since I saw you. We did different shows last year and I've been quite involved with Drivers Club over past few years. That Dover run might be good. As you know having spent so much restoring the SC I'm reluctant to do the fast road runs or track days :).