alanrichey

Lovely day out. Weather just about perfect so we all had nice drives (1.3 miles in my case). The fair was very busy and I reckon there were over 70 cars that came, they even had to open an overflow field. So put it into your diary for next year. Big thanks to Steve, Jim, Nigel & Helen for supporting it.

70C is a bit on the low side. The normal advice is to run it 80C+ so that all the volatiles in the system boil off. I think most of us run it even higher. Personally I have an 88C thermostat and a 95C fan and the engine runs nicely at 90-93C. The maximum temperature you want is just below boing point. In my Rover system the cooling is pressurised so I can get away with 120C, although I would actually never let it get that high. Al

I'm totally biased of course, having owned one for 10 years but I would offer the Superspec as the best model. A few reasons: 1. It was the last model to be produced by Robin Hood Engineering so they could incorporate all the lessons they had learned from previous models (the front suspension springs to mind ). 2. Unlike other models that required a donor car for much of the parts, the Superspec came as a complete kit and everything (apart from the rear axle) was brand new. So you know that every part in the car has done the same, known, mileage. Particularly the engine and transmission, whereas a donor engine and transmission might be an unknown quantity. 3. Because it came as a full kit, most Superspecs are identical so there is a good read across with issues identified by other owners. Other models will vary depending on the donor car. And we have built a very extensive library of information on the model, based on owners experience and extensive research. The downside is that for all these reasons the model commands a premium over other models of the order of £1000, but in my view it is well worth it. Ready to be shot down now

Not one of our better months, but I guess it is to be expected as the season draws to a close. Twelve members did not renew. However, the good news is we received seven new members. So we welcome: Username Location Area Secretary Brian Curtis Wallingford apgodden Becky Wolverhampton richyb66 Steve Ralph Nelson Darrell dcsinclair22 Eastbourne nelmo landie (Philip) Chelmsford nelmo Eric Colchester nelmo Eddie Brooks Gainsborough Grim

Good. I will probably park up around 0900 as I have only a mile to drive. I tend to go into the field where I indicated and drive up to the road (A151) and park there. I will try and reserve a few slots, but this can be difficult. Last year we all moved further up the road towards Bourne to stay together. We'll see what happens.

Just some more information on the Sheep Fair next weekend. We will be parking at Number 7. The entrance to the field is the red circle. I've done my best with the weather and it looks OK

You would be very welcome, particularly as two of my stalwarts can't make it (booked holidays before checking ). There will be food stalls in the fair, but I normally take a packed lunch. Up to you.

After a last minute cancellation yesterday as a rain band refused to move out of our area, we did a quick 24-delay and went today. We went back to one of our favourite places (mainly because they don't charge for parking ) in the grounds of Burghley House near Stamford (of Horse Trials fame). Our trip times vary between 35 mins and 60 mins so we each get a good run in the cars. Since we were there last they have closed our normal parking field but have built a brand new, large car park in the grounds. So we parked up in there (still free) and as it was quiet set up there for a picnic. As you will have noticed it has been a beautiful day so it was great just sitting there and catching up. (Note: There are actually 4 cars, Derek & Mo's 2B is hiding behind mine Most of us a busy for the next 2 weeks so it looks like our next meet will be the Corby Glen Sheep Fair on the 8th October, although we may sneak in a one-off in the preceding week.

As is customary at this time of the year as the season closes down, we are invited to display our cars at the Corby Glen Sheep Fair (https://sheepfair.co.uk/. Post Code: NG33 4NW This is a classic small village fair, with food stalls, craft stalls, dog show, fun fair, morris dancing and classic cars. We have been displaying our cars here for 10 years (ever since I moved into the next village ) and will do it again this year. For a small village show it often attracts well over 50 cars of all shapes and sizes so it is well worth attending. In particular it is unusual as it is free and you can arrive/leave whenever you like. I'll post more details nearer the day, so put it in your diary.

The Club has recently stocked up with some flyers. If anyone is thinking of going to a car show where they can usefully distribute them (we normally slide one underneath the windscreen wiper of any kit cars not displaying our sticker ) just let me know and I will send you 10 copies (the most I can send under a second class stamp). Al

You may have noticed I have implemented a new option on the blue banner called 'Useful Sites'. At the moment it has PDF copies of the recent magazines, the old NW Group pages that still had some very relevant information, a link to some build blogs and, not surprisingly, a page for Superspec owners that I have edited. It would be nice if we had similar pages for the other models so people don't have to search the whole database for useful information on their car. So if anyone would care to look after pages for the 3,3A,Exmo,2B... please let me know. And if anyone knows any other good build blogs to add please let me know as well.

Another month gone by, and this one was fairly quiet compared with previous months, although still showing the same pattern. Only 32 members were up for renewal and 24 of them stayed with us. To balance that we had 5 new members join us: GIWRS (Paul) Chorley Darrell B20 (Moritz) Germany Me Paul Dalton Deal nelmo Jimmy Jago (Anthony) Sandy Me Kenner (Andrew) Featherstone Grim So welcome one and all. Al (Membership Secretary)

I've always had it on mine and I am reasonably certain it helps to keep the air in the engine bay cooler, thereby helping the overall cooling system. Doesn't disipate it of course, simply moves it to outside the engine bay. Also my clutch cable passes between 2 of the pipes so that helps it to not melt I was grateful for it one day when my lower water hose blew off 60 miles from home and I was able to reach through and reattach it without getting third-degree burns, So on balance I think a good idea Al

Sorry, can't make it this year, 4000 miles away.

July was a bit of a seismic month. We had 46 members up for renewal and only 30 actually renewed, which was a bit of a disappointment. But on the other side of the coin we had 11 new members sign up, which is close to a record for me, so that is really good news. So a big thanks to all the returnees and a welcome to the following new members. As usual it is username (with Christian name in brackets is it isn't obvious), location and Area Sec. jga_uk (John) Banbury apgodden Chris Doncaster grim Nigel Crockford Harborough Magna richyb66 Mark Jarvis Dawlish Warren (Devon) Robbie2B Mark Harwood Oulton Me Neill Martin Lincoln Me Dave Nelson Wiveliscombe apgodden Kevin Lugget Duns soupstone Tony Horley nelmo Shed Ross on Wye richyb66 Tickover (Graham) Leighton Buzzard Me/apgodden Cheers Al (Membership Secretary)

Better today, we managed 5 cars. And there were a few more on the other stands as well, but nowhere near as many as normal. I think people were put off by yesterday, and anyone from the North was still drowning Better luck next year.#

Just been given permission to go again tomorrow as weather looks better Hopefully see a few more of you.

Well that was fun Here is the Club Stand at 11:00 this morning: Just two Alan's (Me and alantoon). That was actually 1 more than I expected. It was also 1 more than the GBS Club Stand and 2 more than many of the other stands. Basically it was raining continuously so the outside was a washout. I gave up soon after so I don't know if anyone else pitched up. It was actually quite a pleasant journey up and back as the rain was not very heavy. Since fitting my wind deflectors I have no need of doors so even though the roof was up it still felt quite open. Just a bit disconcerting when I went through puddles (My exhaust is on the passenger side) when the whole car would fill with steam for a few seconds and fog up the inside of the windscreen. I am also finding it more and more difficult to get in and out with the roof up as I get older and stiffer. The inside was better, a full complement of stands in the exhibition hall, with half of it dedicated to manufacturers and half to retail stalls. Although the staff probably outnumbered the customers. Here's a few pictures: Let's hope the weather is better next year.

I’m not sure who is camping. There are quite a few banners around with people, hopefully one of those will be going on Friday. Anyone else planning on going on Friday ?

Same with me I'm afraid, black clouds all around.

Only 9 days to go, hope you all have it in your diary. It's a lot closer than Malvern for most of us so hope we have a good turnout. Our Club Stand is in the same place as last year, shown on the map. Unfortunately we are still in the position where no-one has stepped up to take over as Events Secretary so again we can provide only limited support. Nevertheless it should be a good show. See you there.

The annual Baston Car Show is again being held at Grimsthorpe Castle this year on Sunday 9th July. https://www.bastoncarshow.com/ https://www.grimsthorpe.co.uk/ Unfortunately they have decided to charge for all attendees regardless of whether they are classics on not. They also need your car the have been registered before 2000 if you wish to park in the exhibition area. Doesn't help me as mine was SVAd in 2008. Frustrating as it is only 1.5 miles from me I also don't approve of classic/kit cars being charged unless it is for charity and I can see no sign of that. So I shall skip it, but if you fancy going it should be a good show.

It's taken some time but at long last we had a month where we gained more members than we lost. There were 42 members coming up for renewal and 32 of them actually renewed. But the 10 who left were replaced by 10 new members leaving us unchanged. But then one ex-member rejoined after a few years away, putting us in profit. So we now have 351 members. Let's hope we can keep getting bigger. So once again I am very pleased to welcome all the new and returning members. Here are the new members, username (and real first name if it isn't obvious), location and Area Secretary. Andrew Yates Loughborough tractor Wil Malvern richyb66 Nigel Manchester Darrell Charles Garvie Airdrie soupstone Ambokhari Bedford alanrichey Derk (Derek) Welshpool smpaarrkky Phil Lilley Manchester Darrell Myranni (Kenneth) Galashiels soupstone Paul Craggs Nuneaton richyb66’ Matthew Scott Selkirk soupstone and our long lost returning member is: John Reading apgodden/nelmo Cheers Al (Membership Secretary)

I'll do my best to be there. I can remember Paul was a great supporter of the Club.