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#1 sterling49

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 16:32

A little bit off the subject but another passion of mine is Road Rallying, our early marital bliss was somewhat upset when almost a decades worth of MN's went to the tip.......... :eek:

I wish I could find a book or publication that offered a good coverage of the classics of the day, The Plains Rally, Targa Rusticana, Agbo, Cilwendeg......drivers such as Colin Malkin, Will Sparrow, Russell Brookes, John Bloxham......IMHO the powers that be have ruined all Rallying as well today, gone the long hard thrashes of the R.A.C. where competitors had only one night in bed and finished with long stages in Killer Kielder, any information would be good from a forum that has such a wealth of knowledge. :up:

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#2 Fred Gallagher

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 16:55

That's a big topic!

I only did one MN event, the Red Dragon in 1973 or 1974 I think, with Richard Young, renowned Irish hill climb star, and sometime Kirkistown circuit manager. We were in his works spec Hillman Imp and couldn't believe the pace and the local knowledge!

IIRC we retired simply because we were so off the pace. Ten years later the Safari seemed a simpler option!

Fred

#3 sterling49

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 18:01

Hi Fred,

exalted reply!!!!! no intro needed, read all about your exploits........WRC was great back then as was the Irish Tarmac scene.......seem to recall you were bang on the pace on the Isle of Man in the TR7 V-8 :clap: with Tony Pond........so sad abot Tony's passing, taken before his time.You must have some WRC tales to tell Fred, but the MN days were fast, especially up on Epynt and the North York Moors.......where men were men and the sheep were petrified!!!!!

I would just love to spectate on the events as I did then, but alas no more road events on our crowded Island and they want to charge to walk into the forests..........unheard of back then with OS maps and Don Barrow Potis and twin masters.

Are you still competing? :up:

#4 RS2000

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Posted 18 September 2006 - 18:23

Eddie Green's book "Nineteen to the Dozen" covers the 1969 MN Championship in great detail. It's quite sought after but I believe second hand copies do become available. The only remotely similar book is Dave Orrick's "Night Moves", equally sought.
Nice to reflect on what we did then (I was once a Clerk of the Course of a "classic" Road Race...er I mean Rally...). Lets not criticise the "powers that be" on this though (I am happy to criticise them on most other things). We still have a form of road rallying that in a few cases is not so removed from the way things were. If drastic action had not been taken when it was we really would have only memories and the stigma of having had a form of motorsport stopped from outside.

#5 Darren Galpin

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 06:52

A big topic indeed. I've been trying to compile some of the results at http://www.teamdan.c...2/rallying.html - if you can help fill in any gaps, then that would be great.

#6 RS2000

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 15:25

Don Barrow's web site also has MN results and he has a standing request out for missing ones.

#7 sterling49

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 15:46

Looked at site RS2000, but to no avail...... ):

#8 RS2000

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 15:54

http://www.donbarrow...ly_results.html

#9 sterling49

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Posted 19 September 2006 - 15:58

You top gun....always did like RS2000...epecially Mark 1's :up:

#10 jrally

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 12:50

I can provide results from 70 to 80 !

If someone is interested ...

Best regards from Portugal
jrally

#11 sterling49

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Posted 20 September 2006 - 17:58

Originally posted by jrally
I can provide results from 70 to 80 !

If someone is interested ...

Best regards from Portugal
jrally


Hi jrally, that would be great.....I would appreciate that kind offer! :clap: :clap: :clap:

#12 jrally

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Posted 21 September 2006 - 22:21

Well, let's start !!!

1980 - Motoring News /BTRDA Rally Championship

(09-10/2) - Gemini Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(21-23/2) - Palladwr Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(08-09/3) - Gremlin Rally - Neil Jones-Peter Watts (Triumph TR7 V8)
(29-30/3) - Costa di Plenti - Ron Beercroft-John Millington (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(12-13/4) - Quinton Hazell - Steve Hill-Gareth Jones (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(19-20/4) - Agbo Rally - Ron Beercroft-John Millington (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(11-12/5) - Moonraker - Mike Hutchinson-Nigel Harris (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(28-29/6) - Cambrian - Mick Briant-Dave Richards (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(26-27/7) - Calderford - Mick Watkins-Nick Leuchars (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(20-21/9) - R.L.Brown - Terry Benson-Chris Pudsey (Vauxhall Chevette HS 2300)
(26-28/9) - Bolton - Ron Beercroft-John Millington (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(03-05/10)- Mull - Neil Mackinnon-John Mackay (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(25-26/10)- Autumn - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(22-23/11)- Cilwendeg - Theo Bengry-Andrew Sleeman (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(06-07/12)- J.J. Brown - Steve Hill-Gareth Jones (Ford Escort RS 2000)


Final classification :

drivers :

1-Mick Briant - 134
2-Ron Beecroft-121
3-Steve Hill-113
4-Mike Pattison-110
5-Mike Hutchinson-104
6-Neil Jones-84
7-Roger Moran-70
8-Ian Caddy-60
9-Peter Vaughan-56
10-John Bloxham-50

navigators
1-Dave Kirkham-129
2-John Millington-114
3-Gareth Jones-113
4-Dave Taylor-110
5-Nigel Harris-104
6-Peter Watts-84
7-Steve Potter-70
8-Andrew Sleeman-53
9-Richard Harper-50
10-Paul Watkins-48
- Phil Jones-48

Continues tomorrow !
regards
jorge

#13 sterling49

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Posted 21 September 2006 - 22:28

brilliant jrally :clap: .....you must be expat......or did you read MN all those years ago?

Great to see those results again....I belonged to various Motor Clubs and we put on a London Counties Rally " The Midsummer" on Romney Marsh, Mick Briant did it a few times with John McKerrel and won at a canter in RNM133M, an Olympic Blue RS2000 mark 1......some great names there, it seems like only yesterday :

#14 jrally

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Posted 22 September 2006 - 12:57

1979

(10-11/03) - Gremlin Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(07-08/04) - Moonraker Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(20-22/04) - Agbo Rally - Geoff Birkett-Dave Orrick (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(28-29/04) - Bournemouth Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(28-29/07) - Calderford Trophy - Ron Beecroft-John Millington (Talbot Sunbeam)
(04-05/08) - Y Ddraig Goch - Ron Beecroft-John Millington (Talbot Sunbeam)
(22-23/09) - R.L. Brown Trophy - Geoff Birkett-Nigel Hunter (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(29-30/09) - Bolton Midnight - Bill Gwynne-Paul Watkins (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(07-08/10) - Tour of Mull - Alistair Roy-Campbell Roy (Talbot Sunbeam)
(27-28/10) - Autumn Rally - Bill Gwynne-Paul Watkins (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(03-04/11) - Southbound Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)
(24-25/11) - Cilwendeg Rally - Neil Jones-Peter Watts (Triumph TR 7 V8)
(08-09/12) - J.J. Brown Memorial - Bill Gwynne-Paul Watkins (Ford Escort RS 2000)


Final classification :

Drivers

1-Mick Briant - 83
2-Bill Gwynne-82
3-Geoff Birkett-78
4-Ron Beecroft-53
5-Neil Jones-28
6-Steve Hill-26
7-Ted Cowell-19
8-Theo Bengry-18
Terry Benson-18
10-John Bloxham-16

Navigators
1-Dave Kirkham-83
2-Paul Watkins-75
3-Steve Fellows-65
4-John Millington-51
5-Nigel Hunter-23
6-Peter Watts-22
7-Barry Cooper-21
8-David Taylor-20
9-Richard Harper-16
-Nigel Raeburn-16
-John Kiff - 16
-Eric Cowell - 16

more tonight or tomorrow !

Regards
jrally

#15 sterling49

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Posted 23 September 2006 - 10:30

jrally, thanks for the info, I wish I still had my '60's MN's! ):

#16 jrally

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Posted 23 September 2006 - 13:18

Hello, sterling49 !

If you have them and wanted to sell them, please, let me know !

Here the results of 78

(04-05/03) - Agbo Rally - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(11-12/03) - Gremlin Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(25-26/03) - Y Ddraid Goch - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(01-02/04) - Servais Rally - Howard Davies-Phil Jones (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(08-09/04) - Moonraker Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(06-07/05) - Bournemouth Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(22-23/07) - Calderford Trophy Rally - Peter Smith-Jeremy Mathew (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(09-10/09) - Cilwendeg Rally - Gwyndaf Evans-Martin Thomas (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(23-24/09) - R.L. Brown Trophy - Terry Benson-Chris Pudsey (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(30-01/10) - Bolton Midnight Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(14-15/10) - Bartley Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(28-29/10) - Autumn Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(04-05/11) - Southbound Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(09-10/12) - J.J. Brown Memorial Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)


Unfortunately I only know that Bill Gwynne and Terry Thorp were the winners of this championship.

Best regards
jorge

#17 sterling49

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Posted 23 September 2006 - 19:34

Originally posted by jrally
Hello, sterling49 !

If you have them and wanted to sell them, please, let me know !

jorge


Jorge.....if I had them I would be reading now!!!! As it is I am trawling e-bay :eek: and looking at your Spanish supplied results service :clap: :clap: :clap: Thank You!

#18 jrally

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 11:42

Originally posted by sterling49


Jorge.....if I had them I would be reading now!!!! As it is I am trawling e-bay :eek: and looking at your Spanish supplied results service :clap: :clap: :clap: Thank You!


We have the oldest alliance in the world (history !!!) and you, the british, continue to call us Spanish (geography) ! :

Regards
jorge

#19 sterling49

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 12:30

Originally posted by jrally


We have the oldest alliance in the world (history !!!) and you, the british, continue to call us Spanish (geography) ! :

Regards
jorge


Thanks Jorge, much appreciated!

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#20 jrally

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 16:35

Well, moving on !!

1977

(26-27/02) - Agbo Rally - Bill Gwynne-Howard Moore (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(05-06/03) - Gremlin Rally - Kevin Videan-Jim Bowie (Porsche Carrera RS)
(02-03/04) - Servais Rally - Pete Wagstaff-Dave Starr (Ford Escort BDA 1700)
(16-17/04) - Border Uniflo Rally - Ron Beecroft-John Millington (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(19-19/06) - Tour of Mull - Bob Bean-Nigel Raeburn (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(23-24/07) - Calderford Trophy - Malcolm Byrom-Mike Fletcher (Ford Escort BDA 1700)
(10-11/09) - Cilwendeg Rally - Eric Davies-David Jones (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(17-18/09) - Costa di Plenti - Bob Bean-Nigel Raeburn (Ford Escort BDA 1700)
(24-25/09) - R.L. Brown Trophy - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(01-02/10) - Bolton Midnight Rally - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(15-16/10) - Bartley Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(22-23/10) - Red Dragon Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(05-06/11) - Southbound Rally - Geoff Davies-Pete Forrester (Ford Escort BDA 1700)
(26-27/11) - Nutcracker Rally - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(10-11/12) - J.J. Brown Memorial - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)


Final classifications

Drivers :
1-Bill Gwynne - 65
2-Ted Cowell - 60
3-John Bloxham - 56
4-Ron Beecroft - 40
5-Mick Briant - 39
6-Bob Bean - 33
7-Roland Young - 28
8-Pete Wagstaff - 26
9-Theo Bengry - 25
10-Dennis Pollington - 19

Navigators
1-Richard Harper - 56
2-Dave Kirkham-51
3-John Millington-47
4-Pete Forrester-38
5-Terry Thorp-36
6-Bernard Hill-34
7-Nigel Raeburn-33

Best regards from Portugal
Jorge

#21 sterling49

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 17:24

Originally posted by jrally
Well, moving on !!

1977

(02-03/04) - Servais Rally - Pete Wagstaff-Dave Starr (Ford Escort BDA 1700)

Best regards from Portugal
Jorge


Thanks again Jorge, I did the Servais Rally in 1975....so fast in the lanes of Norfolk.......my Escort 1300G.T. was flat out most of the way... and still we lost time!!!! Where did you get your interest for MN events? It intrigues me as I thought they were regional only with little interest outside GB. Have you ever been to the Oporto Rally? Remember the picture of Waldegard in the RS1800, with a wheel dangling over a fresh air drop.........think it was the British Airways car.........

Cheers!

#22 jrally

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 18:29

Hello Sterling49 !

To be completely honest with You, I don't have any interest in the MN series but when I saw this thread I think I will be usefull to your requests and as I have the MN of those years ...
I like research ... that's all !

Best regards
jorge

#23 JSF

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 22:54

I got into motorsport through road rallying in the early 80's. I used to man the stage finish time controls all night, usually doing 3 each event. Getting from one stage finish to the next before the cars were due was an event in itself! There is absolutely nothing to match the sights and eventually sounds of a rally car at 3am working its way over the horizon with the spot lights dancing in the sky, absolutely awesome experience. You had to have your whits about you when they eventually came into the time control all locked up sideways. :eek:

It was all getting a bit silly though, with kevlar bodied sunbeams and the like at a pace that would have the powers that be up in arms these days. The RACMSA changed the regs for road rallying right at the time i was just finishing the build of my first rally car ( a Hartwell Imp 998 ), so rather than detune the car i entered the finished car in a single venue stage rally, having never seen a stage rally before. Bloody brilliant. :D It was the start of a very slippy slope that has led to me making my living building racecars, life could have been so much easier had i never discovered Road Rallies. :D

#24 sterling49

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Posted 24 September 2006 - 23:04

Originally posted by JSF
It was the start of a very slippy slope that has led to me making my living building racecars, life could have been so much easier had i never discovered Road Rallies. :D


Ha ha! same as me.....I spent 1970-76 road rallying and spectating all over the country and marshalling at all type of events including The Rallycross Grand Prix at Brands with messrs Martin Schanke and co. The Welsh, R.A.C, Tour Eppynt....MN events...we went everywhere......

Question from girlfriend when arranging to get married.....how much money have you got saved.......simple answer....None...but I do have a rally Escort, 2 sets of wheels with Tarmac and Forest tyres..... :rotfl:

Sadly I agree with you, when the HSR Chevettes and the like got onto the roads in the early '80's it all got too far removed from a thrash in the lanes.....the noise limit in those days was 75db.....yeah right, with 240bhp of Blydenstein power!!!!

#25 hipperson

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 16:59

Posted Image

Remember this car Mr Gallagher ?

My road car thru the early nineties.....unbelievably quick.

Best

Michael

#26 RS2000

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 20:36

Mick Briant was at the recent Historic Tour of Flanders (not competing) - he spoke to a friend of mine who was competing.
John McKerrell died this year. That leaves me free to recall the time he tried to bribe the organising team to fix the results of our rally in his favour. Being a Clerk of the Course of a Regional Championship Rally opened my eyes somewhat. I still consider it a "golden era" but I dont like seeing it viewed entirely through rose-tinted spectatcles. As for MN events, rumour has it some events would provide the route to some somewhat in advance of when others received it. Helped to get the pace notes sorted out.........

#27 sterling49

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 20:59

Originally posted by RS2000
Mick Briant was at the recent Historic Tour of Flanders (not competing) - he spoke to a friend of mine who was competing.
John McKerrell died this year. That leaves me free to recall the time he tried to bribe the organising team to fix the results of our rally in his favour. Being a Clerk of the Course of a Regional Championship Rally opened my eyes somewhat. I still consider it a "golden era" but I dont like seeing it viewed entirely through rose-tinted spectatcles. As for MN events, rumour has it some events would provide the route to some somewhat in advance of when others received it. Helped to get the pace notes sorted out.........


Very sad to hear about John Mckerrel...when he did our rally it was not a PRE PLOT event!!! Driven by Briant they won comfortably in RNM 133M............

I marshalled on the classic "Targa Rusticana" in 1991 and had a brush with the very forceful John Brown.......(Russel Brookes usual driver on MN events) he told me what time he wanted...."05 please marshal" when the watch said something like 08......he argued until I said to him......."it will be 09 soon, make your mind up!" he took it and they sped off!

Lots of marshals would fall for it, but I read many years earlier Peter Bryant's book on Road Rallying (Harold Morley/Peter Bryant) and the tricks that the top crews used, such as taking their own padlocks to lock gated roads... :rolleyes: and getting any knowledge of the route beforehand. It does not make it right, but as with Schumi, it is a case of how much do you want to win?
BTW what rally did you Clerk? We used to run the London Counties/ASEMC "Midsummer Rally" through the lanes of Kent and across the Marshes..............

#28 jrally

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 21:42

If You are still interested, here the results of 76 :

(07-08/02) - Gremlin Rally - Brian Dennis-Gus Jones (Mini Cooper S)
(03-04/04) - Servais Rally - Alan Hemmings-John McKerrell (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(17-18/04) - Border Uniflo Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(24-25/07) - Caldeford Trophy - Mike Pattison-David Taylor (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(04-05/09) - Nutcracker Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(11-12/09) - Cilwendeg Rally - Mike Pattison-David Taylor (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(02-03/10) - Illuminations Rally - Pete Edwards-Nigel Hunter (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(09-10/10) - Tour of Mull - Willie Crawford-Roger Turnbull (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(23-24/10) - Red Dragon Rally - Bill Gwynne-Howard Moore (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(30-31/10) - Bartley Rally - Cyril Bolton-Nigel Raeburn (Mini Cooper S)
(06-07/11) - Cambrian Rally - Mike Pattison-David Taylor (Ford Escort RS 2000)

Final Classification

Drivers
1-Mike Pattison - 66
2-Cyril Bolton - 59
3-Mick Briant-55
4-Bill Gwynne-51
5-Ted Cowell-41
6-Howard Davies - 33
7-Peter Gerbez - 29
8-Steve Courtney-23
9-Ron Beecroft - 18
10-Mike Harrington - 15

Navigators
1-David Taylor-66
2-Nigel Raeburn-59
3-Dave Kirkham-51
Howard Moore-51
5-Colin Francis-36
6-Phil Jones-33
7-Dennis Osborne-29
8-Peter Watts-23
9-John McKerrell-19
10-John Millington-18

Best regards
jorge

#29 RS2000

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 22:10

I do worry that forums like this usually give the impression that all motorsports people were saints in "the old days". Maybe we can balance that a bit. My experience is that motorsport's "golden eras" contained more than its fair share of playboys, wheeler dealers and downright crooks and its governing body far too many arrogant people with very little to be arrogant about.

Not so long ago I saw a comment from within the historic rally fraternity that John Brown had "mellowed"!
Hmmm...
Rumour has it Tony Pond and Dave Richards owed their later success to JB. Russel Brookes allegedly turned down the UK Opel drive when Tony Fall refused to have JB in one of his cars.

Stuart Turner is someone I retain massive respect for but I choke on some of his recent writing in the governing body's bulletins criticising "win at any cost" attitudes. "Pots calling kettles black" springs to mind regarding that former road rally navigator... (and today's competitors merely demanding a level playing field and consistent application of regulations is not the same thing at all).

Harold Morley is still rallying, based in Barbados. Not so long ago, I had the chance to explain to a questioner on their local motorsports forum that UK "road rallies" at the time of HM's successes were not purely navigational exercises!

Although I have competed in "MN" rallies, I was involved organisationally in the "Great Cotswold Road Race...err, I mean Rally...era.

#30 sterling49

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 22:23

Agree with your point of view....have seen a few vagabonds in the sport also....try not to get involved but we all know who they are or were! I guessMr Morley is pulling teeth in Barbados?

Our "Midsummer Rally" went out with a bang in 1981 .....one guy, I think Billy Boyle, had an ex works DTV Chevette....240 brake for a Kent road race...sorry got that wrong, Rally!

Stuart Turner is a wily old campaigner as well........as was John Davenport, MN's old "Verglas".....

I do not think John Brown will ever mellow, a formidably assertive character!

#31 sterling49

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 22:24

Jorge , thank you, all that extra homework you have been doing is much appreciated!

Thanks!

#32 jrally

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Posted 25 September 2006 - 22:52

Thank You, sterling49 !

Here the results of 75

(05-06/04) - Servais Rally - Mick Briant-John McKerrell (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(12-13/04) - Border Uniflo Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(19-20/07) - Nutcracker Rally - Mick Briant-John McKerrell (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(30-31/08) - Stocktonian Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(06-07/09) - Cilwendeg Rally - Dai Roderick-Derek Tucker (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(20-21/09) - Bristowe Rally - Mick Briant-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(04-05/10) - Illuminations Rally - Cyril Bolton-Dave Stephenson (Mini Cooper S)
(25-26/10) - Devils Own Rally - Cyril Bolton-Colin Francis (Mini Cooper S)
(29-30/11) - Martin Group Rally - Mick Briant-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(29-30/11) - Red Dragon Rally - Bernard Banning-Bob Parrot (Chrysler Avenger)

Final classification

Drivers

1-Mick Briant - 70
2-Kevin Videan-49
3-Bill Gwynne-39
4-Cyril Bolton-33
5-Ted Cowell-23
6-Frank Pierson-20
7-Dai Roderick - 17
Geoff Birkett-17
9-David Cowan-15
10-Chris Huddestone-12

Navigators
1-Peter Valentine-49
2-Colin Francis-44
3-Terry Thorp-39
4-John McKerrell-24
- Dave Taylor-24
6-Peter Bryant-20
7-Derek Tucker-17
Dave Kirkham-17
Dave Orrick - 17
10-Dave Stephenson-16
Julian Chitty-16

Best regards
jorge

#33 Fred Gallagher

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Posted 26 September 2006 - 14:07

Originally posted by hipperson
Posted Image

Remember this car Mr Gallagher ?

My road car thru the early nineties.....unbelievably quick.

Best

Michael


It's the car George Donaldson and I won Group N with in the 1987 RAC Rally. He was rallying a Mini while doing some freelance mechanicing for TTE at the time. When he entered the Ford Rally Search competition I said that of course if he won that I would do RAC with him, safe in the knowledge about 30,000 people entered! And of course he won the thing!

Fred

#34 hipperson

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Posted 26 September 2006 - 15:24

Posted Image

I bought this car in 1989 for £16,000 from a man in a pub in North Yorkshire
I was totally smitten with it....felt a lot more than 300 bhp !
Track days and road use only for 5 years.......


Thank you for your reply

Michael Hipperson
THAXTED Essex

#35 hipperson

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Posted 26 September 2006 - 15:39

Posted Image

The presentation by Ford to George Donaldson.
The car cost £37,000 to build...a lot 20 years ago.

#36 Ian McKean

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Posted 26 September 2006 - 22:02

Talking of Harold Morley, I was standing around at a petrol halt once and Morley was checking his oil level and looking for a rag to wipe the dipstick with. He looked at me and asked me if I had a handkerchief he could borrow.

Supreme arrogance or a good sense of humour? Not sure :confused:

#37 jrally

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Posted 26 September 2006 - 22:20

Results of 1974

(04/5) - Devils Own Rally - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)
(20/7) - Nutcracker Rally - John Edwards-Parton - Don Davidson (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(31/8) - Stocktonian Rally - Neil Metcalfe-Steve Slater (Ford Escort TC)
(07/9) - Cilwendeg Rally - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Firenza 2.3)
(05/10) - Illuminations Rally - John Edwards-Parton - Don Davidson (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(19/10) - Plains Rally - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)
(30/11) - Cytax Rally - George Hill-Peter Bryant (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)
(07/12) - Red Dragon Rally - Mick Briant-John McKerrell (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(14/12) - Bristowe Rally - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)

Final classification

Drivers

1-George Hill - 59
2-Mick Briant - 55
3-John Edwards-Parton - 54
4-Cyril Bolton - 44
5-Keith Watkinson-34
6-Bill Gwynne-24
7-Ted Cowell-19
8-Frank Pierson - 14
9-Ron Shipp-13
10-Bryan Roe-12

Navigators
1-John McKerrell - 55
2-Keith Wood-49
3-Don Davidson-47
4-Dave Stephenson-40
5-Jeff Smith-26
6-Terry Thorp-24
7-Julian Chitty-19
8-Paul White-14
9-Dave Whiteley-13
10-Pete Forrester - 12

Best regards from Portugal
jorge

#38 jrally

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Posted 27 September 2006 - 21:57

and those from 73

(06-07/01) - Targa Rusticana - Russell Brookes-Derek Tucker (Ford Escort México)
(27-28/01) - Red Dragon - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(17-18/02) - Bristowe - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(24-25/03) - Cytax - Bob Jeffs-Dave Taylor (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(31-01/04) - Servais - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(28-29/04) - Border Uniflo - Rod Cooper-Ian Cooper (Ford Escort TC)
(21-22/07) - Nutcracker - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Porsche Carrera RS)
(18-19/08) - Gremlin - Malcolm Patrick-Neil Wilson (Porsche Carrera RS)
(01-02/09) - Stocktonian - Malcolm Patrick-Neil Wilson (Porsche Carrera RS)
(15-16/09) - Cilwendeg - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(29-30/09) - Vales - Kevin Videan-Peter Valentine (Datsun 240 Z)
(06-07/10) - Bob Bean-Alan Greenwood (Ford Escort México)
(13-14/10) - Tour of Mull - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)
(20-21/10) - Plains - Russell Brookes-John Brown (Ford Escort México)

Final classification

Drivers

1-Nigel Rockey - 81
2-Russell Brookes - 75
3-George Hill-52
4-Kevin Videan - 45
5-Bob Jeffs - 35
6-Malcolm Patrick - 33
7-Martin Clarke - 28
8-Alan Conley - 27
9-Bob Bean - 26
10-Dave Roderick - 25

Navigators

1-Paul White - 81
2-John Brown-65
3-Dave Taylor-49
4-Peter Valentine-45
5-Neil Wilson-43
Keith Wood-43
7-Peter Bryant - 37
8-Martin Holmes-36
9-Dave Stephenson-32
10-Terry Thorp - 27

Best regards
jorge

#39 sterling49

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Posted 27 September 2006 - 22:20

Originally posted by jrally
and those from 73

(06-07/01) - Targa Rusticana - Russell Brookes-Derek Tucker (Ford Escort México)
(27-28/01) - Red Dragon - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(17-18/02) - Bristowe - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(24-25/03) - Cytax - Bob Jeffs-Dave Taylor (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(31-01/04) - Servais - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(28-29/04) - Border Uniflo - Rod Cooper-Ian Cooper (Ford Escort TC)
(21-22/07) - Nutcracker - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Porsche Carrera RS)
(18-19/08) - Gremlin - Malcolm Patrick-Neil Wilson (Porsche Carrera RS)
(01-02/09) - Stocktonian - Malcolm Patrick-Neil Wilson (Porsche Carrera RS)
(15-16/09) - Cilwendeg - Nigel Rockey-Paul White (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(29-30/09) - Vales - Kevin Videan-Peter Valentine (Datsun 240 Z)
(06-07/10) - Bob Bean-Alan Greenwood (Ford Escort México)
(13-14/10) - Tour of Mull - George Hill-Keith Wood (Vauxhall Viva 2.3)
(20-21/10) - Plains - Russell Brookes-John Brown (Ford Escort México)

Final classification

Drivers

1-Nigel Rockey - 81
2-Russell Brookes - 75
3-George Hill-52
4-Kevin Videan - 45
5-Bob Jeffs - 35
6-Malcolm Patrick - 33
7-Martin Clarke - 28
8-Alan Conley - 27
9-Bob Bean - 26
10-Dave Roderick - 25

Navigators

1-Paul White - 81
2-John Brown-65
3-Dave Taylor-49
4-Peter Valentine-45
5-Neil Wilson-43
Keith Wood-43
7-Peter Bryant - 37
8-Martin Holmes-36
9-Dave Stephenson-32
10-Terry Thorp - 27

Best regards
jorge



Still a hero in my books! Russel Brookes beat such a lot of powerful cars in a 1600 Mexico....I spectated a few events, he really had to pedal that car to beat the big ones! :clap: Note the Carrera RSR's as well! Thanks Jorge, gratefully received, look forward to 1972 with anticipation!

Sterling

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#40 jrally

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Posted 28 September 2006 - 18:26

Thanks sterling49

Here they go for 72 ...

(29/01) - Red Dragon - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(19/02) - Bristowe - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(04/03) - Dubonnet - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(18/03) - Cytax - Bob Jeffs-Neil Wilson (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(12/08) - Peak Revs - Bob Jeffs-Neil Wilson (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(19/08) - Gremlin - Bob Jeffs-Neil Wilson (Ford Escort RS 1600)
(02/09) - Stocktonian - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 2-litre)
(16/09) - Cilwendeg - Frank Pierson-Colin Francis (Ford Escort RS)
(07/10) - Illuminations - Frank Pierson-Colin Francis (Ford Escort RS)
(14/10) - Tour of Mull - Alan Conley-Crawford Dunn (Clan Crusader Rally)
(21/10) - Plains - Paul Faulkner-Martin Holmes (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(28/10) - Torbay - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 1700)
(25/11) - Shenstone - Rod Badham-Dave Stephenson (Hillman IMP)
(09/12) - Nutcracker - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS 1700)

Final Classification

Drivers

1-Harold Morley - 97
2-Frank Pierson - 71
3-Bob Jeffs - 41
Paul Faulkner-41
5-Laurie Richards - 38
6-Kevin Videan - 35
7-Nigel Rockey - 29
8-Will Sparrow - 26
9-Martin Clark - 25
Russell Brookes-25

Navigators

1-Peter Bryant -97
2-Colin Francis - 71
3-Martin Holmes-43
4-Neil Wilson-41
5-Nigel Raeburn - 37
6-Peter Valentine-30
7-John Brown - 25
8-Dave Stephenson-24
Paul White-24
Clive Plummer-24

That's it !
Best regards
jorge

#41 sterling49

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Posted 28 September 2006 - 22:07

This from memory was the year of the really powerful BDA engined Escorts......Twinks were 2nd in the power race and the Dentist with Mr.Bryant did exceptionally well, great to see an Imp win the Shenstone...shades of David and Goliath!!!

#42 sterling49

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Posted 28 September 2006 - 22:08

:clap: :clap: :clap: thank you Jorge......my imagination is well fuelled now, just wish I had my old MN's!

#43 jrally

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Posted 29 September 2006 - 21:12

1971 results

(09/01) - Dubonnet - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (Mini Clubman GT)
(13/02) - Bristowe - George Hill-Keith Wood (Ford Escort TC)
(13/03) - Welsh Marches - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (Clubman 1275 GT)
(20/03) - Red Dragon - George Hill-Keith Wood (Ford Escort TC)
(17/04) - Nutcracker - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (Cooper S)
(21/08) - Gremlin - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (Thor Mini GT)
(04/09) - Cilwendeg - Harold Morley-Peter Bryant (Ford Escort RS)
(25/09) - Plains - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (Thor Mini GT)
(02/10) - Agbo - George Hill-Keith Wood (Ford Escort TC)
(09/10) - Illuminations - Paul Faulkner-Martin Holmes (Ford Escort TC)
(16/10) - Tour of Mull - George Hill-Keith Wood (Ford Escort TC)
(30/10) - Torbay - John Booth-Kevin Gormley (Ford Escort RS)
(06/11) - Shenstone - George Hill-Keith Wood (Ford Escort TC)
(04/12) - Targa Rusticana - Malcolm Gibbs-Randal Morgan (Ford Escort RS 1600)

Final classifications

Drivers

1-George Hill - 86
2-Will Sparrow-85
3-Harold Morley-67
4-Frank Pierson-43
5-Paul Faulkner-36
6-Jim Bullough-27
Malcolm Gibbs-27
8-Bob Jeffs-26
9-Russell Brookes-24
10-Keith Watkinson-18

Navigators

1-Keith Wood-86
2-Nigel Raeburn-85
3-Peter Bryant-51
4-Mick Mancey-50
5-Martin Holmes-46
6-Colin Francis-43
7-Don Barrow-27
8-Ray McGivern-25
Randal Morgan-25
10-Kevin Gormley-24

Best regards
jorge

#44 sterling49

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Posted 29 September 2006 - 22:17

Such effiecy Jorge! Thank you, I can see Will Sparrow scurrying that Mini GT through the Welsh lanes now, great memories, thank you! :up:

#45 jrally

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Posted 30 September 2006 - 13:47

and finally the 1970 results

(14-15/02) - Bristowe - Chris Beynon-Lyn Andrews (Ford Escort TC)
(21-22/02) - Seven Dales - Bob Bean-Paul Stephens (Ford Escort TC)
(14-15/03) - Welsh Marches - Jim Bullough-Don Barrow (Ford Escort TC)
(11-12/04) - Vales - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (BMC Cooper S)
(25-26/04) - Nutcracker - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (BMC Cooper S)
(02-03/05) - Dubonnet - Peter Clark-Jeff Smith (Ford Escort TC)
(22-24/05) - Manx Trophy - Chris Sclater-John Davenport (Ford Escort TC)
(15-16/08) - Gremlin - Frank Pierson-Colin Francis (Ford Escort TC)
(05-06/09) - Cilwendeg - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (BMC Cooper S)
(26-27/09) - Agbo - Robert Lawrence-David Stephenson (BMC Cooper S)
(10-11/10) - Plains - Frank Pierson-Colin Francis (Ford Escort TC)
(19-20/12) - Targa Rusticana - Will Sparrow-Nigel Raeburn (BMC Cooper S)

Final classifications

Drivers

1-Jim Bullough - 72
2-Chris Beynon-61
3-Robert Lawrence-60
4-Will Sparrow - 57
5-Frank Pierson - 54
6-Brian Dennis-47
7-George Hill - 39

Navigators
1-Don Barrow - 76
2-Nigel Raeburn-61
Lyn Andrews-61
4-David Stephenson-60
5-Colin Francis-54
6-Keith Wood-39
7-John Payne-38


That's it ! I hope I've been usefull to those persons who lived inside those years.
In my researches I realised that the MN series has been one of the most important rallyes in the begginings of the 70's when there was only the National RAC Championship. With the Open championship and the Autosport National championship they became like some regional events has the 3th main championship.

Drivers like Russell Brookes, Nigel Rockey, Will Sparrow and many others has made his debut in those series so we have to be thankfull to them.

Best regards to all
Jorge

#46 RS2000

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Posted 30 September 2006 - 13:56

Does anyome want 1969? The first round, the Dursley Rally was effectively a full forest stage event (with far more forest mileage than a modern event) with a full night road rally added after it. Not sure I ever recovered...

#47 Milan Fistonic

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Posted 01 October 2006 - 00:23

Originally posted by jrally
Hello, sterling49 !

If you have them and wanted to sell them, please, let me know !

Here the results of 78

(04-05/03) - Agbo Rally - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(11-12/03) - Gremlin Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(25-26/03) - Y Ddraid Goch - John Bloxham-Richard Harper (Fiat 131)
(01-02/04) - Servais Rally - Howard Davies-Phil Jones (Ford Escort RS 1800)
(08-09/04) - Moonraker Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(06-07/05) - Bournemouth Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(22-23/07) - Calderford Trophy Rally - Peter Smith-Jeremy Mathew (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(09-10/09) - Cilwendeg Rally - Gwyndaf Evans-Martin Thomas (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(23-24/09) - R.L. Brown Trophy - Terry Benson-Chris Pudsey (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(30-01/10) - Bolton Midnight Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(14-15/10) - Bartley Rally - Bill Gwynne-Terry Thorp (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(28-29/10) - Autumn Rally - Mick Briant-Dave Kirkham (Ford Escort RS 2000)
(04-05/11) - Southbound Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)
(09-10/12) - J.J. Brown Memorial Rally - Theo Bengry-Paul Watkins (Opel Kadett GT/E)


Unfortunately I only know that Bill Gwynne and Terry Thorp were the winners of this championship.

Best regards
jorge



It's strange that Motoring News didn't provide a full final result table for its own championship.

So to make this record complete I've been through the individual event reports and compiled the final points.

1978

Drivers

1 - Bill Gwynne - 83 (89) only best 9 results counted
2 - Theo Bengry - 66 (74)
3 - John Bloxham - 64
4 - Ted Cowell - 56
5 - Mick Briant - 34
6 - Barry Scott - 31
7 - Howard Davies - 26
8 - Dave Harries - 23
9 - Derek Carless - 23
10 - Roger Powley - 22


Navigators

1 - Terry Thorp - 83
2 - Paul Watkins - 66
3 - Richard Harper - 64
4 - Pete Forrester - 60
5 - Dave Kirkham - 34
6 - Gareth Jones - 31
7 - Phil Jones - 26
8 - Dick Wright - 23
9 - Brian Goff - 22
10 - David Taylor - 20

#48 Allan Lupton

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Posted 01 October 2006 - 08:09

Originally posted by Milan Fistonic



It's strange that Motoring News didn't provide a full final result table for its own championship.

So to make this record complete I've been through the individual event reports and compiled the final points.


I'm glad you said that: I fished my heap of MN out of the loft and couldn't find a final result table for 1978.
I thought it was just that I was not serious enough to scan every page of the 28-year-old crumbling paper.

#49 Terry Thorp

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Posted 24 June 2008 - 10:29

When you think about it - it couldn't go on. The cars changed a lot over the years. In 1970 I did the Nutcracker in a Lancia Fulvia, and the Manx with Nick Mason in his Lotus Cortina. By 1978 there were such cars as full Group 4 works specification rally cars, RS1600/1800, RS2000, or even well prepared Escort Mexico (remember that championship?), Mini's with 1400cc crossflow engines, 2.3/2.6 Vauxhalls, etc., all capable of winning full blown European tarmac rallies. Yet we were using country lanes, open to the general public, at AVERAGE speeds of anything up to 80mph. (Ask any Clerk of the Course from those days what he set the clocks to). Even such famous roads as Hardknott Pass, Cumbria, or Abergwesyn to Tregarron, Wales, were being cleaned at crazy average speeds. The worst events were the longer challenges, such as the Cytax, which went on into daylight.......dangerous or what?? We were frequently over 100mph.
It was surprising how few accidents there were with non-competing traffic/public. I can remember a cyclist weaving his drunken way back from an early morning session at the pub - against rally traffic. He was the talk of the petrol halt........
When I went back to drive a Motoring News event in the early 80's, I was amazed that the road races were still going on. It was only a matter of time before it was all stopped.
The potential roads to use are superb, so what is now wanted is an act of Parliament to temporarily lift the speed limit. Closed roads........Mind you, they would have to de-tune the standard. The old road rallies were tougher than some of the latest rounds of the World Rally Championship. Just think 200 stage miles on a Saturday night!!
Anyone who thinks I'm talking c**p, about the speeds, I scored MN championship points in every year from 1970 to 1978. I also competed in Group B in European tarmac events. The night sections on events like Ypres were very reminicent of MN road rallies. (The navigation was easier - here's one we practiced earlier).

#50 Nick Wa

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Posted 25 June 2008 - 18:51

Abergwesyn to Tregarron, Wales, were being cleaned at crazy average speeds


Whilst I never cleaned this section, often my times were such that last weekend or a fortnight previous I would have cleaned it. I believe that regular major seismic events occurred in this area of mid Wales during the mid sixties because these two towns/villages became closer together :confused: . My reasoning for this is that the maximum permitted target time for a section on an open public road was 30 m.p.h. :rotfl: However the time allowed progressively decreased with each successive event from about 34 minutes to 16 minutes.
Recently I took a pleasant Sunday morning drive in about 45 minutes with photo breaks and being baulked by another tourist who did not understand the pace notes painted on the rocks. I was pleasantly surprised by the scenery which I had never had time to view before nor I did hang the tail out and put a ding in the rear wing being forty years wiser.