NATIONAL '91

Seeing as no one has sent me any details of the National '91, I will
give you a brief glimpse of what you missed.

For all that it was nearly 350 miles away it was easier to find
than some of the events in Lancashire; motorway - dual carriage way,
all the way. It was only half a mile off the main road. We covered
the distance in 5'/2 hours in my Turbo Diesel 90, much quicker than
in a non Turbo model, but the fuel consumption was not so good,
24ish to the gallon, meaning it took nearly two tanks full each way,
this at a constant 70-75. The more brighter ones of you will be
thinking - mileage, speed, time - don't add up. But i did have a lady
on board and as you will all be aware, 5 mins from home come those
famous words "I want a wee" and this after setting off 4 hours late
because "she" was not ready (oh well).

Having arrived I found Glen and about 10 others had put up the
tent, so straight to bed.

Wakey, wakey! Morning Campers, rise and shine. (Shine - at 7.30
in the morning!)

Looking round, Pennine had quite a few members who made the
journey and were all camped together. This adds to the friendliness of
the event if you can be with your mates instead of spread all around.

I had entered in the R.T.V. 80, off we go! l'/2 hours and three
sections later I was back. It was too nice a day to be sat in the Land
Rover, and the sections were very tame. At one point a marshal was
holding back some "twigs" so as not to scratch the motors.

With time to spare we went into Plymouth for a browse, when
we fell onto some spare deck chairs and decided to have a sit for a
while in this glorious sunshine. When 1 woke up I had a series of shod
one we had to pay for the chairs, two I was red raw, and three, nearly
missed it, the little beach we overlooked was a "topless" beach, almost
made it worth paying for the chairs. Meanwhile back at the site people
were setting up for the trial, so go get my 90 through scrutineering,
wow!! Were they keen, exhaust noise checks, each wheel jacked up.
They did not miss a thing. Quite a lot of motors got a shock, with one
motor, who I know myself, who has been trialling/comping with the

same roll cage for many a National, having to do severe roll cage
changes during the night. It made us all a bit wary for the comp
check.

The Trial sections were very hard and very confusing, with the
sticks for the next gate being behind you, requiring excellent 180°
vision and a bloody good memory, of which I have neither. At one
section I had to get a spectator to run round in front of me, so I
could see where I was supposed to be going. This, coupled with 'A"
thick green fibre glass canes with the numbers on the ground, made
the section very hard to follow. I believe they must have been set by
an 80" as some were very tight, at one point my motor would not go
between a large tree and a boulder, ending up with a long groove
down my side and the bulk head pushed back. On some other sections
the tree branches were extremely low, causing severe damage to my
top and windows, definitely not a trial for big vehicles, either in
height or width. All this apart, 1 thoroughly enjoyed the trial, as it
was so demanding, the great rocks looking impossible to mount, but
with careful driving and giving the sections a lot of thought most were
drivable. My best buddy had a bad do breaking his steering box on
the third section and putting him out. 1 didn't find out till prize giving
that I got third in my class. I could not believe that with 50 points at
a National 1 was anywhere near. I believe the lowest score were the
80" motors, by a mile, with only 4. 6. 10. points, so adding to my view
it was an 80" course. The trial finished early so as to give us a good wait
in the scrutineering queue (up to 3 hours), again really keen, I saw one
motor turn up in the morning and get knocked back on so many items
he went straight back home (must have been a local).

The comp motors were lined up to set off in order of potential speed
of motor i.e. V8 Coils first, Standard 80" last. This system works fine in
theory but not always in practice. 1 was set off after a Range Rover from
France who was hopelessly slow and 1 caught him half way round, and
then lie broke down right in front of me. In an attempt to go round him
I did some bad damage to my motor. 1 was told 1 could have a re-run,
but must do the repairs before the start of the second runs, leaving me
to finally go behind the last standard 80" with no extra time allowed
between setting off. Guess who got caught up in three attempts to get
round? I nearly wrecked my motor, there was really nowhere to pass,
the day ended in zilch.

The course however was a corker, with a mile long straight and down
hill with steep cliffs to your right. This stretch was top gear, top box, max
rev, not for the faint hearted. A chicane was put in the middle to slow
down the straight, but it might as well not have been there. By the time
you got to this bit your brain had gone anyway. So "Vroom" straight
through "Yippee". The course was long and dustv- vou can't avoid dust!

The marshalling was strict, but it had to be if it was to get done; at
times and to some the rules seemed unfair, nevertheless it was well run.

Many thanks to Devon and Cornwall for putting on a good event
and most people I spoke to thoroughly enjoyed it.

There are a lot more aspects to write about as anyone who has been
to a National knows. If you haven't been to one, go - you will enjoy it.
Hopefully we can have the same sort of comradeship at Tong as at this
event.

Rod Depledge

P.S. Congratulations to Kevin Baldwin, first in class at Comp, and to
Glen Thompson, who put on a great fight to come second in the Special
class. Well done both!

DOUZY TRIAL

For those of you whose geography is as bad as mine, DOUZY is a

dozy town on the Western Front, very close to France's border with
Belgium. An executive decision allowed me the day off from work as
I was taking Pauline and Kathryn to Brussels to fly back to Leeds,
leaving me to fight a rearguard action alone.

The local cat cat (French for 4x4) club were holding a trial, open
to all Off-Road Vehicles. Assembled in the paddock were an assortment
of Suzukis, Toyotas, a Willy's Jeep, a Mere G Wagen, 2 or 3 buggy
things, a 2CV with 2 engines, an Argocat type thing and a solitary
Range Rover.

The course was in a sandy gulley and consisted of seven sections,
to be done in order, 5 times round the circuit.

The objective is to pass through each section without stopping or
hitting the sticks or bunting. Each stop or reverse carries 2 points, I
didn't find out the penalties for hitting the course markers. The first
section was simple, drive across a wire rope bridge with some very
rotten looking wooden beams. Very hairy for a 2 tonne Range Rover.

The remaining sections were a mixture of steep ascents and des-
cents with sharp corners, even the little Suzukis needed shunts to get
round.

The Range Rover retired at Section 3, he creased the back wing
and cried. (He'd obviously not seen my old Green Rangey). My mate's
Toyota broke a spring on the same section and retired early.

We had to leave after the second circuit, a plane to catch.

The format was interesting, one thing that horrified me was that
passengers are allowed to move around the vehicle, i.e. jump up and
down in the back, hang over the side like a motorbike sidecar passenger
jump up and down on the front, in fact anything as long as they stay
on the vehicle. Shades of Ribblehead and Windy Hill.

There are plenty of 90's, Rangeys and Discoveries in this area, the
local agent (60 miles away) has an interesting little demonstration
course at the side of his premises. They are holding a Garden Party and
test driving session on Sunday, 9th June. I've an invite, but of the 20
plus Sundays in 91 so far, the 9th June will be my third in Britain, so
I'll miss this.

Work has also meant I've missed the National, only the third time
since 1973, in addition to all trials this year. Make the most of the
fresh air. Old Red will be out again sometime!

a bientot
         Bill Leacock

HAMELDON HILL (BRITISH MUNSUUN)

Fhe Pork Pie Team had to set off late Saturday, with a view to having
a Barbie (No, not the doll). Sun shining in Leeds, this day had bad
omens. Going through Halifax Glen's back wheel came off his Land
Rover, firstly running into the side of an UNO and then passes me as
I shout to Diane "Get after that wheel!" "Wot wheel?" Another puff
on fag. It then decides to get back onto the red motor, only the wheel
is short-sighted, the red motor was a Cavalier Taxi (Who says you can't
get a taxi on a Saturday night?). We put the wheel back on and with
Glen £150.00 lighter we set off again.

Then the rain, then the hill wet and slippy, could not get up
without tow, only to find no barbie. 1 don't know what the Seedall
family think we're fed on in Leeds, but we were given the barbie raw.
Next question, who is gunner cook it? Up jumps the Learoyd camp
with a tempting offer, especially as Ken was the booze keeper. Six of
us join the Learoyds for supper and booze, only to be joined by
another four later (1 2 people in a caravan made for 4). Big thanks to
the Learoyds for their hospitality and big thanks to the Seedalls for
the work put into the preparation for the barbie.

After a night's sleep in the vans we are up and ready to comp.
From years gone by 1 can remember the main bogs, but 1 decided to
have a good look round anyhow. (In my suede shoes, I forgot my
wellies). This course saps the engine power somewhat cronic. As the
day progressed the bogs got worse with a lot of motors broken or
bogged down. I chose to make it quick on the hard, but pick my way
through the bad, slowly. After 3 laps I broke my front spring and
must thank Clive Cocks for supplying me with a spare and Mr Baldwin
for a U bolt. So as we go again, absolutely soaked and covered in mud
due essence of the day was to avoid maximum times. The coiler seems
to make easy work of this kind of ground. Maybe it isn't too easy
when you're in one, I had no more problems and managed to get first
mainly to my lack of a maximum time. The second placed motor was
a Standard 80" with, wait for it, six hundred tyres on. So apparently
choice of direction meant a lot on the day.

Many thanks to all who helped. Shame about the weather, but at
least it kept the flies away.

Rod

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A LAND ROVER OWNER

VOLUME 1: 1/2 LAP SPECIAL                               
I first went to a trial, can't remember where, but somebody rolled a
blue swb safari. Not bad weather, enjoyed it.

Then the big day, 1 Landrover delivered by its ex owner (the
editor) with thanks, yes this is it, fix a few things, secure bits that fly
about. First event is a comp safari at Scout Moor, what a romantic
image - SCOUT MOOR.

Driving there we followed two Land Rovers who apparently know
where they are going, (no way) we end up showing them where it is.
As we headed up the hill 1 thought this is nothing like my bedroom.
It is about 9am, shrouded in mist, with a bad hangover (deep joy).
Thro scrutineering, no problem, one practice lap, no problem. To the
start - 15 sec 10. 5. Go! My passenger is my father shouting slower,
slower, you barmy ******* I think it means fatherless one, slow was
the right word, no brakes. Then it would not even go forward.
Eventually crawled back, right onto the back of the trailer.

Then in a fit of madness I asked Rod if I could be a sack of
spuds in the co-pilot seat (pilot indeed). We set off at very fast pace
- that is for me - God knows what father would have done, the back
straight has a few bumps'!! All of a sudden Landrover transformed
into a 747, it takes off, lands - and off we go again, crash hat hits
roll cage, we land - Oh no, not again! Then pilot (Rod) says the same
chosen words "THAT WAS A BIT ROUGH". Could not speak, just
nodded. Finished the run.

Pops said you look like a bloody ghost, son, serves you right
(sympathy). As the comp carries on various bits start falling off,
nothing much, just the brakes. Off we go again, no brakes, no problem.

The last lap proves to be very memorable. First the wipers don't
work, this leads to a slight loss of visibility. Then the bonnet becomes
a bit free! Then we crash landed and the engine seems a bit louder.
Rod gets out and walks back, I think where the bloody hell is he
going? Walks back with the exhaust - walk back to finish, have to
take max. A very enjoyable day, not as much fun as trying to get
out of bed on the Monday morning. Felt as though I been mugged.

NEXT EVENT - MOUNT TABOR

Off we set to try to find the site, found it by default. Thro scrut, off
we go, I actually got a five, no probs. Section 2 clear 0. Yes this is
what it's all about. Off into the afternoon it happens again, a clear -
then disaster. I think it was section 10, it cuts out, would not go, all
the swear words in the world would not make it move, get towed back
Such a very, very nice man, 110 Diesel hardtop (thanks).

Then a two dayer at HAMELDON HILL. We take the bedstead up on
Saturday dinner. Then promotion or is it demotion, a MARSHAL, see
if we can make a town hall of this. The weather was ok till 2 o'clock,
then the heavens opened, by 5 o'clock very wet and cold. During the
morning commented about the amount of wellies about, now I know
why.

By this time you would have thought sense would have prevailed
then a fatal mistake, volunteered to be marshal on the Point to Point,
somebody from Newcastle helps me set up my stall.
Then a Landrover appears at great speed, sign my name. Just as the
meeting carries on signature goes worse and worse, don't know if it's
the beer, water or the speed. Everybody finished, arrived back at base
asked if the bar-b-qu was still on got some good replies. Go home, defrost a Chinese

And off to bed.

Comp Safari Day

Wonder whether to enter? Let's do it! Looks like a good course. Watch
a few go round, then we have a go. First bit not bad, shade bumpy,
then coming round corner is a big ditch. There's an easy way and a
hard way, guess which one I picked? Get stuck, try to put the thing
in gear, it only comes off in my hand. Not supposed to do that. I then
attempt to turn the bloody thing off. No keys in the ignition switch.
Then I realise the keys for father's pride and joy, the towing Land-
rover were on the bunch, house, garage were on the same bungle.
Smashing...

Get towed out, then break the news to the chief mechanic (Pops).
Took it well considering it's his Landrover. Mole grips for gear lever,
unknown at this moment that the front spring is also broken until get
towed out of next hole. Pulls front prop shaft out of gear, straight on
trailer.

Watch the event, very impressed watching all of you on the
second lap straight. One of these days we will do more than one lap.
Looking forward to next event. Enjoyed myself a lot, say that for my
father as well.

ROB

P.S. HANDY TIPS

Make sure you tie the Landrover down properly, else it tries to get in
the back of your pride and joy.
Shut the door when you enter an event.
Only have one key to start the Landrover fixed to the facia.
Enjoy yourself and laugh at yourself because I do frequently.
I possibly book Monday off.

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