Messages

31

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2015 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 08, 2015, 19:20:09 »

Thanks to Jon Payne for sharing this video of him going around the Goodwood motor circuit yesterday in his lovely Lotus Sunbeam.  Lots of work required at the wheel to keep it pointing down the track!
   
   https://youtu.be/enn-88uS3H0

[thank you]

32

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2015 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 07, 2015, 18:27:24 »

Dear all,
   
   A very big thank you to everyone who competed, assisted or spectated at today's Sprint. A fun day was had by all and lots of very impressive times were posted by all. A few drops(!) of rain did nothing to dampen spirits off the track or efforts on it!
   
   A full write-up will follow in due course, as I'm sure will some photos courtesy of our two club photographers Aaron and Peter. Until then, my personal thanks go to our Clerk of the Course Mike Smith, our Chief Paddock Marshal Michael Berrisford, and to all of the other marshals, officials, volunteers and assistants for helping make today such a great success.
   
   Bruce

33

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2015 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 01, 2015, 18:08:47 »

Hi all,
   
   I am pleased to say that we've another great collection of drivers and cars for this years Goodwood Sprint (next Saturday, 7th November). We have 29 ACOC members competing in a variety of AC and non-AC cars. Our total competitor count of 59 including members of the VSCC, BARC, Aston Martin Owners Club, BMW Historic Motor Club, The Pre-War Austin Seven Club, 500 Owners Association, Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club and the Frazer Nash Car Club.
   
   Remember, there is no fee for spectators, who are of course also very welcome to join us. As a spectator you will have full access to the paddock and all circuit viewing areas. Hot food and drink is available for purchase at the circuit all day, plus a paddock full of cool cars and interesting competitors, so please do come down and support us.
   
   Until then, good luck with your final preparations and I look forward to seeing you all at Goodwood in 6 days time!
   Bruce

[the deadline for entries is 30th October]

34

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2015 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: October 14, 2015, 14:28:48 »

Hello all, a quick update on entries received so far.
   
   Unfortunately, we only have as many AC's formally entered as I can count on one hand, with 3-4 more promised to be in the post within the next few days.
   
   I know that people often leave it to the last minute to send in their entries, hence please remember that the deadline for entries is 30th October (2,5 weeks away) and not the day before the Sprint as in earlier years!
   
   I will be travelling in the first week of November with a very low likelihood of being able to process late entries, hence it is a very real deadline - please do not delay in sending through your entry if you've not already done so.
   
   The Sprint Team is in place and plans are well progressed towards what we hope will once again be a fantastically social, fun event and we look forward to marshalling a paddock full of ACOC members and their cars!
   
   Best regards
   Bruce

[the deadline for entries is 30th October]

35

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2015 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: September 27, 2015, 20:42:20 »

Hello everyone,
   
   With 6 weeks to go until the ACOC Goodwood Sprint on 7th November, please note that the deadline for entries is 30th October (1 week ahead of the Sprint), hence do not leave it too late to send in your entry forms.
   
   To date I have received 18 entries, mostly from our invited non-AC clubs, so come on AC Owners, fill in your forms and let's fill the grid!
   
   In celebration of the fine summer that we've enjoyed to date (and the ongoing sunny weather down south, long may it last!), participants can look forward to a green iron-on patch this year []
   
   

36

ACOC News and Events / Goodwood AC sprint

« on: August 15, 2015, 10:13:30 »

Entries and instructions for our annual Sprint event (7th November) will be sent out in early September. Until then, if anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to email me at bruce_claassen@hotmail.com
   
   Bruce

37

Mk IV, Superblower, CRS and other Continuation Cars Forum / 225 bhp 302 EFI vs 340 bhp 302 carburettor

« on: December 23, 2014, 09:25:49 »

Hi, and welcome to MKIV ownership, you have many years of fun and tinkering ahead of you!
   
   Firstly, 15-inch wheels are a great first step. They improve the feel of the car on the road, enable you to use Avon CR6ZZ tyres (superb), and look great on the car.
   
   Regarding engine output, I'd not rely too heavily on what the factory data sheet says as the same sheet was used by the factory irrespective of 302-block engine used, headers fitted, exhaust manifolds used etc. If you really want to know its current output, put it on a rolling road.  Just don't get your hopes up, as it may output less than 225!
   
   However, based on your intended use of the car (wife, long distance rallies, MPG), you may want to use it for 2-3 years before changing the engine. In my old MKIV and running the factory fitted engine I would get around 22mpg combined cycle on a trip across France and back and a little less around the Surrey countryside on weekends. Once I'd changed to a 347 stroker, consumption went down to around 15mpg on a lucky day and into single digits when pushed harder / Surrey weekend blasts.
   
   Decide what you want a faster engine for: Yes, it's louder and acceleration is quicker, but the aerodynamics of cobra's are not great hence there won't be much difference to usable top-end speed (plus your wife won't enjoy it!).
   
   By all means consider a new engine, but beware of it's impact to your pleasure in the car.  If your wife tires of the noise and you tire of an empty wallet each time you take it out, you'll become less inclined to do long distances and hence may actually spend less time in the car than if it's left 'as is'. Also, apart from the cost of the engine build itself, factor in another £6-7 for engine installation (it cost more than I was expecting).
   
   The one thing you've not mentioned is suspension.  Have you got front and/or rear anti-sway bars fitted? And have you had the overall suspension set-up look at? Getting the suspension etc tuned will deliver you a car that's far easier to drive, gives you more feedback, and actually allows you to go that bit faster using your existing engine. If you do have it done, do it on the wheels that you intend to use long term (i.e. don't set it up on 16" wheels and then fit 15" wheels, put the 15's on first). It will only cost you around £3-400 to do (assuming that you already have anti-sway bars) and is a very worthwhile investment.
   
   Overall, the MKIV is a superb car and you'll have tonnes of fun whatever you do.  Each car becomes as individual as its owner which is great, but take your time.  Get to know it 'as is' first as it will save you money in the longer term and make you happier.

[Official Class Winners]

38

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 04, 2014, 08:37:17 »

Official Class Winners
   (for non-AC classes, 2nd and 2nd/3rd place awards are linked to class size).
   
   Classes 3,14,16 (AC Buckland, AC 3000ME, Brooklands Ace)
   1st: David Goose, AC Brooklands Ace, 113.58
   2nd: Bryan Moseley, AC 3000ME
   3rd: David Rix, AC Buckland
   
   Classes 5,6 (AC Aceca, Ace Bristol)
   1st: Ted Shepherd, AC Ace Bristol, 104.56
   2nd: Murray Shepherd, AC Ace Bristol
   3rd: Bill Holgate, AC Ace 2.6
   
   Classes 11,12,15 (AC TD Cobra, Frua, MKIV Cobra)
   1st: Martin Hunt, AC 289, 95.68
   2nd: Andy Shepherd, AC MKIV Lightweight
   3rd: Malcolm Thorne, AC MKIV Superblower
   
   Class 17a (AC Member not driving an AC car - 1950's)
   1st: Mark Aldridge, Jaguar D-type Recreation, 100.74
   2nd: Andy Shepherd, Daimler SP250
   3rd: Steven Gardner, Tojeiro "Corsica" MG
   
   Class 17b (AC Member not driving an AC car - 1960's)
   1st: Colin Newbold, MG MGB FIA Roadster, 103.59
   2nd: Jon Doubleday, Ford Cortina MkII
   3rd: Martin Hunt, Morris Mini Cooper
   
   Class 17c (AC Member not driving an AC car - modern's)
   1st: Cheng Lim, RAM SC Thunder, 92.47
   2nd: Mike Collins, BMW M3 Coupe
   3rd: Sarah Thorne, Lotus 340R
   
   Class 18 (Aston Martin Owners Club)
   1st: Steven Atkinson, V8 Vantage Prodrive, 95.11
   2nd: Mike Wadsworth, DB4
   3rd: Nigel Grice, DB2/4 MkII
   
   Class 20 (VSCC)
   1st: Andrew Mitchell, Lotus Bristol Type X, 105.88
   2nd: Spike Milligan, Connaught A7
   3rd: Mark Riley, Creamer Special Formula 3
   
   Class 21 (BMW Historic Motor Club)
   1st: Alastair Pugh, Frazer-Nash BMW 328, 113.65
   2nd: Tom Thornton, Frazer-Nash BMW 319/28
   
   Class 23 (Frazer-Nash Car Club)
   1st: Philip Champion, Frazer-Nash Mille Miglia, 103.96
   2nd: Martin Hunt, Frazer-Nash Le Mans Replica
   3rd: Ian Bingham, Frazer-Nash Geoghehan Lightweight Special
   
   Class 24 (BARC)
   1st: Glyn Sketchey, Megapin CFM9, 88.35
   2nd: Mike Wood, IOTA CB2
   
   Class 25 (Jaguar Enthusiast's Club)
   1st: Mark Aldridge, Jaguar D-type Recreation, 97.94
   2nd: Chris Keith-Lucas, Jaguar XK120
   3rd: Paul Kennelly, Jaguar E-type Lightweight

39

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 02, 2014, 16:08:51 »

... and last but not least, the Clerk of the Course heading out on "offical business"!!!
   
   
   
   Thanks 1000% to the two Mike's and their marshal's for handling the day and keeping us all safe.  Always smiling and making it look so damn easy!

40

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 02, 2014, 15:44:47 »

Car 1 - David Rix, AC Buckland
   
   
   Car 2 - Bryan Moseley, AC 3000ME
   
   
   Car 3 - David Goose, AC Brooklands Ace
   
   
   Car 4 - John Abel, Daimler SP250
   
   
   Car 5 - Steven Deacy, AC Aceca
   
   
   Car 6 - Robert Hescroft, AC Ace Bristol
   
   
   Car 7 - Murray Shepherd , AC Ace Bristol
   
   
   Car 8 - Keith Lessiter, AC Ace Bristol
   
   
   Car 10 - Martin Hunt, AC Cobra 289
   
   
   Car 11 - Malcolm Young, AC Cobra 289
   
   
   Car 12 - Andy Shepherd, AC Cobra MKIV Lightweight
   
   
   Car 14 - Malcolm Thorne, AC Cobra MKIV Superblower
   
   
   Car 15 - Bill Holgate, AC Ace 2.6
   
   
   Car 16 - Steven Gardner, Tojeiro "Corsica" MG
   
   
   Car 17 - Robert Clarke, Alfa Romeo GT
   
   
   Car 18 - Colin Newbold, MG MGB FIA Roadeter
   
   
   Car 19 - Jon Doubleday, Ford Cortina MKII
   
   
   Car 20 - Martin Hunt, Morris Mini Cooper
   
   
   Car 21 - Sarah Thorne, Lotus 340R
   
   
   Car 22 - Mike Collins, BMW M3 Coupe
   
   
   Car 25 - David Humbert, Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII
   
   
   Car 26 - Mike Wadsworth, Aston Martin DB4
   
   
   Car 27 - Steve Atkinson, Aston Martin V8 Vantage Prodrive
   
   
   Car 28 - Nigel Grice, Aston Martin DB2/4 MKIII
   
   
   Car 32 - Spike Millidan, Connaught A7
   
   
   Car 33 - Paul Dezelsky, Lotus Bristol Type X
   
   
   Car 34 - Nigel Challis, Morgan Super Sports
   
   
   Car 38 - Alastair Pugh, Frazer-Nash BMW 328
   
   
   Car 40 - Tom Thornton, Frazer-Nash 319/28
   
   
   Car 43 - Philip Champion, Frazer-Nash Milla Miglia
   
   
   Car 44 - Steve Stanton, Frazer-Nash TT Replica
   
   
   Car 45 - Ian Bingham, Frazer-Nash Geogeham Lightweight Special
   
   
   Car 46 - Martin Hunt, Frazer Nash Le Mans Replica
   
   
   Car 48 - Glyn Sketchey, Megapin CFM9
   
   
   Car 49 - Howard Harman, MG TC Roadster Special
   
   
   Car 52 - Malcolm Mitton, Lotus Elan+2
   
   
   Car 55 - Paul Kennely, Jaguar e-type Lightweight
   
   
   Car 56 - Cheng Lim, RAM SC Thunder
   

41

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 02, 2014, 15:16:17 »

AC Ace Bristol's prepare for battle
   
   
   View from the timing wall
   
   
   Formula 3 racers
   Get them onto the line...
   
   
   ... and then hold your ears!
   
   
   Car 31 - Xavier Kingsland, Staride MkIII Formula 3
   
   
   Car 35 - Jan Nycz, Staride MkIII Formula 3
   
   
   Car 36 - Mark Riley, Creamer Special Formula 3
   
   
   Car 47 - Mike Wood, IOTA CB2
   

42

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: November 02, 2014, 15:06:31 »

Dear all
   
   Thank you to everyone for a fantastic Sprint!  Everything went smoothly and everyone had a great time, in equal measure due to the hard work from everyone behind the scenes and the good form of all the drivers.
   
   I will publish the results soon, but in the interim some photos for everyone to enjoy:
   
   Driver's briefing: a marshall's perspective
   
   
   Waiting for the parade lap to start
   
   
   The start of the parade lap, taken from the rear seat of Mike Smith's AC Buckland
   
   
   Parade lead-out
   
   
   Mike Smith leading everyone around the Goodwood circuit in his AC Buckland, a steady hand indeed!
   
   
   The start of the Practice laps
   
   
   
   
   Practice laps underway: a driver's perspective
   

43

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: October 29, 2014, 15:31:58 »

Hi Constant, I'm sorry you can't make it, but as always you're a great support to all of our club activities.
   
   Note that competitors all receive a badge as part of the sign-on before the Sprint, however I do have badges available for sale to anyone else who'd like one.  All money goes to the ACOC, so it's another way to support the club.
   
   Anyone interested should contact me directly via email (or come up to me at the Sprint).  £5 get's you one of these beautiful iron-on patches.  I also have 7 left over from the 2013 event (it has a purple outer ring) for anyone keen to build up a collection!
   
   Bruce

44

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: October 29, 2014, 11:09:26 »

45

ACOC News and Events / AC Owners’ Club 2014 Clubman’s Sprint Meeting

« on: October 28, 2014, 14:01:42 »

Hi all, an update on the Sprint.
   
   I have just finished sorting through the entries received over the weekend and will be sending out the provisional starting grid to competitors this afternoon.  We have 53 entrants signed up, which is only 1 short of last year's field, a nice result.
   
   In summary, AC Owners' Club classes:
   Class 3,14,16 (Buckland, 3000ME, Brooklands Ace): 3 entries
   Class 5,6 (AC Aceca, Ace Bristols): 5 entries
   Class 11,15 (TD Cobras, MKIV Cobras): 4 entries
   Class 17a (non-AC cars 1950's): 4 entries
   Class 17b (non-AC cars 1960's): 6 entries
   Class 17c (non-AC cars 'moderns'): 4 entries
   
   In total that's 26 entrants from the ACOC, great!
   
   In the non-ACOC classes we have:
   Class 18 (Aston Martin OC): 6 entries
   Class 20 (VSCC): 6 entries
   Class 21 (BMW Historic Motor Club): 3 entries
   Class 23 (Frazer Nash Car Club): 4 entries
   Class 24 (BARC): 3 entries
   Class 25 (Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club): 5 entries
   
   We have a fantastic mix of vehicles participating, with some equally interesting drivers.  At present the BBC is forecasting a dry day, starting at 14'degrees and rising to 17'degrees with some sunshine & light cloud - perfect Sprint conditions.
   
   As always, spectators are very welcome to join us - entry is free, including full paddock access and the opportunity to have a 1-to-1 with any driver who you feel needs encouragement or 'advice' on how to go faster!
   
   To our 'usual suspects' photographers, I hope that you will once again be able to join us to capture those 'moments' in order to share the evidence with the wider community afterwards.
   
   Food & refreshments will be available throughout the day to help keep energy levels up.
   
   Drive safely, see you at Goodwood on Saturday!
   Bruce