TR Action 228
Another edition, another NLG success story. This group really does go from strength to strength and this year we are on a roll. Nationally: Chosen by the Register to be the lead at Ally Pally, did the Quiz at the Welsh Ball, asked to support Knebworth, write up the Ace Café story (see elsewhere in this issue), largest group party going to Classic Le Mans. Locally: The events calendar has something for everybody, the committee is a strong as ever and if proof was needed the Non AGM was massive, one of the biggest events on the NLG’s annual calendar and the most successful of recent years.
The committee had been working on the event for weeks, contacting the office, obtaining the current members list and then sending everybody a personal invite to attend. It worked. Held at our normal monthly natter venue, the Royal Oak, and on the regular Thursday slot. The TR count topped thirty cars, mostly regulars but some we had never seen before or rarely, including Tony and partner in the America sourced TR4 in Old English White on Stromberg's and Mike and buddy in a Red six plus two Jowetts and even a 2.8i Capri. In the end cars were finally being turned away (not TRs though) as the car park literally brimmed to capacity. Food was laid on and the committee press-ganged Howard and Bob into saying a few words (as if). The fact that the crowd of over sixty people stayed chatting in the car park well past dark was proof of a great night and that the NLG’s future is secure.
Only three days later one of the most anticipated events of the year, the NLG annual treasure hunt, was hosted by Bob & Carole Grou for the last time, but what a swan song. Brilliant weather, idyllic picture postcard village settings, cryptic clues and a few miss-directs ensured everybody had a fun and frustrating time. The final count was a close thing no doubt hampered by the NLG subsidised BBQ. In a re-count Alistair and Steff won by a short bonnet bulge and took the honours. They are also rumoured to be our hosts for next year’s event. Well done
The other big event was of course the National Triumph Day at Prescott, shame on you if you didn’t make it. The weather again shone on the NLG as we took the opportunity to blast the one hundred miles there, Alistair and me in the TR4s and Howard resting in the Co-Pilots seat on Dan’s 250V8 Dart. The run was all the excuse we needed. Once there, we me up with new and old friends alike, took afternoon tea with the London Group AKA Bob, Mark, Roger and the girls in the camp site, walked the hill and then chased 4VC all the way home. Fantastic.
Next issue: Shiny Cars, Le Mans & the International. Meanwhile think about Croxley Green, Knebworth and the NLG Christmas do.
TR for now.
TR Action 227
The big event since the last report was the NLG quiz night. It was oversubscribed and we had people sitting on every flat surface in the place. Sean, our Quiz Maestro, had produced a quiz aimed at the 80s with special TR rounds. Needless to say it was an unqualified success despite the warmly welcomed London Group boys & girls winning the team prize. In the diary for next year. Easter came and went in the rain and hail and a planned run out on Easter Monday was hastily cancelled.
However, the NLG were quickly back into the groove after Easter with an emphatic seventh win on the trot for the Triumph TR team in our annual Bowling match with our neighbouring MG group. They were good sports and put up a good fight but, as on the road, the TRs won through. Thank you to John Rushton for arranging the evening.
Next up was the long promised photo quiz hosted by our very own Bob Rowland. Another quiz, you say? Yes. It was not on the scale of our now annual family quiz but a pub natter photo quiz, held in the meeting room of our regular venue, the Royal Oak, on a regular club night. Bob had put together an excellent TR/Classic car photo quiz. Lee Hutton continued his 2007/8 winning streak with a points win with yours truly tying for second place only to be bumped to third by Mr Rowland on adjudication (I was robbed.) so Stephen Boswell, a brand new NLG’er got a well deserved second. All in all, an excellent evening which Bob will be asked to repeat, I’m sure, next year. Also a warm welcome to new guys Nigel Tilley & Stephen Boswell. I hope by the time you read this you are regular NLG’ers
The quiz night also attracted our best TR car park turn out of 2008 so far. Seven classic TRs braved the evening air including Ian Cornish’s Works TR4, 4VC, Sean & Nelson’s brace of red TR5s, Howard’s 6 and Alistair’s Powder Blue 4 which made it despite a thrown fan belt. Moral of the story, never leave home without your tools and spares.
Next on the list was the NLG Drive It outing in co-op with the Essex Group. 21 TRs convoyed to Maldon for a Fish & Chip lunch. Nice to see so many TRs in one place.
Finally our alternate meet at the Elephant & Castle Amwell brought out an unexpectedly large crowd, six TRs and eighteen beer drinkers including two new guys, Jeff Onslow and Matt Payne in his 16v TR7, both of whom we hope will become regulars
Lots more planned: Treasure Hunts, Prescott Day, Bank Hols, road runs, BBQs, pub meets, Le Mans Classic, you get the idea. Full details on both the websites. So if you’re a regular then you’ll know that and if you’re a spectator then join in, you would be most welcome.
TR for now.
TR Action 226
Well, after a quiet report last month it has been a busy few weeks. Three main events and a pub meet, not bad for February. Stoneleigh on the 10th Feb, the International Classic Car Show at the Ally Pally on the 23rd/24th February and the Welsh Ball, 1st 2nd March. All were great successes in their own right with notable achievements at each event, details follow.
The Spares Day at Stoneleigh was attended by Howard, Bob G, Lee H, Harry, Franco, Bill, Falkener, and others to numerous to mention. I was in the States so I missed it (gutted). Howard reported that the guys had a very good day did not manage to find that elusive part himself but did manage a few parts for his imminent TR8 rebuild. Lee and Bob G both had pre-ordered their wheels and picked them up. Rob Taylor was clearing out his shed when his mate persuaded him to share a stall at Stoneleigh; he is glad he did as he made £500. Biggest purchase of the day went to Chris O’Kelly who bought a Porsche on the way home (what!)
More amusing was that Harry went in his TR5 with Chris as a passenger and won car of the show in visitors’ car park but was not there to collect his prize. I tell you, if he just parked it in Barnet High Street he’d win a ‘Best Car in the Street’ prize. He also had a vibration all the way there and back and was puzzled; further investigation revealed the drive shaft Nylock nuts had loosened possibly from the heat of the exhaust melting the nylon. Car now repaired, vibration gone.
The NLG stand at the Ally Pally was an unqualified success; we won Best Triumph in Show (Lee H’s TR4) and were runners up in the overall Best Stand in show. The Register told us they were very pleased, we had nearly a hundred Register members sign the visitor’s book over the two days, fantastic. For the full story, see elsewhere in this issue.
Finally the Welsh Ball. Ten NLG personnel joined with six from the London group and went to the winter ball in four TRs. Our NLG ladies hosted a quiz evening to the assembled Winter Ball TR Register members which everybody seemed to enjoy. Medals and trophy's were given to the winning team which included our Chairman Chris Cunnington; and a jar of pickled Wallies were presented to the team with the least points at the end of the evening. Excellent organising from Chris Hale ensured that all attendees had a great time. A definite venue for the NLG again in 2009 - it just gets better. Thank you to Howard for details of both the Welsh Ball & the Stoneleigh Day.
By the time you read this we’ll have had the NLG Quiz night, Easter and the TR Vs MG Bowling night…So much to do, so little time.
TR for now.
