TR Register - Social Scene

TR Action 228

A quiet April, due mainly to the disappointing weather, has been followed by a hectic May. Six opportunities to exercise the TR commenced with the Lakes run on Bank Holiday Monday.

Rendezvous at Hexham, then to Keswick and round Derwent Water. Through Borrowdale, over Honister Pass to Buttermere and Crummock Water, finishing with a teatime wander round Keswick. The cars included Ian Davies on his first convoy run in his TR6 giving it a shake out before hitting Le Mans Classic. Some gearbox exercise over Honister Pass, an atmospheric picnic in the shadow of Great Gable and entertainment in a sunny Keswick at teatime by a performing street artist, an escapologist. He was no Houdini, but his spiders web of chains reminded me of the wiring behind a TR dashboard. When I saw how quickly he escaped however, I realised his web was much easier to untangle.

Spring Bank Holiday found us at the Falkirk Wheel where the Union Canal meets the Forth & Clyde Canal in the Borders. A spectacular rotating wheel boat lift now replaces the eleven locks originally needed. The first in the world, opened in 2002, it enables the boats to surmount the 35m difference in level between the canals. Now one of Scotland's major tourist attractions, it’s a great place for a family day out. Ben Lee joined us for the first time on this run, in his TR6, newly returned from a mechanical overhaul and now sporting triple Webbers and a gas flowed head. The car has been handed down in Ben's family and use as a tourer is probably a well earned rest from the racing that his father used it for. Simon was giving the triton wedge KBA 430 V a thorough workout over Carter Bar and covered over three hundred miles on this run.

Next on the agenda, Thirlestane Castle show on 1st June where Tom Smith followed last years blue rosette with a red one this time, taking first prize in class with his TR6, UTJ 976 M. A ten car convoy and rain on the return journey but it couldn’t take the smile off Tom's face.

Three days later and he was still grinning when we met up for one of Barry's evening convoy runs. Ten TRs, an E Type and two TVRs took to the lanes round Corbridge, and West Durham. Blanchland was like a ghost town but on the roads round Derwent Reservoir the entire population was out and about in the dusk. Rabbits that is. Unfortunately they'd left their brains at home and were criss crossing the road between cars, playing Russian roulette.

Spliced between these outings there were two Wednesday meetings at the Blue Bell Inn at Stanley, and the Dyke Neuk near Mitford. A good turnout at the Bluebell but our regular gremlin of clashing with the scheduling of a “big match” scuppered the attendance at the Dyke Neuk on 21st. Strange name that. I'm sure Bryan will tell me where it comes from.

TR Action 227

Did all Northumbria members spot the picture of Craig's Topaz TR6 in the Registrar's report in issue 226? Despite a slip of the pen that attributed it to a Mr. Anderson, a six that colour immediately means “Craig” to us Northerners, and very smart it looks. I checked with Tom though and he says you don't get points for being in TR Action, only for cars at meetings. Sorry Craig, nice try.

Stoneleigh Spares Day in February was the first big TR shopping trip of the year and at least half a dozen Northumbrians took the opportunity to hunt out some bargains. Purchases included both the purely functional and those giving under bonnet bling. This event is becoming the best after Malvern for those suffering from the “TR bug”. Most of the parts bought have been fitted and are now in use. Apart from normal winter servicing this year we've had gearbox rebuilds, suspension rebuilds, engine rebuilds, and of course another case of clutch, cross shaft pin replacement. Has anyone ever taken out an original pin and found it not broken? Bryan is rebuilding the gearbox on his TR3A, Dave Wright is preparing the engine for the TR4 he is rebuilding, and I hear on the wires that Dave Blenkinship and Paul Brent are investigating revised air induction systems for their sixes and talking of rolling road adventures.

More serious work has been started by Sean Tindle in the form of a TR5 rebuild. Having put off the major dismantle for some time while he acquired some of the items he will need, he has finally given in to curiosity over what lies below the surface. For everyone's entertainment he's putting a pictorial blog of the process on the Northumbria web site. So if you want to know the hidden secrets of an original UK Michelotti car, go to www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/northumbria.

The end of March saw Sean and myself make a 6.00am start to get to the Group Leaders meeting at Didcot. The bacon butty on arrival was welcome after the long journey and the chance to meet the new Manager, Allen Forster means he's already more than just a voice on the phone.

Exchange of views with Group Leaders puts things into perspective with the situation in other parts of the country and discussion ranged from immediate membership issues to the more distant celebrations for the Register's fortieth anniversary in 2010.

April started the new season's list of pub venues and The Floaters Mill drew a good crowd including Rob Leach and Nigel Cardale, who we hadn't seen for a while. I missed the second April meet at The Adam and Eve but I'm told by Tom, who was counting again, that there was a pleasing turnout of both people and cars and much sharing of news on trials and tribulations of the mechanical work being undertaken. Hopefully that's all complete now and we're all on the road.

TR Action 225

The Ravensworth at Lamesley has established itself as our regular Xmas venue now and our group of forty managed to fill a cosy corner of the restaurant in December. A winning ticket in the raffle seemed as elusive as the Lottery although one particular table appeared to have found a technique and secured two. I don't think the prizes were as life changing as the Lottery but the odds are a lot shorter. Everything else on the night seemed to meet with general approval, so it is a big “Well done” Tom, organiser of the event. Among the chatter there was some friendly banter about fair weather followers and the lack of TRs in the car park. Consequently, in this age of `target driven transport`, a suggestion to monitor TRs at the meetings arose with a small incentive prize for the best attendance. Tom's register now has an extra page. While Dave's away on his ship you might want to take the opportunity to clock up some TR points to get ahead of the game. It’s an easier way of getting a prize than a raffle ticket.

Although Xmas is now a distant memory, the TR enthusiasm still seems strong with no less than twenty at the January Lakeside meeting. Much talk of summer activities took place so let’s hope the weather interferes less this year. The events card will be posted out to you all as usual. Among the crowd were new members Neil Cawson and Ian Davies, both with red TR6s who are very welcome and whom we look forward to seeing regularly. Among the objects of enthusiasm, was the February Stoneleigh Spares Day. Better than Xmas for big boys' toys was the conclusion so many were off to stock up with shiny bits and go quicker gadgets.

I have a few service items to obtain ready for the Le Mans Classic trip which means as you read this I shall probably be fitting a set of front suspension bushes, so enjoy the rest of the magazine, I'll see you at the Skiff, 5th March.


Last Updated: 24/07/2008 22:22:23	Social Scene TR Action 228 A quiet April, due mainly to the disappointing weather, has been followed by a hectic May. Six opportunities to exercise the TR commenced with the Lakes run on Bank Holiday Monday. Rendezvous at Hexham, then to Keswick and round Derwent Water. Through Borrowdale, over Honister Pass to Buttermere and Crummock Water, finishing with a teatime wander round Keswick. The cars included Ian Davies on his first convoy run in his TR6 giving it a shake out before hitting Le Mans Classic. Some gearbox exercise over Honister Pass, an atmospheric picnic in the shadow of Great Gable and entertainment in a sunny Keswick at teatime by a performing street artist, an escapologist. He was no Houdini, but his spiders web of chains reminded me of the wiring behind a TR dashboard. When I saw how quickly he escaped however, I realised his web was much easier to untangle. Spring Bank Holiday found us at the Falkirk Wheel where the Union Canal meets the Forth & Clyde Canal in the Borders. A spectacular rotating wheel boat lift now replaces the eleven locks originally needed. The first in the world, opened in 2002, it enables the boats to surmount the 35m difference in level between the canals. Now one of Scotland's major tourist attractions, it’s a great place for a family day out. Ben Lee joined us for the first time on this run, in his TR6, newly returned from a mechanical overhaul and now sporting triple Webbers and a gas flowed head. The car has been handed down in Ben's family and use as a tourer is probably a well earned rest from the racing that his father used it for. Simon was giving the triton wedge KBA 430 V a thorough workout over Carter Bar and covered over three hundred miles on this run. Next on the agenda, Thirlestane Castle show on 1st June where Tom Smith followed last years blue rosette with a red one this time, taking first prize in class with his TR6, UTJ 976 M. A ten car convoy and rain on the return journey but it couldn’t take the smile off Tom's face. Three days later and he was still grinning when we met up for one of Barry's evening convoy runs. Ten TRs, an E Type and two TVRs took to the lanes round Corbridge, and West Durham. Blanchland was like a ghost town but on the roads round Derwent Reservoir the entire population was out and about in the dusk. Rabbits that is. Unfortunately they'd left their brains at home and were criss crossing the road between cars, playing Russian roulette. Spliced between these outings there were two Wednesday meetings at the Blue Bell Inn at Stanley, and the Dyke Neuk near Mitford. A good turnout at the Bluebell but our regular gremlin of clashing with the scheduling of a “big match” scuppered the attendance at the Dyke Neuk on 21st. Strange name that. I'm sure Bryan will tell me where it comes from. TR Action 227 Did all Northumbria members spot the picture of Craig's Topaz TR6 in the Registrar's report in issue 226? Despite a slip of the pen that attributed it to a Mr. Anderson, a six that colour immediately means “Craig” to us Northerners, and very smart it looks. I checked with Tom though and he says you don't get points for being in TR Action, only for cars at meetings. Sorry Craig, nice try. Stoneleigh Spares Day in February was the first big TR shopping trip of the year and at least half a dozen Northumbrians took the opportunity to hunt out some bargains. Purchases included both the purely functional and those giving under bonnet bling. This event is becoming the best after Malvern for those suffering from the “TR bug”. Most of the parts bought have been fitted and are now in use. Apart from normal winter servicing this year we've had gearbox rebuilds, suspension rebuilds, engine rebuilds, and of course another case of clutch, cross shaft pin replacement. Has anyone ever taken out an original pin and found it not broken? Bryan is rebuilding the gearbox on his TR3A, Dave Wright is preparing the engine for the TR4 he is rebuilding, and I hear on the wires that Dave Blenkinship and Paul Brent are investigating revised air induction systems for their sixes and talking of rolling road adventures. More serious work has been started by Sean Tindle in the form of a TR5 rebuild. Having put off the major dismantle for some time while he acquired some of the items he will need, he has finally given in to curiosity over what lies below the surface. For everyone's entertainment he's putting a pictorial blog of the process on the Northumbria web site. So if you want to know the hidden secrets of an original UK Michelotti car, go to www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/northumbria. The end of March saw Sean and myself make a 6.00am start to get to the Group Leaders meeting at Didcot. The bacon butty on arrival was welcome after the long journey and the chance to meet the new Manager, Allen Forster means he's already more than just a voice on the phone. Exchange of views with Group Leaders puts things into perspective with the situation in other parts of the country and discussion ranged from immediate membership issues to the more distant celebrations for the Register's fortieth anniversary in 2010. April started the new season's list of pub venues and The Floaters Mill drew a good crowd including Rob Leach and Nigel Cardale, who we hadn't seen for a while. I missed the second April meet at The Adam and Eve but I'm told by Tom, who was counting again, that there was a pleasing turnout of both people and cars and much sharing of news on trials and tribulations of the mechanical work being undertaken. Hopefully that's all complete now and we're all on the road. TR Action 225 The Ravensworth at Lamesley has established itself as our regular Xmas venue now and our group of forty managed to fill a cosy corner of the restaurant in December. A winning ticket in the raffle seemed as elusive as the Lottery although one particular table appeared to have found a technique and secured two. I don't think the prizes were as life changing as the Lottery but the odds are a lot shorter. Everything else on the night seemed to meet with general approval, so it is a big “Well done” Tom, organiser of the event. Among the chatter there was some friendly banter about fair weather followers and the lack of TRs in the car park. Consequently, in this age of `target driven transport`, a suggestion to monitor TRs at the meetings arose with a small incentive prize for the best attendance. Tom's register now has an extra page. While Dave's away on his ship you might want to take the opportunity to clock up some TR points to get ahead of the game. It’s an easier way of getting a prize than a raffle ticket. Although Xmas is now a distant memory, the TR enthusiasm still seems strong with no less than twenty at the January Lakeside meeting. Much talk of summer activities took place so let’s hope the weather interferes less this year. The events card will be posted out to you all as usual. Among the crowd were new members Neil Cawson and Ian Davies, both with red TR6s who are very welcome and whom we look forward to seeing regularly. Among the objects of enthusiasm, was the February Stoneleigh Spares Day. Better than Xmas for big boys' toys was the conclusion so many were off to stock up with shiny bits and go quicker gadgets. I have a few service items to obtain ready for the Le Mans Classic trip which means as you read this I shall probably be fitting a set of front suspension bushes, so enjoy the rest of the magazine, I'll see you at the Skiff, 5th March.
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