January 2002
Editorial
I hope that all NHCA members, friends and families enjoyed a good Christmas season. At the time of writing it’s freezing! Just a mini-Hillclimber to keep you all up to date. A full Hillclimber is due in mid-February, but at the moment the editorial files are like Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. So please get writing now, either some reflections on last year, what you plan to do in 2002 or whatever.
Tony
Jon Warren
We were sorry to learn that Curly was involved in a fairly serious road accident on his trike. Thankfully no other vehicles were involved, but Curly is laid up in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton. We hear that he making a steady recovery and progressing well.
Dates for 2002 events
Enclosed is a provisional list of events for 2002 to help you to do some planning. It really is provisional, as some of the events have yet to be discussed at our AGM and not all the dates are set in stone.
Having said that, it’s good to see that we’ve got two invitations to run at Shelsley Walsh in 2002. There is the traditional small entry ‘invitation’ event in mid-August plus an opportunity for a larger entry at the climb on 7 July. There’s a chance to run at Harewood in Yorkshire on 25 August, which shouldn’t be missed. We have a second Prescott pencilled in for 28 and 29 September, but it’s not certain whether we will firm up on this. Your views will be sought at the AGM, I am advised. The earlier part of the year will be busy, too, with both the 500 OC Wiscombe and the Classic Loton (usually in July) on the same weekend in mid-May. The fun and games start at Hartland Quay on 24 March.
Committee meeting
Enclosed also is a note by Mole of the club’s committee meeting held at Doug Parnell’s house last November.
Mole forgets to mention that the committee also thought it a good idea that riders using methanol (in the engine one would hope, rather than personally) are encouraged to display an orange Day-Glo disc on the front number plate. This is the convention for car events so that, in the event of a crash, this alerts the marshals to the fact that there may be a fire, but that the flames will be less clearly visible than those of a petrol fire.
Encouraging newcomers
The committee is very much aware that there is a constant leakage of competitors while new folk take their place. Entries at some events were low last year and this may not have been entirely due to Foot & Mouth.
Therefore the committee felt it was very important to do something to encourage some fresh blood, (not literally you understand). So, at some events in 2002 it will be possible for riders interested in the sport to compete at a hill climb for a one-off fee of £25. This will be an all-inclusive price to cover a heavily discounted entry fee, the ACU one day licence and temporary membership of the NHCA. I expect we will throw in a free issue of the next Hillclimber to try to sustain their interest. Of course, the riders will have to possess an approved helmet, boots, gloves and leathers and be riding a bike that has passed scrutineering.
This is a fantastic opportunity for us to encourage friends, colleagues etc. to have a go, so please spread the word. Note that this is not being done at the expense of inflated entry fees for the rest of us, but if we want to maintain a range of events throughout the year that get well supported we must ensure a regular flow of new riding members.
‘Hillclimber’ proper
The next Hillclimber is scheduled for publication on or about 15 February. This means that I need articles, adverts, letters and other contributions by 5 February.
Articles and other contributions may be sent by ordinary post, email or just dictated over the telephone. Nothing is too small for inclusion.
Helmets
2002 is the last year that kevlar/glass fibre helmets bearing the 1.5mm single wide border stamp will be acceptable. After 1 January 2003 it’s the double border stamped helmets only. Please note that helmets with shells made from polycarbonate bearing the single border had already become non-compliant last year.
Club AGM and Dinner
You should all have received the invitation to the NHCA AGM, Dinner and Prizegiving. This extravaganza will be held at the Prince of Wales Hotel on the A38 near Dursley, Gloucestershire, between Junctions 13 and 14 of the M5, on Saturday 26 January.
Members are welcome to attend just the AGM which starts at 2:00pm, although you may want to lubricate your vocal chords in the bar beforehand. This is your opportunity to hear what’s going on and to quiz your esteemed committee.
The dinner commences (note the change of language; AGMs ‘start’, but dinners ‘commence’) at 7:30pm. Doug says the grub is really good and the company is even better.
My spies tell me that Doug has organised a comedy duo as entertainment. No, not Glover and Wills. These comedians are known as Gaffer & Willis. They do an early evening comedy spot followed by after dinner spoof 60s disco sending up the Rolling Stones etc. Should be interesting. Apparently they come on the recommendation of a local football club.
No more Bucklands?
A few years ago we had three Bucklands charging up the hills. Cornelius Kloska (the cream one) returned to Germany. Dick Buckland (the red one) had a substantial off-track excursion at Hartland in 2000. Grant Cratchley (the red and silver one) has acquired an ex Formula 750 historic racing car that he will be hillclimbing and sprinting in 2002. So it looks like no Bucklands on the hills for the time being.
Records 2001
Robin Sims thanks Jamie Mitchell for pointing out the following. Paul Jeffery did not set a new record on his 250 at 21.78. Paul set the Manor Farm 250 record in 1999 at 21.74. Apologies. If anybody wants a corrected set of results please get in touch with Robin.
Wiscombe Track Clearing Day
We are advised that a band of the faithful helped clear away some of the unwanted foliage up at the finish area. Not only is he a demon rider at the handlebars of his immaculate BMW outfit, but it is reported that Harry Foster is quite an artist with the chain saw!
Correspondent for Northern Events
Is there anyone out there who would like to take on the role of reporting occasionally on Northern events? Or maybe you could just chivvy other entrants at Baitings Dam, Barbon and so on to put pen to paper when they fall off?….. which is a timely moment to thank John Woods for his articles this last year. Is that good enough to get some more, John?
Bristol Classic Bike Show
From Doug Parnell – The NHCA will have a stand at the Bristol Classic Bike Show on 9/10th February 2002. The stand will focus on twin cylinder bikes. We will have
Andrew Bennett’s Manx JAP
Dave Lowman’s Triton
Harry Foster’s BMW outfit
Dave Massam’s Enfield Metisse
Doug’s XRV
Any offers of assistance on the stand are appreciated. Please phone Doug on 01454 260679.
New Year Resolutions
Peter Isaac – get the magneto rebuilt, ride faster, make a comeback!
Tony Quinn – make sure the bore/stroke info is readable for the scrutineer, sort out the ignition (it’s still not right!).
Mike Hill – to get a 2 bike trailer (see wanted ad.)
Everyone else – to enter an event at a hill not visited recently/ever, to contribute to the Hillcimber.
Insurance
We hear that there is a revision to the insurance benefits in the event of an accident that puts you off work. The £20 a week payment is no longer made, but payments can be made to help with hospital treatment costs. Sorry, no further details, but if they come to hand they will appear in a future Hillclimber.
Adverts
Wanted 2 bike trailer. Must be perfect and cheap and close to home (but anything considered). Tel. Mike 01626 774384 (Teignmouth ,Devon)
For Sale Bike trailer, takes 2/3 bikes. New lighting board. 13" wheels, c/w spare. Tows well. £100 ono. Contact Will Wells. Tel. 01460-30724 or 07775 588046.
Maybe we should get these folk to speak to each other?
For Sale Yamaha TZR 680. Yoshimura 680cc four stroke single in a TZR 250 frame, full spec engine, close ratio box, Marvic wheels. Fast & light. Suit ambitious beginner or existing maniac. Price negotiable. Tel. Doug Parnell on 01454 260679.