FEBRUARY 2005

“The WI do cake stalls. We do clutches instead!”

GROUP MEETING – 17 FEBRUARY 2005

MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Bowler

Reg & Irene Bowler

Derek Bramford

John & Chris Day

Martin & Sue Faulkner & James

Mick Forey

Alan Fuller

Dick Goodey TR4

Phil & Rachael Gunn & Sam & Hannah

Roger Guy

David Guzzetta

Andy & Jennie Holyoak

John & Margaret Martin

Andy Moltu

Terry & Sue Pruce

Nigel Rees

Tony & Ruth Richards TR6

Ben & Lisa Ward

Martin & Jenny Ward 2000 Estate

Allan Westbury

MEETING NOTES

The theme for tonight’s meeting was “Clutches & Gearboxes” although the subject of radiators was also discussed – more anon. MartinW had brought along a good selection of clutches for display on a large table at the rear of the meeting room (see picture on front cover), and was then at hand to discuss their finer points. There is more to the simple TR clutch than meets the eye, and if you do need any further advice, Martin is certainly the man who knows his clutches. Eagle eyed readers may also have spotted a couple of non-clutch parts in the display. Reg brought along a standard rear diff, or at least most of the working bits, plus a limited slip diff for comparison.

As expected, the main topic of debate was centred on this year’s calendar, some of the key points being:

· Return skittles match against the Coventry Group – 18^th March. If you want to attend you need to contact Reg Bowler on 01455 272813 asap, as they need numbers to book the food, cost will be £5.50 a head.

· First run out, this is on 3^rd April, and we are off into Derbyshire, visiting a glass factory and a cave, plus coffee and lunch stops. Meet at our house in Loughborough at 10:00 (phone us on 01509 232902 if you need directions).

· 5^th April, TR Track day at Mallory Park.

· TonyR has been busy organising two potential events, one a w/e in Derbyshire, the other a touring holiday to France. In view of the number of activities already underway it was thought we should do the Derbyshire w/e this year and leave France till next year. The Derbyshire w/e will be over the 9 – 10 July, travelling up on the Friday evening and staying in the Manifold Inn, Hartington, set within Manifold valley. Events planned are a walk in Dovedale Saturday morning followed by an afternoon drive. Sunday probably something similar. Tony needs a £20 deposit per head which he collected on the night. If you haven’t signed up but would like to go give Tony a ring asap (0116 2106717), to see if there is still time to book in.

· The date for the Welsh Weekend, organised by Jennie & Andy on behalf of Andrew Deacon, has changed. It is now from Friday 3^rd June to Sunday 5^th June inclusive. The weekend consists of B&B at a couple of small hotels (one of which is owned by an old friend of Jennie’s) in Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia. The cost varies from between £23 and £26 per person per night. There will be a trip to Port Madog where we will get on to the Blaenau Ffestiniog Steam Railway. This is a beautiful part of Wales and we are sure the weekend will be very enjoyable. Please contact them if you are interested 01536 771593

· Goodwood Revival, September – Dick will get more details for the next meeting.

· Eastern Groups Meeting, Duxford Airfield – date not yet fixed.

Aluminium Radiators

PaulB knows a man who manufactures aluminium radiators, and has just supplied Prodrive a batch of 150 for their Subaru’s, and can produce one for a our TR’s if we give them a pattern to copy. A batch of 5 or more will cost £183 + VAT, which is one hell of a saving over the normal retail price (typically £450). The suggestion is we supply a TR6 radiator for them to copy, which should fit all TR4-6’s. Let Paul know if you are interested at the next meeting.

Example Aluminium Radiator Example TR6 Radiator

The Full Calendar for 2005 is attached, with events for the next few months listed below.

March
8 Tues	Ashby Folville
13 Sun	Restoration Show, Stoneleigh
17 Thurs	Group Mtr
18 Fri	Skittles v Coventry Group
April
3 Sun	First Run Out, Glass & Caves
5 Tues	Track Day, Mallory Park
7 Thurs	Raid: Coventry Group
9 Sat	TR race day, Silverstone
12 Tues	Ashby Folville
21 Thurs	Group Mtr
May
1 Sun	TR race day, Castle Combe (check)
5 Thurs	Raid: Trent Group
10 Tues	Ashby Folville
13 Fri	Euro Meeting
15 Sun	TR race day, Rockingham
16 Mon	Euro Meeting
19 Thurs	Group Mtr

Message from Terry & Sue on Welsh Traws Cambria tour w/e, May bank Holiday, commencing Friday April 29. Currently pencilled in are Terry & Sue, Paul and Sue Newby, Nigel and Wendy Rees, Tony and Ruth Richards, and Paul and Melayne Bowler. We have fully occupied a guest house in Rhayader in Powys, and have booked the Sat night evening meal at the Elan Hotel. Meal places are limited so anyone wishing to come along should get booked up ASAP. Contact Malcolm Morgan, Welsh group GL for details 01792 844756, or Terry and Sue.

Update from Massachusetts: Attached is the contribution from Pete and the ongoing story of his rebuild.

AND FINALLY: A letter received by the B+Q customer services department...

Dear Sir/Madam

My congratulations to you on getting a yacht to leave the UK on 28th November 2004, sail 27,354 miles around the world and arrive back 72 days later.

Could you please let me know when the kitchen I ordered 96 days ago will be arriving from your warehouse 13 miles away?

Yours Sincerely

John Roberts

Next meeting Thursday 17^th March 2004, the Rose & Crown, Tilton on the Hill.

See you there,

Martin & Sue.

Don't forget, membership fees of £15 are due now. Please pay by the March meeting, if you wish to keep receiving your copy of the newsletter. All cheques should be made payable to Leicestershire TR Group.