Latest news from the Lancashire Automobile Club.

Membership Fee Increase

We are very sorry to have to report that the printers who have printed All Torque, amongst other things, for us for many years have ceased trading.

Our old printers have been very generous to us over the years so the need to move to a new supplier unfortunately means an increase in costs for the club. In light of this and alongside the increased cost of postage, it has become necessary to increase the membership fee to £23.00 for single membership and £25.00 with associates.

This increase was discussed at the AGM on 8th February 2012 and supported by all present. It will come into effect on the 7th March 2012. Anyone who wishes to object to the increase must contact the committee by emailing info@lancsautoclub.com before this date.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank the staff and management at our old printers for their support over the years and wish them all the best for the future at this difficult time.

Ethanol in Fuel

I have ben asked several times about the amount of ethanol being added to petrol to satisfy the 'green lobby' and EU regulations. As with all these things the answer is it's not straightforward. Petrol companies are permitted to add up to 5% ethanol without declaring it. I believe most major suppliers are currently pretty close to this figure. It is worth noting that there is some pressure for the EU (and that would include us) to go up to 10% without companies having to declare it.

It is claimed that even at 10% the amount is unlikely to cause damage to a 'standard car'. From reading articles I would suggest that classics are not 'standard cars' in this respect - more later.

It is possible for far larger amounts of ethanol to be added provided this is declared by the retailer at the point of sale. Some garages are currently selling E85 petrol and as the name suggests this has 85% ethanol and this should only be used in cars where the manufacturer states in can be used.

Several overseas markets have sales of 100% ethanol but their cars are specifically modified and adapted for this use. Such countries include Brazil and South Africa.

So what can happen if fuel containing ethanol is used in older classic cars? There are many reports of different problems but the most likely ones fall into three groups:

Loosening of pre existing contaminants in petrol tanks and fuel systems. Here the ethanol almost acts as a stripper loosening deposits including rust from any surface it comes into prolonged contact with. This material can then block filters and carburetor jets.

Chemical reactions with existing rubbers, resins, plastics and sealants etc. The effects on resins glass fibre fuel tanks can be of great concern but 'O' rings can turn to a sort of mush and plastic fuel lines can either leak or turn brittle depending on chemical composition. Fuel tanks with rubber liners are at risk and this is one for the racing fraternity to be concerned about. Having said that there are some classics with tank liners which may also be at risk.

The final issue is, I believe, of importance not only to classic car owners but to all users of this stuff. Ethanol is hydroscopic (like some brake fluids). That means it attracts and retains water. This can come from any source including water vapour in the air. The greater the moisture content in the ethanol the less likely it is to burn. If saturated it simply will not burn. That means if a car is not used for long periods the amount of moisture in the fuel may increase to a point where the engine simple will not start. In this case the fuel system will need draining and fresh fuel added to rectify the problem. Not an issue if the vehicle is used regularly but may become one where a car is laid up for several months over winter say.

Short answer is that it is highly likely the fuel he purchased contained some ethanol probably less than 5% but still enough to potentially cause issues.

Chris Lee

Vice President & Competition Secretary

Lancashire Automobile Club (Est 1902)

Lancashire Automobile Club - Navigator's Handbook

The Lancashire Automobile Club is one of the oldest motor clubs in the world and has a long history of organising events both on the highway and track. Amongst the current events are a number of road events, known as Touring Assemblies.

Some of these events, such as the St Georges Day Rally, Great Manchester to Blackpool Car Run and the Coast to Coast Classic Car Run, require simple navigation techniques but others such as the Fellsman involve more advanced navigational knowledge.

To assist entrants and to promote these events the club has prepared a Navigator’s Handbook which explores the various techniques and gives useful pointers and tips to entrants new and old. With 19 pages and 28 sections the Handbook covers many types of navigation from Tulips to Herringbones as well as in car organisation and control etiquette.

Compiled by the Club's Competition Secretary, Chris Lee, the Handbook draws on over 40 years experience of preparing route books, competing in events and driving course cars. The book has been checked over by rallying legend Mike Wood and will be a boon to anyone taking part in navigational road events.

So if you want to know about Tulips and Herringbones or the difference between Clock Face and Clock Hand directions download the Navigators Handbook.

Chris Lee

Vice President & Competition Secretary

Lancashire Automobile Club (Est 1902)

Lancashire Automobile Club Classic Challenge 2011

Scores

May I thank all of you who took part in the Classic Challenge. As you will see from the regulations to receive an award the recipient must be present at the 2012 LAC Dinner Dance – well it does start off your points for the 2012 Challenge.

As this is the first year I am not too disappointed at the numbers who submitted points; next year we will get more entries and be able to put entrants on a table together at the Dinner Dance – here’s hoping

If you wish to purchase tickets for the Dinner Dance on Friday the 10th of February at Mitton Hall near Whalley please contact Carolyn Taylor on 01254 886819 or email mail@autotuneuk.com.

 To help me out can you let me know if you are a navigator or a driver I can be found at chrislee1275@aol.com.

 Many thanks

See you at Mitton Hall.

Filming at 3 Sisters Motor Circuit Tuesday 6th December - Attendees Wanted

The Lancashire Automobile Club has been contacted by Twofour Productions regarding an event at 3 Sisters next Tuesday.

Details of the day are set out below but I have spoken to the producer, Gill Henessey, as to what they would like on the day. They are looking for both classic and competition cars (rally, race and sprint) and would like anyone interested to be there at 10.30am.

I appreciate this is a weekday and out of season but if you can assist please let me know. This should be a really interesting day plus you will get the opportunity to have your vehicle checked over and some track time. I am assured that competition and road cars will be run on the track at different times to minimise problems.

I do hope you can make it. If you can please let me know you are coming and what you intend to bring, car wise, so I can pass on numbers etcetera to Gill.

My email is competitionsec@lancsautoclub.com

Chris Lee Vice President & Competition Secretary

Lancashire Automobile Club (Est 1902)

Lancashire Automobile Club

CHRISTMAS SUPPER

Including our Annual Fun Quiz

Wednesday 14th December, 2011

Whalley Golf Club, 7.15 pm for 7.45 pm

£12.50 (3-course meal)

Please use the attached menu to make your meal selection.

To book contact Carolyn Taylor, tel. 01254 886819 or email taylors@autotuneuk.com, (please put LAC in the subject line of emails.)

It would be very helpful if you could let Carolyn know as early as possible if you plan to join us.

An Event Not To Be Missed

Willy Cave Evening

Thursday 3rd November

 Whalley Golf Club

 Starting 7.30pm for 8.00pm

 £10.00 including supper

Willy Cave, the world famous rally navigator, will be talking about his life in the navigator’s seat at the Lancashire Automobile Club’s autumn evening.

Willy has been in international rallying since the 1950’s and worked for the BBC. His rallying career continues to this day.

Tickets are available from Carolyn Taylor, tel. 01254 886819 or email taylors@autotuneuk.com. 

Marshals Needed for 2 day Sprint Event On Anglesey

The Longton & District Motor Club

URGENTLY

Need Marshals for their 2 Day Sprint Event at Anglesey on,

Saturday & Sunday the 8th / 9th October 2011.

 I will need to know either yes or no in the very near future so that I can arrange your accommodation at the Tafarn-Y-Rhos Hotel  on a bed & breakfast basis for the Friday and Saturday nights (paid for by LDMC). It is very important that you let me know so that the rooms are reserved for the right people. Please reply ASAP.

Please Contact Paul Hiles Chief Marshal ASAP

( Home Phone) on 01772 725985

( Mobile Phone ) 07933 125813

Email: paul.hiles@virginmedia.com

Exciting News from Goodwood Revival 2011

Fairy tale comes true. Anthony Taylor, with the support of his son Rick and wife Carolyn, spends his time rebuilding some fantastic classic racing machinery.

One of the fruits of their labours is a mighty Can Am Chinook-Chevy Mk2 sports racer. Anthony has spent a considerable amount of time recently rebuilding a car for its owners who have had it for 30 years, it was once a road car, before being restored from a burnt-out wreck.

The Canadian owner driver, Jay Esterer, has now come to the UK to collect and race this fantastic car competing it at our own Gold Cup meeting at Oulton Park and now at the Revival meeting at Goodwood in the Whitsun Cup race.

The Whitsun Cup race has been acknowledged as the finest of the whole meeting and to complete the fairy tale the rookie driver in the restored Chinook won the race by the narrowest of margins; crossing the line literally sideways holding off a raft of experienced Brits including pole-sitter Gary Pearson and a super-determined Paul Knapfield in Lola T70 Spyders.

Following the race a remarkably cool and collected Paul praised Anthony Taylor’s Autotune team for its efforts in restoring the car, before adding: “It was a lot of fun and this is an amazing event. On these tyres it’s like driving on a gravel road: the Chinook is quite well mannered and very softly suspended. It’s an enjoyable car to race.”

If you want to see all the action, including this fantastic race, tune in to ITV4 (on Freeview and satellite) next Tuesday evening at 8.00pm. To help you spot the Chinook it is number 1 and coloured white with Veedol sponsorship.

Three Sisters Sprint Entry Forms Now Available

The 2011 Three Sisters Sprint supplementary regulations and entry forms for Saturday and Sunday are now available.

2011 Information Sheet

2011 Supplementary Regulations

Saturday Entry Form

Sunday Entry Form

See the Three Sisters page for more information.

Fellsman Entry Form Now Available

The 2011 Fellsman supplementary regulations and entry form are now available. See the Fellsman page for more details.

Lancashire Telegraph Article

Did you see the article about the Lancashire Automobile Club in the Lancashire Telegraph? If not here is a link to the on-line copy.

Paul Swift Stunt Driving Demonstration at Gaskell Motor Bodies

Friday 15th April, 5:50PM

Those of you who help out on our classic events will have noticed that we have received support from Gaskell Motor Bodies at Gt Harwood. Well Nick Gaskell has invited us to a rather special event on Friday the 15th April starting at 5.50pm. Please see the attached poster.

Basically Nick has booked one of the UK's leading stunt drivers, Paul Swift (of Top Gear fame amongst other things), to give a demonstration of his car handling skills. Those of you as ancient as me will remember Paul's dad winning everything in national Autotests. I had the pleasure of competing against him - boy was he good!

The entry fee is only £1.00 and they are raising money for the 2 important charities 'Help For Heroes' and 'Radio Lollipop' ( a local children's charity). So come along have fun and help two great causes,

Plus As well as seeing some great driving skills and win a chance to be in the car with Paul while he shows off his ‘donuts’. There is also a BBQ and much more on the day. Doors open at 5.30 all they ask is a £1.00 entry fee to book your place:

Call Gaskell Motor Bodies on 01254 829524 or pop into Unit 1 Gaskell Court off Alan Ramsbottom Way, Great Harwood, BB6 7UF email admin@gaskellmotorbodies.com

Have a look at www.paulswift.com for a taste of what you can see on the day.

Chris

Manchester to Blackpool 2011 Update

The finish point of the Manchester to Blackpool event will not be affected by the closure of the Promenade. See the Manchester to Blackpool page for more information.

John Hartley and the Fellsman Classic Alpine Tour

Here is a link to an article in the Lancashire Telegraph about our very own John Hartley and the Fellsman Classic Alpine Tour.

The LAC is an MSA Recognised Club