Polar News Issue 40

POLAR NEWS - No. 45 January 2008
FROM YOUR EDITOR A Bumper Issue to start the New Year and many thanks to George and Sheila Dodds who contributed 100 stamps. Thanks also to Mike Webber and Jeff Ferris for their ‘trials and tribulations’ articles on the Norwich Union Classics Run and NEC Dream Rides. A belated congratulations to Harvey Cooke who celebrated his 70th birthday in November. ---Helen	DREAM RIDES AT NEC This was a great success again raising about £30,000, getting a mention on Radio 1 and pleasing the general public -as you can see from the e-mail from Hugh Loxton in Durston, Taunton. "I am just writing to say what a great idea the charitable fundraising passenger rides was at the classic car show at the NEC this weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed my ride in the convertible Lamborghini Gallardo and just wanted to say a big thanks to all the owners and drivers. Travelling at (xxx) speed in that car alongside a convertible Murcielago on the dual carriageway has to be the greatest buzz. You have made so many wishes possible, not just us passengers, but also those for whom the money raised will do so much good. A credit to all of you." To celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the opening of the first Children’s Hospice in the UK, all the money raised will be divided between these four Hospices Acorns, Walsall CHAS, Scotland Demelza House, Kent Rainbows, Loughborough
NORWICH UNION CLASSIC The advanced publicity for the Norwich Union Classics Run, revived this October after a six-year break, sounded inviting, and Geoff Ross and I decided to try for an entry with my Dino replica. In the end the event was massively oversubscribed, despite having nearly 700 places available, but we were accepted. The run started from five points in England, all leading to Silverstone and culminating with a few laps of the grand prix circuit. We chose York as the most Northerly starting point and on the Sunday morning we gathered at The National Railway Museum in the company of over a hundred classics -E-Types, a DB4, TR's, MGB's, Stags and an outstanding C-Type Replica. The first people we met were from Peebles, in a very nice early 911. Amid much excitement and flag waving, the cars were sent off on a a route which was to take us to Clumber Park, Donington, Gaydon and Silverstone. To start with the route criss-crossed some unprepossessing countryside on poor roads -not a patch on Fiona and Mike's beautiful Highland Fling.
On one particularly bumpy section we came across just about the only thing that sticks up out of North Lincolnshire -a hummock of tarmac that smote the underside of the car a fearful blow. We continued to the first checkpoint but looking underneath saw a tell-tale thread of oil running to the ground, a cracked sump the cause. So, that was that, we weren't going to Gaydon, or Donington or Silverstone. The AA were called into action and within an hour the recovery truck arrived. As something of a connoisseur of such vehicles I have to say this was an absolute cracker, with an extending platform that lowered to the ground and electric winch. In short order the car was on board and transported to Mal Nicholson's garage which was only 30 miles away (Mal took part in the dream rides at Thirlestane with his Ferrari P4 Replica). Luckily the stricken car had been booked in there for a service on the Monday and we had left an everyday car there on the way to York, so we were able to return to the Borders without further problems, if more than a little disappointed. Next year? Well, maybe. The organisation was first class but the meandering routes between checkpoints came in for some criticism, not least from James May, as did the lack of catering after the event at Silverstone (for those who were fortunate enough to get there.)
TO THE NEC AND BEYOND As we were in the process of trying to sell the GT40 it seemed a good idea to let prospective buyers come and have a dream ride in it at the NEC, plus a chance to stay with a good friend at Stratford on Avon and visit my new grand daughter in Oxford. What could be better than a relaxing long weekend with everything fitting in nicely? Well, as an eternal optimist, that’s the way I saw it. However MJ had reservations which I chose not to notice. Friday’s start was scheduled for 1pm as MJ had a work presentation to do in the morning which, in a way, was fortunate as it took me 3 hrs to get the GT started. I was beginning to get paranoid that she didn’t want to go. This did not air well for the future and I distinctly got the feeling the old girl (the car that is) did not wish to go to the NEC.
	However eventually we set off at 2 pm and enjoyed a fine drive down to Newcastle. By 3.30 pm we find ourselves in very slow moving traffic, sat in the fast lane and then break down due to overheating etc. Now it’s a traffic jam with the potential to gridlock all southbound traffic round Newcastle and MJ has developed a migraine. I call for police assistance, with the hope they arrive before some road raged Geordie rearranges my good looks. With prompt police attendance we quickly determine the car will not restart, so a breakdown lorry is called for and eventually arrives -only to leave again as he can’t load a car with such low ground clearance, without doing serious damage.
With the southbound carriageway now completely blocked by police cars, fellow drivers singing “we’re on the road to nowhere” and MJ complaining that “I’m stuck in the middle with you" it was decided to push the car to the next lay-by so we could wait for the AA Rescue. Question: -How many police does it take to push our yellow submarine a 1/4 mile? Answer -4 not very fit officers who were very hard pressed and suffering much ridicule from frustrated motorists. By 6.10 pm the AA arrived and successfully jump start the car. They can’t find a fault but suggest we head home -so reluctantly we’re on the road again heading north.The GT is now running well, so after much debate we turn round at Alnwick, hoping the car doesn’t notice and blast south again on the percept that he who dares wins. Life is a highway after all. I drove all night to get to Stratford, but with this car I had the feeling you ain’t seen nothing yet!!
	Saturday morning, hoping for no more tears, we head to the NEC optimistically thinking it will be all right now. Following Mick Bryan’s directions we ask a marshal to direct us to gate 4 but due to a communication break down he informs us gate 4 is only accessed via a pass key and we must use gate 2. He must have been dazed and confused. On arrival we were very impressed with the Sporting Bears Stand. The large display of cars and efficient organisation of Mick Bryan’s team made us feel proud to be fellow Bears and glad we had made the effort to be part of it. A whole lotta love had obviously gone into this event. MJ and I set off for a walk round the show with instructions to return when called on MJ’s mobile. After lunch, having not been called, we return to be told all the other GTs were doing well but Yellow was not popular today. Maybe she’s not giving off good vibrations, so we drop the price by a tenner and immediately get our first ride. I introduce myself to a nice young man from County Cork saying "I hope you can read a map mate". "Oh yes" says he “we have them in Ireland" -so off we go and all went well.
However I thought it strange we kept seeing other Bears going in the opposite direction. Obviously my passenger's motto was go your own way. We eventually get back having visited one shopping centre, a hotel car park, several small villages and using all my old rally skills to spin us round in a farmyard with my passenger going a whiter shade of pale. I was determined to get the route right on the next trip. Idea!! I’ll follow another Bear so I won’t get fooled again. So out I go with my second victim, quickly tucking in behind another Bear I’d nicknamed Mustang Sally.This Bear did not appear to be following Mick’s route either, but was obviously determined to give good value for money and wanted to be a highway star. I was driving like a bat out of Hell just keeping him in sight and on arriving back, I was surprised to find my accelerator pedal wasn’t working properly.
I just managed to coast to the drop off point and then had to be pushed into a parking space. Understandably, I was having mixed emotions and wondered if our little adventure was all over now. The result of my sledge hammer technique with the old throttle pedal was that I’d snapped the thing clean off. So here I go again in search of a welder, but first to take out the part still attached. No problem to an expotholer like me but I think I’d still be there had it not been for MJ and fellow Bears to pull me out when I got stuck. Thankfully Leeds College of Technology kindly welded me back together and with a little help from my friends we were homeward bound -well Stratford on Avon any way -and hoping Sunday would be less stressful. Wrong!! With the arrival of Sunday morning, I excitedly start the car with no problems. Well there couldn’t be any more could there? However starting MJ was proving more of a challenge, she being struck down by one of her migraines. Fortunately our friend Ann kindly offered to come along and make sure I drive my car OK. Brave girl! We arrive late due to a huge traffic jam approaching the NEC, but the car was good and did not let us down. Once signed in I take Ann for a tour of the show and expecting a call to take out a ride. None came, the sound of silence was worrying me -but checking my mobile I found it was switched off, so I hurry back and find I’d been in much demand. Yellow was popular today!! So, keen as mustard, out I go with my first ride and playing safe, follow the old Lagonda. Can’t go wrong here can I? Wrong!! Under pressure the top water hose splits and my dreams of a problem-free day evaporated with all my water. Following my mobile call for help a fellow Bear with TVR picks up my passenger to complete his dream ride and leaving me shouting don’t leave me this way which of course he didn’t returning later to give me a lift back to the show. After much frustration, I manage to purchase a suitable hose and borrow a water carrier. TVR Bear kindly takes me back to my car. Unfortunately I couldn’t get rid of an air lock so had to try driving back with coolant not working properly. Got to Gate 2 but had to be pushed back from there. Thanks to two strong GT40 club members, I was soon sorted and heading back to Stratford with my long-suffering friend Ann who said she enjoyed the show immensely. Sunday evening saw us all enjoying an evening at the local Jazz Club and the thoughts of a relaxing drive home. Monday proved to be another challenge, my beloved GT or Hell on Wheels as MJ has renamed it, just would not start. Back to the AA -“is that the Yellow One?” -the love of my life, ah second love that is, was gaining a bad reputation. However Mr AA man with jump leads quickly proclaims “that should fix you” and Ann helpfully pipes up “I got some like that in the shed” AAAAh we’d only been waiting two hours! Still, it gave me time to recover from my 19th nervous breakdown! So off to Oxford, car's running like a dream, Yeh welcome to my nightmare. Did you say something dear? Half an hour later we're lost in Oxford!! Arguments cause steamy windows and some crying but eventually we reach our destination. Seeing my daughter Jessica and gorgeous little Abigail were worth all the problems. Now let’s head for home. Two hours later, sat in traffic jam on the M25 that I can see for miles and miles and miles, arguing about how I missed the turning on the M40, it felt that we would never make it. Going this way will take us at least 500 miles to get home. But, confident I will survive, and with growing confidence in my beautiful GT40 we press on, surviving another horrendous traffic jam at Leeds, blinding rain and a slipping fan belt that developed north of Newcastle, we arrived home undercover of the night with a great sense of achievement. Despite all our problems we thoroughly enjoyed the NEC show and will, if possible, go again. But not in the GT 40 as it's now been sold to a French enthusiast. “Well if you drove it to NEC and London and back, it will be OK to drive to Strasbourg, won’t I?”. Sure you will. No problem for a Frenchman. I wonder if he’s lost in France. God I miss that car...
CHRISTMAS LUNCH This was held at Auchen Castle with an excellent Christmas Lunch followed by a raffle. George auctioned a Royal Worcester prize cup and Sheila sold off her Antiques Guides. £174 was raised in total. Nimal was unable to join us but has sent a donation of £50. The Selkirk show, Coldingham and raffles have raised £806 for SACHD. 2009 is the 20th anniversary of the Sporting Bears and Pat and Chris Glaseby have suggested a weekend and dinner at Gaydon to coincide with the Supercar Sunday. Fiona thought the Polars could do a leisurely run/dinner and overnight stay at Scarborough or York, which would mean less travelling for the more northerly members. It is hoped to find an alternative venue to Otterburn Towers for the easterly lunches. Alternative suggestions please to Fiona. The money from Corbridge should go to Jigsaw, Zoe’s Place can profit from the raffle money and Thirlestane Dream Rides could be shared between REACT and SACHD. CHAS will be supported by the Highland Fling.	IDEA FOR DISCUSSION Mummy Polar Bear received a letter from Kevin and Sandy Talbot of which the following is an extract; "Dear Fiona, At the last Highland Fling we invited Mike and Caroline McSean to stay with us on their way south. We had a great evening and subsequently they were kind enough to send a magnificent bouquet of flowers which, though much appreciated, must have been very expensive. This led to Kevin wondering whether there would be any mileage (excuse the pun) in starting a Bears accommodation register along the following lines." They go on to propose that Bears willing to provide accommodation for other Bears in return for their "guests" making a (comparatively) modest donation to the SBMC charity fund could voluntarily register so that their details could be circulated in the club. Once up and running the scheme could raise significant sums for charity. Bears from different parts of the country would meet other Bears, making new friends. This looks like a promising idea and we need some comments from the Polar Bears before taking it to the National Committee. Do you think think it is a good idea? Would you be interested in taking part? Please send any comments to Sandy Talbot (Sandytalbs@aol.com). If the responses of the members and committee are positive Kevin and Sandy are prepared to help set up and maintain the scheme.
CAR NEWS Jim Harris is now on car 370, a BMW M3. Jeff Ferris has replaced his temperamental GT40 with an AC Ace and Kevin Talbot has bought a Porsche 944 to replace his even more temperamental TR7. Finally, can you guess who the OTT Tonka Truck below belongs to?