Video of the Rally of the Bridges

Remember the lockdown when nothing happened?

Well the LAC managed to run a COVID compliant event in the midst of all the restrictions. We were event checked out by the local council and given the thumbs up.

The event was based on an earlier event from the early 1950’s when the Lancashire Automobile Club organised a number of 12 car rallies and navigational events. One event known as the Rally of the Bridges was organised by Bill Turner (later President of the LAC).

Thanks to the long memory of Mike Wood and other inputs we recreated the Rally of the bridges which essentially required the entrants to navigate their way over most of the canal bridges between Preston and Lancaster in both directions.

Current regulations did not allow this as ‘double’ road usage is not permitted. The route therefore replicated the original in that it crossed most of the canal bridges but in order to have a return route incorporated as many rail, motorway and river bridges as possible on the return leg, we hope enjoy this bit of LAC history.

Many thanks to Jeff for putting together this video and to Mike Wood for providing many of the photos.

Click on link below or copy and paste it into Google

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOTaWTVBpzE

Regulations now available for our St Georges Day Run Sunday 21st April

Our annual St Georges Day Tour starts from Cafe Lazio at Huntley’s, Samlesbury and sets out in a new direction to the Helwith Bridge Inn for a comfort break before finishing with a light buffet at Blackburn Northern Sports, Pleckgate Drive, Blackburn. The entry fee is £29.00 per car for non members and £24.00 per car for full members of Lancashire Automobile Club.

The event is open to cars of all age, Vintage, Classic and Cherished. Navigation is by a simple Tulip Style Road Book which incorporates Written directions. Whilst the event is non-competitive and untimed, the route has been devised so it can easily be completed at an average speed of 24mph making it suitable for cars of most ages and capabilities.

The event is part of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) annual national event. Once again the LAC will be adopting the FBHVC ‘Tree-V’ environmental initiative that captures carbon dioxide generated by the entrants by contributing to the planting of trees in the UK. This will help to demonstrate the Club’s environmental commitment to potential sponsors and local authorities.

The route is just under 100miles and along the way we take in some great roads and beautiful scenery. The event is open to members of the Lancashire Automobile Club and fellow enthusiasts. There are no age constraints on entry, we welcome Vintage, Classic and cherished cars of all ages.

For regulations and entry please click on this link https://lancsautoclub.com/events-calendar/ the click on MORE next to St Georges Day.

Fellsman Regulations now available

Regulations are now available for The Fellsman Classic Tour on Saturday 18th May. 

The event is open to all interesting, domestic, sports and classic cars of all ages, and will offer a choice of route instructions from a simple tulip-type route book, to the time-honoured established format of plotting onto OS maps.

Starting from Café Ambio at Junction 36 on the M6, the route explores Southern Cumbria via numerous exciting lanes with outstanding views, weather permitting. The route will run south of Lakes Windermere and Coniston and continue west, close to Duddon Sands, before heading east on more exciting lanes, to return to Café Ambio for a lunch halt. The morning mileage will be approximately 70 miles

The Afternoon section from Café Ambio will take in some of the areas finest touring roads, many familiar to LAC members, to finish at Knowle Green, near Longridge, where a hot meal will be served. The afternoon mileage will be similar to that of the morning route.

For regulations and entry form please click on https://lancsautoclub.com/events-calendar/  and then MORE next to The Fellsman.

If you have any queries regarding your entry, please contact the Entries Secretary, Jeff Chambers – Email jeff.chambers1@yahoo.com

Queries regarding the event in general can be sent to Andrew Ogden – Email fellsman@lancsautoclub.com

1969 Coupe Des Alps Rally Video – The Mike Wood Rally Years

Welcome to the next instalment in the LAC’s very own Mike Wood – his life in rallying this time Mike looks back at The Alpine Rally, also known by its official name Coupe des Alpes, a rally competition based in Marseille and held from 1932 to 1971. In the 1950s and the 1960s, it was among the most prestigious rallies in the world and featured an international route, consisting of famous mountain passes in Europe.

These videos were films taken by Mike mainly during the reccee and during free time on the event. Obviously whilst out on the event itself Mike’s attention would have been elsewhere co-driving the car.

It wasn’t the most succesful of events for the Ford Team with Roger Clark, Jean-Francois, Ove Andersson and Mike and Hannu all retiring. In all of the 61 starters 41 were to retire.

Worth mentioning that Mike has just celebrated his 90th birthday – many happy returns Mike.

Click on link below to see the video or copy and paste into your browser.

Video of the Fellsman Classic Car Tour 2007 – Lancashire Automobile Club.

Many of you may have entered this event and thanks to Mike Wood and ChrisLee, who took the photos, together with Jeff Chambers, who produced this video, you have a chance to relive memories.

Others may now be the proud owners of some of these fantastic cars.

Many thanks for watching!

As always click on link below or copy and paste it into your browser.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rfoYbH1abY

First Noggin and Natter of 2024

Back by popular demand we will be holding our first Noggin and Natter of 2024 at the Mytton Fold Hotel, Whalley Rd, Langho, Blackburn BB6 8AB on Thursday 1st February.

As usual Carolyn and Anthony will be there to welcome you from 7.00pm and food and drinks will be available for you to purchase.

We have a full programme of events both social and motoring for you to enjoy in 2024.

So come along and meet fellow LAC Members and other motoring enthusiasts for a noggin and natter.

SIR HENRY SEAGRAVE – AN EVENING WITH PDVCC.

SIR HENRY SEAGRAVE – AN EVENING WITH PDVCC.

Tuesday 9 January 2024 at Penwortham Golf Club

The PDVCC cordially invite members and friends from LAC to join them for a presentation about the record breaking Sir Henry Seagrave, who amongst other things broke the land speed record on Southport beach. The talk will be given by local historian Keith Hick. Keith is returning by popular demand. The last time he spoke to us was just before lockdown when he gave a marvellous presentation about ‘Campbell on Coniston’.

Tickets are £10.00 each and include hotpot supper (or vegetarian alternative). Tickets are available from Penny Prest at spprest@gmail.com 07740 862319 or Tom Taylor at tomtaylo57@gmail.com 01772 316598

Video of The Castles Run in 1963

Back in the 1960’s several Lancashire Automobile Club members including Billy Turner and Ted Heath helped organise the Castles Run which finished at Clitheroe Castle. This video was taken as the cars approached the Nick o’ Pendle climibimng from Sabden.

Many of the cars were regulars on the Manchester to Blackpool Cars Runs of the day. I wonder jusy how many still reside in Lancashire?

Mike Woods Memories of the 1969 Monte Carlo Rally

Another in our series of motor sport related videos and this one’s a gem.

This time Mike Wood has provided access to his film vault to provide us with his memories of the 1969 Monte Carlo Rally.

By then the BMC Works Team had been wound up and Mike was a member of the Ford Works Team for 1969 and should have been alongside Hannu Mikkola on this event, but due to a damaged knee they put Roger Clarke’s regular Co-driver Jim Porter with him and Mike did ice notes for the team with Roger, hence he was able to take all the film shots.

Jeff Chambers has done his magic converting the film into a video we can all enjoy.

So sit back, relax and enjoy.

Click on the link below or copy and paste into your browser.