Centenary Celebrations of the Waddington Fell Open Hill Climb

On the 3rd May this year the Vauxhall 30-98 Register, the LAC and The Preston and District Vintage Car Club joined forces to celebrate the centenary of the Lancashire Automobile Club’s Waddington Fell Open Hill Climb with thirty five Vauxhall 30-98’s taking part in this historic re-enactment.

Exactly 100 years ago the event was won by Joseph Higginson of Stockport, driving the all new prototype Vauxhall 30-98.

A full report will follow here and there will be a full article in All Torque, the LAC members’ magazine. Lookout for further coverage in the press including Lancashire Life and Classic Car Weekly. Click here for an early preview of some of the great photographs taken on the day, more to follow.

Also see our history article in the timeline.

On the 3rd May this year the Vauxhall 30-98 Register, the LAC and The Preston and District Vintage Car Club joined forces to celebrate the centenary of the Lancashire Automobile Club’s Waddington Fell Open Hill Climb with thirty five Vauxhall 30-98’s taking part in this historic re-enactment.

Exactly 100 years ago the event was won by Joseph Higginson of Stockport, driving the all new prototype Vauxhall 30-98.

A full report will follow here and there will be a full article in All Torque, the LAC members’ magazine. Lookout for further coverage in the press including Lancashire Life and Classic Car Weekly. Click here for an early preview of some of the great photographs taken on the day, more to follow.

Also see our history article in the timeline.

 

Ethanol in Fuel

I have been 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 Navigator’s Handbook.

Chris Lee
Vice President & Competition Secretary
Lancashire Automobile Club (Est 1902)

8mm Film of the First Veteran and Vintage Car Run

Howard Greenwood of the Pendle Movie Makers emailed the club with details of a film of the 1963 Manchester to Blackpool which he has put on YouTube. It’s over 17 mins long!

The film is fascinating for many reasons. The cars on the run are all vintage and at least one is steam powered.

Of interest to us now is what is going on in the background. At the time they were the modern everyday cars. Now, they could be entrants!

“This standard 8mm transferred film shot on 21st April 1963, shows a wide range of cars from yesteryear on a rally from Manchester to Blackpool. There are many makes of cars at least one of which is steam driven. Iv (SIC) manged to save this old film as much as possible, but due to damaged sprocket holes at the begining the picture has a tendency to jitter slightly but clears up shortly after. This film is a must for all vintage car enthusiasts and to the people of the Lancashire Automobile club who arranged this event back in 1963.”

Howard Greenwood ( A Member of the Pendle Movie Makers Group )

 

Welcome to the Lancashire Automobile Club

Established in 1902 the Lancashire Automobile Club (1902) Ltd is the second oldest motor club in the UK dedicated to the interests of motorists in the region.

Organising both motoring and social events, the LAC has something for everybody, from car runs (touring assemblies) and static shows to regular Noggin and Natters, the Annual Dinner Dance and Triennial Sportsmans Lunch.

As well as being a Motorsport UK Recognised Club we are members of northern motoring association and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.

Our car runs are open to cars of all ages we work on the principle that if you cherish your car we cherish you! By encouraging more ‘modern’ cars to enter we hope to ensure that these more modern vehicles are preserved to become ‘classics’ of the future.

Please have a look around our website.  We’re sure you’ll find something of interest.

To join the Club simply go to Join/Renew on the banner headline and click on Join the Club on the drop down box. From there please fill in the membership aplication form. Should you have any difficulties completing the online membership application please contact our Membership Secretary Andrew Ogden highleabarn@yahoo.co.uk