This year we had 88 entries of which 78 turned up on the day at Avon Heath Country Park.
The 2009 Run took in an area around Burley and Brockenhurst stretching out to Beaulieu and circling back through Lyndhurst, Cadnum and Breamore.
There was a half way halt for refreshments at Hale Village Hall, with the cars arriving at the end at The Compasses Inn at Damerham around lunchtime.
On the way round we encountered other classic car owners who were also out enjoying their cars on “Drive it Day”. We even mixed with the boating fraternity around Beaulieu thanks to the Boatjumble.
Most of the 78 starters made it to the end without incident with no major casualties. As far as I am aware there were only 3 incidents, one being a non starter due to head gasket problems, one being due to points failure, and the other being a puncture. The latter 2 were easily sorted and both made it to the end with no further incident.
For most of the day we were lucky with the weather with the exception of a half hour shower towards the end of the run. Otherwise the heavens were kind to us and everybody was able to enjoy the delights of the New Forest and surrounding countryside.
There are 2 articles which describe better that I can how everyone enjoyed the day. Both are reproduced here by the kind permission of their authors:
– The first by Kevin Warrington in his article for the TR Register Wessex News.
– The second by Val McMillan in her article for the TR Drivers magazine.
In addition, further comments were received by email which give an idea as to the success of the day:
“On behalf of those members of Windsor Forest TRs who participated in today’s Wessex & New Forest Run herewith a sincere THANK YOU for providing us with a great day out on an interesting route: we do appreciate all the hard work that goes into producing such a day out for so many Triumph classic car owners. Do please convey our thanks to all who contributed”.
“Just to thank all of your club members/helpers especially the marshals on this years New Forest Run it was a superb event well organised. Please pass this message on and convey my thanks to everyone that helped with this event, well done”!
“Just a note to say what an excellent day my sister and I had last Sunday. So many Triumphs and all in such good condition. Your Organisation was the very best, please thank all your helpers”.
“Once again I must thank you and your team on the outstanding day you organised this year on 26th April. Everyone from the Berks and Bucks & Oxon area of SOC enjoyed the day, the route and the scenery”.
At this point I feel a special mention should go out to all the Area Organisers / Group Leaders who have supported our event. Without this support we would simply not be able to hold the event and it would not be the success it has been. I won’t mention any names but you know who you are – they involve areas of the TR Register, TR Drivers, TSSC, Stag Owners, Dolomite Register etc. Last but not least a special thank you must go to Bethany Williamson for awarding the prizes at the end of the day.
The results of this year’s voting for the Best Car in each class were as follows:
TR2 – TR4 – TR3A of D. Eaton
TR5 – TR6 – TR6 of I. Tubbs
TR7 – TR8 – TR7 of J. Davies
Herald/Vitesse – Herald 1200 of L. O’Kelly
Spitfire/GT6 – Spitfire 1500 of A. Taylor-Jones
Stag – Stag of S. Jones
Saloons – Dolomite Sprint of C. Curtis
Others – Rover P6 of S. Jones
Congratulations go to all the above in particular L. O’Kelly and A. Taylor-Jones who have both won their categories for the last 3 years. (We really must do something about those block votes!! – only joking!)
Overall Car of The Show Was Entry Number 69 – TR3A of N. Barber.
TR2-4 14
TR5-6 9
TR7-8 14
Her/Vit 6
Spit/GT6 8
Saloons 12
Stag 11
Others 4
78