EVENT REPORTS
30th Graf Berghe von Tripsfahrt 2017
Posted by Michael Winkler
Graf Berghe von Trips (1928 - 1961) was a german racing drive who had lived in Kerpen near by Cologne. He was racing from 1957 - 1961 at Sebring, Le Mans and in Formular 1. In his last year 1961 he won the Grand Prix of the Netherlands and the Grand prix of Great Britain for the Scuderia Ferrari on a Ferrari 156. He was leading the 1961 Formula 1 championship until this death in a fatal crash at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
In occasion of his 60th birthday in 1987 the classic car rally was held from his former home castle Schloss Lörsfeld near by Kerpen. Original this rally was planned as a one of event, but accidentally it was advertised as the first Graf Berghe von Trips Fahrt. So the organizers had to continue in the following year. Over the years the number of cars raises up to 110 in 2017 where the 30th anniversary of the rally happened. I had the opportunity to attend this event with my 1933 Ford Model Y Cairn Drophead Coupe called Marjorie.
I was the only Model Y in the competition. In the class for cars until 1939 14 cars attend. Beside my Y a Morris Crowley, an Austin Seven, a Lagonda, a Ford Model A Phaeton and some Morris 8/10 were entered. The rest of the field were mainly cars from the 60's and 70's.
The total distance of the rally were 160km around Kerpen. The concept of this rally is uniformity, so speed has to be neglected. Several special stages with task like drive over a 300m distance in 50 sec or stop 1 m before n obstacle. My wife and myself finished 4th in class and 66 over all. But there was a bad taste with this result. During the last 20 km or so the left king pin broke off. I didn't notice directly but on the last kilometres turn went harder and harder. Therefore I could not drive home with Marjorie on her own wheels. I was driven home on the back of a lorry.
In occasion of his 60th birthday in 1987 the classic car rally was held from his former home castle Schloss Lörsfeld near by Kerpen. Original this rally was planned as a one of event, but accidentally it was advertised as the first Graf Berghe von Trips Fahrt. So the organizers had to continue in the following year. Over the years the number of cars raises up to 110 in 2017 where the 30th anniversary of the rally happened. I had the opportunity to attend this event with my 1933 Ford Model Y Cairn Drophead Coupe called Marjorie.
I was the only Model Y in the competition. In the class for cars until 1939 14 cars attend. Beside my Y a Morris Crowley, an Austin Seven, a Lagonda, a Ford Model A Phaeton and some Morris 8/10 were entered. The rest of the field were mainly cars from the 60's and 70's.
The total distance of the rally were 160km around Kerpen. The concept of this rally is uniformity, so speed has to be neglected. Several special stages with task like drive over a 300m distance in 50 sec or stop 1 m before n obstacle. My wife and myself finished 4th in class and 66 over all. But there was a bad taste with this result. During the last 20 km or so the left king pin broke off. I didn't notice directly but on the last kilometres turn went harder and harder. Therefore I could not drive home with Marjorie on her own wheels. I was driven home on the back of a lorry.
2015 Members Y & C Workshop
Posted by Ron Lewis
The second workshop was held on 3rd October at The Pump House Garage - thanks to Robert Jarvis for hosting again this year.
Our instructors were Peter Ketchell, Roger Hanslip, and Graham Miles. Between them they have around 150 years of Y & C experience. Thanks to them for passing on their knowledge and pointing out the quirks of our cars!
Several members attended and all enjoyed the day, including the superb refreshments - thanks to Robert's wife Lorraine (and also to Sue for the Carrot Cake - my favourite)
The cars shown are Colin French's Y, which is currently being rebuilt and can be seen in a partial build state, as well as Robert's Y which is on the lift. Robert's car was used on the lift to point out safety checks and maintenance tasks. Ron Lewis took his Y along to show off the LEDs fitted to his car (6v) - including dipping headlamps.
For more information about these, see LINKS page. I urge all members to try to get to this workshop as it does not just cover 'the basics' that many of us know - with all the amassed knowledge present, all the little quirks and tricks unique to our cars can be teased out. It also a good laugh!
Our instructors were Peter Ketchell, Roger Hanslip, and Graham Miles. Between them they have around 150 years of Y & C experience. Thanks to them for passing on their knowledge and pointing out the quirks of our cars!
Several members attended and all enjoyed the day, including the superb refreshments - thanks to Robert's wife Lorraine (and also to Sue for the Carrot Cake - my favourite)
The cars shown are Colin French's Y, which is currently being rebuilt and can be seen in a partial build state, as well as Robert's Y which is on the lift. Robert's car was used on the lift to point out safety checks and maintenance tasks. Ron Lewis took his Y along to show off the LEDs fitted to his car (6v) - including dipping headlamps.
For more information about these, see LINKS page. I urge all members to try to get to this workshop as it does not just cover 'the basics' that many of us know - with all the amassed knowledge present, all the little quirks and tricks unique to our cars can be teased out. It also a good laugh!