2008
- A review of Lancia Motor Club events
LMC at Classic Motor Show 14 – 16 November 2008
The Lancia Motor Club, working with the Montecarlo Consortium and the Beta Boyz, ensured that the Lancia marque was well represented at the annual Classic Motor Show held at the NEC in Birmingham. Cars on display on the LMC stand included a Lambda Limousine, Appia Coupe, Fulvia Zagato Competizione, Fulvia Berlina 2C, Delta 1.3LX, integrale Martini 6, Kappa Coupe. The real draw of the stand was the first viewing in the UK of the new Delta, which produced lots of positive comments from Lancisti and the general public alike.
The Beta Boyz displayed two coupes, one spider, an HPE and a berlina. The Montecarlo Consortium had three cars on display, using the theme of a Lancia showroom from the 1970’s. A further display by Club Lancia Sport helped to ensure that Lancia was one of the best represented marques on show.
Visitors to the stand were able to enjoy a glass of wine and some Italian food while chatting about the cars on display, which lead to a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
Auto Italia - Gaydon September 14
A good selection of Lancias, from Flavia, Fulvia, Beta, Gamma, Montecarlo to Y10 and later post RHD models arrived for one of the final outdoor events of 2008 at Gaydon amongst a wide selection of fine Italian machinery for a pleasant day of automotive viewing.
Cumbria Classic Car Show 17 August
Following the cancellation of the event last year due to foot and mouth, the Cumbria Classic Car Show was once again held at Dalemain House near Ullswater in the Lake District, and once again, the LMC was present. The display of 16 cars included 2 Lambda, 3 Fulvias, 2 Betas (one of which was a group A replica), 1 Montecarlo, 5 integrale, 1 Thema 8.32 and a Lybra. As well as the car displays, there was the opportunity for members displaying cars to take part in an Auto test organised by the Wigton Motor Club.
Lancia Motor Club Driving Tests and Barbecue 20 July
After an enforced break caused by the floods of summer 2007, this annual club event returned with an earlier July date. The weather stayed kind - despite the forecast and 20 competitors took part in the tests devised by Neil Lewis. Lancias taking part included two pre-war cars - an Augusta and an Aprilia, others were a number or Fulvia Coupes, an Appia, Delta Integrales and a Montecarlo 'wearing' an 037 Rally body kit.
Later competitors, marshals and spectators enjoyed a wonderful barbecue prepared by Richard's wife Nicola and family in their garden, where in between courses the class and FTD winners received their prizes.
National Rally & AGM 4-6 July
Despite damp conditions, well over 170 cars attended the National Rally on Sunday where a fine selection of Lancias was on display. The previous day saw about 40 Lancias driving a route taking in 7 of Wiltshire's white horses, and including a stop at the Atwell Wilson Motor Museum in Calne.
Brooklands Double 12 .....27 June
Three club members took part in the event over two days in small class of 10 cars of a similar age, participating in various driving tests around the Brooklands museum, on the Mercedes Benz World test track and a concours competition, with the B24 Spider with a class win, amongst some period vehicles from the 1900s up to the 1950s and 60s'.
Giro di Salopia 6-8 June
The route introducing some fantastic driving roads and stunning scenery. A good selection of cars turn up in Ironbridge to takepart in the main driving event. Of course we had more Integrales than othermodels, but we had two 2WD Deltas, a Beta Coupe, Appia S3 and our Fulvia. Thank you all for taking part.The best bit was the opportunity to drive up the hillclimb circuit at Loton Park, a real unexpected treat.
Sliding Pillar 30 May -2 June 2008
Sliding Pillar Lancias including 10 from mainland Europe gathered at the Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club on the Suffolk coast for the annual rally. Oldest car was Roland Grazebrook's 1917 Theta followed by 10 Lambdas. Other rarities included Paul Bishop's Appia Farina Coupe and Wim De Jong's Jolly Van resplendent in its 'Lancia Service' livery.
The Saturday tour took in Aldeburgh, Snape Maltings and a visit by boat to Orford Ness, a nature reserve that was formerly a secret military testing area.
On Sunday the cars drove to the beautiful Sizewell beach which is rather overshadowed by the nuclear power station! Then on to lunch and a wine tasting at the Wisset Vineyard.
Woking Hospice Classic Car show 1 June 2008
Four cars attended the club display an Appia, two Fulvias, Beta VX and Aprilia on an adjacent display making five, for a very enjoyable day with many interested visitors and club members and families dropping in for a chat at this popular charity event.
Merrist Wood Classic Car Show 18 May 2008
A small group of Lancias met at the Merrist Wood, a very well attended show and lot of keen interest show in the cars presented by the club with many visitors despite the sometimes chilly breeze.
Borders Run 17 May 2008
The Borders Run was organised by the North East area group of the LMC. 19 cars took part in the event, which was based around the Scottish Borders. Cars were started in true rally fashion, with one minute intervals between starters, with check points to stop at along the way. The route started at Rheged Discovery Centre near Penrith. From here, participants were treated to wonderful roads taking in Ullswater, Ainstable, and Brampton before stopping for lunch. After the lunch stop, the route took in Hadrians Wall, before heading to Newcastleton and then onto Langholm. After the run, the social atmosphere continued at the rally HQ, where participants were able to enjoy a dinner and a few post run drinks
Auto Italia - Brooklands 3 May 2008
Thanks to all who visited the club area at Brooklands today, the location was much better than previous years, we had in excess of 50 Lancias of all types, from Appia, Aurelia B20, Beta, Delta, Flaminia, Fulvia, Gamma, Montecarlo, Prisma, Stratos, Thema and Y10 of all variants that came from far and wide. An excellent attendance by club members, family, friends and visitors, the fantastic weather must have encouraged them to visit to Brooklands.
Goodwood Trackday 22 March 2008
Cold, damp and windy conditions greeted the hardy souls who ventured out in droves to drive this superb circuit or to admire the cars both on track and in the paddock or just to catch up on Lancia talk with acquaintances old and new.
Drivers heeded the instructor’s warnings on the driving conditions and there were no more than two or three harmless spins until the sun came out for the final hour and allowed some quicker motoring.
The track was graced by a marvellous selection of Aurelias, Flavias, both Fulvias and Integrales by the dozen plus rarer visitors including examples of Zagato bodied Appia, Fulvia, Flavia and Flaminia and the awesome Monte Carlo Turbo Group 5 replica now resplendent in the 1980 season blue/white “flames” colour scheme.
A tremendous turnout of members from club senior citizens, including some who dropped in on their way to the Lambda Lunch, to toddlers enjoying picnics in the warmth of the track lounge where club regalia was also on sale. This all leant a great atmosphere to a day when the drivers had a chance to hone their skills in tricky driving conditions. The blizzard thankfully held off until most had left for the day!
For many more photographs of the cars see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonysphotos/sets/72157604202220694/
Great Northern Weekend 28 – 30 March
Kendal in Cumbria played host to the annual Great Northern Weekend. Over 60 members and 30 cars were in attendance, including members from The Netherlands and Switzerland. The Friday night was a relaxed ‘meet and greet’ night, where members were able to enjoy sociable conversation with a few drinks. On Saturday, there was a tour along some of the challenging roads in the Lake District which took in Windermere, Grasmere, Coniston and Ulverston. There was a stop for a visit to Dove Cottage which was one of William Wordsworth’s homes. Along the way, there was the usual observation quiz. On Saturday evening, members enjoyed a gala dinner, after which there was the prize giving for the winners of the observation quiz. This was followed by some friendly chat in the hotel bar. Sunday morning allowed members to say their farewells before going to explore the local attractions and returning home.
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