30th Graf Berghe von Tripsfahrt 2017
Posted by Michael Winkler
Graf Berghe von Trips (1928 - 1961) was a German racing driver who had lived in Kerpen, near to Cologne. He was racing from 1957 - 1961 at Sebring, Le Mans, and in Formula 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 in 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.
On the occasion of his 60th birthday in 1987, the classic car rally was held from his former home Castle Schloss Lörsfeld, near to Kerpen. Originally this rally was planned as a one off 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 rose 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, fourteen cars attended. Beside my Y a Morris Crowley, an Austin Seven, a Lagonda, a Ford Model A Phaeton, and some Morris 8/10's were entered. The rest of the field were mainly cars from the 60's and 70's.
The total distance of the rally was 160km around Kerpen. The concept of this rally is uniformity, so speed has to be neglected. Several special stages with tasks such as drive over a 300m distance in 50 sec or stop 1 m before an obstacle. My wife and myself finished 4th in the class, and 66th 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 turning became 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.
On the occasion of his 60th birthday in 1987, the classic car rally was held from his former home Castle Schloss Lörsfeld, near to Kerpen. Originally this rally was planned as a one off 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 rose 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, fourteen cars attended. Beside my Y a Morris Crowley, an Austin Seven, a Lagonda, a Ford Model A Phaeton, and some Morris 8/10's were entered. The rest of the field were mainly cars from the 60's and 70's.
The total distance of the rally was 160km around Kerpen. The concept of this rally is uniformity, so speed has to be neglected. Several special stages with tasks such as drive over a 300m distance in 50 sec or stop 1 m before an obstacle. My wife and myself finished 4th in the class, and 66th 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 turning became 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.
2017 North Norfolk Railway
Posted by Michael Winkler
Primarily my wife Heike and I wanted to participate the Fenland Tour this year. But due to some medical problems we couldn’t. Jo asked us if we want to come to the North Norwich Railway 40’s Weekend in Holt. While we are going to spend our vacation in the UK in September, this would be a great idea to finish our vacation together with the club.
After a week in Kent we drove north to Holt. At the Links Hotel in Cromden we meet the first-time Jo, Roger and all the other club members.
I didn’t come with my Y because my Fiesta does not have a trailer hitch. But that was not a problem. We had the possibility to hop on some club member’s cars to drive from the hotel to the railway station and back. On Saturday morning, we were all dressed up in 40’s style head on to Holt. I was driving with Roger in his van, Heike in Jo’s car. The drive was very funny specially when the wiper falls off. You have to see our faces! We were speechless. Luckily, we found the wiper on the road and got back to Holt station without further problems. We spend the day in Sheringham and at Holt station walking around showing off our dresses. The trip with the old steam train was really funny. We enjoyed the music from Geoff on the tour from Holt Station to Sheringham. Not only the people were dressed in 40’s style also the city itself. Walking around the city wasn’t that easy because, other people wanted to take pictures of our well-dressed club member’s. For us Germans it was great to see how the Britain’s celebrate the ’40 war time. This is something which we don’t have here in Germany. Geoff gave in lift back to the hotel.
In the evening the Club joined the 40’s diner in the hotel. Lots of entertainment and music form the 40’s. It was a joyful evening. On Sunday, we moved to Holt village to see what’s going on there. This time we take the bus from Holt station to Holt.
Heike and myself enjoyed the whole weekend. We didn’t know the club member’s, except from emails, we didn’t feel as strangers. We meet new friends and we will come back next year to the 40’s weekend. But then with my Y, I promise.
After a week in Kent we drove north to Holt. At the Links Hotel in Cromden we meet the first-time Jo, Roger and all the other club members.
I didn’t come with my Y because my Fiesta does not have a trailer hitch. But that was not a problem. We had the possibility to hop on some club member’s cars to drive from the hotel to the railway station and back. On Saturday morning, we were all dressed up in 40’s style head on to Holt. I was driving with Roger in his van, Heike in Jo’s car. The drive was very funny specially when the wiper falls off. You have to see our faces! We were speechless. Luckily, we found the wiper on the road and got back to Holt station without further problems. We spend the day in Sheringham and at Holt station walking around showing off our dresses. The trip with the old steam train was really funny. We enjoyed the music from Geoff on the tour from Holt Station to Sheringham. Not only the people were dressed in 40’s style also the city itself. Walking around the city wasn’t that easy because, other people wanted to take pictures of our well-dressed club member’s. For us Germans it was great to see how the Britain’s celebrate the ’40 war time. This is something which we don’t have here in Germany. Geoff gave in lift back to the hotel.
In the evening the Club joined the 40’s diner in the hotel. Lots of entertainment and music form the 40’s. It was a joyful evening. On Sunday, we moved to Holt village to see what’s going on there. This time we take the bus from Holt station to Holt.
Heike and myself enjoyed the whole weekend. We didn’t know the club member’s, except from emails, we didn’t feel as strangers. We meet new friends and we will come back next year to the 40’s weekend. But then with my Y, I promise.
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!
