IOW MMOC: 2012 IOW Branch Rally Report

IOWMMOC RALLY, 2012

(By Dave Gilliam, Rally Organiser)

The Saturday afternoon Run saw a total of 56 Minors, 9 other Classics, and a few modern cars make the journey from Havenstreet to Wolverton Manor for the Garden Fair. I had a few qualms about this route, for to avoid Newport we used mainly country lanes, but had to make a right turn at a busy junction. Not everyone arrived by the same route, but all got there, including one car that had failed to make the start due to a broken clutch rod. A huge contingent from the Dorset Branch turned up at the start, to report that on route, this breakdown had occurred. A call went out for a spare; one was found and taken off to be fitted. I followed behind the convoy to pick up any stragglers, and was met by several cars led by Andy Smith. After fixing the clutch rod Andy had led them on the more direct route through Newport. The only thing I had to pick up were loads of Union Jacks lost by the Dorset Branch. Tip; if you clip a flag to an open window, it will be blown off!

The BBQ in the evening was well attended by campers and locals alike.

Those on site all seemed to be up early and preparing for the main event. I always think that the sight of so many Minors driving through the old station and over the level crossing is an evocative one, and so it was again this year. It does mean that the marshals have small bursts of cars and periods of inactivity; as we do not charge for entry however, and there is no need to book in, formalities are few, so cars are soon parked. The Dorset contingent included one of their members who lives in Belgium, with their Belgian registered Minor

A total of eighty five and a half Minors were present this year, and fifty seven other Classics. The half is accounted for by a half scale driveable model convertible, MDL 123, owned by Alan Dinnis from Macclesfield. The registration of course is an Island one, accounted for by the fact that Alan is an Islander himself.

Displays were given by several groups of Morris dancers, and performances from Shanklin Town Youth brass Band. Bus trips were provided by Peter Garlick on the “OLD GIRL”, a 1939 Bristol open top bus, kindly loaned to us by Southern Vectis. Donations in lieu of fares were donated to the IOW Bus Museum. Many also availed themselves to reduced rate rides on the steam trains.

Having been asked by Malcolm to help judge for the four trophies we still give, reminded me why we decided a few years ago not to have judging in the normal sense; it is difficult to pick the best!

However, we do award four prizes, the winners as follows:

Best Island Home Restoration, LAY 283E a white Traveller owned by Stuart Scovell.

Best Island Car, 477 BHR, another white Traveller, owned by Roger Butler.

Best In Show, TRD 826, a blue Convertible owned by Roger Ware, from Dorset.

Chairman’s Choice, MDL 123, half scale Convertible owned by Alan Dinnis, from Macclesfield.

My thanks to sponsors Tim Lang of Tim Lang Restoration Centre, WBS of Newport and Barry Price of Price’s Motors, Newport for the trophies.

We closed the afternoon with the raffle, and then in the evening we had our now traditional wash up dinner at the Woodman Arms, Wootton

My thanks to all who helped organise and to all who attended. Next years rally will be on the 31^st of August and 1^st of September.

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