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The Norman Conquest |
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Event Report
7th - 13th September 1997
Sunday
Twenty-nine cars gathered at HMS Victory, Portsmouth for scrutineering
and signing on. Parked alongside the historic ship was a 1919 Standard
SLS, a 1948 Austin 16, a 1933 MG J2 Midget, and a 1966 Triumph TR4a
amongst others. A 1953 Morgan Plus 4 had cheekily slotted itself into
the sleek Jaguar E Type line up, it was that kind of rally! At 1.00
p.m. all the cars departed for Caen via Brittany Ferries, lunching on
board.
Monday
The morning began leisurely with a calibration run, followed by an
afternoon's rallying. At one time control, the local mayor arranged
refreshments and the school children cheered and waved as each car
checked in. After several further controls the rallying finished at
Hotel Ferme de La Rançonnière, where the navigators navigated their way
to a drinks reception, whilst the drivers drove a short regularity
circle by themselves, proving that a few of them really could "Do it
All!"
By close of play John and Trisha Venables (1954 MG TF) were leading
Chris and Julie Rashbrooke (1953 Jaguar XK120) by just 14 seconds. In
Class 3 (The Young Ones) Hugh and Judy Mayes (1960 MGA) were just ahead
of Chris and Val Harbridge (1973 MGB GT).
Tuesday
This morning the rally route wound through the Bocage areas of Normandy
with glorious scenery and views. By now most competitors had got the
hang of things, though Ken and Barbara Waller (1936 Ford Y Type) were
searching hard for a right-hand turning located just after a named
headstone. When they asked a local he turned out to be the grandson of
the deceased, so they had to stay to listen to the family history before
moving on. After several more time controls, a speed change and a
secret time control everyone arrived at Thury Harcout for lunch. As the
afternoon was free many competitors then visited the Normandy Beaches
and Monuments or viewed the Bayeux Tapestry.
John and Trisha continued to lead, but second place had been taken from
Chris and Julie by Mike Sutcliff and John Hopwood (1959 Triumph TR3a).
In the Team Competition, the Musketeers were beginning to stretch their
lead over the battling Normans, Saxons and Troopers.
Wednesday
The Mayor of Cruelly bid "Au Revoir" to the competitors, who then
rallied their way to the bustling town of Falaise, William the
Conqueror's birthplace. Small villages were visited, (several times
apparently by some of the Jaguar E Type drivers!) whilst the old hands
negotiated the challenging route aware that one wrong turning could slip
them well down the placings.
Mike and John were now leading Class 2 (The Middle Aged) and were still
second overall to John and Trisha but by just 9 seconds. Meanwhile, in
Class 1 (The Old Timers) things were nearly as close with David and Anne
Tingham (1934 Alvis Speed 20) chasing Roger and Kathleen Learmonth (1938
Jaguar SS100).
Thursday
Today, the rally route twisted up and down the Suisse Normande area
passing through the village of Clecy, with lush green tress arching over
the river, and then to Pont d'Oiully, a town straight off a chocolate
box lid. The first two sections were relatively short, whilst the third
section was just a shade over 80 kms, which over-ran many speed tables.
John and Glenice Jubb (1957 Austin Healey 100/6) were heard to comment
after missing a particularly difficult backward facing sign, "We weren't
lost, just not on the right road!" The final control was at the
magnificent Château Vendeuvre, where after lunch competitors had time to
visit the Water Gardens and Château Museums.
John and Trisha maintained their lead, whilst Chris and Julie had
sneaked ahead of Mike and John into the lead of Class 2. By now the
Knockout was reaching the final round, with Tom and Ingrid Coldicott
(1958 Jaguar XK150S) preparing for battle with Dennis and Jennifer
Barker (1955 MG TF).
Friday
After starting in front of Château de la Fresnaye competitors rallied to
Honfleur, but not before completing seven sections! Marshals were seen
to count them all in, and then dash to another control to count them all
through again. Navigators not only had to contend with turning left
here, forking right there, but changing speed several times and not
being caught out by the secret time controls. However, all the drivers
and navigators made it to the finish, still talking to each other, where
they enjoyed lunch and a celebratory tasting at Calvados Boulard.
At Clos St Gatien, our final night's hotel, everyone gathered for "La
Fête Final avec Petit Orchestre" in best bib and tucker, still not quite
sure who had won, though it was not really a surprise when John and
Trisha Venables were announced as winners. After the presentation of
prizes and an evening of good food and gentle music, the rally closed
with several competitors wondering what the results would have been, "IF
ONLY!"
The Norman Conquest
1997 Results
First Overall...John and Trica Venables............1954 MG TF 1250cc Second Overall..Mike Sutcliffe and John Hopwood....1959 Triumph TR3A Third Overall...Dennis and Jennifer Barker.........1955 MG TF 1500cc Old Timers First...Roger and Kathleen Learmonth...............1938 Jaguar SS100 Second...David and Anne Tringham...................1934 Alvis Speed 20 Third...Edward and Lesley Behrendt.................1933 MG J2 Midget Middle Aged First...John and Trica Venables....................1954 MG TF 1250cc Second...Chris and Julie Rashbrooke................1953 Jaguar XK120 fhc Third...Mike Sutcliff and John Hopwood.............1959 Triumph TR3a Young Ones First...Hugh and Judi Mayes........................1960 MGA 1600cc Second...Robert and Brenda Goodchild...............1964 Austin Healey 3000 Third...Chris and Val Harbridge....................1973 MGB GTOther Awards
First Teams "Musketeers" Mike Sutcliffe and John Hopwood..........1959 Triumph TR3A Chris and Julie Rashbrooke...............1953 Jaguar XK120 fhc 3 ½ ltr Tony Payne and Amanda Riles..............1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III BJ 8 Knockout..Dennis and Jennifer Barker...........1955 MG TF 1500cc William Award..Christer and Inga-Lill Olsson...1964 Jaguar MkII 3.4 (Spirit of the Rally) Harold Award..John and Kate Conder.............1919 Standard SLS dhcHow the Competition was Run
The Norman Conquest 1998
For your information, we will be running another event next year. At
present we are still in the planning stages, but it will be similar in
concept to 'The Norman Conquest', and will be based in Normandy, although
we are planning to use different hotels and routes. We have several of
this year's competitors already committed to coming with armfuls of
friends!!
So if any MG owners would like a first bite at the cherry, we
are advising interested parties to get in quick! The event will be run between 5th and 14th September (exact dates to be confirmed soonest,
subject to ferry crossing times).
Brochures listing all the goodies on offer and the price (which hopefully will be similar to this year's) will be availalbe towards the end of November/early December.
Email: Nicola Walsh n.j.walsh@leeds.ac.uk
Previous Conquest News
Conquest 97 Announced
Conquest 97 Update