Talk Morgan Forums Community Vehicle Talk (non-Morgan) MK Classic Car Tour

On Saturday I gave my Morgan a quick clean to spruce her up because on Sunday we attended our first classic car run - the MK Classic Tour organised by the Historic Rally Car Register.

There was a fabulous turn out of around 180 cars that ranged from huge Vauxhalls from the early days of motoring, through pretty little Lotus Elites, to a modern Dodge Ram 1500 taking in just about everything in between. There were some of my favourite pretty cars: Lotus Elan and Elite, Sebring Sprite, Renault Alpine A110, Porsche 356, Sunbeam Tiger. There were some real monsters too such as the Dodge Ram, Marcos (which is a monster in a good way), Austin Maxi and Morris 1800 in endurance rally trim, a Mini Moke. There were saloons such as a 1960's Vauxhall Cresta, a BMW 2002, a Sierra XR4. And of course braces of Morgans, MGs, Triumphs, Minis and Jags. It was my first classic car run for more than 10 years and one of the few classic car events I've been to in that time - I was like a big kid looking around the car park!

The run started in the rain at Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands (my missus liked the centre so I guess we'll be going back there soon). From here we drove for 10 miles to Millbrook Proving Ground and had two laps of the hill course which simulates various gradients normally found in alpine locations. It's not a race track - there's no run off areas - but it really was a great drive. After here, we had a 60-odd mile drive through the countryside from Bedfordshire to Oxfordshire. The weather brightened on the way but there were always threatening clouds in the sky. In Oxon we had a coffee stop at Prodrive and a chance to look around their small collection of cars in the visitor center. After the break with had another 20 minute drive into Buckinghamshire and to Silverstone. Here we a chance to experience some elements of the Porsche Driving Experience circuit: a short blast round a couple of bends, followed by a spin round the low-friction roundabout and then a slide down the "ice hill". The "ice hill" a 7 degree slop which has been painted and then has a steady sheet of water constantly flowing down it - so you have little grip. There are also two sets of jets gushing 10 foot into the air. The objective is to drive down the slope and slalom between the jets - at anything over 15 MPH the car slides with the merest provocation. My Mog (open top at this point) was sliding sideways towards the second set of jets but I just managed to coax it round to avoid a soaking - straightening up just resulting in sliding the other way to the end of the track. We then had an excellent hog roast and a look around the display of cars in the Porsche building before coming home, cleaning the car again and tucking her away.

The Morgan and I had a great day (which could have been excellent with better weather) and I think SWMBO enjoyed it too - she did a good job of navigating for me despite the Mogs odometer gaining about half a mile in ten, compared to the route book. I'd been keen to do another HRCR tour - they seem very well organised, attract a fantastic array of machinery and take in some interesting locations.

See my Photobucket album for a look at just some of the cars attending the rally and on display at Prodrive: MK Classic Tour

What a great day out - reading it on a nice sunny Monday morning it really makes you want to get right back in the Morgan again and take to the road. Thanks for taking the time to pass on the experience.

As a new owner and avid follower of TalkMorgan I wonder whether we should have a section on recommended routes and experiences? It makes such good reading - maybe it exists already and I haven't found it so apologies if it does.
John

You didn't meet up with Colin in his near new red +4 4 seater then?
I know of at least two other Morgans started from the same place.

Cheers,

There were a few Cranmog members there - I saw the badges - but no-one I recognised from the two meetings I've attended. I didn't get to chat to them just because I was chatting to others (or staring at the cars).

I think I probably did see Colin's car - though I didn't know it was Colin's at the time - whilst I was sat outside the Porsche compound and he was parked up inside - by the time I got to the parking area (after the track time) and had eaten my Hog Roast he was gone. Shame - I wanted to chat and have a poke around!

Was the reg number of the 1800 RMR688H ?

Neil,
Thanks for sharing what was obviously a great day out!

John,
I was looking on the 'Merlin' Car Tours website recently as they ran a 3 day tour of Beds, Bucks & Berks. Their routes are described there if they are of any interest.

Thanks for the info Frank I will definitely take a look.
Regards,
John

Don't know, sorry.