Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms The maddest thing I've done so far

Maybe not the most arduous, but signing up to drive 350+ miles virtually non stop over 21 hrs is definitely up there.
The Inspiration


Excitedly, and in a moment of rashness I paid the fee and invited my 23 yr old son, Chris, to participate. He dutifuly signed up as a passenger, sorted his mscuk licence, and the date was set. A week later, I'm informed he has a motorbike charity easter egg run booked, with his girlfriend. Clearly, I can't compete with that! Not to worry, I have a reserve in the form of 11 yr old Dylan, and it's the Easter break.
Now, many of you may wonder, as did my partner Karen, what on earth could possess one who drives their Morgan "that bloody (2 seater!) sports car" all week, all over the country, to give up a relaxing bank holiday weekend, and drive like you never have before!
Well, mad dogs and englishmen, etc! and as I regularly do 6 hr, 250 mile + commutes, the prospect of spending the weekend in the car didn't phase me at all. A quick call a few nights before with experienced triallers Iain , Charles, John and Jane, of the MSCC, where I was put straight on my thoughts of downloading and following the Main Trial GPX- " You'll end up in some very muddy, very narrow footpaths", best to follow the guidance and log the trip each time- foolproof!
A normal Good Friday ensued, relax, chores etc etc; Bugger, forgot to replace the front pads; retrieve same, emergency, totally original Jurid Austin Princess pads from back of shed, and replace. Glad I did, as the EBC Yellows were down to not enough to get there and back stage. Fingers crossed the AP pads last as long!
Lights check/prepped and ready


Everything prepped and stowed, it was off with Dyaln to the Cirencester start point where we met up with MSCC member John Coupland, in his Plus Four, and his navigator John. Having cleared initial scrutineering, we waited for our alloted start time, and contemplated the route.

John and John set off a minute before us, and before too long we had caught up- easy this I thought- I'll let John do all the navving and just follow behind. All was well, and we pulled into the Warminster check point for fuel top up if needed, and I thought to have a few minutes rest as we were early for the Bridgewater sign in. An hour or so later, and we pulled into Bridgewater, where the young mans request to put the roof up was finally given in to- He's learning, but it was pretty chilly by then to be honest, and a fair bit of damp in the air!

At midnight, we set off toward our first challenge, an easy run to get you going, and spot a route board en route to the Hall Hill restart beyond Porlock.
We lost John and the other Morgans by this time, but were pipped at a cross roads by a bmw x3 coming the other way, with a Class R number on board. By now we had spun round, retraced and doubled back sufficient times for my young navigator to get completely dis-orientated, so we followed the bmw for a while so he could route check- Yep, it's all good, he must be going the same way as us- he's in the same class and everything! By now the roads were filling up with bikes and all manor of crazy contraptions, all set on completeing the Lands End Trial. We continued in the procession, chdecking our route, or so I thought, and following the bmw- Before I knew it we were at Barbrook, compulsory rest stop 2- I met Charles, who congratulated us on our good time-" But I haven't done Hill Hill yet!" If I was quick, I could get there and back without suffering a time penalty here- no time to discuss, we hopped in and retraced our route. Having not done a trials or autocross or any other kind of motorsport challenge before, I was rather hoping to be in a queue up to see what went on- but this tricky restart was beyond the corner anyway- Well, I had adjusted the handbrake, so that wouldn't be an issue- but on go I realised I had wildly misjudged the acuteness of the corner and the mogs turning arc- I had to reverse and have another go- section failed! At least we got back to the tie chdeck in time for a cup of tea. Barton Steep next, now I knew what to expect, having been briefed by Iain. This was a forward/reverse restart - success! On through the night, via Kipscombe Hill obsereved section, and various route board collections and I will say I don't think I have been quite so tired since my last 4 on 3 off watch rota's. I had forgotten how fogged the brain can get when deprived of rest, let alone sleep! By now, Dylan had got the hang of things however, and was able to keep us on the rihght track to Widemouth Bay, for the mornings route check and a photo opp.


Two more observed sections and a route board before breakfast, but at leat it was light now and it was easireer to make sense of things.
Wilsey Down at 09:01 - a 20 minute late arrival as we stopped to look at the view in Widemouth- and well deserved breakfast for us both.




I don't know which I have more admiration for., the bike lot on their two wheels all night, or the little 3 wheeler!
Onwards then to the finish! I really felt like crying"are we nearly there yet! to someone, but bit my tongue in the presence of the young lad, who has always been an excellent traveller.


A couple more route board and check points, a stop off at Devils Mouth for some RandR, and Cornish ice cream,



and finally to Old Blue Hills observed section- now this is not the "proper" clinmb up a craggy track, but having seen a Porsche several cars ahaead of us fail amid tyre squealing and smoke several times, it was apparent that this was a very steep start into an imposing left hander! This time I watched everyones road positioning, and got over to the right on my turn. On the flag, we gently dropped the clutch, and cruised round as if on a magic carpet- thank goodness for that low down torque of the V8. Up the Hill, and after a few wrong turns, we made it to the final check point- a little early, I decided to pull over to use the facilities. Clearly, the nights trip and tasks had taken its toll on my navigator, who had succumbed to the relief of getting past the last section.

[img]https://tm-img.com/images/2022/04/17/20220416_150202.jpg[/img]

No matter, the checkpoint was just round the corner, and then a straightforward run to Loggans for the end sign off. Without my navigator, and a Morgan Clock- I arrived too early, by 90 seconds- having quizzed me , and after seeing my navigator slumped in the passenger seat, the marshall gave me the benefit and my time corrected, so no penalty imposed!
The final push, with the route and directions burned into my mind, I paced myself to get to Loggans with a few minutes to spare, fill in the spare printed route card that Iain had, and signed off.
Not everyone got one!

[img]https://tm-img.com/images/2022/04/18/20220418_090858.jpg[/img]
The MSCC members cars at the finish
[img]https://tm-img.com/images/2022/04/17/20220416_162002.jpg[/img]

Was it FUN- a resounding yes, - shall I be having another go? , probably next year, but in something suited to the main trial- like the unfinished Moss Malvern kit car I recently bought to complete with my two sons.........

All in all a great test of the spirit, and the car, I highly commend it!

( BB Code not working for the last pics, you'll maybe have to click on them)

There is a limit to the number of images you can insert in a single post, fixed. (It's also worth using the medium size option to cut down on network traffic).

Thanks Ian, thought that might be the case! Ill bear that in mind

Well done Phil I'm glad it all went well and you got a certificate to prove it - your Son will have no problem with his next school essay now

Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us all

And well done to the other Morgan entrants too keeping the tradition alive and well.

Just the "normal excencitricty" of most Morgan owners.
If it seems fun and makes you smile, just do it!

Very well done. A great achievement.

Great achievement. Well done

Nice one Phil!

Phil,

I've copied this across to the event organisers pages & been asked if you'd be happy for the organisers to place it in the MCC's TRIPLE magazine..? I've replied that I'd ask..

On the other hand, you'll have access to Celia's email address to send things directly. If you do, tell he I sent you..!!

Good write up, well done..

(Apologies for my rather abrupt initial reply. My wife and daughter wanted to go to the coast for the day but I wanted to get your last 3 pictures fixed before heading off!)

What a great write-up, and a fabulous adventure for your 11-year-old companion. Very inspiring, thanks for posting.