Classic car two-day reliability run 'a triumph' (From Enfield Independent)
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Classic car two-day reliability run 'a triumph'
6:03pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Hermione Wright
Cars waiting to depart from The Plough pub in Crews Hill
A 2,000 mile classic car tour was a triumph, despite eight cars not making the finishing line.
A total of 106 Triumph cars were expected to leave The Plough pub in Cattlegate Lane in Crews Hill on Friday at 6pm, to travel across the UK over two days.
Members of car enthusiast group Club Triumph gathered in the rain for the charity reliability run, which takes place once every two years.
However, two cars did not make the starting line as one experienced a split fuel tank and the other had a broken gear box.
Six drivers had to pull out during the epic journey due to issues with the cars along the way.
Jason Chinn drove the stretch in his two-door 1972 TR6 Triumph with friend Nigel Gair.
The 47-year-old, who lives in Reading and spent the last two months renovating the sports car in time for the tour, said: It was good, it was tiring and long but we only had one or two issues with the car.
“I am a serial offender and once you start you can’t stop, so I will be at the next event, and the one after that.”
Mr Chinn, who has owned Triumphs since he was 19, said the car struggled to cope with speed bumps as its exhaust and chassis were situated too close to the floor and it will now need work.
Drivers - who returned to Enfield at 6pm on Sunday, travelled through places including Nottingham, Edinburgh, John O’Groats, Ross and Cromarty, Stirling, Shropshire, Bristol, Devon and Wiltshire.
They were permitted 20 short rest stops, but the drive continued through the night.
Mike Charlton, who works for Club Triumph, said it was a “fantastic” event enjoyed by all.
He is totting up the donations from the event, which he hopes will raise between £50,000 and £60,000 for charity Children With Cancer UK.
Caroline Blakely, chief of Children with Cancer UK said "Thanks to everyone taking part and raising funds for this year’s RBRR.
“Without such invaluable support once again, we wouldn't be able to continue our research into the causes, prevention and treatment of childhood cancer and save young lives that otherwise would be lost forever.”
