TALBOT OWNERS' CLUB
V.S.C.C. SeeRed - Donington Park 3rd/4th September 2005

 

Click here for photographs of the TOC in action at SeeRed

Saturday 3rd 2005

Another first for the Talbot Owners' Club...........

SeeRed is a tremendous and fairly new addition to the motoring calendar. Rather schizophrenically, it is not quite sure whether it is a vintage meeting or a festival of modern supercars. Ferrari Enzos coexist with chain-gang Fraser Nashes to provide a fabulous mixture of old and new on the windswept hill top setting of Donington Park.

The might of the large Italian clubs, Ferrari and Maserati, were promoted as the basis of this celebration of motor racing. "SeeRed honours Maserati greats" and "Ferrari F1 cars to rock Donington", exclaimed the organisers, but Talbot can be justly proud of its contribution.

The small, dedicated group who erected the Talbot awning and proudly flew the Talbot flag were rewarded with a sunny Saturday morning and the number of Talbots in the club enclosure gradually swelled to more than a dozen. Duties during the day included delivering marshals around the track and, during that time, the Talbot enclosure looked as though all had deserted the scene - not a Talbot in sight - only to return when the job was done. Martin Bryant's BD 75 Corsica Tourer acted as the course opening car in great style and kept Martin enjoyably busy all weekend.

Saturday had a varied programme but the highlight for Talboteers was, however, the VSCC pre-war Team Relay Race.

To run an efficient race team takes organisation and it takes people: four cars per team, pit board operators, timers, pit organisation crew and general runners. Under John Ward's capable direction, the Talbot team was well prepared and contained strength in depth. Your gentlemen drivers, Norman Pemberton, Stephen Curtis, Peter Swete and Tony Ward were supported by a slick and efficient operation. The regulations are arcane and dictate the maximum and minimum periods a car can be on the track before changing over, and heavy penalties ensue for teams that transgress or who have more than one car out at any one time. TOC members also provided two pit-lane judges, Cecil Schumacher and Martin Bryant.

Twenty three teams entered and it was immediately apparent that the Talbots did what they always did in period; circulated quietly and without drama, whilst other teams were frequently in a state of disarray, sometimes panic. From my roving position in the pits, I witnessed all sorts of difficulties and surprises among our rivals. The Aston Martin team were taken completely off guard when one of their team pitted before they had a replacement car ready; a Fraser Nash disappeared somewhere on the circuit, presumed lost; other cars ran seriously low on fuel and constant calculations were required to decide when to change over. At one point, the commentator tried valiantly to give an update on proceedings and it was apparent that some teams did not have a car on the track - normally considered a prerequisite.

The real threat came from team 22: Riley Blue Streak Special, two Bentleys and an SS Jaguar and, sure enough, after a considerable amount of post-race calculations of the penalties, they were declared the winners. The Talbots came 10th overall and the beaming, happy grin on Tony Ward's face told the story. Tremendous fun and a great result.

A happy band repaired to the Talbot enclosure where Hilary Bryant had organised a fabulous barbecue complete with such a quantity of mixed salads and various meats that we had to repeat the barbecue at lunch the next day!

Thanks and congratulations to all TOC members who took part, whether organising, driving, catering, stand building, race-support or just being there. The TOC, probably one of the smallest clubs present, can be proud of its achievement.

A worthy contender in the team relay, provider of marshals' transport and pit lane marshals, a concours prize, a good stand and excellent catering. An all round wonderful weekend. Roll on next year!

David Roxburgh

 

Above: The TOC Talboteers just before the two hour team relay race.

 

Sunday 4th 2005

Lady Clementine is the name given to Malcolm and Peggy's beautiful 1934 Talbot 95 Limousine, and she was the Club entry in the Aon Concours on Sunday. Now Malcolm does not like dust on Clementine, and it was very dusty on the road up to the Concours, so that when a bright red Ferrari appeared in the rear view mirror, Malcolm was in no mood to let it overtake disturbing the dust ahead, no matter how hard it tried. A little bit of road rage? Well it was SeeRed!

More Talboteers had arrived at the TOC marquee, some in modern or other vintage, however, most were in Talbots - not as many as Saturday but still a good line up. It was nearing lunch time, and the BBQ, provided once again by Hilary and Martin, was soon being lit. It was glowing nicely as members started to gather for lunch. What a very relaxed scene, many members sitting in the warm sunshine, wine flowing, enjoying a flying display by the Battle of Britain Spitfire, and a DHL Boeing.

So relaxed that later, one of the party slept contentedly for some time. No names but he is married to a lady called Val. Answers on a postcard please…

In no time Chairman David was calling the group to order for the walk to the AON marquee for the result of the Concours. Many thought that a bright orange and maroon Stutz was a strong contender, so we were holding our breath (well I was) as third place went to a very nice Aston Martin, followed by second place to Malcolm and Lady Clementine.

There was a big cheer and loud applause from the largest group of supporters of any club present. A great result for Malcolm and Peggy who had put so much effort into presenting the car at its best, and also for the club to have a car in the top three for two years running. Superb. In the excitement I had forgotten about first place, (was it revenge I wonder?) because it went to a bright red Ferrari. No, not the same one!

Before long it was time to help to pack away the marquee, and then head for home. On our way we called for a fish and chip supper at the Old Hall Hotel in Buxton, where due to its connections with Chatsworth and the Earl of Shrewsbury, there is a Talbot room. A good place (! - Ed.) to finish the Talbot Owners' Club weekend.

 

Below: Malcolm and Peggy take a fantastic 2nd place in the Aon sponsored club concours.

 

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