East Anglia Region - Newsletter August 2004

[route66]

Hi all,

I was, once again, across the pond in the USA for July’s meet, so I left it to Steve to be on his best behaviour. Apparently, the weather that morning was overcast with the threat of showers later. Steve chickened out and drove my Saab, convoying with Cefin and Ann to the Gamekeeper, Old Buckenham.

The pub wasn’t expecting us, but was very accommodating and quickly arranged some tables so we could take advantage of their excellent menu whilst the rest of us, took advantage of their excellent real ales. The usual chit chat ensued, with discussions ranging from the expedition to Le Mans, Andrew Howell’s ongoing Dax build and the loss of most of my chickens to a ******* fox. Suggestions ranged from chucking stones at the little blighter, keeping all night gin and tonic assisted vigils on the porch, buying a Magnum (no, not the ice cream), or allowing the Essex hunt free range in my garden!

Further up the road towards Norwich, Lotus was holding an open day that day, and some of our number was at that event. I’ve not had any reports, but I understand the traffic around Norwich was gridlocked!



The following weekend, Steve and Andy Soar made the journey across the Channel yet again for the Le Mans 24 Hours Classic. They’d already been twice this year – obviously not enough for them. Well, if you imagine the Goodwood events, and multiply this by a factor of ten, you’ll get an idea what this event is like. Four Hundred cars, from 1923 to 1978 were entered to race in the event, with another 4000 period cars displayed in the infield.


Steve said it was somewhat surreal walking through a huge traffic jam in the infield, where none of the cars was newer than 25 years old. There were numerous REAL Cobras (wow) and ACs there; from early Aces through 289s and Coupes to ‘modern’ Superblowers. A large field of AC Ace Bristols, 289s and Coupes were racing and Steve and Andy had paddock passes enabling them to roam freely around the pit area and take some good photos.

This event is held every two years and my arm may well be twisted to go next time, unless I can find somewhere suitable to go scuba diving instead.

Here’s a link to Steve’s photos if you fancy seeing what they got up to. They are in multiple folders so you’ll need to do some navigation on the left side of the web page. The paddock photos are here http://community.webshots.com/album/168118627tHJIYs



This month’s local cobra meet is on Sunday 15th August at 12:00 and is our Annual Summer Barbeque and Fun Afternoon.

This year, David and Nicola Horsnell have kindly agreed to be our hosts. They have plenty of space for us to park and sit out, plus we can get undercover if it gets a bit ‘damp’.

Please provide your own meat / fish / dessert / drink of your choice and it would be wise to bring something to sit on. David and Nicola will provide some salad and rolls and something to cook on. To that end, so that they have an idea of numbers, it is imperative that you confirm your intention to come along to me by the Thursday before the 15th.

David and Nicola live at Chare House, Chare Road, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, IP31 2DX. David has e-mailed me comprehensive directions to their house. If you require me to forward this to you, please let me know. Stanton is on the A143, mid way between Bury and Diss. In the meantime (from the Bury direction), you will enter the village of Stanton (40 mph) and pass the Rose & Crown pub on your left. You need to take the 3rd turn on your left after the Rose & Crown which is the B1111 towards Garboldisham (30 mph). At the top of the hill is a road on your left called Chare Road, you need to take this and follow the road as it narrows down to a single country lane. After it narrows, you will pass two bungalows on your right and immediately after, there is a driveway on your left to Chare House.

Again, thanks to David and Nicola.

Your code word to quote this month is “avocado”. Not really. Hee hee. I’d forgotten to tell Steve that I’d placed it in the last newsletter, and he was completely mystified by all the references last month. I laughed all day about it when he told me how strangely you were behaving!



Here’s the list of East Anglian meets for 2004.

September 19th – East Norfolk – Coltishall – CRC East Anglian annual road run & treasure hunt

October 17th – East Suffolk – The Swan, Hoxne

November 21st – West Norfolk – The Fox Inn, Garboldisham

December 4th – CRC East Anglian annual Christmas meal

December 19th – West Suffolk - White Hart, Boxford



Plus local (and no so local) car events for 2004 (dates to be confirmed)

August 29th – Charity Air / Car Show in aid of East Anglian Air Ambulance, Seething, Norfolk

August 30th – Lavenham Rare Breeds Car Show and Carnival, Lavenham, Suffolk

Sept 3rd to 5th – Revival Meeting, Goodwood, West Sussex

Sept 4th to 5th - The National Kit & Performance Car Show, Castle Donington, Derbys.



Thanks to all you cobrateers, keep calling, and mailing.

Bye for now,

Eileen Call me on 01206 863804, or mail me at "route66@pgen.net"