The Fifth Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial 2002

A Journey to Talisker

THE DAILY MALTINGS
A sample of news, people and gossip from the Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial.

Issue 1
Sunday 12th May 2002

Your reporters:

The crew of car no 92, Colin Francis and John Bayliss in the Red VOLVO PV544, as well as competing, have undertaken to write the daily reports and stories from this years CLASSIC MALTS.

While we know many of you and will get to know those of you running close to us we will have difficulty talking to everyone in an attempt to gather the interesting stories. Therefore, if you have an interesting tale that you want recorded for posterity, it will be up to you to find us and give it to us. A brief written scribble is easier for us than words.

If you have problems finding Colin or John then please seek out Ian Williamson in car 11, the lovely Black Aston Martin. Ian will also gather stories and contribute to this daily report.

It is worth recording that the Malts is not just about competition. We know many of you are a little phased by it and are here for the experience and seeing the delights of the remoter parts of Scotland. Give us your stories and experiences.

We saw lots of you making mistakes on the practice regularity on Saturday, but the two regularities today were easier and we hope you will have learned from your mistakes and are on the way to recording your first zero.

---

Michael and Ingeborg Solf leaving the start line at Edinburgh Castle in their 1933 Aston Martin Mk II Le Mans.

Yesterdays Scrutineering

But what a great atmosphere and display of cars we had in the sunshine at Glenkinchie. Correct Halda wheels were in great demand. Speak to the CRO Rob Lyall and his wife Liz if you want expert assistance. My particular favorite was the 1932 Wolseley Hornet, no 9, of Graham Whittaker and Bill Currie which has had a new supercharger fitted since its last outing and is a 'mean machine'. I was also particularly pleased to see Ernst Krudop now fully recovered from his horrendous accident in his 'Bicycle car' two years ago but is now firmly ensconced in a more solid car…a 1927 Bentley.

Did you see the Police speed trap today?

The speed cameras on the 'A68 are an abuse'. Thus speaketh John Bayliss. Fortunately there were no more Gatso cameras in evidence en route north of Edinburgh today, but we did see a policeman with a hand held speed gun just before Oban. Did any of you get a ticket? However there is a rumour that the local traffic police are intending to breathalise any one of us that they stop. Be warned and do not drink and drive.

Andrew Murfin and Clive Tattley rounding the hairpin at the top of the Rest and Be Thankfull hill climb in their MG TD

Personalities:

It was good to see the anonymous Peter Rushforth doing the same job again at the front of the field checking that everything is running smoothly as his name was missing from the regulations this year. But he is still with us ably assisted again by Stuart Collins, a man who is legend in his own lunchtime.

The mystery of ex HERO committee member Nicholas Prior's new partner 'Vivian' was solved. His partner Lesley Stockwell has been replaced for one week only, by non other than Nicholas's 84 year old FATHER.

On the other hand Jane Wignall's gold winning mother, Beryl, has given up her place in the Tigers hot seat to young Kevin. Give Jane some dosh for Rumania and beat Kevin on the Little Ferry test on day 5 and you could win a magnum of champagne. Even if you do not beat him it is a worthy cause.

World champ nav Arne Herts from Sweden was looking suitably impressed and bemused by it all and was being trained in the use of Liege timers at the Loch Fyne lunch control today by non other than Mike Wood

Denton Udall and Mrs Susanne Evans in their Triumph Spitfire Mk III

On the road today:

Two matters worth mentioning on that fantastic scenic run along Loch Awe on the way to the last test today at Ederline. Peter Fried screeched to a halt in his Jaguar XK 150S to allow Mari to get out to retrieve her SOS board. We speculate what caused it to fall out of the car in the first place.

We were also puzzled by the penultimate tulip which was merely noted as a 'green bin'. This was not a regularity, although I would not be surprised if a number of marshals do carry green litter bins in the boot of their cars to allow them to set up timing points in difficult places. So, watch out for those Green Bins!!

'Spot the Hedgehog' Competition

The first competitor to come to car 92 with the make and number of the car sporting a silver hedgehog ( what is the German, Swedish or Dutch word for that prickly animal ?), will receive a special commendation in a future Malt.

Early Results:

As we go to press the first results are not yet available but rumour has it that the leading car is Phillippe Burckhardt and Joseph Lambert from Switzerland and Belgium in their 1939 BMW 328. They are said to be on 31 marks.

We will have more to say in future reports once the daily results start rolling off the presses.