Norfolk & Norwich Rover Owners Club

The 33nd Bressingham Rally - 30th May 2010

Having had excellent weather last year, the forecast leading up to this year’s event was very doubtful but on the day sunny spells started to develop and spirits were high. John Bishop, Arthur Beck, Peter Cane, Gareth Philips, Nigel Randall and Terry Reynolds had put in much effort on the Saturday to set up the gazebo, mark out the field and put up bunting in preparation for the day. On the Sunday I met up with John and the rest of the ‘crew’ just before 9am and the finishing touches were in place ready for when the cars started to arrive at around 10am. Over the next 2 hours Rovers arrived thick and fast keeping John & Tony on the gate and all the Stewards extremely busy. By lunch time we had over 100 cars, all arranged by class, making a very fine display indeed.
From the Rover stable there were a series 1 Land Rover, 5 pre P4’s of various types; 41 P4’s; 22 P5’s; 22 P6’s including an estate, 3 SD1’s plus an 800 Coupé and a modern 75, a good turnout and all helping to keep the famous Rover name alive. The non Rovers were well represented with 12 cars joining us for the day. These included a 1966 V8 Daimler (Mk2 Jaguar style), a stunning Triumph stag, a matching pair of Wolseley 6/110s in two tone green, an excellent example of an Austin 3 litre, plus fine examples of a Ford Anglia and MKII Consul. Cars came from as far afield as London to Leeds and the Midlands to the East Coast, and there were some really fine examples of each model in attendance. The ages of the cars ranged from 25 to 75 years with the oldest being a 1935 Rover P2, nicknamed BLUE, entered by Glen Reed of Wymondham. I know we say each year that the standard of cars continues to improve but it really does, and this in turn makes the judging ever more challenging but it is non-the-less very nice to see.
The P4 Guild were well represented including committee members Colin Blowers, Derek Humphreys and Chairman Stan Johnstone. David Green, represented the P5 club, joined us for the day with many of his members and the P6 club were also well represented, bringing along many fine cars. In addition to the national clubs, we were pleased to welcome members from many of the regional clubs in the area. For the second year running, Colin & Margaret Bailey from the Sidney Rover Owners Club in Australia also made a point of attending. They were over on an extended stay and Margaret had telephoned me earlier in the year to make sure their holiday coincided with our rally. This must surely make them the furthest travelled at any UK Rally, even if not by car.
Class winners were chosen by all those attending. Tom Norman, who many will remember as the pervious owner of Classic Rover specialists, Ely Services, again chose best club car and Jim Brown, the current owner, chose the car of the show and presented the cups for us. Car of the show and best club car this year was the P4 100 owned for many years by Nigel Randall. The John Ringwood Memorial trophy, for long serving member, was this year was awarded to Peter & Janet Cane who are currently rebuilding a P5B. The winners for each of the classes are listed below.
As always thanks go to all those who brought their cars along for the day; without these we would not have a show. To all club members who helped to organise and run the rally. Also to Jim Brown for continuing to sponsor our event and making it possible and, last but not least, thanks to the staff of Bressingham for making such a splendid site available. Details of next year’s event will appear on our web site at www.norfolkandnorwichroveroc.org.uk and also in the main Rover Club magazines early in 2011.

Keep an eye here in early 2011 for details of next years event.

Russell James

Click here for a printable entry form (after end of Feb 2011)

Class Winners

Pre P4 Winner	G Reed	BLU 575	P2	P4 Winner	N Randall	7 DNG	95
Pre P4 Runner up	I Fogle	LFO 926	12	P4 Runner up	A Phillips	JEX 935	95
Pre P4 Third	F Gunning	MPF 862	P3	P4 Third	T Reynolds	3339 WD	100
P5 Winner	J Wallett	MVE 948H	3.5 Coupé	P6 Winner	N Thurlow	PLU 621R	3.5
P5 Runner up	A Markham	6043 PL	3 litre MKIA	P6 Runner up	J Tomlin	KKP 336P	2000SC
P5 Third	C Spencer	XVE 666	3 Ltr	P6 Third	D Woodward	VPX 709K	3.5
SD1 Winner	E Randall	B705 WPU	--	Non Rover Winner	A Haynes	YYL 167	MKII Consul
SD1 Runner up	P Biscoe	D583 NKW	--	Non Rover Second	J Grew	SEV 328	Ford Anglia
SD1 Third	K Clark	B453 TAH	VDP	Best Club Car	N Randall	7 DNG	P4 95
John Ringwood Memorial Trophy	P & J Cane	NHV 245L	P5 3.5 Coupé	Car of the Show Ely Services Trophy	N Randall	7 DNG	P4 95