You know, there hasn't been much humour on the roaring season for a while, not in fact since the early days when there were some good stories posted on yards and yarns, or when we were 'discussing' the merits or otherwise of Skodas. But with the advent of Oldfarts pre 61 saloon class, I can hardly wait to see what 'hilarious' comments folk have made regarding this new class of 'racing'. I say racing, because these activities are being held on a race track where the main idea is to race.

I have to take issue with ERC when he says that he would like to see cars such as the Morris Minor, Standard ten, and A35, and other cheap, at the time, cars, and would not want to see 7 litre Fords rumbling around with all this small fry, none of which are particularly fast. For fast, read SLOW, especially in 'standard' trim. I begin to wonder whether anyone on here has actually driven any of these working class cars that were so popular in their day, and knows just how pathetically gutless they all are. To give an example........I drove my Mothers Morris Minor from Ashburton to Christchurch sometime in 1957, a distance of about 55 miles. On the day in question there was a 'stiff' nor-easter blowing, hence I had a head wind all the way. Do you know that the Minor could not cope with the wind in top gear, and I had to change into 3rd to make any progress when I couldn't slip-steam behind a truck.......I kid you not.

I am therefore having trouble imagining a Morrie racing, or to use Oldfarts term, having a good thrash, round HD, or any other track for that matter. Unless I do some considerable modification to the machine, both engine and chassis wise, it is going to be pretty boring to drive AND to watch. BUT, I am not allowed to do any modifications other than very small changes to this very basic car, and will certainly NOT corner like the Vauxhall as shown in a previous post. All the cars competing at Goodwood have been seriously uprated, and it makes for a good spectacle, something which STANDARD 50's saloon cars will not provide. I cant even put a later model cylinder head on the Morrie cos its not allowed, even though from the outside it looks, and IS identical. The only way I can get some urge and excitement into it is by adding a supercharger. When did you last see a supercharger for sale? We used to buy surplus cabin blowers from retired aircraft to do the same thing, but I doubt you will find one now, and all the old superchargers are all worn out. Remember it has to have been made prior to 1961!!!!!

A lot of these 1950 cars had column change and a lot had bench front seats. Not much location there for spirited driving. Ok, put in a race seat......what happens to the passenger seat that was part of a bench seat. Plonk in another race seat maybe. Not a problem with the Morrie, but will be on other makes. Am I not even able to change the dreadful lever-arm shock absorbers on the car to some later hydraulic ones........no because they weren't around on Morries in the 50's.

An so it goes on. When in fact did you last see a Riley Pathfinder, even in the VCC. ......and a Rover P4......they weren't call "Auntie Cars' for nothing. The only machines that are going to work are the bigger engine cars, and cars with a bit of sporting history....Jaguars. And talking of Jaguars, I hope no one thinks they are going to drop a 3.8 or a 4.2 litre engine in a Mark 7. or for that matter into a Mk1 or Mk2. They may superficially similar to a 3.4 but most definitely weren't around in the 50's. Big 6 cylinder Austins might be the go, but their cooling systems are not going to cope, despite having about 15 gallons of water to play with!!!

I think there has got to be a salutary lesson here after Georges efforts with the Sports sedans. He gave it his best shot, but after the initial burst of enthusiasm, and the adrenaline had worn off, and the owners had inspected their cars in the cold light of day, it all became just too hard just to get them back into track condition again. And remember these machines existed, sitting in someones shed, unlike the pre 61 class of car, most of which will have to be purchased from somewhere, and I will bet they are in worst condition than Georges group. Just getting them into WOF standard is going to be a mission, and that is a minimum requirement.

Now, before there is a flood of replies accusing me of being a negative bastard, I would like to point out that I would like to see this take off as much as anyone, but I would urge potential competitors to do their sums carefully. The country is littered with vehicles that have been half restored, only to bog down when money and enthusiasm has dried up. And make no mistake, this is being promoted as 'cheap' racing. There is no such thing. Even going for a good thrash is going to cost, so the whole thing better be worth while, and I have yet to meet a Morris Minor enthusiast who wants to go and do 'skids' in his pride and joy!!!!!LOL.