Killerton Rally 2010

Standard Motor Club at Killerton Rally, Devon - 2010

Killerton happened earlier in the year, but this report got misfiled in the Webmaster's electronic filing system, so I am publishing it now, with apologies to everyone.

Part of the line-up of Standards at Killerton

KILLERTON RALLY, EXETER

The 2009 trip with our 1924 Kenilworth was a nightmare with torrential rain and floods making the journey difficult, would our 2010 trip be any different? This year the forecast was better though still damp but we had a more weatherproof car in the form of our 1938 Flying Twelve Drop Head. We were joined this time by Ann and Tony in their 1934 Austin Seven Van.

We always knew Tony had a heavy right foot and it was flat out from the word go. We could keep up with him on the flat quite easily but he could with a tweak of the steering wheel negotiate a corner at far greater speed than us especially around the west country minor roads. Our much lower-geared steering made me work hard winding the Flyer into and out of corners. It all made great fun.

Our first stop was for coffee just over the Devon border with an hour and a half motoring under our belt. We carried on along what was the original A30 road before it was replaced with the new dual-carriageway, we travelled through the likes of Portgate, Lewdown and Sticklepath a much better road and more suited to pre-war motoring. We were heading for our lunch stop and a look around a National Trust property called Castle Drogo. A very interesting place, overlooking Dartmoor and only built in the early 20^th century by the family who owned the Home and Colonial company.

Our Bendix brakes had to work overtime for the next section as we had to negotiate some steep hills and narrow lanes to get us back onto the old A30 at Crockernwell. At one stage we were nose to nose with a 4X4 towing a horsebox and the only way past was for us to drive nose-first into a field gateway. The A7 van, being narrower, I think managed to climb the hedge or something !

The outskirts of Exeter came on us eventually and I took the usual detour along the banks of the Exe, through Exwick to avoid the melee in the city. We were then set for a relatively high speed run up the Exe valley, intentionally past the turning for our overnight stop, having plenty of time in hand, to Bickleigh Mill where we knew they did a nice cup of tea. We retraced our steps to the end of the lane leading to the Butterleigh Inn our overnight resting-place. Butterleigh Village is about three miles up a single track lane, high on a hill. Woe betide anyone meeting other vehicles. And we did. The Bendix brakes worked again but this 4X4 driver actually could reverse!

No-one was at home when we arrived but the accommodation was open with our keys in the bedroom doors – there’s trusting for you.

After sampling the local cider we were soon joined by nine other Standard Motor Club members for a fine dinner, a lovely way to end a day’s drive with a good old chinwag about Standards, mainly.

Sunday dawned overcast but improved throughout the day. After the previous day being cooped up under a car hood it was nice to drive in the open-air once more. Down through the Devonshire country lanes with high hedges, but this time we met no cars. At nine-thirty in the morning I hoped that the moderns wouldn’t be out and around yet, fortunately I was right.

Click on thumbnails for an enlargement

Arriving at Killerton House we were greeted by Chris and Linda and the rest of the crew. A welcome cup of coffee and quick survey of the display already assembled.

Steve Troake had been winding us up the previous night about not having enough petrol to get his newly commissioned 1939 Flying Twelve to the event, but there it was with Sue, looking THROUGH the steering wheel. I think he must have siphoned some of the juice from the cars in the car park the previous night. Tim Retter had already arrived, too, with his 1947, dare I say it, Flying Fourteen.

A great selection of cars. Colin Fry did it again, after winning the cup for the best car last year, he got a second prize this year !

We captured a new member too, Tony Jaworski, from Torbay who had bought a 1954 Eight from Colin Fry a while back.

Cars attending were as follows:-

1947 Eight 4/8A HYD968 owned by Chris and Linda Bowden
1938 Flying 10 BDL726 owned by Ray and Julia Horne
1939 Flying 12 BFX401A owned by Steve and Sue Troake
1947 Fourteen Saloon owned by Tim Retter
1938 Flying 12 DHC owned by Brian and Dorothy Murrish
1934 Ten LSK702 owned by Colin Fry
1954 Eight 670UXU owned by Tony Jaworski
1958 Eight HSJ635 owned by Tony Smith
1955 Ten SDV484 owned by Peter Starbuck

Right, Colin Fry and prizewinning 1934 10

Above: Three barn-fresh Standards

Yours truly got commandeered AGAIN to say a few words over the public address about the Standard Motor Company, our Club and the cars on display. I had no prior notice and if I waffled, I apologise. All I can remember is contradicting the perennial statement that everyone comes up with about rubbish Bendix brakes. Could I be the re-incarnation of Ted Broadhurst ??

Time came eventually for us to bid farewell. On the way back we varied our route somewhat by keeping to the north of the A30 dual carriageway and travelled via Crediton to get to Okehampton and the old road back through Lewdown. After an evening meal en route we made it home by dark.

250 miles or thereabouts over the weekend, and am I chuffed with the Flyer ? You bet I am. We averaged 30 mpg for the trip and yes that was what we could get out of the Kenilworth too, but the Flyer has a 1600cc engine against the Kenilworth 1300cc.

Now I must put by tour manager’s hat on and finalise our Severn Valley holiday arrangements.

Would you like to join us in the Severn valley? Read more information here

Report by Brian Murrish

Photos by Chris and Linda Bowden

(July 2010)