IHW 2006

Austin Healey Club Ltd. International Healey Weekend 2006 Friday 28th to Sunday 30th July

Over the weekend of 28th to 30th of July, this years IHW took place in Warwickshire on the edge of the Cotswolds. The event was planned as a full programme of events with an accent on driving our Healeys and not just looking at them. This proved very popular, with many favorable comments received from the participants. The event also served to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first 6 cylinder Austin Healey, the 100-6.

The programme was based on the very successful formula used by many of the AHC regional weekend events. A Friday evening meet up with meal, a Saturday planned drive and a related quiz followed by an evening gala dinner with guest speakers, and finally on Sunday, a concours at a venue with other visitor attractions available.

The base for our weekend was Ashorne Hill Conference Centre in the Warwickshire countryside. The main building is very grand, dating back to 1897. It was turned into a conference centre later in the 20th century. It has 118 double rooms, more than adequate for the 80 or so members registered for the weekend. These numbers swelled to around 110 for the planned drive and gala dinner. With a long driveway protected by automatic barriers, the car parking was secure and convenient to the rooms. The air-conditioned bar and the dining facilities proved to be ideal for the event.

Friday - Meet & Greet

Participants started arriving on the Friday afternoon and were met by the organising team at the information desk which was located in the rather imposing Grand Hall. The day was hot, and here a constant source of tea, coffee and cold water gave welcome relief to the weary travelers. By the evening, they had refreshed themselves, had a stroll around the grounds and were ready to enjoy themselves.

Soon, from the noise levels in the bar and adjoining lounge, it was obvious that everyone was enjoying themselves and renewing old acquaintances. A hot, sit-down buffet helped recharge the batteries. Midland Centre Chairman, Mike Ward welcomed everyone to the event. Next, Bob Kemp told everyone that the following day's planned drive was compulsory, and how it was to be run. This was taken in good humor, even the 8 o'clock breakfast time, and with a few prompts from me, I think that we covered everything.

Saturday - Planned Drive

Saturday dawned warm and sunny, the weather forecast telling us that it would not cloud over till later that evening, and that Sunday was to be hot and sunny as well. Soon or numbers were swelled by members coming just for the drive. By the start, most single drivers had been found a navigator, and around 80 cars set off over a one-hour period. The road book, produced by Bob & Linda Kemp, was based on the Tulip system of diagrams and intermediate distances. Alongside these were items of information about the area with recommendations for places to stop and visit. The route took the cars down the Old Fosse Way, then in a large loop around the Cotswolds taking in the ford at Broadwell. A popular place for lunch was the Hollow Bottom at Guiting Power where both sides of the road were lined with Healeys. The only compulsory stop was after passing through the very pretty town of Winchcombe. At the car park of the Gloucester & Warwickshire Railway, Linda and Ruth were waiting to check that they were still en route and to ask them another question. This also gave participants the opportunity to ride behind a steam locomotive for an hour's trip along the railway. The take-up so impressed the Station Manager that he kept Linda and Ruth plied with cups of tea all afternoon. By 4 o'clock, the cars were starting to arrive back at Ashorne Hill and the crews exchanging experiences of the drive. As usual, some cheating was evident at this point as answers were bartered between crews.

   

  

  

For the evening Gala Dinner, we had Stuart Turner as our guest speaker. ably supported at the microphone by our President, Colin Stokes, Chairman John Keener and Margot Healey. Stuart's speech was as is typical of him, very topical, and leaving his audience unsure to the last second whether he was making a serious point or embarking on a character assassination of some poor individual. His targets included John Keener and our treasurer who's wallet he likened unto the Loch Ness Monster, except that there had already been two sightings of the monster this year. His serious theme was the steady march of bureaucracy, both UK and European threatening our hobby of maintaining, running and competing with older cars. He applauded the work of Lord Montague and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs. However, he stressed that clubs like ours must become more united and forge tighter links with other like minded one make car clubs to lobby government if we are to avoid owning just museum pieces.

    

After dinner, we held a Cornish raffle that is only putting your tickets against the prizes that you would like to win. Stars of the event were Revcounter editor Ron Fitton and his wife May. As if a coffee maker and a bottle of whisky was not enough, May could not contain her excitement at winning a car polishing glove, especially at the prospect of using it on Ron. At this point Ron won an anorak labeled "S" for small. He rose to the challenge, took off his jacket and to everyone's disbelief, managing to get into the anorak. He was only just quick enough to stop his own jacket going into the raffle though.

    

Sunday - Concours

Following another 8 o'clock breakfast, Sunday was time to check out of Ashorne Hill and move to Gaydon Heritage Museum. As an alternative to 6 hours of looking at cars, the retail therapy group had a coach to take them into Stratford for the day before going on to Gaydon in time for the prize giving.

The sight at Gaydon was magnificent, with around 200 Healeys including an impressive line up of 100-6 cars all parked up on the Southern car park. The trade and regalia stands were doing brisk business throughout the day.

 

  

Later in the afternoon Brian Wheeler arrived from three days at the Silverstone Classic where he had his Healey SR replica on display. Brian has handmade the body of this car from aluminium using copies of the original drawings. Whilst still far from completion, it can now move (but not stop) under it's own power. The quality of the craftsmanship is very evident and it has drawn a great deal of interest in it's recent visits to Classic Le Mans and Silverstone.

As commentator for the day, Graham Robson kept events on the move. A nice touch was to reunite John Wheatley who's glasses had broken again with the lady who fixed it last time using the tiny screw driver kept in her handbag.

A forum was held in the lecture theatre at midday with guests Colin Stokes, Margot Healey, Jock Reid, John Keener and Tim Fenna. Tim spoke about the forthcoming new 'Healey', giving little away except that it would be front engined sports car with a straight 6 engine, and that it would be in the same territory as the Porsche Boxster. I must admit that I kept thinking of the BMW Z4! Tim suggested that more details would become available later this year.

    

The Concours judges had their work cut out with over 40 cars to inspect. They were directed by Derek Mayor the Concours Secretary. By 4 o'clock it was time for the prize giving, and what a long list there was. Following an introduction by Colin Stokes, Margot Healey and Colin presented the prizes. Click here for details of the concours results. The winners of the main prizes are shown below.

 

Acknowlegments

 Ben was our chosen charity and the proceeds from a Cornish raffle and a raffle on Sunday was presented to them during the afternoon. A total of £262.00 was raised. Mell Ward works for National Grid and they have a matched giving scheme. BEN will therefore, receive an additional £262.00 to swell the funds.

All good things have to end and so it was time for all to make their way home. It was great to see so many cars and members, and also our friends from Holland, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, USA, Australia, France and Japan. Thanks to all of you for making this a memorable weekend and we hope to meet you all again at the next International Healey weekend.

Thanks to the following organisations for supporting us and providing us with sponsorship:

Austin Healey Spares. Denis Welch SC Parts AB Sales JME Restorers Hotham Restorers Dave Hardwick Midland Eastern & Northern Regalia,

Bretby Media NGK Sparkplugs Mike Garton Ashorne Hill Conference Centre The Heritage Centre Gaydon Mercedes Birmingham PBW Spares Performance Motorcare

CHP Insurance Murray Scott Nelson ACT Chamois Leathers Castrol Oils Haynes Books Taylors of York Armorall Products

Thanks to all the committee for their dedication over the past twelve months and to all who helped make this event a success.