Hot off the press comes news of a successful jolly where a group of die-hard enthusiasts from the Frazer Nash Car Club headed for France in their faithful cars in order to put themselves and their motors to the test by attempting to drive 1000 miles in 24 hours.
The smiles on Lucy and Jane's faces tell us they finished on time - Jane with just 5 minutes to spare! She says, "Best moment was finishing and realising we had made it! Also, rushing through the night on glorious French roads in 'convoy' with the Leigh car and the car driven by David Knight and Jon Mellor. Stunning French countryside. Worst moment was around 7:30 am on Sunday, when we were driving (me at the wheel) over very flat and straight roads, very flat countryside with sea in the distance and acres of stubble, and SO COLD. Akin to the Bodmin Moor stretch on the Lands End Trial."
Jane's navigator/co-driver/spannerman ( Graham Rankin) tells us the event was based on Honfleur and route all over northern France above Poitiers. Necessary average to achieve success 41.66 mph but we worked on 43 mph to allow for 4 fuel stops of 11 minutes each. The organisers (David and Lucy Leigh of 'Spider' fame) planned routes in detail but had to dramatically alter on the day when someone pointed out that the Tour de France boys were due to be at the exact same spot north of Rennes as we were due and produced a revised route map pronto!
11 cars took part and 6 finished within time limit. We had only 5 minutes in hand---23 hours and 55 mins. Car was brilliantly prepared by Patrick Blakeney-Edwards and team---never had to put a spanner to anything and it was the first time a three-speed Anzani had successfully done the course.
(Ed. Late entry. Lucy has sent this message..."The worst moment was in fact pre-event trepidation having driven back from the Lands End Trial at night in the pouring rain and realising I couldn't possibly maintain the required average speed without vastly enhancing visibility. Anti-glare clear specs and major headlamp adjustment meant that I could keep my foot down all through the night to maintain an average 50 mph. The sense of achievement was second to none and I loved racing through the night!"
They are a special breed these Nash ladies. )
(text Robin Batchelor, picture courtesy Graham Rankin)