NEWS

A Northern Initiative : Developing links with your local College or University Engineering Department

Wednesday 27 February 2013

‘Oop in darkest Lancashire another ‘cunning plan’ is in its early stages, the idea of Howard Arthur of the Preston & District Vintage Car Club who are exploring links with the Motorsports Department at Myerscough College, Preston.
The Motorsports Management course is held in high regard. A number of graduates are currently working for Formula 1 and WRC teams. However, the students are also very interested in the older cars.  In early December some members of the Preston Club, all active VSCC competitors, took four Pre-war war cars to the college’s motorsport department. A Riley MPH, a Morris single seater special, a Riley 9 and a partly re-built Austin 7 were examined with great interest by many students and provided stark contrast to the modern cars that also graced the workshop.
 
The group, comprising Martin Jelley, John Fort, Stuart Cooke, Peter Booth, John Warburton, Howard Atkins, Tom Hardman and Tony Craven then adjourned to a nearby classroom for an informal chat about old cars and vintage motorsport, past and present.
 
The interaction between the different generations was very positive and some embryonic plans for the future are taking shape. It is proposed a Time Control or two be manned by motorsport students on the VSCC Spring Rally in Lancashire this April which given more encouragement might potentially expand to a minibus of marshals for the Scottish or Lakeland Trials.
 
In return the Preston Club plans to do some rally navigation tuition with the students, along the lines of the Lancashire Rally Teach-In, and then give the students a chance to navigate a vintage car round a short 12 car navigation rally or scatter rally during summer evenings this year.
 
It’s early days as yet but hopefully the initial enthusiasm will continue and an even closer liaison will develop. If the relationship proves sustainable the Preston Club would love to see similar partnerships being established with other colleges round the country that offer motorsport courses.
 
Wouldn’t it be great if every VSCC trial, rally or driving test was reinforced by a minibus full of young, keen motorsport enthusiasts to provide some youthful brawn and energy?! Contact the Club Office if you think that you would like to get involved.
 
Contributed by Martin Jelley of the Preston & District Vintage Car Club and VSCC member  
 
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