2005 News Archive

New safety harness regulations for stage rally cars come into force on 1st January 2006. From that date it will be mandatory for safety harnesses to be FIA homologated. Harnesses are clearly identified by an FIA homologation label sewn into them near the release box. This label states: Not valid after [date]. Once this date has passed, the harness is no longer FIA homologated. All straps of a harness are labelled to identify them as being one set. The relevant regulation is K 37.8.3. for special stage rallies.

Rockingham Stages Entry Fills in 18 days

For this year's Rockingham Stages we have increased the entry list to 100 cars (from 75 last year). Despite the increase the entry was completely filled in just 18 days. Any further entries will now be placed on the reserve list. Visit the event website www.rockinghamstages.co.uk for further details on the event.

Simon Clark and Emma Kerby to enter Plymouth-Banjul Challenge 2006

Thame Motorsport Club members Simon Clark and Emma Kerby are entering the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge 2006 for charity just after Christmas.

They will leave Plymouth on December 29th and take a ferry to France and will then drive across France and Spain and on to Gibraltar for New Year's Eve.

After that it's the ferry to Morocco, down to Marrakech, then keep going! The drive will also take them on the beach and through the Sahara, making sure they miss the landmines! (apparently the best way to do this is to avoid the blown up cars on the sides!). Then its on to Senegal, drive to Gambia and ferry to Banjul!

The cars are then auctioned off, bought by Gambian people and the money goes to 2 Gambian charities. They are also trying to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis and Huntingdon's Disease Association.

1. Competing cars must cost less than £100.
2. Maximum budget for the vehicle Rally Preparation: £15
3. Once the Rally is underway, there will be no form of formal assistance from the organisers in any way - Teams are on their own.
4. All of vehicles that make the full distance to Banjul must be handed over to the Challenge Control Group to be auctioned under controlled conditions (reported to The Gambian Government) in aid of local Gambian Charities.
5. All vehicles must be Left-Hand Drive!!

"Rules are made to be broken ...(Except Rules 4 and 5)"!

Any help from club members would be appreciated and they are looking for all sorts of things, firstly a left-hand-drive car (RHD cars are not permitted in Gambia).

They also need jerry cans, camping equipment, old mobile phones / t-shirts (to bribe border guards with!), food and spares for the car. The official event website is www.plymouth-banjul.co.uk. Emma & Simon can be contacted by email at or phone on 01386 701235.

Thame Motorsport Club at the Thame Festival

Thame Motorsport Club was once again represented at the Thame Festival which took place on 18th June. A selection of members cars together with photographs of competing members were on display at the Southern Rd recreation ground. Thank you to all the members who helped out particularly the people who brought their cars along.

10-Pin Bowling Night – Tuesday 15th February Jardines, Aylesbury

This was organised by the Club Chairman, Brian Cammack, who ‘phoned around to get a good response. The Wainwright-Fishers came back on the Sunday to find it was already full!

There were two frames of battle, and the “Harriet” entry includes both Walters’s minimus and some parental help!

	Frame 1	Frame 2	Total	Points
Rob Slingerland	156	124	280	21
Mick Gregory	153	124	277	20
Brian Cammack	99	135	234	19
Julz Coulter	107	122	229	18
Neal Cuss	96	125	221	17
Steve Vokes	99	105	204	16
Liz Kirby	93	80	173	15
Harriet Walters	65	100	165	14
Kate Walters	65	86	151	13
James Walters	86	55	141	12
Nicki	52	57	109	11

Thame Motorsport Club – Award Winners 2004

The club A.G.M. took place on Tuesday 18th January where the 2004 Club Championship awards were presented. Congratulations to the winners who were: -

Prodrive Tsuname fund-raising day

We have been asked to raise 10 marshals to help the running of a fund-raising day at Prodrive on Saturday 12th March.

This will be high profile with a number of celebrities there and lots of motorsport activities - like the Marie Curie days the instructors will work for free and all funds raised will go to named relief charities.

The plan is to run 5 activity centres, including Skid Pan, High Speed, 4x4, Rally Stage, Autotest, lorry drive, tractor drive, Argocats etc.etc.etc., with a pair at each centre. Hot food will be provided and we are trying to get a free "helper day" later in the year at Prodrive as a thank-you.

For those of you that already instruct at Vision it will also get you though the door at Prodrive, which might be useful. If you would like to volunteer to help out on the day please contact .