Events

Z Cars Dyno Day - May 10th 2009

After an interesting previous attempt to undertake a TVMOC Dyno challenge, (how many gears does a Mini have?) we decided it was time to do the job properly, and duly headed across the Humber Bridge to Z Cars of Aldbrough. It became obvious as we got closer that we had made the right decision. A small, innocuous looking white Mini was speeding away into the distance around the twisting roads. Try as we might we had no chance of keeping up as it belted into the Z Cars facilities. This was a sign of things to come...

We started the day with a tour of the Z Cars workshops. It quickly became clear that this was an amazing facility. Various cars were parked in bays throughout the main workshop, all in varying stages of build and a vast majority were Minis. The one thing they all have in common is the Z Cars touch. Tubular frame, massive engine, Mini shell. Some of us were treated to a ride out in the white Z Cars Mini (pictured above) and really words cannot describe the experience. One member perhaps sums it up best in only two words - chuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuffffffffiiiiiiiinnnnnnn heeeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was time to test the awesome power of our club Minis...

We all managed to get a go on the rollers, and the vast majority were pleasantly surprised to discover just how much power was lurking under the bonnets of their Minis. Power from the A-series based Minis ranged from 35bhp to a very creditable 135bhp. Then it was time for the non A-series engined cars. The first on the rollers was a Z Car with a Honda engine neatly fitted in the rear which made an astounding 250bhp, there were a couple of supercharged MINIs which produced similar results, and then perhaps most embarrassingly, a Z Cars diesel engined Mini which made 235bhp and a huge cloud of black smoke! (Although not nearly as big as the cloud made by Woody’s car) To cap it all, Z Cars stuck their own supercharged Honda engined MINI on the rollers which made an unbelievable 440bhp. See the envy...

Testing all complete, the only thing left to do was compare power, and decide how we could afford to buy our very own Z Cars Mini.

A big thank you to everyone who attended and made this day such a tremendous success, and special thanks to Chris and the guys at Z Cars for their help and time!

Normanby Hall

Events 2009

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The Fish & Chip Run took place Sunday 20th September. The route took us from sunny Caenby Corner through the wonderful Peak District, finishing in Holmfirth for Fish and Chips at the highly recommended Hollowgate Fisheries in Holmfirth.
Along the way, we visited the village of Eyam, stopping for ice-cream and some sweets for Pete, then on through Castleton, before heading out past Ladybower Reservoir along the 'Snake Pass' towards Glossop. From there, we passed the Torside and Woodhead Reservoirs before reaching our final destination - Holmfirth - for Fish & Chips.
A great day out along some fabulous Mini roads with breathtaking scenery.

This is a radio message for Pete. Are you there Pete?

Pete??

Perhaps if you had the radio on the right frequency, and turned up Pete, you might be able to hear us!

We made the short trip to Stanford Hall for the National Mini Show, and this year our theme was ‘Ben Hur’. Cleverly designed and chosen by Rachel, as the film Ben Hur, was released in 1959 - so was celebrating it’s 50th anniversary, as was the Mini.

Great to see many club members making the effort with fab costumes, but no sign of Gareth or Mike. Where were you chaps??

November saw the annual ‘Trent Valley Bowling Night’ take place at Ashby Bowl in Scunthorpe.

This event is always hilarious - as you can see from the photos. We were lucky to have advice from leading experts this year. To the right is Doug, showing us all how hip action helps your game, and Pete insisting that ‘rubbing’ helps enormously.

As the bottom photo shows, many of our male members heads are starting to resemble bowling balls!