Neil Fletcher Racing

AVO Day 2001

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Another year and another AVO Club National Day at Stanford Hall. The following are some of the photographs which I took at AVO Day on Sunday 17th June 2001.

 Click on any of the images below for a larger photo.

	Once again there was a small but dedicated band of helpers who turned up on the Saturday afternoon to set up the Club Shop and Spares Tent etc. They included from the left, Mike McKay (HAVOC Editor), Dave Sweetland, Steve Furness, Paul Cooper, Jon Seth (Spares Guru - back to the camera), Pete Williams (Club Chairman).
	This year was to be a bit special as the club had arranged for Stuart Turner and Graham Robson to attend. Stuart gave a very interesting talk and took part in a question and answer session.
	Both Stuart and Graham then sold and signed copies of their latest books (or anything else you wanted signed) as well as chatting with one and all.
	This year was special in other ways as well, it the first time in my memory that there were 7 Twin Cams in attendance. The 6 in this line here and XOO 262 F.
	Did you notice that rather rough Twink nearest the camera in the photo above. The Club Twin Cam Registrar, Ian Sutcliffe turned up with this example that he had for sale at an asking price of £1800. I believe that it was a complete car less engine.
	Here is that 7th Twink the ex-Roger Clark, Circuit of Ireland car XOO 262 F now owned by Ann Shipley.  Unfortunately I don't have any details on the other rally car in this picture.
	Other rally cars that turned up included REV 119 K (I have a couple of pages dedicated to this car, Click Here) and the Schofields RS1600 - MLP 770 L, this car won best modified.
	It featured some interesting modern versions of old ideas. These included the nudge bar at the front, on which the spotlights were mounted and a modern air vent on the roof.
	At the rear there was another hefty bumper, this one had a couple of footplates fitted which along with the grab handles on the boot lid is a modern version of what was fitted to Safari Escorts. The Navigator could jump on the back of the car and bounce up and down to improve traction in mud holes etc. I'm not quite sure what the two lights at the rear of the roof are for.
	Here are the owners of 3 very famous Escorts, Dave Watkins - REV 119 K, Ann Shipley XOO 262 F and Ken Shipley XOO 349 F, the Alan Mann car.
	Last year there was only one RS3100 but that figure was doubled this time round.
	And this time the engine bay photo turned out a lot better.
	As always there was a large turnout of RS2000's.
	One that caught my eye was this nice example for sale at £6500, I wonder did he have an serious enquires.
	Another one I liked was this left-hand drive example owned by Mike McKay the editor of the HAVOC Magazine.
	It might not have been an immaculate example but the colour of the car and the decals really looked well together.
	More helpers, this time setting out all the trophies for the concourse etc.
	And even more pictures of people, where are all the Escort photos I hear you ask, there are more to come I promise. In the meantime this is Stefan, check out his German Escort site at www.youngtimerclub.de, you may not understand it all but there are lots of great Escort photos.
	Not a Mk1 escort but an RS200 still a great looking car, I always thought Ford should have made and sold a version of these as a mid engined sports car with a Pinto engine, fibreglass body, drop dead looks and great craic to drive but alas they didn't, more's the pity.
	This was the line-up of RS1600's which turned up on the day.
	One of the best was this one owned by Neil Robinson and brought along on the day by Jon Seth.
	A close up of the famous BDA engine, this car won best RS1600.
	Here Jon collects the above mention trophy for that RS1600 from Stuart Turner while Graham Robson looks on, absolutely enthralled by the proceedings.
	Another trophy winner was Ann Shipley for her Ex-Roger Clark Twin Cam. Stuart appears to be offering her the choice of which ever trophy she wants :)
	An engine bay photo of that Roger Clark Twin Cam XOO 362 F.
	Another car which caught my eye was this Mexico, it looked fairly standard until I checked out the engine bay :-
	and lurking there was a full house, alloy blocked BDG. The car was also fitted with Gp4 suspension, brakes and Atlas axle to get all that power to the road.
	And this one really is a standard Mexico. Once again this was another car I really liked but which didn't win any prizes.
	Another favorite Mexico of mine, as you can see from this and the previous car I think a good set of Cibie spotlights really set off a Mk1.
	This car should have the spare wheel bolted to the boot floor and the battery in the spare wheel well. According to the owner it was ordered from AVO with the wheel in the wheel well and the battery tray just behind the bulkhead - unusual.
	Also fitted to this car was a rather tasty set of Minilights, you don't often see this type with the two little ribs in the centre between each spoke.

Here is a full list of the 2001 National Day Award Winners.

That's the lot for this year, I hope those of you who were unable to attend AVO Day enjoyed the photos and info. I'll be back at AVO Day next year and there will be even more photos.

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