The Austin 7 Centenary Event 2022

[Ruairidh Dunford]

The Fosse Way is a fantastic road - perfect for Sevens, it will be an excellent adventure.

I would take slight issue with Ruairidh in as much the stretch between Lincoln and Leicester, 52 miles or so, is a fast, dual carraigeway - motorway like. I agree though, south of Leicester the A46 is a lovely road. It used to be even more so before we lost the many elms bordering the road to Dutch Elm Disease.

That's a fair comment Chris but I can see, and would always use, a number of interesting routes to avoid the A46 that take in much of the original Fosse Way route - far nicer.

With two years to plan such a route, I am sure the adventure could be achieved without the need to travel on dual carriageways.

[Ivor Hawkins]

Will there be any other events around the country? I don't fancy a 400 mile round trip in my seven.

Knaresborough to Moreton-in-Marsh is only c.175 miles, and should take around 5 hours to drive in a well-sorted Ruby. More than half of the route is on the Fosse Way. Seems an ideal prelude to what is shaping up to be a fantastic week!

I couldn’t agree more, it would be a lovely run in the Ruby, after all, that’s what they are for!

I’m only about an hour or so away in the box saloon and planning to drive to and from the event every day, just because the B roads are such a wonderful drive in a Seven, I can’t wait and my thanks go out to all those involved in planning and organising the event, a job I have done many times in the past and I can vouch for the fact it is hard work.

[Colin Cooke]

Thanks to all the organising team. Looking forward to it, and hoping I can get someone from the family to bring my furlough project (1937 'Cambridge' special). I'm sure my wife will insist on the comfort of the Box.
It's great to read all the comments, and sense the excitement in the A7 community.
Just got to make sure I can get off work now!
All the best,
Colin

[Mike Costigan]

The Fosse Way is a fantastic road - perfect for Sevens, it will be an excellent adventure.

I would take slight issue with Ruairidh in as much the stretch between Lincoln and Leicester, 52 miles or so, is a fast, dual carraigeway - motorway like. I agree though, south of Leicester the A46 is a lovely road. It used to be even more so before we lost the many elms bordering the road to Dutch Elm Disease.

Lincoln to Leicester may well be a fast dual carriageway, but I would suggest it is not motorway-like! I would have great reservations on tackling the M1 in the Nottingham/Leicester area in an Austin Seven, but have no qualms with using the A46 on a regular basis; it is generally lightly trafficked, and I have never had a moment's concern in my Seven. The surface is good and the gradients not severe, such that I can cruise at 45mph and average 40+mph with no stress. Negotiating Leicester itself can be a bit stressful, but thereafter the old Fosse Way (B4114, B4455 and A429) all the way to Moreton is a delight.

[Mark McKibbin]

Well I am planning a 12000 mile trip to attend and hopefully bringing a car with me, not quite sure of the logistics of the latter yet though! Can anyone tell me, and others curious, what restrictions there would be on bringing a car from somewhere like NZ and using it on UK roads?

Hi Ian,

I took my Lancia Lambda to the UK in 2016 and the only thing I needed was insurance which I think I got from Hagerty's and then as they were in the EU I just drove onto to the continent as well. It would be fun in a 7 and I could fit about 4 in a container.

[Mike Costigan]

Bernie Jacobsen used to regularly visit Europe from Australia with his Lagonda Rapier. I seem to recall he gave up about four years ago because the Australian authorities imposed a total ban on importing asbestos, and his car would be have to subjected to a total disassembly on return by the Australian customs at the owner's expense! Needless to say he found this restriction a major problem; even though he could prove his brake linings were asbestos-free, he couldn't prove the bands in the pre-selector gearbox were, so the gearbox would have had to be completely dismantled and rebuilt. I have contacted him to check whether I've got the story right - hopefully I'll be able to add further info in due course.

It might be worth checking the New Zealand regs before you commit to anything.

[Mark McKibbin]

Bernie Jacobsen used to regularly visit Europe from Australia with his Lagonda Rapier. I seem to recall he gave up about four years ago because the Australian authorities imposed a total ban on importing asbestos, and his car would be have to subjected to a total disassembly on return by the Australian customs at the owner's expense! Needless to say he found this restriction a major problem; even though he could prove his brake linings were asbestos-free, he couldn't prove the bands in the pre-selector gearbox were, so the gearbox would have had to be completely dismantled and rebuilt. I have contacted him to check whether I've got the story right - hopefully I'll be able to add further info in due course.

It might be worth checking the New Zealand regs before you commit to anything.

Mike,

Bernie did return under the new regime and it is a fantastic/tragic story that he no doubt will tell you when he replies.  Yes the Australian Gov banned the import of asbestos long ago and was surprised when a certain Chinese car manufacturer was found to be still using it in exhaust gaskets, that started a silly process of demanding all imports even old cars were inspected (randomly) for asbestos, there is now a company in the UK that will do the required certification for cars going to Australia.

[Martin Baker]

Nick

The event looks like it will be super. Hoping to get more Speedies to it than 1992 (9!).

A real problem that dogs are not allowed. Keep asking please.

[Hugh Barnes]

Just chiming in on the roads that people may have to use to get to the event. Sounding like a cracked record, no doubt, I drove from Cambridge to Guildtown last year, a journey of some 500 miles with the obvious route being the A1. However, it took very little research to find old portions of the A1 running parallel to the new road, that gave wonderful motoring with virtually no traffic. I am sure that any roads that have been upgraded to cope with modern traffic volumes and speeds will have their equivalent. It really doesn't take much effort to find them. Zooming in on Google maps, for example, reveals them almost instantly. For areas where I had to resort to the A1, where no option existed, I added a hi-vis rear bicycle light to the back of the car, alerting traffic coming up at speed. That was mentioned in another thread here recently. It worked a treat. With 2 years until the event, I'm sure that anyone with concerns about the journey can come up with a solution...

[Nick Salmon]

Thanks very much Martin. A huge amount has been done already - with lots, lots more to do.

I must say that I really do not expect the dog rule to be changed and it would not be reasonable of us to even think they might do so.

As I've indicated, they are engaged in the training of dogs for highly specialist purposes and they won't allow any of that very valuable work to be put at risk by having 'outside' dogs on the site. 

We absolutely understand that people are very attached to their dogs and in an ideal world we would welcome them, but in this instance the dogs will need to stay away. 

Hopefully owners will balance the downside of the pet having a few days in kennels or with family/friends against the unique opportunity to be part of this extraordinary one-off event. 

I am sure the dogs will eventually get over being apart for a few days, even if the owners don't...