Torque of the North - July 2025
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
June has seen the summer season firing on all cylinders with plenty of major events to report. Right across the centre there have been Noggin runs, fraternisation with the MGCC, trips to Silverstone and many more personal drives and sadly only enough room here to cover the bigger ones. As we start this month, you are reaching the last chances to book some of the upcoming events so you had better get cracking. We are covering many new August's events here so if you have missed July’s line up, then plan ahead for August and get booking.
Caroline Curran
We were greatly saddened to hear the news that Caroline Curran passed away with her family at her side on 3rd June 2025. There will be much more written about Caroline in a later edition of RevCounter but it’s right that we recognise, here in Torque of the North, the huge loss that we in the Northern Centre feel at her passing. Caroline was the light in the room at any AHC event that she attended and was the lynchpin at many of the major events that she helped organise for the Centre and Club. Anyone who attended Crieff IHW 2013 or Sprite 60th at Shelsley Walsh in 2018 will remember the energy and enthusiasm that Caroline had for the Marque, the Club and its members. We extend our deepest condolences to Tony and his family.
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Tatton Classic & Performance Car Spectacular
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Full marks to everyone who braved the weather at Tatton to get out and display the cars whilst enjoying the hospitality of Mike Stonier’s barbeque and Robert Thornburrow’s baking. The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those attending who were rewarded with the surprise discovery that the stand opposite the AHC pitch had a free bar. Great Cars with free food and free beer! If Carlsberg did car shows this is what they would look like!
Thirlestane Castle BVAC Classic Festival of Motoring
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Meanwhile, over in the Borders, the weather was holding much fairer for the Festival of Motoring at Thirlestane Castle in Lauder with Healeys homing in from Cheshire, Dumfries, Northumberland, Aberdeen and of course the home team in the Central Belt. Great range of 12 Healeys on show in the perfect pitch in front of this iconic Borders Castle.
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Nice to see Centre treasurer, Steve Ormerod’s, 3000 up on the front drive 4 up as part of the Dream Ride with Sporting Bears Motor Club raising money for children’s charities. If you want a car show that has the best roads to drive en-route, then this is the show for you in 2026. Thanks to Richard Spalding for organising - I’m looking forward to the announcement of a free beer tent next year. ??
Northumbrian 250 - Peebles
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Organising the Thirlstane Castle event alone wasn’t enough for Richard when he discovered that it was the perfect springboard for a two day run around the Northumbrian 250. Starting at St. Boswells as a posse of 7 cars the team were joined on day 2 by Murray Shand from Tyne & Wear to make this more than a Border Reivers raiding party. The N250 is a published route that connects the best locations in Northumbria and combines them into a great drive. Richard topped and tailed the route with a final drive north to join the monthly Coffee and Classics meet at Peebles Hydro: 3-in-1. I’m looking forward to reading all about it in RevCounter.
Royal Armouries Classic Car Show - Leeds
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Star of the show at the Chevin Motor Club Royal Armouries Car Show this month was Mike Stonier’s stunning Silverstone. First visit to this show for the AHC, several Healeys formed part of a very eclectic car mix which included modern and old, civil and military.
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Another eye-catcher was this very nice IOW Frogeye with an ultra modern interior. Many thanks to Brian Slingsby for getting the AHC an invite to this enjoyable show in the heart of Leeds.
Harewood Hill
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Sorry to have missed the trip north by the AHC Healeysports circus to Harewood Hill for rounds 4 & 5 of the 2025 Speed Championship - Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge. Suffice to say they had great fun and our own Murray Shand made good use of home advantage to take 3rd place. Well done Murray. Next chance to see the Healeys racing up our end of the country is Loton Park on 23rd/24th August. See Northern Centre website calendar for more details.
Still to come!
Classic Transport Weekend at Llangollen Railway Sat/Sun 5th/6th July
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The North Wales team are planning to attend this event in strength with the club event shelter on both days. You should have completed your application form by now so do let John and Jill Bowman know that you have booked.
12th/13th July - 49th Scottish Transport Extravaganza at Glamis Castle
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Glamis Castle, DD8 1QJ. Club stand is organised and club entry is now closed but last minute spare tickets may become available. Private entries still available direct from event organisers. Details from Ian Walker below.
The Yorkshire July Noggin
Jeff’s team are on tour again and the July Noggin will be held away from their home base on Wednesday 16th July at The Old Post Office, Haigh, Barnsley, S75 4DE from 6.30pm onwards where we hope to see more of our South Yorkshire members.
20th July - Newby Hall
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Sunday 20th July Newby Hall Historic Vehicle Rally Show 10am-3pm. Over 1000 exhibitors and large Autojumble. Go to the Newby Hall website where you will be directed to necpwa.org website, who are the organisers, to book your place. Please confirm your booking with Jeff so he can arrange for a Club designated area. This is the North of England’s largest one day show.
Tue-Thu 22nd-24th July - Yorkshire Elegance at Grantley Hall Yorkshire
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An event that just keeps growing in scale and grandeur.
We are manning an AHC stand on the last two days. We have been offered free entry into the event for up to 10 cars (20 people) on each of the two show days on 23rd & 24th July.
Members Discount: YE are happy to offer a 10% discount on all day ticket types for the event, this includes the driving day, VIP Hospitality and the VIP Lounge options.
More details at: www.yorkshireelegance.com and on the Northern Centre Website Events calendar or Contact Jeff Hollinshead.
25th-27th July - Gold Cup at Oulton Park
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Spaces still available. In Cheshire, Oulton Park is selling tickets now for the Gold Cup in July so if you want to attend on the club stand go to the Northern Centre website for details on how to buy discounted club tickets from the organisers.
This is the highlight of the season at Oulton park so don’t miss this opportunity for hugely discounted club tickets.
Thursday 31st July - Bowcliffe and Beaulieu Masters of Motoring
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Thursday 31st July Bowcliffe Hall, Braham, Wetherby, Leeds, LS23 6LP, Bowcliffe and Beaulieu Masters of Motoring. Entry costs £30 which includes a Bowcliffe BBQ Burger. All proceeds to charity. Book direct on the Bowcliffe Hall website. Confirm your entry with Jeff Hollinshead below as we are hoping to get sufficient AHC entries to have a Club designated area.
2nd/3rd July - Hebden Bridge
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In Yorkshire, the Hebden Bridge Vintage Weekend in August, which is always a sellout, is the only show where you will see the mix of Vintage and Steampunk at the same time as Hebden gets taken over for the weekend in riotous colour and style. Instructions on how to get the right tickets are on the Northern Centre website. When you’ve booked, let Jeff know so that he can negotiate a Club area with the organisers.
Classics over Sands - 10th August 2025
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With over 250 entries already, if you want to join the fun, better be quick! Book now at: classicsoversands.org . Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
17th August - Cumbria Classic Weekend Wigton Motor Club
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The Cumbria Classic & Motorsport Show at Dalemain Mansion Penrith is organised by the Wigton Motor Club and is expected to be the biggest classic car event in the region with over 800 Cars participating. The Show always has some 20 classes and this year features Italian cars and rally cars. There will be some very special rally cars on display. Murray Shand is organising this primarily for the Northumbrian area in lieu of Croft Classic but if you are interested in joining from wherever, send him the following details by email: Name, Tel No, email, Make, Model & Reg so that he can make the club booking. tyneside@ahc-northern.org.uk Hurry, booking closes 20th July.
17th/18 August - Classic and Retro Car Revival at Tatton Park
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Passion for Power Classic Motor Show is undergoing an exciting transformation, now emerging as the Classic & Retro Car Revival, set to captivate enthusiasts and families alike this August at Tatton Park. The Show offers the perfect opportunity to look at hundreds of classic & retro cars, along with allowing you to find everything you could ever want or need at the various trade stalls. For more details about the show see www.tattonpassionforpower.com.
To book your place contact Mike Stonier at events@ahc-northern.org.uk with no less than 4 weeks notice.
Want to attend a show?
Other events are opening for bookings in the coming months and we’ll update you as they come along, but its easy to get ahead of the game. Go to the Northern Centre website, checkout the list of planned events and contact the organiser - simple as that.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
SCOTLAND (CENTRAL) - 2nd Wednesday of the month (Mar-Nov) AHC club joins in with “Coffee and Classics” at various locations, meeting at 10:30am. Details on Coffee & Classics Facebook Group or from Richard Spalding on 07598 194394
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| 09 Jul |
Archerfield |
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08 Oct |
Park Bistro |
| 13 Aug |
Crieff Hydro |
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12 Nov |
Mortonhall Garden Centre |
| 10 Sep |
Melville Castle |
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- Sat/Sun 5th/6th July - Llangollen Transport Weekend Glyndyfdrwy Station. Vehicle entry is free, but book early due to restriction of space. Entries close 1st June 2025. Book online with the railway. Contact John & Jill Bowman
- Sat/Sun 12th/13th July - Glamis Castle Scottish Transport Extravaganza. Contact Ian Walker at scotland@ahc-northern.org.uk club stand full but private entries still available.
- Sun-Wed 20th-23rd July - International Healey Meeting 2025 Crewe Hall
- Tue/Wed/Thur 22nd/23rd/24th July - Yorkshire Elegance at Grantley Hall. An event that just keeps growing in scale and grandeur. We are manning an AHC stand on the last two days. More details at: www.yorkshireelegance.com or from Jeff Hollinshead.
- Sun 20th July - Newby Hall Historic Vehicle Rally The North of England's largest one day show. Bookings are now open via the Newby Hall website where you will be directed to the NECPWA website. Let Jeff Hollinshead know you are going on 0780097441
- ***NEW*** 25th-27th July - Oulton Park Gold Cup.Details at Northern Centre Events
- Thursday 31st July - Bowcliffe and Beaulieu Masters of Motoring. Bookings direct from organisers via the Bowcliffe Hall website. Let Jeff Hollinshead know you are going on 0780097441.
- Sunday 10th August - Classics over Sands - Entries open Now at: classicsoversands.org . Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
- ***NEW*** Sat/Sun 16th/17th August - Classic and Retro Car Revival at Tatton Park The new name for the Passion for Power. Details at Northern Centre EventsContact Mike Stonier no less than 4 weeks to go.
- ***NEW*** Sun 17th August - Cumbria Classic Weekend Wigton Motor Club Organised by Murray Shand in lieu of Croft Classic this year. Contact Murray with details listed in article above at tyneside@ahc-northern.org.uk
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See the Northern Centre Website or National Club Website for the full list of events planned for 2025.
Other events are being organised at local area level at short notice via WhatsApp groups. Get yourself on the groups and intothe action by getting in touch with your local rep below.
CENTRE CONTACTS
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International Healey Meeting 2025 Crewe Hall Regalia
For those going to the IHM 2025 meeting this year the Club’s regalia suppliers, “Logo that Polo” have created a bespoke range of apparel that any discerning Austin Healey owner will want to be seen in. Get yours ahead of IHM now on the Club Regalia website page.
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