Torque of the North - August 2025
Austin Healey Club Northern Centre's Newsletter
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Hi ,
News from around the North
Is it just me or does hot weather freak you out? My Healey had a problem with the ignition switch cutting out, the fan broke and I found it was wired into the ignition switch, so I removed the fan permanently... it still runs well on hot days & the ignitions fine. I’ve finally worked out the paranoia, its nothing to do with fear of the engine boiling, it’s the smell of burnt flesh from my passenger’s feet.
Summers still sizzling and whilst some of our events are full, there are still a few tickets for events in August and September...
Bolesworth International Event
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Congratulations to Steve Higginson for riding the “Best Classic” at Bolesworth International Eventing weekend. Whilst, this was an equestrian event, organisers added a classic and supercar paddock, Steve’s tasty 100 M-spec pipped Aston Martin, Porsche and Lambo’s for Rosette and Champagne. This was super hospitality and great ringside seats at a cracking event & we’re hoping this will be an ongoing addition to our calendar.
Clwyd Practical Classics Car Show
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The first two weekends of July saw the North Wales team supporting the Llangollan Transport weekend on 5/6 followed by a scorching Caerwys for the Practical Classics Car Show. Their event shelter made its first outing and it immediately made its mark by helping the AHC to win best Car Club stand at the show.
Glamis Castle
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A fantastic turnout of Healeys from all over Scotland and Northumbria attended this iconic venue with the event shelter proving to be popular as a sunshade! Richard’s Healey shortbread went down a treat along with the much-appreciated Tea and Strawberries - it’s truly high end catering at Glamis!
Newby Hall
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The weather wasn’t going to stay epic forever and at Newby Hall hoods were up, but the downpour didn’t dampen the enthusiasm for a brilliant show. The photo below shows a well-known Yorkshire members garden as he stocks up for the expected hosepipe ban.
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International Healey Meeting 2025 Crewe Hall
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Meanwhile at the International Healey Meet 2025 in Crewe (hosted by us!) there were Healeys as far as the eye could see. 70 cars gathered for three days of fabulous driving, sightseeing and socialising culminating in a terrific Gala Evening at the Crewe Hall Hotel and Spa.
Yorkshire Elegance at Grantley Hall Yorkshire
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Yorkshire Elegance lived up to its reputation for style and class with an epic line up of racing cars from the Mille Miglia & Le Mans to Formula 1. Off track cars included a driving replica of the first automobile, built in 1886, the ¾ hp Benz Patent-Motorwagen and an amazing Aston Martin Valkyrie.
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Oulton Park paddock was crammed with some amazing cars to celebrate the 75th anniversary of BRM, which took us through the history of this iconic name. Just Standing next to cars that had been driven by Fangio, Moss, Hill, Clark, Stewart and Lauda was truly evocative of the 50’s & 60’s, but noise from their engines was the highlight of the weekend... . the racing was pretty exciting too!
Still to come!
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 320 entrants, the show is now full with waiting list only. Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details. Big thankyou to Northern Centre members who have volunteered to help running the show!
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. Murray Shand is organising this primarily for the Northumbrian area in lieu of Croft Classic but if you are interested, 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 is morphing into the Classic & Retro Car Revival, the refresh offers the perfect opportunity to look at hundreds of classics, modern classics & retro cars, with trade stalls & Autojumble. Our stand is fully booked but for a cancellation place contact Mike Stonier at events@ahc-northern.org.uk ASAP.
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Another visit to the Northern Area by the AHC Sports section as the 2025 Speed Championship - Sprint and Hill Climb Challenge comes to Loton Park for rounds 9 & 10. With just 5 rounds remaining in this 14-race season, the results at Loton could prove vital for Northern drivers Rob Owen and Murray Shand. Come and support the Healeys in action, we are expecting club cars from North Wales and Cheshire so more details from John & Jill Bowman or Doug McClymont on 07940313947.
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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| 13 Aug |
Crieff Hydro |
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08 Oct |
Park Bistro |
| 10 Sep |
Melville Castle |
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12 Nov |
Mortonhall Garden Centre |
- Sunday 10th August - Classics over Sands - Contact Phil Kershaw, phil.kershaw@ahc-northern.org.uk for more details.
- 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 Events. Contact Mike Stonier no less than 4 weeks to go.
- 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
- ***NEW*** Sat/Sun 23rd/24th August - Healey Sport Loton Park Another visit to the Northern Area by the AHC Sports section. We are expecting a team from North Wales and Cheshire to support the Healey racers. Contact John and Jill or Doug McClymont for details on 07940 313947
- ***NEW*** Thursday 16th October - AGM North Wales. See the panel below for more details.
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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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Northern Centre AGM 2025
The Northern Centre AGM will be held in Clwyd and will coincide with the regular North Wales Noggin and Natter. It will take place at:
8pm on Thursday 16th Oct 2025, at the
Cricket Club, Smithy Lane, Northop Hall, Clwyd, CH7 6DE
Members will be able to join the AGM virtually on Zoom or in person at the meeting where light refreshments will be provided.
All Northern Centre members are welcome so please join us to air your views on how we run the Centre, hear what we are planning for the coming year, and to vote in the committee. We always want to hear from members who wish to become more involved with the running of the centre.
Please advise secretary@ahc-northern.org.uk if you would like to attend the AGM in person. Alternatively, e-mail webmaster@ahc-northern.org.uk if you would like to join the meeting virtually on Zoom.
Watch out for more details about the AGM on our website. For more information contact the Chairman: Douglas McClymont on 07940 313947
or chairman@ahc-northern.org.uk
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