5th May 2024
Event Report
Pictures from the event can be seen here.
Last year, we were chuffed to get 23 entrants, but to get 34 out last weekend was nothing short of fabulous. Even the weather was just right, again, with glorious sunshine at the start but clouding over later. Other than a little drizzle on the way home, the torrential rain had the decency to hold off until Monday.
In a change to the published entry list, Terry and Helen Schraider bought out their 1300 Escort Sport for the day, when the TR4a broke its speedo cable on an event he’d organised on Saturday. The only other close call I know of was David and Lizzie Hennegan, out on their first Tour in the Mini Mayfair. A couple of days before the event, David found the top mount on the 998cc A series engine had broken. Luckily, a spare part was sourced and fitted in good time.
The event itself was pretty ordinary really, no start line maladies, no unforeseen road closures, and no floods. Although the pothole under the bridge in Salt Box Road caught Ray and Linda Vass in the big Daimler. Luckily, it didn’t result in a puncture and John Kennedy and Nigel Dear in the Caterham had to take to the grass/mud to avoid an on-coming Range-Rover. The driver of which couldn’t possibly move over for them. Welcome to Surrey!
It would seem that I’m to blame for some small degree of confusion when, at junction 57, the ‘Turn Right at X-roads into Glaziers Lane’ should have been ‘into Flexford Road’. Glaziers Lane doesn’t start until you get to the sharp left 300m further on! Sorry about that.
Sadly, one car wouldn’t have spotted the mistake. The TR7 of John and Victoria Foard, failed to get that far, when they broke down on the Hogs Back. We do hope you got home OK, and you had a good run up to that point.
At the finish, an increasingly chilly wind welcomed you back. But, judging by the smiles, no one noticed it. Touring Assembly cars are like London buses. Nothing happens for two and a ¼ hours or so, and then the first 6 or 7 cars come in in convoy.
As you know, Touring Assemblies cannot have awards based on driving skills nor speed, so we have a voting form at the end of the road book for crews to vote on the favourite car/crew other than themselves. Ther polls closed at about 13:15 and with no accusations of vote rigging, I was able to announce Andy and Aiden Budden (plus team) in the Morris 8 Series E tourer the winners of the Fizz on 9 votes. Late years winners Barry & Ian in the Model T came second with 4 votes.
Andy Budden crew winners of the bottle of fizz.
You will have spotted our photographers, Graham, and Richard (Pash) out and about on the event. They took around 700 photos between them which is taking a while to sort out (wouldn’t have happened if they still used film!) Some photos have already been loaded, with more to follow.
Lorraine & I would like to thank you all for the positive comments and emails we’ve received. It makes organising the event worthwhile. We look forward to welcoming you all to the next GMC Tour – the David Roscoe Memorial Dimanche Tour on August 18th , which we will start setting up in a couple of weeks’ time – no peace for the wicked.
We would like to thank Nigel Mort, the landlord at The Fox Inn for hosting us all, Rob Clayson for the Rally Plates, Graham Skingle and Richard Pashley for photography and Francis Carlisle-Kitz for his parody of a parking attendant.
Mark & Lorraine.
About The Printemps Tour
This event has no competitive element and is intended as an opportunity for you to drive your ‘Pride and Joy’ through picturesque parts of the Surrey Hills AONB. The total route distance is about 50 miles.
The start and finish will be at The Fox Inn, Fox Corner, Nr Guildford. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available at the start and the pub will be open when we return. Hot food will be available to purchase after the event. A menu will be attached to the final instructions.
The event is suitable for all cars, from Vintage, through to Moderns, including electric. Additional passengers are welcome.
You will be given an easy-to-follow tulip road book to take you along our carefully designed meandering route. A marked map will also be provided for ‘Real’ navigators.
There are lots of beautiful views along the route with many places of interest, some of which will be described in the road book and some suitable stopping places will be indicated for you to spend a few minutes should you wish.
There is no scheduled timing on the event, other than the need for the last car to be back at the finish by 13:30.
About the Tour
This is the third running of the Printemps Tour, and each year we attract more and more crews. Last year’s event featured entries from a range of vehicles from a 1923 Model T Ford to the ‘Racing’ Hyundai I10 from 2017. This year, we have included some different roads, as well as the must haves over the North Downs. As with all events of this type, the average speed is set to below 20MPH, so you’ll have plenty of time to take in the scenic views.
As a non-competitive tour, we can have no winner, but we will ask each crew to vote for their favourite car/crew. The car/crew with the most votes will receive a bottle of fizz – which you will be encouraged NOT to spray over everyone.
Pictures from the 2023 event can be seen here