Slightly Damp...
Photos by Russell Larcombe and Paul Calland

Saturday morning got off to a rainy start but it didn't seem to keep people away looking at the numbers of TVRs on the carpark. All TVRs were marshalled in by the Blackpool region and parked by model. This is a neat way of doing things and shows the popularity of some of the later models and the scarcity of some of the older ones. Luckily the TVRCC trailer was on hand, which as well as offering regalia sales kept a few out of the rain, and did a roaring trade in TVRCC brollies! Other trade stands included: ACT, Toyo Tyres, Leven Technology, Christopher Neils and A L Gorners to name a few. The concours was hotly contested and some fantastic engine bays were on show even in the pouring rain! To cap it off there were plenty of takers for the autotest run by West Lancs region, a good opportunity to test handling in the wet.

Queueing in the rain to get in!	The 'red wedge' contingent
A slippery autotest	Just to prove we were at Blackpool - the tower in the distance
A polishers paradise	Some TVRs were lucky!
TVRs for sale...	John Mleczek (Blackpool RO), TreVoR Wilkinson and Chris Wright (TVRCC Chairman)

The dinner back at the DeVere Hotel followed a black and yellow DeWalt theme. Stars of the evening were Michael Caine and the TVR he will be driving at Le Mans. To help raise money to sponsor Michaels entry to Le Mans the main focus of the night was a Grand Prize Draw and Auction:

PRIZE DRAW
1st Prize
Your chosen name (business, family/loved one etc) on the Le Mans car - won by Chris and Fran Walker (see photo accepting prize from Michael) from Cumbria Region who were celebrating their 1st wedding anniversary at the event
2nd Prize
2 Pit Lane Passes for the Le Mans 24 Hour Race
3rd Prize
4 Flying Laps in the 2 seat Tuscan race car during lunch at a TVR Tuscan Challenge Race (subject to permission of the circuit)
Other Prizes
Personal Tuition from Michael Caine an ARDS qualified instructor at a track day

AUCTION
The following items were also auctioned to raise money
The steering wheel from the Le Mans TVR after the event. This will be signed by the drivers so is absolutely the ultimate piece of memorabilia. It was the item that attracted the fiercest bidding and finally went for over £800.
2 x Racing Slick tyres
2 x Racing 'Wet' tyres
4 x Signed colour laminated posters of Michael and the TVR donated by Cypher
2 x Signed Speed 12 carbon fibre doors complete with drivers names and graphics
1 x 'flat floor' - carbon fibre undertray! the winner of this spent the rest of the night dancing with it which just goes to show how light carbon fibre is, as the fllor was the size of a garage door!
1 x DeWalt 'team' jacket - a one off as it belonged to Richard Stanton
1 x driveshaft
2 x Signed brake disks
2 x 'team' shirts

The star of the show	Michael the auctioneer

Sunday started as damp as the previous day but later the sun came out and everyone rushed for their cameras. Apparently the cavalcade had a 'roof off', 'roof on' dilemma going on at the start although as I was on a later factory tour I missed this. As usual the factory guides were fantastically knowledgeable and the tours as interesting as ever. It is always fascinating to see the various specs and colours of TVRs in build but even more intriguing to see little glimpses behind the scenes.

Lines of new T350s in every colour	The bodyshop workers 'sign' the shells they make
A pile of straight six engine blocks!!!	A new speed six engine about to be fitted
Amazing what they leave around!	The first T440 for a customer
In the paintshop	After trimming - very classy!
The sun finally made an appearance	One of the concours winners