2019 Crash Box Club Powderham Show

The Imps at Powderham 2019 belonging to from left to right, Ann and Tony Dowler, Karen and Simon Benoy, Drew Thomas and Louise Ransome Headon

Having learnt nothing from the 2019 Testing Trial, in which I tried to compete on a sidecar as well as a car, I ended up involved on two car club stands at the Powderham Show.

Next to us was this lovely early Scimitar - except that they never made a convertible....

Some of my trialling friends had enjoyed themselves so much last year on the Motor Cycling Club stand, I fancied joining in.

There was also the issue of an official Hillman Imp presence. Many years ago, we'd enjoyed a strong showing of cars from far and wide but times change and people move on. A group of local members fancied trying to revive the Impishness of lore and - to cut a long story short - I ended up trying to organise a stand and get some cars together.

Next to the Imp stand in the other direction was this lovely Alfa Romeo Montreal. I don't think I've ever seen one before.

This succeeded up to a point, thanks to everyone else's efforts. My Clan had been making odd noises and on a club event in North Devon, the Full English Weekend, the howling and grinding from the clutch became embarrassing. By the time I got home, I couldn't engage reverse and had to push the car into the workshop to await an investigation.

Fortunately, enough local members brought their cars along and with a few long distance visitors we were able to boast 4 cars on the stand.

Meanwhile, the MCC stand, organised by Peter Batty along the lines of a classic trial checkpoint won best club stand. It featured a signpost pointing to all three classic trials - Exeter, Edinburgh and Lands end - along the lines of a prestigious Triple award and some very interesting machinery including the IRH2 and my own Arkley-MG.

Now we have established ourselves, there should be more Imps for 2020.