Engine Punk

This splendid Belgian-registered example appeared at the 2022 Imp Club National at Borden in Hampshire. It's a developed version of the DKW 3=6 and uses a 981cc (74 x 76mm) version of the 3-cylinder two- stroke engine ( VT No.13 ) that's fascinated me for many years.  In later years, DKW was held to stand for  Das Kleine Wunder, or the little wonder but in 1916 it originally meant  Dampf-Kraft-Wagen when   Danish engineer Jørgen Skafte Rasmussen built a  steam-powered car in Zschopau, Germany. When that venture failed, he made toy two-stroke engines for children under the name of  Des Knaben Wunsch or "the boy's wish". Once fitted into bicycle frames, these became  Das Kleine Wunder although some called the little Deeks the  Deutsche Kinder-Wagen, or "German children's car".  After a brief flirtation with rear-engined, two stroke-powered cars using a pumping cylinder for supercharge (I love that sort of thing), DKW introduced the three-cylind...

Just a part of my trialling family. Look at our steely determined gazes! No rabbits in headlamps here. L to R Pat Shaw, Bob Blackman, Michael Brooks, Gillane Sanders, Adrian Booth and Ross Sanders After the debacle of last month’s Edinburgh Trial, in which I “lost” a triple award – although I never really had one – and then  the clutch cable snapping at the top of Corkscrew, I entered the 77 th 2024 Tamar Trial as a late entrant. A rare choice for trialling is Jon Cox's Lotus Elan It really was just a snapped cable and Uncle Adrian had an old school go at adjusting my tracking. The new front tyres had been scrubbing out atrociously on the inner edge. Despite trying various tyre fitting bays using laser equipment, the car was still scrubbing off brand new covers all over the Peak District. Age used a long, graduated pole with pointers at each end to set toe in at 1/8 th of an inch. What I needed next was a shake down run to check there no underlying probs to the cable snapping an...

An adventure in which the Arkley-MG makes a new friend. (Photo : Graham Beddoe) For several weeks I had been telling people I had entered the 2024 Edinburgh Trial. When I announced that it took place in the Peak District, this confirmed their opinions on my powers of geography. This lovely and tough Ford Model A belongs to consistent Gold award winner and Triple contender Stephen Hill Only six people were in contention for a Triple on this event, one solo motorcyclist and five car drivers and I was one of them. Besides Graham Beddoe and me in the Team Inappropriate Class 7 Arkley-MG ( VT No.151 ), there were Mark Wills on his class B Beta Alp (on line for his third triple), Stephen Hill and his well-dressed gentlemen bouncers in their Ford Model A, previous Triple-winner Karren Warren in her class 6 VW Beetle, Annabel Harry in her red class 7 Hillman Imp ( VT No.78 ) and ACTC regular Paul Merson in his very successful Shopland MK 1 class 8. The Class O equivalent of a Triple is a Tri...

On the ramp again With the Edinburgh Trial next week, the Arkley-MG (Vintage Thing No. 151) is almost ready. Having won two golds in a row, I felt compelled to enter this year.  Although called the Edinburgh Trial, it doesn't go there any more. It takes place in the Peak District but keeps the name for historical reasons and is much more difficult than (merely) driving to the Scottish capital from the English one these days. A Triple – three golds in a row – is theoretically within my grasp and possibly a once in a lifetime opportunity. Realistically, however, I have to manage my expectations (which was what we used to say when we had to disappoint someone at work).  Mr Graham Beddoe and I will adopt our usual approach and enjoy ourselves with our mud brothers and sisters. The lovely Sally has found us accommodation in Crowdicote and I’ve hired a truck to haul the three of us, the car and Sal’s electric bike up to the Peak District. Usually, we drive to the start from my secr...

For some of us, disco dancing is a way of life (Photo : Sally Livsey) My Arkley-MG was mechanically compromised by our success on the 2024 Exeter Trial. After sorting out the knackered Transit diff with help from Adrian Booth, Dave Ball and Martin Matthews, I replaced the Sierra front wheel bearings and substituted 1500 Midget front springs for the bespoke ones Ray Goodwright had commissioned some twenty years ago, it felt like my car was match fit. Maybe. Graham Beddoe had graciously agreed to bounce and navigate and we set off nice and early for our start at Launceston Rugby Club on Good Friday evening. After scrutineering, chinwags with our trialling family and a very tasty burger, we set off in the wrong direction but soon got back on track.   "Let's get down to this next number." (Photo : Sally Livsey) On our way to Bridgwater, I recalled a few niggles from my pre-event prep. Just before the start, dipped headlamps were an occasional no show. A few days before that...