I


t


16


Ouflook


A VOYAGE IN DISCOVERY


“Jump” began to ring out around the arena, then, out


when the first event was show-jumping. Actually, it was much better than I thought, as the organisers of the event had assembled a top line-up, with three j u n i o r B r i t i s h internationals. Gold Cup. The sound of Van Halen’s


that the event was to held at the Osbaldeston Eques­ trian Centre — and, as I am allergic to horses, I didn’t really fancy the idea. I am probably the only person to have cried all the way through Charlie Caroli at the Blackpool Tower Cir­ cus. He followed the bare- back riding. My fears were confirmed


horror when I was picked to cover the launch of the new Land-Rover. The main problem was


I AM to the world of farm­ ing and country sports what the Ayatollah Khomeini was to diplomatic relations. So you can imagine my


MURRAY WALKER finds some horsing about at the launch of the new Land-Rover!


model Land-Rover have launched for 20 years. You only had to look around the car park to see why. The Japanese have swamped the market with Isuzus, Mitsu- bushis, Daihatsus and Suzukis. The Discovery is Land-


amounted to an obstacle course with Land-Rover’s


Rover’s response to this. The Land-Rover is at the functional, dependable end of the market, while the more luxurious Range Rover is for the more well- h e e led . Discovery is designed to fill the gap between the two. I drove around what


of nowhere, the Discovery smashed through the wall to make a s p e c ta c u la r entrance. This was the first new


programme manager James Batchelor, the man who has been instrumental in its design.


for British industry as well as just Land-Rover that we have been able to respond


the Discovery had been developed in just two years. “It is a real achievement


driven a Land-Rover and it was a very enjoyable experience. The vehicle handled the difficult condi­ tions with ease. Mr Batchelor said that


track before turning into a waterlogged field. Then very slowly down a steep embankment and into the River Ribble.Somehow I couldn’t see my 1983 Citroen Visa coping with this. It was the first time I had


We headed off on a farm


to the Japanese challenge so quickly.”


tive features about the new model. There is plenty of luggage space, and with the two pull-down seats in the back, it comfortably seats seven.


seemed to be the fact it is a three-door and Mr Batche­ lor confirmed that a five- door model could soon be on the market.


The main c r i t ic ism


bably imagine by the pro­ gramme of events, the green wellie brigade were out in force, but like Bobby Ball, I had to make do with


affair, all cold meats, salmon, excellent salads and those little round things that no-one ever knows quite what they are. Anyway, as you can pro­


it certainly appealed to the Land-Rover owners and many of the women seemed to appreciate its finer quali­ ties. However, the Range Rover drivers appeared to prefer their more luxurious model. Lunch was a splendid


A straw poll revealed that There are many attrac­ i i § g e x


my brown boots.


all lor a car. Still, organ- two of the vehicles minutes lsers Southern Brothers of after the launch. Q


New season for Tallymen


There's no need to go that far to see the new Discovery.


You don't need to go for to see the new Land Rover Discovery. We're your <5%


local Specialist Land Rover dealership, ond we have the Discovery in our showroom right now.


You can see it in warmth and comfort. And what's more, be one of the


first to put if through its paces on a test drive. Pop in today in person. Or call us on the number below, ond well be


pleased to make an appointment for you.


DECEMBER, annua l championships completed, trophies won or lost. Now’s the time when all good rally crews are tucked up in a nice cold garage planning and preparing for the new season.


YOUR AREA DEALER,


contact: DAVID HAWKINS or DEREK SNALAM A r lin g to n o f B lackb u rn


P a r k R o a d . U r l m s h a w P a r k . B l a c k b u r n 6


, . formerly Southern Bros. 6 2 7 2 1


Rally Drivers’ Association (BTRDA) Clubmans’ Cham­ pionship will be contested by myself and Kevin Sut­ cliffe as well as Ken Craw-


i V \ I


and respects the ability of Alan to get the best from the car, so prefers to occupy the left-hand seat. They will almost certainly specialise in tarmac events as the car’s Gartrac suspension is better suited to that discipline. The British Trials and


off, Pendle District Motor Club’s chairman and vice- chairman will hopefully be back in harness and able to complete a full 1990 cam­ paign. The car, a potent 2.1 litre twin cam Escort, will be driven by Barrowford’s Alan Shaw despite beiing owned by chairman Rod Brereton, of Barnoldswick. Rod knows his limitations


for the locals will be Jan­ uary’s event at Flookburgh. Beyond that, any regular competitor will probably be targeting a championship. After a considerable lay­


The immediate focal point


ford and Barry Wilkinson. From our Nelson base, this series will take us to Devon, Wales, the East and West Midlands, Scotland, Cum­ bria and Yorkshire for some of the best organised events clubmans’ forest rallying has to offer.


by as the series is seen as a stepping stone to greater things, attracting every would-be rally star in the country anxious to make their mark, but there is no finer rallying available at the price.


is at something of a cross­ roads. He regularly wins his class, he’s wiped the floor with the opposition in t'he North West this year, so where to now?


Harle Syke’s Paul Smith


breaking rally cars for spares. If he is to achieve consistently good results in the pursuit of a champion­ ship, he has to retain a sin­


His business Sykespeed is Trophies are hard to come


their involvement is, for me, vital. □


fortunate, very fortunate, to have had the support of PSL Marketing Services, of Blackburn. Without them, I probably wouldn’t be rally­ ing into 1990. That being so, it would be difficult for me to take them for granted,


level would be to simply tread water. He is a young man with tremendous abil­ ity and potential, but sees l i t t le hope of fur the r progress without the back­ ing of a substantial sponsor, support he has so far failed to secure. Rallying presents the classic Catch 22 — with­ out finance it’s difficult to get results, without results it’s difficult to get finance! Speaking of finance, I am


gle car all year to ensure its preparation is up to the required standard. This is completely at odds with the principal of his business so there is immediate conflict. Continuing at his 1989


GEOFF BROWN, Press Officer for Pen­ dle District Motor Club, writes about how local rally drivers are preparing for the race challenges in the New Year


An enjoyable day out— Was worth it, as they sold Blackburn must have felt it


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