Torbay Motor Club News

Llandow Sprint

Owing to the lack of entries, it is with deep regret that we have had to cancel the Sprint that was due to run on Monday 29th August 2011.
We would like to thank the 18 people that entered and wish them luck in all future events.

What To Expect On This Page

News items will be added to this section of the TMC website. This will include the availability of Events and Regulations documents, News of Results from Events and occasional articles of interest to motorsport enthusiasts.

Newton Abbot College Greenpower racer to run at Torbay MC Wiscombe Park event

An electric-powered lightweight racer built by students at Newton Abbot College - 'Team Lucy' - will be on show at Torbay Motor Club's Wiscombe hill-climb on Saturday May 14th 2011.

The team will spend the day at the club's annual event at the venue, with their car on display in the paddock and making an appearance on the hill during the day. Renewed sponsorship from the club for 2011 will be presented at the event's awards ceremony.

Team Lucy was one of three teams representing the South-West at the 2010 finals of the Greenpower series, held at Goodwood, in October. The self-built car, powered by a diminutive 750 watt electric motor, carries the logo of Torbay Motor Club, who first supported the team with a financial donation in 2010 to assist their preparations for the prestigious event at the famous and historic West Sussex racing circuit.

Phil Drinkwater, Torbay Motor Club's President, commented that 'It's important that young people take an interest in both the engineering and sporting aspects of these initiatives, not just to focus on alternative methods of powering vehicles in the future but also to give them an insight into working together in a competitive environment that can also be sociable and fun'.

The Newton Abbot College team is led by John Musty, Technology Teacher, whose students have worked hard, giving up their lunch hours, and some evenings too, to work on the engineering and aerodynamic challenges. They were delighted to make it through to the Greenpower finals with the technical support of Newton Abbot based turbine technology company Centrax, who have given technical advice on building the car.

Team Lucy race in the 'Formula 24' section of the Greenpower series, which takes entries from secondary schools; they beat 7 other teams from the South West in the qualifying regional races, which took place at Newquay Cornwall Airport in June.

Greenpower Formula 24 cars are powered by identical electric motors, supplied by the organisers, and are only allowed a maximum of four batteries, the car using two at any one time. Beyond that, success is down to the design skills and construction prowess of the teams building the ultra-lightweight cars, which in Team Lucy's case has involved more than 40 students over the 3 years of the project so far; 12 of those students made up the race team at Goodwood.

The competition gives students an insight into the world of engineering and racing. Started in 1999, it has expanded year-on-year into a nationwide project, and includes the 'Goblin Formula' series for primary school children, the original Formula 24 for secondary schools and Formula 24+ for teams whose members are aged 16-25 and are in any form of full or part-time education.

Team Lucy delivers its power (an output of less than a one-bar electric fire) through a five-speed gearbox and has so far shown a top speed of 30m.p.h. at its ideal engine speed of 2000 r.p.m., although it was anticipated that the slight downward gradient of the famous Lavant Straight at Goodwood would help them to surpass that at Goodwood. The final, which had 79 entries, was an endurance race, the winner being the team that completed the most laps in four hours, so efficient battery and driver changes were essential for a good showing.

Sadly for Team Lucy, the realities of life in the competitive world intervened, when the Sturmey Archer 5 speed gear box stripped its teeth on 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears on the first lap of practice. The team quickly removed it and attempted a repair, making the start five minutes after the rest of the field - a superhuman effort in the face of despair. But starting from the pit lane in 4th gear meant a current draw of over 60 amps (the design draw is just 30) and when the ammeter started smoking the team had to call it a day.

Undaunted, Team Lucy are currently making revisions to the car that include bolting-up the gear box in third gear (which equates to direct drive) and fitting the control electronics donated from a mobility scooter. This will allow a start from rest and a gradual build up of speed without excessive current draw. The team aim to eventually fit an infinitely variable-ratio hub drive gearbox, as used by most of the better-funded front runners in the series.

Parents of team members, many of whom were at Goodwood in October, are assembling a support group to raise further funds for the 2011 series and would welcome any sponsorship, technical advice and support for the team.
For further information, visit:
www.greenpower.co.uk
www.gomotorsport.net (who support the Greenpower project)

Torbay Motor Club Wins Award

The Mamhead Hillclimb that Torbay MC promoted on Sunday 1st August 2010 was voted by the competitors as the best speed event in the ASWMC 2010 calendar. The Award was collected by Dave Sims (Chairman), Sheila Harvey (Secretary of the Meeting) and John Hill (Clerk of the Course). Dave said that the club was very proud to have achieved this award, and it is thanks to all of the hard work put in by Officials and Marshals on the day.

Awards Presentation and 2011 AGM

The Club Awards Presentation for awards won in 2010 and the 2011 AGM will take place at the Farmhouse Tavern, Newton Road, Torquay, TQ3 7AD at 20:00 hours on Friday 25th March 2011. This will be followed by the AGM.
There will be a FREE Buffet provided.
If you are intending to attend this event, please let Sheila know by the end of February at the latest, in order that she knows how many to cater for. Send an email to - - or telephone 01803 522752.

Torbay Trial 2011

The latest information about next year's Torbay Trial has been added to our - Picture Gallery Page - for that event.

Entry Lists (Events)

For reasons of personal security, Event Entry Lists will no longer be displayed on this web site.

Archive Entry: 25th August 2010

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Gerry Pickard (the founder of Westcountry Rescue) passed away at 09.00Hrs this morning after a battle with cancer. The funeral service for Gerry will be held at the St Paul's Church in Tiverton on Wednesday next (1st September) at 11am. All are welcome.

Archive Entry: No Increases For 2010

Owing to the ongoing enconomic climate, the Club Committee has again decided Not To Increase The Cost of entering any of the events organised by Torbay Motor Club during 2010. This means that our entry fees have not increased since 2007.