News / Website Updates

2010

Max de Redder

It is with great sadness that I have to record the death of Max de Redder on 16th June.

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Max had a wonderful life around cars for some sixty years which he enjoyed with his wife Pat and was taking part in events as recently as April despite fighting cancer for over a year.

On his 21st birthday he was given an MG Magna and promptly went out and won his first rally in it. It also impressed Pat when he first met her but by the time of their first date he had swapped it for something rather less impressive!
Then he had a Mercedes Benz Manheim Coupe. It only did 9 miles to the gallon and although he and Pat set off for Newcastle which wasn't very far from where they lived several times they never got there as they didn’t have enough petrol to get there and back. Eventually he owned a Triumph TR2 and then an Aston Martin DB2/4 with a 2.6 Vantage engine which he only sold about 8 years ago when he had to downsize his vast stable of vehicles when he moved from the very large Clifton Hall a few years ago.

Many of the vehicles were awaiting restoration and included an Austin Heavy 12, several Austin 7s, some in boxes, old Fords and a massive very early vehicle from about 1910 that was as big as a truck .These vehicles had been housed in the coach house, servants quarters, cellars etc and even the gate keepers lodge where Max managed to keep a Buckler by getting it in through the patio doors.

Starting off at Kings College Motor Club in Newcastle he took part in rallies and speed events as well as organising events for the club. He also took part in races at tracks like Charterhall where he raced against a young Jim Clark, later to become World Champion.

Moving to Cumberland to work for British Steel he became chief engineer at Workington then later general manager at Barrow and he mothballed Clifton Hall and his collection of cars in 1984 and did a two year spell at in Alabama in the USA where he was in charge of a British Steel plant there.

Max was a member of the then West Cumberland Motor Club and a founder member the United Steel Social Club Motor Club. He has been involved with the VSCC Lakeland Trial for some forty years, initially as MSA Steward but since rebuilding an Austin 7 Reg No RN132 in 1983 he was a ardent competitor at VSCC trials all over the country. If not competing he would travel hundreds of miles to marshal as marshalling gave you a better chance of an entry as the Lakeland was generally oversubscribed.

After selling the Austin 7 in 2002 he carried on competing in VSCC and other events all over the country in the Ford Model A that became so familiar in the last few years. He was also a model railway enthusiast and had a fine layout in a room he had specially built for it at his brand new house Paddock House at Gilcrux which he named because of its connections with motorsport. This new house has centrally heated garages for his four main classic cars and a workshop so he was a very happy man indeed.

Max had a keen interest in veteran cars owning a very fine 1910 Renault with which he regularly attended events in France and the Goodwood Festival. He and wife Pat continued to compete in WMC’s tours and autotests in the 1928 Ford Model A and the familiar white MGB and he recently restored a 1930s MG F type similar to the one as his first car.
He was a valued committee member of the Club. A true gentleman and enthusiast. Who will be greatly missed by people not just in this area but all over this country and even further afield.

We send our best wishes and condolences to Pat on the loss of this lovely man and her husband for many happy years.

2009

Floods in Cumbria

The committee greatly appreciate the many emails and phone calls from members all over the country offering support and help during the very difficult times in Cockermouth. We have been checking on members in the town and as far as we know only one has been really badly affected.

Chairman David Rushton has been in thick of the rescue work as leader of the Cockermouth Fire and Rescue Team and many other members have also been involved in assisting.

Obviously the long term implications for life in the town and the implications for the local economy are immense. The committee will be looking at some possible form of fund raising for the Flood Support Fund.
Graeme Forrester

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2008

2007

  • 18/11/07 Final Northern Speed Championship Tables added.
  • 06/11/07 Photos from the Rally of the Tests added.
  • 14/10/07 Photos from various events have now been added.
  • 09/10/07 Kames Classic Sprint results and photos now available.
  • 15/09/07 Entry forms for the Christmas Cracker Run on December 2nd are now available.
  • 10/09/07 Speed Championship points after Forrestburn are now available
  • 28/08/07 Forrestburn Hill Climb results added to the speed section.
  • 17/08/07 October Kames regulations now available.
  • 07/08/07 Three Sisters Sprint results added.
  • 07/08/07 Cumbria Classic Show- Dalemain Estates have asked us to cancel the show due to the threat of Foot and Moth disease. At this point it is sadly too late to change the date or venue and we have reluctantly had to cancel the show. All exhibitors, clubs and traders are being informed. A press release is being sent to the local press. The Pennine Tour will go ahead as planned.
  • 28/07/07 The August magazine is in the post but with the postal workers still up to their tricks it may be delayed. Pub Run, August 1st, starts at Armathwaite Hall at 7 pm and finishes at The Inn on the Lake . £3 per head including food.. This will have a treasure hunt type format, please ensure that we have a good turnout.
  • 26/07/07 The current positions in the Adrian Hemingway Speed Championship are now available. Please let Graeme know of any queries. There are quite a number of drivers yet to gain marshalling points. Please note that the entry lists for both Forrestburn and Harewood (Saturday) are nearly full.
  • 25/07/07 Pub Run August 1st: Starts at Armathwaite Hall at 7 pm and finishes at the Inn on the Lake. £3 per head for food.
  • 23/07/07 Wednesday's Autotest is now at Blackbeck due to the weather.
  • 15/07/07 Results for the Caper and the Kames sprint are now on line.
  • 16/06/07 Three Sisters Sprint regulations available as well as results from the Berwick Classic, Elvington Sprint and the Speed Championship results.
  • 14/06/07 Regulations for the Three Sisters Sprint are now available.
  • 30/05/07 July Kames regulations are now available.
  • 29/05/07 Don't forget the Pub Run on Wednesday, June 6th. 7.15 start at the Mockerkin Tarn lay-by and finishes at the Wild Duck at Branthwaite.
  • 29/05/07 Latest speed championship positions now on line.
  • 21/05/07 Given the difficulties we had at Knockhill with delays etc, the organising team are calling a special meeting of all interested parties to discuss the way forward for next year. We are inviting all member of the committee, marshals and all the speed competitors. The meeting is on Wednesday, May 30th at Wigton Rugby Club at 20.00. If you are unable to attend please email your views to me. I look forward to seeing you there. Kind regards, Graeme
  • 17/05/07 Knockhill results have now posted.
  • 17/05/07 Photos from the Barbon National, Drive It Day and the May pub run are now on line.
  • 13/05/07 Entry forms for the Lake District Hotels Cumbria Classic Caper are now available. Entry forms for all the events in the Cumbria Classic Weekend - the Pennine Tour and the Cumbria Classic Show (Car, Club and Trade) are also on line.
  • 21/04/07 Regulations for Elvington, Barbon & Forrestburn added to the speed page. Full regulations for Harewood are on the BARC website.
  • 10/04/07 Viking Classic Rally regulations now available.
  • 10/04/07 Knockhill Track Night, May 18th. For a place ring Brian Luti (Dreadnought Garage) on Tel: 01877 331099. Places are limited! This event is not run by WMC.
  • 09/04/07 The Speed Championship tables are now available, as well as regulations for Barbon in the speed section. Entry forms for the Classic Tour of Cumbria are on the Classic section, and the forum is now up and running.
  • 07/04/07 Teesside results are now available as well as some photos, whilst regulations for the June Barbon are on the Speed section.
  • 31/03/07 The first Speed event comes up on April 6th and we have over fifty entries! If you can marshal on this event please ring either David Rushton or Graeme Forrester. The Knockhill Sprint has over 60 entries so far, so don't delay in getting your entries in. Again marshals are needed. For everyone with an older car, don't forget the Drive It Day on April 22nd, Assert your right to drive your car!
  • 12/03/07 Regulations for the both the Teesside and Knockhill sprints are now available at the events section. Don't forget the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh where NESCRO will have a stand (March 22-25th) and we hope to see you there. Drive It Day takes place on April 22nd when all owners of classic and historic cars are urged to take their cars out on the road to underline your right to drive them. There will also be a club Open Day at the Penrith Truckstop.
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