Our Spring Naviscat turned out to be a great success, which was very satisfying for the organisers.
We had a total entry of 19 cars, who assembled at the start at the Old Tollgate Hotel/Restaurant in Bramber to sign on and have a coffee and a bacon bap if they felt peckish. We were at bit cramped in the room that we had been given, but soon the clues were handed out and people started plotting in other parts of the hotel.
Of the 19 entries, we had seven from the invited Inter Register Club (IRC), and so 12 MGs were ready to try and beat them this time (We lost out to them on last year’s Autumn Naviscat). The IRC came with classic Rileys, Jowetts, Alvis and Humber to create a fine cross-section of cars.
Most people had plotted the 6-figure map references by 11.30 and so set off to scour the beautiful South Downs countryside to answer the clues at the given locations. The day was almost perfect with quite a strong wind, which was very noticeable on the top of the Downs.
As the 2.30pm deadline approached, there was flurry of contestants returning with their answers. Once they had handed in their answer sheets, they were then able to partake of the three- course buffet lunch, (which they would have pre-ordered) – although some looked after their own lunch needs. The buffet lunch was truly monumental, and some even failed to take advantage of the dessert, being so filled up with the first two courses. We were given a decent sized room for those that were eating the buffet lunch which worked well.
After about an hour the results were announced, but the MGs were beaten again by the Riley of Adrian Ducker. We combined the Pre-55 class with the pre-1995 class, which was won by John and Sally Reay in their TC. Six MGBs competed in Class B, including Richard Dresner in his rare Costello MGB. Class E for all non-MGs had eight entries, with just one
Only one car had a small problem, which was Ray Martin in his Humber, that was running out of battery power, but we heard he managed to get back home. Most people were from the southern counties, but one intrepid Riley came all the way from Dorchester-on-Thames.
Everyone seemed to have had a good day, and many e-mails were received by the organisers to this effect. The next
-Philip Bayne-Powell
Results
Classes A & C Combined
| 1st | John & Sally Reay | MG TC | 35 pts |
| 2nd | Chris & Janice Leigh | MGA Twin Cam | 32 pts |
| 3rd | Simon & Peter Gray | MG YB | 29 pts |
| 4th | Ian & Paula Russell | MG Z Magnette | 12 pts |
Class B
| 1st | Alexander Lemon & Mike Chittenden | MGB GT | 34 pts |
| 2nd | George Homewood & Rose Carr | MGB | 31 pts |
| 3rd | Bob Lester & Cliff Boulton | MGB | 26 pts |
| 4th | Peter & Carole Lamb | MGB | 16 pts |
| 5th | Alex & Corinne Macdonald | MGB | 15 pts |
| 6th | Richard Dresner & Colin Mackenzie | MGB V8 Costello | 8 pts |
Class E
| 1st | Adrian Ducker & Dan Camp | Riley Alpine | 46 pts |
| 2nd | Bruce & Mathew Girvan | 1930 Jowett | 28 pts |
| 3rd | Jocelyn Martin & Keiran Curtis | Riley | 26 pts |
| 4th | Ray Martin & D Holmwood | Humber | 24 pts |
| =5th | Stuart Manser & Janice Downey | Audi A1 | 22 pts |
| =5th | Richard & Peter Stubberfield | Alvis 12/50 | 22 pts |
| 7th | Ian & Alec Roxburgh | Jowett Javelin | 13 pts |
| 8th | Chris & Patsy Smith | Riley Adelphi | 8pts |
Novices
| 1st | Simon & Peter Gray | MG YB | 29 pts |
| 2nd | Bruce & Mathew Girvan | 1930 Jowett | 28 pts |
| 3rd | Jocelyn Martin & Keiran Curtis | Riley | 26 pts |
| 4th | Ray Martin & D Holmwood | Humber | 24 pts |
| 5th | Ian & Alec Roxburgh | Jowett Javelin | 13 pts |
| 6th | Richard Dresner & Colin Mackenzie | MGB V8 Costello | 8pts |
