Allegro Club International

[Paul-V]

Back in the days when Jenny and Craig were riding tricycles and Steve W's wheels were manufactured by Maclaren (pushchair, not F1!), a number of ACI members took their Allegros on a parade lap around Silverstone.

Just a parade, unfortunately, as there was an official track car at the head of the queue restricting everybody to about 25 mph. I shouln't complain too much, though, because it was at that very event that I met my wife for the first time! (Actually, I wasn't even in an Allegro that day, I was passenger in a Marina Estate, so I am not sure what she actually saw in me!!!)

A few months later, some of the more adventurous among us took our Allegros to Santa Pod Raceway (Mr Anglegrinder will remember this!) where I did a trade-off between aerodynamic efficiency and getting a supply of cold air to the twin SU carbs on my Equipe, and completed a 17.5 second quarter mile. Yes, I really did do the run with the bonnet removed!

Many many years later (in 2003, to be precise!), I had the enjoyable experience of riding in the passenger's seat of an Allegro 1500 (Team Baked Bean from our Land's End run) around Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire, during a Mini day.

So now I am thinking, as part of the 'Allegro 35' celebrations, why don't we try some of this again?!

Santa Pod run a 'Retro' day once a year, when you can pit your Allegro against other period machinery, as well as regular 'Run what you brung' days when you are likely to share the strip with a Saxo or Fiesta.

And Castle Combe have the Mini day in September, when it should once again be possible to sneak an Allegro or two on to the track, on the basis that they are blood relatives of the Mini.........


Anybody else up for it?
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But you'd better be quick. Because the Allegro Equipe is a Limited Edition that's going to move like its looks! Vroom, Vroom!

[Jenny Thurston]

Definitely. I'd better hurry up and get a driving licence

On a similar note, if all goes to plan we will be taking Widget round the Top Gear test track in January (see http://www.myrallyforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=6154) as part of a run to the NEC organised by the people who run the European rallies we keep going on. (We plan to stage a breakdown on the outskirts of Birmingham to avoid having to pay the ridiculous entry fee...) I think it's open to anyone, and if any of you feel like coming you could always just say you were considering which rally to do next year but not quite ready to commit

[Paul-V]

Can all of the Princess, SD1 and Dolomite owners give you a shopping list of (water-damaged) parts to collect while you are at the test track??
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But you'd better be quick. Because the Allegro Equipe is a Limited Edition that's going to move like its looks! Vroom, Vroom!

[Jenny Thurston]

Craig wants to do better than that, he still reckons we can sneak off and 'Free the Top Gear Three'

[steve williamson]

WOW!!! that sounds so cool!!!

[Darren Bedworth]

I'd be up for Santa Pod, should have my flamethrower coil and electronic ignition fitted by then!!
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start damn you or I'll thrash you to within an inch of your life!

[Phill]

Track days certainly sound a good idea, I found this whilst browsing and it seems to be more geared to our cars and certainly better value than the usual track days.

http://www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk/classic_sportscaractionday.htm

Just thought it might be of interest.

[Jenny Thurston]

Oooh! Track passes for £25, but not clear if you get anything more for that than a chance to parade around slowly at lunchtime as a club?