The 14th Regis TAP (Tour And Picnic)
Chris Need and Lisa Robinson lead away the crews at 10.01am in their 1926 Frazer Nash Fast Tourer
The 8th Regis TAP, car tour and picnic has raised thousands of pounds for Sussex Air Ambulance. This non-competitive tour took place on Sunday, September 2nd. The tour was sponsored for the seventh year by Kevin and Robert Law of Orchard Restorations of Heathfield. It was a day showcasing an amazing array of vehicles, from a 1926 Frazer Nash Fast Tourer and a 1927 Alvis 12/50 SD, 12 Austin Healey's, a very rare 1956 Daimler Drophead Coupe and a Dart SP250, Sunbeam Rapier, variants of Triumphs, MG and Minis. Many other British and European marques were also entered, plus a Ford Model A and Mustang plus some different eras of Cobra. The start was hosted by the team at Great Ballard School, Eartham, Nr Chichester. The 104-mile route headed north through the countryside, to the lunchtime visit this year at Farnborough Air Sciences Trust (FAST).
Within half a mile of the FAST museum, the B.Y.O Picnic stop was at the most unusual venue of The Hub at Farnborough Business Park where participants had the opportunity to picnic under the arches of the original Airship Hanger Framework, however, the sun was so warm that most people found a place around the plaza in the shade to enjoy their picnic.
Driver’s Briefing before the cars left after breakfast outside Great Ballard School
Ron & Sheila Biles, from Westbury leaving the picnic stop at The Hub, Farnborough Business Park, in their beautiful 1972 Lancia Fulvia Zagato.
The private cream tea and visit this year was at the heathland garden developed around old sand quarries at Champs Hill, Coldwaltham. There is an extensive collection of over 300 heathers and dwarf conifers sprinkled with beautiful animal statues. This is normally only open under the National Garden Scheme a few times a year, so the participants were very fortunate that the owner, Mrs Bowerman, agreed to the visit. She hosted the afternoon cream tea through the Bowerman Charitable Trust. This helped to boost our fundraising for Sussex Air Ambulance no end and we are very grateful for her generous support of the tour this year.
BRMC Club Chairman Mark Saunders with his parents in his 1979 Datsun Cherry Estate arriving at Champs Hill Gardens
Crews enjoying their cream tea in the sunshine at Champs Hill Gardens where they could admire some of the wonderful sculptures arranged around the garden.
Some of the crews parked up at The Tithe Barn before sampling the fabulous Hog Roast
The last leg took crews through the lanes with views of the South Downs to The Tithe Barn at Old Ditcham Park Farm for a delicious hog roast with salads catered by Matt’s Hog Roasts and cash bar with live music from the Chichester based Tom Belbin Trio.
The auction and raffle raised more than £1,000, with prizes, many from local companies, including Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Temple Spa, The Spitfire Experience at Wisborough Green, The Body Shop atChichester, Edgcumbe’s Tea and Coffee at Ford, Autosports Gallery, Motorsport Magazine, SussexLife, Autoglym plus donated items from participants.
The final figure raised from this year’s tour for Sussex Air Ambulance is the amazing sum of £5,200.00. Overall the previous 8 years of the tour have raised over £32,100.00 for good causes.
Yummy Hog Roast being consumed by hungry crews at the finish.
Following the success of this 8th Regis TAP, the Organising team have already booked The Tithe Barn at Old Ditcham Farm, Nr Petersfield for the finish of The 9th Regis TAP on Sunday 1st September 2019.
Entries will open for the 9th event at The Historic Rally Car Register’s Open Day on Saturday 12th January 2019. Priority will be given first to previous entrants. The Organising Team are proposing some new exciting venues and another fabulously scenic route giving crews a great value day out in the countryside whilst raising vital funds for Sussex Air Ambulance.
All photos courtesy of Mick Briggs
Thanks to all our wonderful venues for allowing our visit, you were all amazing!
