TSSC International Family Weekend

The International Family Weekend has become a defining part of the TSSC, giving members the opportunity to meet up in an extravaganza of fun, entertainment and above all Triumphs! The 2009 event was an important year with a celebration of a half century of the Triumph Herald. A small car that has won the hearts of countless owners and has proven to be as enduring as it is versatile. The stage was set for a celebration for not only the Herald’s 50 years of motoring but for our club that was founded on its ability to transform itself into a remarkable range of cars. The weekend was also playing host to the TR6 40^th anniversary. A car with a dedicated following, with its handsome Karmann looks and its powerful 2.5 straight six power plant it is without doubt a potent mix that provokes an impassioned enjoyment from owners around the world. In all the 2009 International weekend was going to be an event that would be remembered for many years to come.

The event opened on the Friday with a steady stream of club members arriving with their Triumphs packed full of camping gear. The camping fields sprawled out into a metropolis of tents, Area groups staking their ground with flags and banners with old friends greeting each other with an excitement of the weekend ahead. The events entertainment started on the Friday night with a Vide.o Race Night in the pavilion Bar hosted by West Midlands AO, Roger Haywood. The evening was well received with many area groups sponsoring their race and lots of yelling of encouragement for their horses. We also had a visit from the TSSC Pimped out Santa delivering lots of treats and goodies. The Tote was run by the St Johns Ambulance and raised well over £500 for the evening

Saturday morning was awoke with Clare Hills hi-de-hi style announcements over the tannoy beckoning all the Heralds to Bingley Hall much to the dismay of many who had been over indulging in some liquid refreshments the night before. The display fields started to fill and the auto jumble gathered with a promise of that allusive part. The doors opened for the start of the Saturdays display. On entering the main hall you were treated to a reconstruction of the 1959 Earls Court display. The Chassis gently rotating as it did some 50 years ago. Along side there was the cutaway Coupe on loan from the Coventry Motor Museum giving a fascinating insight of how the car was constructed. Flanked by a 948 Saloon and a full coupe. In the main arena there was a sea of Heralds, one car to represent each and every model ever produced supported by as many Heralds that could be squeezed into Bingley Hall. A particular interest was shown to the four door prototype saloon that is a part of the clubs collection and is permanently on display at the club HQ, Sunderland Court and the four door Standard Gazelle Estate from India.

Meanwhile outside there was an inter area it’s a knock out challenge hosted by Jonathan Ingram and TSSC Northants and a driving skills experience. After a long day trying to take in as much as possible it was nice to relax with a therapeutic massage and a cup of tea on the baloney café and just watch the Hustle and bustle of the event below.

Saturday Night was when the event hit full swing. Party goers dressed in their Christmas themed costumes and headed up to the fun fair to ride the dodgems, aqua slide, get lost in the hall of mirrors and then party with the two live bands rocking the night away and then a disco late into the night.

Sunday morning the concours preparation was underway. With around 50 cars entered, the TSSC International Concours is the biggest and most prestigious in the Triumph World attracting the finest cars and the most fierce competition. In one of the side halls a full Stag hood replacement demonstration was under way showing all the tricks of the trade. In the next hall cars lined up for the agreed insurance valuation. The concours judging continued throughout the day as nervous owners paced up and down awaiting their turn. In the mean time some took the opportunity to take a scenic drive though the Staffordshire country side or headed down to the Lawn mower racing to see Rorey McGrath and Patrick McGuinness wrestling a race prepared lawn mower around the track. 4.00 loomed for the event and Concours presentations. All to soon the time had come to pack down and prepare for the long drive back home for another year.

The International Weekend 2009 was without doubt a vintage year. Fun, laughter, tears and tantrums, its all part of the TSSC International Weekend. Under the management and guidance of Claire and Nigel Hill and the hard but enjoyable work of a hidden army of volunteers who make the weekend seem like it happens all by itself. We all owe a great debt of gratitude. Also a very big thank you to the club staff who work tirelessly all year round to make sure an event like the International is possible The show has taken on a new heart and soul and has grown to a new height.

We can now look forward to a great 2010 International Weekend to be held at Staffordshire County Showground on 20^th-22^nd August.