World Archery World Cup Classic Car Rally
Report and Photos by Terry Cleaver
Gleaming classic cars arrived at Dover Transport
Museum last Sunday 5th August morning to get ready to set off in a rally for the last day of the Archery World
Cup. A variety of vehicles were present from a 1936 Austin, to Morris Minors, Minis, Humbers; even unusual three wheelers
and bubble cars showing a unique display of vehicles through the ages.
Members of the Folkestone Automobile Club and
the Kent Timewarp Car and Costume Group, based in Dover, were also present. The latter giving us an insight into the fashions
of historical periods gone by. At 11.30am in the mid morning sunshine all the cars went in convoy from the Transport Museum
at Whitfield down the A2 to the Duke of York's School managing to slow down the fast bypass into a slow Sunday jaunt, much
to the surprise of other more modern drivers.
At midday at the historical backdrop of the Duke
of York's school and to the noise of archery competitions echoing throughout the grounds, the rally of shiny vehicles entered
the grounds lining up ready for the Mayor's judging for favourite car. Bob Markham, town mayor undertook this extremely hard
challenge finally opting for a 1959 Humber Sniper owned by Tony Hodkin and giving him his award from P&O Ferries. Afterwards
Mayor Bob Markham also tried his hand at the 'wheel' of the Humber posing for a number of photographs with his favourite vehicle
wishing it was his.
The Kent Timewarp Car and Costume Group, based
in Dover created quite a stir in their historical fashions including those from the 1930s, 1950s and 60s present on the day
as they walked around the grounds giving us a historical 'cat walk' throughout the day. The notion behind this is to raise
money for local charities, of which the group has raised money for many including Dover's Gateway Hospital Broadcasting Service.
This year's chosen charity however is the Dover
Volunteering Bureau from which they were raising money for on the day. Group spokesperson Tony Cleaver said ''I am thrilled
with the turn out today, the clothes have been most impressive and I thank everyone for supporting the group with their donations
for local charities”. The Kent Timewarp can be found at a number of classic car shows and events across Kent focusing
on promoting Dover with tourism displays and giving us an insight into days gone by with historical costumes and mobile museums
within their displays. These include period newspapers, radios and other household memorabilia to bring back memories from
yesteryear. More information on them can be found at their website: http://kenttimewarp.tripod.com
A number of archery competitions took place during
the day, against a backdrop of stalls from all groups including the Dover Loyalty Card Scheme and the chance for the family
to become Robin Hood through trying their hand at the archery itself. The day ended to the intense sounds of the final competition
of the American and British men teams continuing as the cars headed home.
Pictures coming soon....
Below is a video filmed by Mike McFarnell at the event which
he is allowing us to place on the site. It will be on the 2007 Dover Video.
Click it to play:
