Andrew planning motoring mission in 60s Triumph
Planning might be the day job for local government officer Andrew Ford but he has an epic mission to take him far and beyond his routine Wychavon circuit this autumn.
For he’s signed up for a gruelling 1,900-mile drive around Britain - in just 48 hours - in his classic 1969 Triumph Vitesse as part of a charity fundraiser.
With his son, Tom, as co-driver in this non-stop endurance drive, Andrew will first travel from the start in Knebworth, Hertfordshire to John O’Groats in north-east Scotland. The pair will then motor down through central Wales to Land’s End in Cornwall before making the final leg of the journey back to their starting point.
The pair are among a dedicated group of approximately 90 drivers taking part in the 29th Club Triumph Round Britain Reliability Run over the weekend of 3 and 5 October in aid of Parkinsons UK.
Andrew, Principal Planning Officer with Wychavon, said: “The event has been running biennially since the 1960s in Triumph cars from the period, mainly 60s and 70s models. So, a test for vehicles and drivers, particularly as the latter is of the same vintage!
“I’ve owned the car for 15 years. It is well maintained so should be up to the challenge but I must make sure I take along a few key spare parts. Although I’m not super mechanically minded, cars of this age are much simpler with less to go wrong and repairs can be made at the roadside. Although good breakdown cover is a must!”
This will be the first time Andrew has taken the car any significant distance and although he had been eyeing up the route for some time, he didn’t have a co-driver until Tom, who has just finished university, agreed to join him.
To break up the journey there will be a number of short ‘control’ stops where he will need to sign in and then the two longer stops at John O’Groats and Land’s End where both men and machine will refuel. Driving will be shared between the two every couple of hours while each has the chance to grab some sleep.
Andrew added: “The distance is daunting without doubt and clearly tiring, especially towards the end of the weekend. But we’ll both support each other as we go round, and there is also support and camaraderie from the other crews on the route.”
Visit https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/7bbmV to sponsor Andrew.
Picture: Father and son, Andrew and Tom, are on a mission to travel round Britain in a Triumph Vitesse in 48 hours to raise money for Parkinsons UK.