25-11-2010, 11:07 PM
I thought that I would share this for those that are into classic Citroens.
This is the story of my grandfather who entered the 1951 Tulpen (Tulip) Rallye in a Citroen Traction Avant. The event was, at the time, one of the most gruelling and arduous rallies in Europe. The race was unsupported and covered a route of somewhere around 2,000 km from Holland to western France, down to Monaco, then back across to the snow covered Alps, crossing the mountains, then back through France returning to the finish in Holland again. The event was won by Ian Appleyard in the famous Jaguar XK120 "NUB 120".
My grandfather decided that he would take some time off work to partake, told his boss he was having some time off,and entered the Rally driving his totally standard, company car with a couple of mates coming along for the ride. He joined Class One (1500cc and over) which included a number of XK120's, Ferrari, Porsche, Allard, Bristol, Healy, Mercedes and many other illustrious marques.
During the Rallye, he said that while crossing the Alps, Appleyard's XK120 would fly past him on the straights, but he would pass him under braking and through the corners!
He went on to finish 19th in class, and without any penalty points which was a phenomenal achievement given the circumstances and something, that as a family we remain extremely proud of.
[Image: Traction.jpg]
Many years later as a pensioner, he went on to try and teach me the finer arts of cornering, heel and toe braking, and how to "flick" and opposite lock around a corner, all while I was still on "L" plates.
This is the story of my grandfather who entered the 1951 Tulpen (Tulip) Rallye in a Citroen Traction Avant. The event was, at the time, one of the most gruelling and arduous rallies in Europe. The race was unsupported and covered a route of somewhere around 2,000 km from Holland to western France, down to Monaco, then back across to the snow covered Alps, crossing the mountains, then back through France returning to the finish in Holland again. The event was won by Ian Appleyard in the famous Jaguar XK120 "NUB 120".
My grandfather decided that he would take some time off work to partake, told his boss he was having some time off,and entered the Rally driving his totally standard, company car with a couple of mates coming along for the ride. He joined Class One (1500cc and over) which included a number of XK120's, Ferrari, Porsche, Allard, Bristol, Healy, Mercedes and many other illustrious marques.
During the Rallye, he said that while crossing the Alps, Appleyard's XK120 would fly past him on the straights, but he would pass him under braking and through the corners!
He went on to finish 19th in class, and without any penalty points which was a phenomenal achievement given the circumstances and something, that as a family we remain extremely proud of.
[Image: Traction.jpg]
Many years later as a pensioner, he went on to try and teach me the finer arts of cornering, heel and toe braking, and how to "flick" and opposite lock around a corner, all while I was still on "L" plates.
2005 Berlingo Multispace 1.6i Desire (Iron Grey)
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
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