Jump to content

Derek Pollock MBE 1926-2019


KevinR

Recommended Posts

The TSSC has sadly learned of the passing of Derek Pollock, MBE.

Derek was President of Club Triumph, having been a leading light in the Triumph scene since first joining the Triumph Sporting Owners Association in 1954. He worked as an underwrite for Lloyds of London and owned his TR4 registered CMV 7A, from new, purchased in 1963.

Derek's contribution to the Triumph scene centred around the now world renowned Round Britain Reliability Run. It all began at Le Mans in 1966, on a club trip when Derek was discussing long distance driving with his close friend Les Mills and so the idea for a 48-hour, 2000 mile non-stop run was born. The first running of the event took place in October that year and ran from London to John O Groats , Lands End and back to London again.

Derek remained a principal organiser until 2002, taking part in it 14 times himself. He introduced the charitable aspect of the event in 1990 and as a result, was awarded the MBE.

Derek suffered a stroke a few weeks ago and had been recovering in hospital. Unfortunately, his condition took a turn for the worse and he passed away at 1pm on Sunday 3rd November 2019.

Darren Sharp, Secretary of Club Triumph says:
'Our thoughts are with his family . I believe we owe so much to Derek, for without him there would be no RBRR . Derek has been in or waving us off at the start of every RBRR and he will be sadly and sorely missed.'

Quote

1966- Whilst watching the Le-mans 24 hour race Club Triumph stalwarts Derek Pollock and Les Mills discussed the “joys of modern motoring” and if indeed it would be possible to drive around Britain in a weekend taking in John O’Groats (JoG) and Lands End and still enjoy it!
Little did they know they had set the ball rolling in creating one of the most iconic driving events still in existence.
Now held every two years by Club Triumph and called the Round Britain Reliability Run -2016 was the fiftieth anniversary of the event

The “Club” back in those days was very much a North London affair thus the Triumph dealership of Broadfields Garage in Cockfosters was chosen as the start finish venue.
Dealerships up and down the country were contacted and enlisted to provide re-fuelling and “rest stops” Les got to work on the route –this was divided into 53 sections, each one having a different average speed requirement according to the conditions, and a maximum and minimum arrival time, if crews kept within these limits they knew they were “on time”

Soon six crews had signed up to the event – each one representing a different model from the then current Triumph range, Broadfields provided a 1300 and Standard Triumph at the last minute providing a 2000

7th October 1966-The group assembled at the Broadfields premises waved off at 7pm by fellow club members, friends and family to start the first edition of what has now become the RBRR.

 

Quote

Some selected quotes from the participants of that first event.

John Graham, known north of the Border as “the interpreter” was the only driver to wear a collar and tie. Inside the garage he was given a glass of champagne by someone who enquired “Don’t you wish you had been on the run?” He has been muttering about this ever since!"

"Perhaps the least useful fact discovered by most crews was that it is not advisable to open cans of coca-cola in a moving car! "

"The honorary secretary, who shared the Triumph 2000, was unable to use the only reclining seat available because the back of the car was full of food, and the press secretary accused by his co-driver in the Triumph 1300 of doing nothing but ear bananas for 48 hours……..!"

The Chairman and Committee of the North London Branch as well as the drivers themselves are well-pleased with their small achievement which, although it required determination, certainly gives the lie to the often expressed theme that it is impossible to enjoy motoring in this country today. It was also a most stimulating experience which most of us are ready to repeat in some form.

We would like to take this opportunity of expressing our warmest possible thanks to some of those who assisted us. In particular, Arnold Bolton, S.T.A.A. General Secretary, who not only organised assistance at many points but who popped up twice during that memorable week-end to encourage us.

Also our thanks to the following garages some of whom opened specially during the wee small hours to provide both cars and drivers with the necessary liquids:- F. Mitchell, Nottingham; Bishops Garage, Corbridge-on-Tyne; J.Ferries & Co., Inverness; Mansefield Service Station, Lanark; College Motors and the Bristol Motor Co., Bristol; Whitfields Garage, Redruth; Motor Macs, Exeter; and last but not least the Broadfilds Garage and Engineering Co., Cockfosters, who filled us up with petrol at the start and champagne at the finish!

Perhaps the most impressive welcome on route was that of the Midland Spitfire Owners’ Club whose line of cars greeted us at the southern end of the M6 and led us unerringly to the M5.

Three o’clock in the morning is not the brightest of hours, but the South West Spitfire Owners’ Club were out in force to see us in and out of Bristol and the East Lothian Spitfire Owners’ Club’s help in foggy Edinburgh, also at around 3 a.m., was most welcome, as was that of the Devon Branch, S.T.A.A., in crowded Exeter. We hope to be able to return the compliment one day!

“1,900 miles in just under 48 hours despite fog and waterlogged conditions in many parts of England and Scotland! That was the marathon completed by members of the North London Branch of the S.T.A.A. early in October. With six normal production cars representing the Standard Triumph range, these amateur drivers spent 46 hours at the wheel and travelled from London via John O’Groats and Lands End back to London at an average speed of 41.3n.p.h. To the unshaven, tired but successful, team who returned to their starting point one October Sunday evening, we say “Well done indeed!”-Derek Pollock 1966

The above makes interesting reading and gives an sepia tinted insight into motoring in the 60s –only 100miles of the M6,finding the M5,driving through major Towns and cities it’s amazing they maintained the 41mph average.

 

image609704.jpg

image609778.jpg

image609779.jpg

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Funeral arrangements picked up from the Club Triumph messageboard

https://club.triumph.org.uk/menu/7546/item/609816/view?messagepage=1#num1

Quote

Derek's funeral will be held at Enfield Crematorium on Saturday 16th November at 11:00. A wake will follow at West Lodge Park Hotel.

If you intend to attend please can you reply to this thread so that we can advise the family of expected numbers.

Also, please let us know if you will be in your Triumph!

Keith

Please note, the responses requested by Keith Bennett are to be posted on the thread on the Club Triumph message board, not this thread here on the TSSC message board.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...