Morris Minor Owners Club

I am contemplating entering my car into the 'Working Minor' class at this year's National Rally.

How do they judge the cars? I presume that they take mileage into account - and perhaps MOTs? I have covered over 15,000 miles in my Minor over the past year - but last year's first MOT test yielded a good couple of pages of failure points. Would I stand a fighting chance of doing well? I'd only be in-it-to-win-it!

Digressing to another point...
I can hear a high-pitched, low volume squeaking noise that increases in volume/pitch as the engine revs higher. The noise often disappears after the engine has warmed up. Is this a sign that the bearings in the dynamo are wearing out? (I have applied oil through the access hole and it does seem to have mildly reduced the noise, although it has not been eradicated). If it is, can I replace the bearings?

Thanks in anticipation.

Enter the car - nothing to lose! And yes - the dynamo bearings could be screeching and can be oiled, but are you sure it's not just a loose fan belt ? The bearings are plain bushes, and unusual to have to change them - but it is of course possible.

Ah right, I'll check the fan belt tension when I do the annual service next week - so will see then.

Do you know by any chance how they jusge the Working Minors?

Ryan

This was a response provided by Sandy Hamilton in 2006:

For Working Minors the Judge(s) will consider the Minor displaying the highest annual mileage and length of service in the same ownership AND in the best overall condition. Given that the youngest Minor is at least 35 years old true originality is likely to be rare and most Minors will have been updated and/or restored. In the event of a tie priority will be given to the vehicle retaining the most original features and/or closest to the original specification bearing in mind the overall and annual mileage.

I don't know if the rules have changed since but I imagine they will be broadly the same in that yearly mileage and condition will be a factor. You need to provide the last 3 years MOT certificates and have completed a minimum of 5,000 miles in the last year. As for whether you stand a fighting chance of doing well you won't know until you see the other entrants

i could enter mine then as a working minor

I ticked the box on the entry form - so we'll see what happens!