HISTORIC ENDURANCE RACING
ORGANISATION
1000 Miles High! New event receives great acclaim. The Royal Automobile Club in association with the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation have received high praise for the first running of the historic 1000 Mile Trial in modern times.
This landmark event saw an entry of the highest quality, some of the vehicles being truly unique with provenance that is second to none. Starting from the sublime surroundings of Woodcote Park, Epsom, the country club house of The Royal Automobile Club, the cars were displayed on the cedar lawn for the first test of the event, the Concours d‟Equipement where a judging panel included the Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, Tom Purves, Octane international Editor Robert Coucher and Co-Managing Director of HERO Tomas de Vargas Machuca.
This landmark event saw an entry of the highest quality, some of the vehicles being truly unique with provenance that is second to none. Starting from the sublime surroundings of Woodcote Park, Epsom, the country club house of The Royal Automobile Club, the cars were displayed on the cedar lawn for the first test of the event, the Concours d‟Equipement where a judging panel included the Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, Tom Purves, Octane international Editor Robert Coucher and Co-Managing Director of HERO Tomas de Vargas Machuca.
The prize went to Alan and Tina Beardshaw‟s 1934 MG K3.
The following day, it was Mr Tom Purves who flagged the cars off using the very same flagthatwas used to set off the cars in the original run in the year 1900.Once on their way, the crews visited many of the UK‟s finest stately homes and hotels along its seven day route. The publicresponse was overwhelming, with many villages turning out in period costume and fancy dressto welcome the competitors, some villages even holding street parties to honour the event.Amongst the social highlights was a formal dinner held on board the Royal Yacht Britannia – An event partner, where competitors were greeted by the traditional sound of bag pipes uponarrival and treated to a private tour of the world famous royal vessel, before sumptuous champagne cocktails and a formal dinner in the Royal Yacht‟s State Dining Room.
The 2014 1000 Mile Trial was won by John Abel & Martyn Taylor in a 1937 Lagonda LG 45, with their dominance apparent from day one. Charles Graves & Ron Palmer took second overall in a 1937 Bentley Derby Special, narrowly holding off the much fancied Alastair Caldwell & Catriona Rings in their beautiful Alfa Romeo 6C Superleggera, who in turn narrowly piped Sue Shoosmith/Trina Harley to fourth in their 1928 Bentley 3 ¼. Rounding up the top five were Tomas de Vargas Machuca partnered by Ryan Pickering in a 1937 AC March 16/80 Special. This year‟s 1000 Mile Trial was the fourth round of The HERO Cup for drivers in association with EFG International Bank and also the fourth round of The Golden Roamer Trophy for navigators in association with The Basic Roamer Company.
The seven day adventure started from Woodcote Park and wound its way clockwise around the UK with overnight halts at Tewkesbury, Preston, Edinburgh, Slaley, Leeds and Silverstone. Along the route visits were made to The Vineyard-Stockcross, Rowton Castle, Shropshire, Arley Hall, Bowhill House, Alnwick Castle, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle and Belvoir Castle before returning to a sumptuous prize-giving ceremony and gala dinner at Woodcote Park
Amongst the almost fifty classic vehicles taking part were a Triumph Dolomite 8C from 1934, built and competed by Donald Healey, Malcolm Campbell‟s Aston Martin Le Mans, the very first Alfa Romeo 6C Superleggera and the first ever „works‟ Bentley to be ever entered in the Le Mans 24 Hour race.
Tom Purves, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club said: „The Royal Automobile Club is proud to have revived the 1000 Mile Trial event which, in 1900, demonstrated the importance of the automobile to future generations by visiting some of the major cities in the United Kingdom along its route. The 2014 event allowed today‟s generation the opportunity to look back and enjoy the cars from our past as they made their way up to Edinburgh and back to Woodcote Park. We are indebted to the participants, marshals, officials and our partner HERO Events, who contributed to making this a successful event.‟
Tom Purves, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club said: „The Royal Automobile Club is proud to have revived the 1000 Mile Trial event which, in 1900, demonstrated the importance of the automobile to future generations by visiting some of the major cities in the United Kingdom along its route. The 2014 event allowed today‟s generation the opportunity to look back and enjoy the cars from our past as they made their way up to Edinburgh and back to Woodcote Park. We are indebted to the participants, marshals, officials and our partner HERO Events, who contributed to making this a successful event.‟
Patrick Burke, Co-Managing Director of HERO, said: We could not be happier with the way the event has been received and we are immensely grateful to all of our event partners (The Royal Automobile Club in particular, but also Hagerty, Octane, The Royal Yacht Britannia and EFG International Bank) for their support and for making this event as historic as the original 1000 Mile Trial. The general public has also been incredibly supportive and I had the honour of meeting the descendents of one of the motoring pioneers who took part in the original 1900 event at Alnwick Castle. This display of support and solidarity along with the camaraderie that was apparent amongst the crews made the event very special indeed.
Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Co-Managing Director of HERO said: “It was great to see such a diversity of cars and crews coming from all over the globe from Portugal to Australia to take part on this event. We tried to take crews to as many of the original venues and roads used in 1900 but also other great locations. We encountered virtually no traffic throughout the week and visited superb locations. The event offered a balance between the need for competitive sections and great venues and hospitality. The weather did the rest, I am confident the 1000 2015 edition will be another great event.”
Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Co-Managing Director of HERO said: “It was great to see such a diversity of cars and crews coming from all over the globe from Portugal to Australia to take part on this event. We tried to take crews to as many of the original venues and roads used in 1900 but also other great locations. We encountered virtually no traffic throughout the week and visited superb locations. The event offered a balance between the need for competitive sections and great venues and hospitality. The weather did the rest, I am confident the 1000 2015 edition will be another great event.”
Event Director; Jeremy Dickson added. “There is always something special about the first time an event is run and having been fortunate to be involved in the first running of the Classic Marathon, Winter Challenge and Rally of the Tests I would say that the re-running of the 1000 Mile Trial after a lengthy break was equally as special, there was an instant camaraderie from the moment we all met at Woodcote Park and that developed throughout the week. We received tremendous support from the Royal Automobile Club and the facilities at Woodcote Park were amongst the best we have had for any event. The 1000 Mile Trial should have as strong a future as the events I cut my teeth on which are still going strong after many years!”
About H.E.R.O
The Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (H.E.R.O.) is a classic car club recognised by the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (the MSA - the official governing body for motor sport in the UK, affiliated to the FIA) and, through its membership of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, is affiliated to FIVA - the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens. A classic car endurance rallying club that dates over eighteen years, HERO has organized more than 130 events (trials and tours) especially for classic cars. HERO also offers a wide range of services such as the Arrive & Drive classic/rally car hire program, corporate and bespoke event planning and organisation, storage and transport logistic, a Premier Membership that offers discounts throughout its network of Partners; making it a truly integrated one stop shop platform. For more information please visit: www.heroevents.eu or
The Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (H.E.R.O.) is a classic car club recognised by the Royal Automobile Club Motor Sports Association (the MSA - the official governing body for motor sport in the UK, affiliated to the FIA) and, through its membership of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs, is affiliated to FIVA - the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens. A classic car endurance rallying club that dates over eighteen years, HERO has organized more than 130 events (trials and tours) especially for classic cars. HERO also offers a wide range of services such as the Arrive & Drive classic/rally car hire program, corporate and bespoke event planning and organisation, storage and transport logistic, a Premier Membership that offers discounts throughout its network of Partners; making it a truly integrated one stop shop platform. For more information please visit: www.heroevents.eu or
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