From July 13 to 18, the so-called 1000 Mile Trial took place once again in Great Britain. 45 teams set off on a journey through England and Wales. This included countless challenging test drives, but also plenty of luxury and relaxation in the most beautiful places and castles in Great Britain.
Successful defense of first place
The winners of this year's 1000 Mile Trial had already been allowed to climb to the top of the podium last year; John Abel and Martyn Taylor won the five-day rally in their 1937 Lagonda LG 45. However, victory was not obvious. After the start, William Medcalf and Dan Harrison had pulled away from the rest, but problems with their Bentley at Lake Vyrnwy soon dropped them back to second place, giving the win to Abel and Martyn. Paul Crosby and Andy Pullan finished in third place with their Arrive & Drive AC 16/80 March Special.
Anticipation despite gloomy weather
41 vehicles had gathered at the Royal Automobile Club headquarters on the first of the six days of the event. The weather in Woodcote Park was a little gray and gloomy, but nobody let that put them off, because the route would have a lot to offer and the participants were looking forward to it.
Exclusive vehicles at the start
The field of vehicles was once again diverse this year. From the Austin Seven Super 750 to the Mercedes-Benz 500K Cabriolet A, which had already won an award at Villa d'Este, everything was there. The most beautiful and exclusive vehicles had found their way to Epsom, where the rally started and finished.
Highlights in the vehicle field included an Alfa Romeo 6C Mille Miglia Supercharged, which had once served as a farm's chicken transporter, an ex-Donald Healey Triumph Dolomite 8C and the ex-Tazio Nuvolari Bugatti Type 37A.
Short first stage
The first stage was still relatively short and took the participants from Woodcote Park to the village of Hook near Hampshire, where they spent the night at Tylney Hall Castle.
Right from the start, there was an exciting duel at the front between Abel/Taylor and Medcalf/Harrison, which the latter won.
Chasing seconds
The first full day of rallying awaited the teams on the second day. Starting from Tylney Hall, they headed north to Coventry and Coombe Abbey with just five seconds separating the top five teams.
At the lunch stop at Blenheim Palace, the vehicles were lined up in the forecourt of the mighty palace. The participating vehicles soon attracted a curious crowd of people who admired the historic cultural assets. The crowds remained loyal to the rally participants right to the finish line.
There was also a lot of interest in Coombe Abbey, even the local BBC radio station came to interview the teams and organizers. As time went on, more and more people were seen along the route, cheering on the teams and admiring the beautiful cars.
It goes on
On the third day, the battle for the top places was once again fierce. Crosby and Pullan were in second place overall, Crofton and Bent had slipped to fifth place and John Ruston and Jeremy Haylock had also moved up into the front ranks during the course of the rally in their Talbot 105 Alpine.
Lunch was taken at the magnificent Chatsworth House, where a number of people had gathered again to greet the teams. According to the staff at the house, they had never had so many visitors here at the country castle during the week, which wasof course due to the 1000 Mile Trial.
A detour to Wales
The tide turned on day 4. Chester was left behind and the participants crossed the border into Wales. It was here that Medcalf and Harrison were hit, they had arrived too early at the marshals and subsequently picked up enough penalty points to drop back to second place behind Abel/Taylor.
The scenery in Wales was stunning, the rain of the last few days had receded and so the competitors were able to enjoy views over the Horseshoe Pass, World's End and Tanat Valley before heading on to Gregynog Hall for lunch.
In the afternoon they stopped again at Croft Castle, where a jazz band greeted the teams before they faced two more regularity tests at two beautiful locations, Shelsley Walsh and later Impney Castle, where they spent the night.
Final spurt
The fifth stage led pretty much straight from Impney Castle to Goodwood, with a stop at the Slaughters Inn for a coffee and lunch at the elegant Wilton House, where another stage awaited the teams.
After midday, the Crofton and Bent team struggled with dynamo problems, but were able to return to the race relatively quickly after a repair by their own rally mechanics, albeit only in 13th place. Abel and Taylor were still in first place, with Medcalf/ Harrison and Crosby/ Pullan battling for second place.
Revenge is sweet
When the teams left Goodwood again, the mood was somewhat subdued. However, a joke by one of the competitors caused joy and laughter; Turner and Cusson's Triumph Dolomite 8C had been completely covered in aluminum foil overnight, causing great confusion the next morning. But revenge is sweet and the culprit's car was soon filled with bales of straw, which were cut open and turned the entire vehicle into a tweaking haystack.
Champagne and happy faces
Back at the impressive Woodcote Park, the champagne was flowing and many club members and guests had come to greet the teams at the finish line. It had once again been a hard-fought rally, with Abel and Taylor emerging as proud winners for the second time.
In 2016, the Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial will return with a new venue and a new route.
