July 13th-18th 2015
Having won "rally of the year" in 2014, The Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial is back in 2015 with many of the same unique cars and a whole new group of magnificent machinery.
From the 13th-18th July, these legends will be driving around the UK, including handling and navigation tests, plain rolling down some fantastic roads and stopping off at some equisite hotels.
A 1930 Bentley Speed Six "Old Number Three" - It is one of only four genuine racing examples in remarkably good order, still retaining its original engine, transmission and chassis. Just an example of the quality of cars which will be taking part on this prestigious event.
Route Outline
Sunday 12th July 2015
You are welcomed to Woodcote Park, the splendid country home of The Royal Automobile Club and invited to present your vehicle for scrutineering before driving it on to the manicured elegance of the Cedar Lawn where judging for the Concours d’Elegance will take place. As evening approaches, the traditional welcome dinner in the Cedar Room will allow you to meet and get to know your fellow competitors.
Monday 13th July 2015
After breakfast, the road book for the upcoming 1000 Mile Trial will be issued for crews to start their preparations and after a drivers briefing and buffet lunch at Woodcote Park, the first car will leave the start and attempt the Captain’s Drive test before taking in a further three regularities and a driving test at the home of Top Gear, Dunsfold Aerodrome. This first, short day will end at Tylney Hall, a grade two listed building where you will have time to enjoy the surroundings and gardens that were landscaped by no other than Gertrude Jekyll. Tylney reputedly has the longest un-interrupted view in Hampshire, affording you some breath taking moments as the sun goes down on the first day’s competition. Read about the overnight venues.
Tuesday 14th July 2015
After leaving Tylney, the route heads north, today there are five regularities and three driving tests to be attempted during the second day’s competition. Lunch will be served at Blenheim Palace, cars will enter this marvel of Baroque architecture and birthplace of Winston Churchill via the Grand Bridge before parking in the majestic presence of the home of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. Driving tests will take place at Bicester Heritage, partner of the Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial and Wilton Mill Kart Circuit where you will be able to enjoy some refreshments while watching your other competitors tackling the test before making your way to a very special evening at Coombe Abbey. Read about the overnight venues
Wednesday 15th July 2015
This will be a ‘Testing’ day! The possibility of up to four driving tests means we may have an earlier start to today. Coffee will be served at the National Arboretum and with a little time added in to allow you to explore the 150 acres of the site, we are sure this will be a popular stop with competitors. We have an exciting test planned at Curborough Sprint Course before your lunch will be served in the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, the splendid Chatsworth House, but don’t stay too long as we have some wonderful driving country to cover! Taking in the Peak District, the driving is the focus as we pass through quaint villages and stunning scenery such as the Goyt Valley before wending our way to Cheshire and a final test before staying the night near Chester. Read about the overnight venues.
Thursday 16th July 2015
Marching through the Marches is the order of the day today! You start to head south again and run through some of the lanes and roads that could only belong to Wales, we have a very special section of road that will delight you with the views and the scenery it holds before you take coffee at Lake Vyrnwy, today is quite busy with five regularities and four tests situated along the Welsh Marches as the first line suggests. Lunch is served at Gregynog Hall with its grade one listed gardens and history dating back to the 12th century, where the poets of Welsh Princes first made reference to its outstanding natural beauty. Exiting Wales, there is a visit to Croft Castle, as well as some very strong military (Commando and Special Forces) ties, the Croft family have a fine motor sport pedigree with family members campaigning Alvis vehicles in years gone by. We then have a treat for the drivers, one of the highlights of last year was a charge up Shelsley Walsh- we couldn’t pass so close and not let you have a chance to sample the oldest continuously used motor sport venue in the world. Make sure your vehicle has had a tune up to tackle the sometimes 1 in 6 gradient! The fourth day comes to a close at Chateau Impney, built between 1885-1887 at a cost then of £21,000. Chateau Impney was inspired by the Palace of Versailles and the chateaux of the Loire Valley. In the 1950’s and 60’s a popular hill climb was established here. The course was brought back into use in 2014 and we will be one of the first events to use the revived course. Read about the overnight venues.
Friday 17th July 2015
Leaving Wales and the Border counties behind, today is once again busy with five regularities and four tests to tackle before we reach our home for the night on the south coast of England. The change in scenery will be dramatic as the leafy lanes of the Cotswolds give way to Oxfordshire and finally Hampshire on this, the last full day of competition. The Slaughter Inn, at Lower Slaughter on the banks of the River Eye is a favourite haunt of the 1000 Mile Trial and we’ll have coffee here before heading on via some regularities around the New Forest to take lunch at the fabulous Wilton Hall where Lord Pembroke welcome us to his home, the stage for the now annual Wilton Classic and Supercar event. The final action of Friday will take place on and around the South Downs before we head to yet another highlight of the Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial – an overnight at The Goodwood Hotel set in the heart of Lord March’s estate.
Saturday 18th July 2015
Sussex has a beauty of its own, in summer there is no place quite like it, quintessentially English the beauty and atmosphere of this unique place was summed up by Roy Salvadori, “Give me Goodwood on a summer’s day and you can keep the rest.” Some testament from a man who took part in 50 Grand Prix and won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Man. The day starts with a regularity in the South Downs before returning to Goodwood for two driving tests, where fellow competitors will be able to watch the action over a coffee. Heading back towards Woodcote Park, a light lunch at a nice pub will set you up nicely for the final driving test of the 2015 Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial, a run down the Captain’s Drive where you will be welcomed by competitors and members of the Club alike. With a little time to relax and reflect on the adventure you have just taken part in, a glass of champagne will welcome you over the finish before the Gala Presentation Dinner takes place that evening in the Cedar The team at Hero Events have been planning ever since the moment the 1000 Mile Trial finished last year to put together this year's run.
This is a mighty task as they delivered on all fronts last year - great rallying, exquisite accommodation and in the middle of it all, some of the finest British culture including an evening on HMY Britannia.
There are so many remarkable cars envolved from a 5ltr 1935 Mercedes 500k right through to a 1933 Morgan Three Wheeler. Arguably some of the most beautiful cars ever built such as the 1934 Triumph Dolomite 8C - check out the competirors profiles at: http://www.heroevents.eu/Events/1000MT/2015/CP/?utm_source=smartmessages.net&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=RAC+1000+Mile+Trial&utm_content=979584
Here is a BBC video (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-28277515) of of one of the cars, a 1934 M45 Lagonda, which has been in the the Mann family since new.
Hero Events, the Historic Endurance Events Organisation are running events nearly every month, go here for more details of this event and more: www.heroevents.eu
