173 replies to this topic

[Gord2000]

 

We have just announced the date for the 2015 borders rally, a mini-only navigational event with daytime tests organised by Mini Cooper Register but also open to members of other motor clubs.

 

There are 3 levels of navigation catering for all abilities, as follows

 

Experts: Map extracts, tulips, 8 figure map references, map features, grid lines, spot heights, herringbones, compass points and map features (e.g. bridges, watercourses)

Newcomers: Mainly map extracts but also tulips and a few of the types above.

Novices: Again, mainly map extracts but may also include other nav. notably tulips.

 

Examples of past navigation can be found here

 http://www.northumbe....co.uk/regs.htm

 

Our aim for the event is to make it as welcoming and friendly as we can. No prior experience is required for the novice “Tynedale Rally” while the Expert class on the borders attracts some of the top mini crews in the country.

No modifications to the car are required; in 2013 the car that came 2nd overall was a bog standard mini studio.

 

I hope to see some of you out on the event this year.

 

Gordon

Edited by Gord2000, 30 April 2015 - 11:50 AM.

[surfblue63]

This is one of the best kept secrets of the Mini scene. I've been involved with the event for the past 6 years and it gets better and better each year. 

 

This is a great event for people to dip a toe into navigational rallying because the Novices and Newcomers navigation is fairly simple to follow.

 

You also do not need a full on competition car, as long as your car meets the requirements of the MSA Blue Book for this type of event then you can enter. All the details for the event can be found at http://www.northumbe...co.uk/index.htm

[surfblue63]

By the way, we are always looking for volunteers to help out with marshalling, so if you want to get a bit of first hand experience of a rally then please follow the links on the site.

 

Here's a montage of stills from last years off road tests

 

 

 

and here's a video of the tests in 2013

 

[Cooperman]

Here is a photo from the Pirelli Classic Marathon in 1989. I thought it might be of interest

John Chatham's big Healey 300 plus the Mini team entry of Paddy Hopkirk, Alistair Vines and my 'S' at the back. It's taken in Cortina d'Ampezzo in N.Italy. That was at the start of historic rallying. Cec Offley was driving my 'S', it was a 1968 car which I sold later, and I was navigating.

 

[Cooperman]

Here is another2  good rally Mini photos.

Who knows what the other car is. The Mini was my son's 998 fitted with a 970 'S' engine.

 

[A-Cell]

Here is another2  good rally Mini photos.
Who knows what the other car is. The Mini was my son's 998 fitted with a 970 'S' engine.
 

The other car reg 4 FTM is a Vauxhall VX4/90.

[Cooperman]

Correct. A genuine ex-works car which was found, restored & owned by my good friend Colin Field. In fact I was navigating him on that event and we were 3rd overall (but first on 'scratch' - it was handicapped).

[nocerb]

We are car 119 on the Mewla Rally which uses the Epynt Military Training area this Sunday. With another mini at 120 we should have some fairly close competition on the day.

[Cooperman]

We are car 119 on the Mewla Rally which uses the Epynt Military Training area this Sunday. With another mini at 120 we should have some fairly close competition on the day.

Have a great rally. Epynt has always been a 'magic' place for rallying. Good luck.