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Over 100 pre-war cars will be on the starting line of the Endurance Rally Association’s sixth Flying Scotsman Rally on Friday 4th April 2014, following a new route that starts in the Midlands, allowing the drivers to experience more of the Scottish Borders and Scotland before finishing 600-miles later in Gleneagles, Perthshire.

The ‘Great Northern’ edition starts at 8am on Friday 4th April from the Forest of Arden Hotel and Country Club, ten miles south of Birmingham, where Bentleys, Lagondas, MGs and Jaguars will be followed by Ford Model As, Rileys and Rolls Royces as they motor towards the north.

After an overnight stop near Blackburn, the journey takes in remote routes through Lancashire and Yorkshire. The second day will see the car cross the border into Scotland, reaching Gleneagles, north of Edinburgh, on Sunday 6th April at around 5pm. The rally is composed of timed sections, test and checkpoints and is the only long-distance rally purely for vintageants. To add to the atmosphere of the rally competitors are encouraged to dress in period, matching the Pre-war style of their cars, with a trophy to be awarded at the gala dinner at Gleneagles.

Philip Young, Endurance Rally Association’s Rally Director, said: “We have entrants coming from all over the UK and Europe, with even Americans, Canadians and Australians taking part, making it a truly international celebration of pre-war motoring. 

“But don’t let the vintage dress they will be wearing fool you. There are plenty of teams who are definitely in it to win it. Entrants will be judged on their performance and reliability and will have to maintain certain average speeds over set distances along the route. Once we hit the road, that's when the competitive spirit will be seen in all its glory.”

Amongst those taking part is the winning team from the 2013 Peking to Paris Rally and the 2012 Trans-America Rally, Phil Garratt and Keiran Brown in their 1932 Alvis Speed 20 who will be hoping to complete a hat-trick of wins.

The oldest car in the Flying Scotsman is the 1912 Chalmers 10 driven by last year’s ‘Pioneer’ division winners Robert Abrey and Brad Webb from the UK, while fellow British team Vincent and Victoria Fairclough claim the youngest motor in action with their 1948 MG TC.

Scrutineering takes place between 12noon and 5pm on Thursday 3rd April where the vehicles are given a final inspection. However supporting the rally is a team of experienced rally mechanics that can cope with almost anything these special cars can throw at them.

The Endurance Rally Association has a track-record of over 60 major international events behind them including the new Alpine Trial 2014, the Road to Mandalay 2015 and the Peking to Paris Motoring Challenge, next held in 2016.

For more information on the Alpine Trial or any future Endurance Rally Association event – call +44 (0) 1235 831221 or visit www.endurorally.com

MOTORSPORT legend John Surtees is set to be the star attraction as one of the world’s biggest and most famous classic motorcycle events returns once again to the Staffordshire County Showground this April. 

The 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show takes place on the weekend of April 26th - 27th and along with the man himself, both the MV Agusta and Ferrari that took Surtees to two- and four-wheeled world championship glory will be in attendance.

James Robinson, editor of the event’s title publication The Classic Motorcycle, said: “What John achieved in both bike and car disciplines is remarkable. He is a real master of machinery and it’s a great honour that he’s chosen to come to Stafford and grace us with his presence. It’ll be fascinating to hear him talk about his wide ranging experiences; surely he’s the only man in the world who was employed by both Enzo Ferrari and Count Agusta, as well as being Mike Hailwood’s boss!” 

Surtees won’t be the only big name new to the show this year though, with former racer and current motorsport TV personality Steve Plater taking the reins from the retiring Dave Craggs as show compere and commentator.

Plater will be on stage regularly throughout the event talking with the guest of honour and presenting awards, and show manager Nick Mowbray said he was delighted to welcome the former British Supersport champion into the fold: “Steve has been at several of our events in recent years and it’s fantastic that he is coming on board as compere for Stafford. We’re especially looking forward to his interaction with John Surtees; those interviews will be excellent.”

It’s not just special guests that’ll be welcomed either, as rows of stunning display machines showcase the very best that the classic world has to offer. Top billing will perhaps go to the one and only Moto Major, an incredible looking, one-off machine built by Italian Salvatore Majorca in 1949 – it’s a bike that has never been seen in the UK before.

James Robinson added: “I’m looking forward to getting in among the private entries and display bikes to see what gems are at the show. The National Motorcycle Museum is back this year, the Rolls-Royce Motorcycle Club is bringing a 1923 Cotton with a 349cc ohc engine which owner Tony Trueman believes to be the only one in existence and the Bonhams auction always has an incredible selection.”

The event will also feature numerous halls packed with traders, manufacturers and autojumbles, and there is live action in the form of the world famous Wall of Death.

Advance tickets for the 34th Carole Nash International Classic MotorCycle Show are on sale now from www.classicbikeshows.com, or can be purchased over the phone by calling 01507 529529 – with an advance one day adult ticket costing £10, a £3 saving on the gate price.

The show is open from 9am – 6pm on Saturday and 9am – 5pm on Sunday. Parking is free.

www.classicbikeshows.com

We were overwhelmed with the response of many of our visitors who passed by (some even queued up) to tell us how much they use and love the website, with tales of places they have visited and stayed at because of THE BIKER GUIDE...

We gave away over 2,000 booklets, 100's of cards, lots of stickers to people who 'asked nicely' (and a few cheeky ones), 100+ lollies to the children (of all ages) and would especially like to thank all the competitions winners who came to say thank you and even brought gifts of fudge, coffee and cake!

A special mention to Gary & Wendy Seddon, Steve & Sam Henshaw, Graham & Zoe Leonard, Theresa Bailey, Joanne Rigby, Dave Nixon and Ria Burnett, Rainy City for the poshest stand, Goldwing Misfits for the most lights on a stand, 1Jac for the best demo of the show, Chunky Tread Motorcycle Adventure Club for the most innovative signs, City of Leather London Ltd, Whistlestop MCC, NABD, Kettle Club, Gawsworth Jesters, Screaminkiwi, SK-Art Photography, Trike Funerals UK - (we like you, but don't really want you), Irving Sweets and to the organisers (Andrew Greenwood and Mellissa Houlding) of this great event which just get better each year!

@ The Manchester Bike Show!