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The 11th Flying Scotsman 2019

5 – 7 April 2019

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The 11th Flying Scotsman Vintage Motor Rally 2019

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 April, 2019

To view the Spectator Information for the 2019 Flying Scotsman, click on the ‘Spectator Information’ tab above.

Quality Endures

Unlike so much in modern life, quality endures, such as the finest vintage motorcars and the real steam-powered Flying Scotsman. The same, dare we say it, applies to great motoring adventures. Built on the rock solid concept and foundations that the ERA founder, Philip Young, laid down a decade ago we have a lot to live up to. It’s no small responsibility but the accolades of countless returning competitors spurs the whole Flying Scotsman organising team to continue seeking ways to enhance this event while maintaining it’s hard earned position as the premier rally designed exclusively for Vintage motorcars.

 

 

 

 

In 2019, the 11th edition Flying Scotsman moves close to the action with a northern start on the shores of Windermere in the heart of the magnificent Lake District National Park. Route Designer and Clerk of the Course, Anthony Preston, is burning the midnight oil to craft yet another of his remarkable routes that will be sure to provide a challenge for the competitive while remaining accessible and enjoyable for everyone and anyone that relishes three days driving some of the most outstanding roads in England and Scotland in the company of like minded enthusiasts. From Start to the Finish another very fine Flying Scotsman is in prospect.

 

 

 

 

Don’t run the risk of finding a full entry list for the next Flying Scotsman. Register your interest now by calling Annette, Eleonora or any of the Rally Office team or email us for your copy of the event brochure and entry form. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and offer any guidance you may need.

Phone:   +44 (0)1235 831221

Email:   [email protected]

 

 

The Flying Scotsman 2019 – Entry List

Flying Scotsman 2019 - Final Entry List

 

 

 

PAUSE PLAY

The Route

As the Flying Scotsman moves into its second decade, the event heads ‘up country’ to the scenic roads of Northern England and Scotland for an exciting new motoring adventure that takes us from the shores of Lake Windermere to a luxurious finale at the Gleneagles Hotel. The route contains a traditional mix of Regularity Sections and Special Tests with a Time Control Section thrown in for good measure.

The following route survey notes give a flavour of what is planned…

Friday 5 April – Lake Windermere to Slaley Hall (200 miles)

Having been flagged off from the start on the shores of Lake Windermere, we skirt around the lake itself and head south through the picture postcard scenery, which has been recognised with UNESCO World Heritage Site status. The first competitive action will see us tackling a brace of Tests on the estate roads of a fine country house and these will soon be followed by the first Regularity Section over some classic fell roads.

More moorland motoring follows as we make for the morning coffee stop at a former manor house, now luxury hotel near the coast. We head back into the hills for the next Regularity Section, which offers some beautiful Lake District vistas. It is then on to lunch by way of further Tests, which should favour the more nimble cars.

Following a fine meal in luxurious surroundings, we turn east in the afternoon to skirt the northern fringes of the Lake District National Park. Two Regularity Sections of varying character are first on the menu before we climb high into the hills to reach the afternoon refreshments break in Alston, with an appropriate heritage railway theme.

The Northern Pennines live up to their ‘Roof of England’ billing by providing a series of flowing roads that snake their way across open moorland. These are the perfect backdrop for the final sections to the overnight halt at Slaley Hall where the bar will be open and the highs and lows of the day can be discussed…

Saturday 6 April – Slaley Hall to Turnberry (235 miles)

The longest day of the event beckons and after a quick blast around the golf course access roads, we have an easy run on flowing cross country roads west to Cumbria. On the way, there will be chance to pick up fuel in Hexham. After this enjoyable run-out, there will be an interesting Regularity Section across the Bewcastle Fells to the Scottish Border and on to the morning refreshments halt in Newcastleton.

Then, taking in some of the fine B-roads for which Scotland is famed, we will be whisked west towards Lockerbie for the second Test of the day. This is quickly followed by a second Regularity Section over the hills to Nithsdale, where lunch will be taken in a traditional yet stylish country hotel.

From lunch, we drive west over the moors for a scenic Regularity Section, before turning south to tackle some private land mileage that will test both drivers and navigators to the full. Following this excitement, the afternoon tea stop near Gatehouse of Fleet will provide some welcome respite.

Enjoyable driving roads continue to be the theme as we journey across the wild uplands of Dumfries and Galloway by way of a couple of Regularity Sections to round off the day. The last section should prove of interest to any arborologists on the entry list…

Then all that remains is a short run to the coast near Girvan and north to our home for the night in the luxurious surroundings of the world famous Turnberry Resort. After a testing day behind the wheel, there will no doubt be plenty of tales to tell at dinner this evening…

 Sunday 7 April – Turnberry to Gleneagles (175 miles)

By now, you should be into the swing of things and will be raring to go for the final morning departure onto the roads of Ayrshire with our ultimate destination now within reach. To get you into the groove, the action starts today with a couple of Tests early on and an interesting Regularity Section across the hills to the morning coffee stop on the coast near Largs.

Turning inland, we take in two short Regularity Sections as we make our way past the conurbations of the Glasgow area and across the River Clyde as quickly as possible. Once clear of this section, we take a fabulous driving road through the scenic Trossachs en route to lunch in Callander.

Suitably fed and watered, the final afternoon run is a loop into the southern Highlands to skirt Loch Earn before finally making for Gleneagles. Along the way, we tackle two Special Tests and a Regularity Section.

Before we know it, we will be pulling in to our final terminus at the luxurious Gleneagles Hotel, a welcome sight for ‘Scotsman’ regulars. The bar will be open and we can all share the memories of three days on the road before gathering in the evening for the Prizegiving Dinner.

Don’t run the risk of finding a full entry list for the next Flying Scotsman. Register your interest now by calling Annette, Eleonora or any of the Rally Office team or email us for your copy of the event brochure and entry form. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and offer any guidance you may need.

Phone:   +44 (0)1235 831221

Email:   [email protected]

 

Spectator Information

The Flying Scotsman will depart from LA23 1LP, (GPS) 54.409357, -2.947760, at 07:45 on Friday 5 April.

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE START – PLEASE PARK SENSIBLY AS TO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE RUNNING OF THE EVENT.

GPS Postcode  Time Notes
Day One – Friday 5 April
Birker Fell – Unclassified Road 54.36806, -3.27783 09:40 to 11:30 Please drive carefully – Many young lambs about
Irton – Irton Hall – CHECKPOINT 54.39182, -3.37836 CA19 1TA 10:00 to 12:05
Rowrah – Rowrah Kart Circuit – TEST 54.55156, -3.44487 CA26 3XU 11:05 to 13:00
Hartside Summit – A686 54.77011, -2.55099 14:35 to 16:25
Alston – South Tynedale Railway – CHECKPOINT 54.81492, -2.44197 CA9 3JB 14:50 to 16:55 Note – Limited parking
Shorngate Cross – Unclassified Road 54.80014, -2.20144 16:05 to 17:50
Edmondbyers Common – Unclassified Road 54.80220, -2.04484 16:40 to 18:25
Slaley – Slaley Hall Hotel 54.90277, -2.00882 NE47 0BX 16:55 to 18:45
Day Two – Saturday 6 April
Slaley – Slaley Hall Hotel – RESTART & TEST 54.90277, -2.00882 NE47 0BX 07:30 to 09:15
Greenhead – B6318 54.98623, -2.53660 08:15 to 09:55
Newcastleton – The Grapes Hotel – CHECKPOINT 55.18009, -2.81292 TD9 0QD 09:20 to 11:20
Water of Ae – Unclassified Road 55.17333, -3.57346 11:10 to 12:55
Gatehouse of Fleet – Cally Palace Hotel – CHECKPOINT 54.87006, -4.18248 DG7 2DL 14:50 to 17:00 Note – Limited parking
Glentrool – Unclassified Road 55.14069, -4.57172 16:20 to 18:00
Turnberry – Trump Turnberry Resort 55.31558, -4.83152 KA26 9LT 17:20 to 19:15
Day Three – Sunday 7 April
Turnberry – Trump Turnberry Resort – RESTART 55.31558, -4.83152 KA26 9LT 08:00 to 09:35
Blairpark – A760 55.77884, -4.80311 10:00 to 11:45
Drymen – B858 56.06573, -4.45242 G63 0BL 11:35 to 13:20
Duke’s Pass – A821 56.20228, -4.39145 12:05 to 13:50
Auchterarder – The Gleneagles Hotel – EVENT FINISH 56.28112, -3.74556 PH3 1NF 15:15 to 17:00

Congratulations to all of the crews that have taken part and finished The 11th Flying Scotsman

Results Are Now Final

1. Bill Cleyndert / Leigh Powley – Ford Model A

2. Paul Crosby/ Ali Procter – MG TB Supercharged

3. Theo Hunt / James Galliver – Frazer Nash TT Replica

Pioneer Class Winners

Car 2 –  Michel Laarman / Maryan Greif -1911 Knox R

The Full List Of Final Results Are Available Below

Photo by Will Broadhead

Please click on the GREEN TEXT for the results you want to see

Flying Scotsman 2019 – Full Results book – FS2019-ResultsBook

Flying Scotsman 2019 – Class Awards and Prize List – FS2019-PrizeList

 

PAUSE PLAY

Rally Reports – By Syd Stelvio

Flying Scotsman 2019

Day 03. Turnberry – Gleneagles 169 Miles.

The day of reckoning

It might be part of the same hotel chain but one thing’s for sure, Turnberry is not exactly the same as Mar a Largo and this was witnessed by the new day which dawned misty, grey and chilly. We think that the two properties might also differ in the breakfast they serve with the offerings of the Floridian guest house likely running in second place to the haggis, bacon, eggs and black pudding which filled the counters in the same mirrored and chandeliered dining room as we ate in last night.

As this was the final day of a hard-fought event there was tension in the air as the crews set about their full Scottish breakfasts, and outside under the equine-themed water fountain, a small knot of nicotine addicts stood and discussed what was to come. They all agreed that it was likely to be a hard day, the top of the leaderboard was too close for it not to be, the weather had turned slightly – it was cold and windy – and there were four Tests and four Regularities crammed into 169 miles.

The first two Tests were run through the Turnberry Airfield and were typically short and sharp, favouring agility over brute force. Some rapid-fire cone calls from the navigators were required to successfully negotiate the narrow course, as described in the route book.

Getting out onto the open road was therefore something of a relief and indeed, the first Regularity was enjoyed by all of the crews but particularly those who drove the Crosbie Hills in a Nash. A coffee break in Kelburn Castle allowed some warmth to creep back into the crews before they tackled the Barcraigs Reservoir Regularity, which climbed through a farmyard and rolled along a lengthy section of slippery green lanes. Another Regularity at Caldarvan kept the pressure on with three speed changes along some very broken tarmac.

The lunch halt in Callander was a welcome sight and for most of the rally, this marked the point at which they could begin to dare to believe that they were set to roll over the finish line and take the credit for a job well done.

For those at the top of the results sheet though, this wasn’t an option, with five crews still in with a shout of a top three placing, none of them could relax one little bit as there was a long Regularity and a pair of Tests to get through before Gleneagles.

In the event, there was drama and the first place was decided by a nail-biting display of mechanical sympathy and coolness under pressure and it was Bill Cleyndert who just held on to snatch the overall in the Vintageant class.

“This win has been a long time coming and I’ve been on every step of the podium now, but for my first Flying Scotsman, it was more a case of just getting through it. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing and when Philip Young saw the car his comment was “you’re a bloody idiot”.

Although I’ve learned a lot over every edition, today’s win wasn’t an easy one by any means. Every Scotsman is tough and this time – on the last day, and on the penultimate test – we heard sounds of impending drive shaft failure”.

Bill knows his cars inside out, he’s well known for his love of tinkering with them and his ability to get them back on the road by whatever means necessary to finish a rally. So, when he thought that he heard some crunching from his transmission, he knew that something wasn’t right.

“We knew that the Achilles heel of Betsy is her driveshaft so we had to nurse the car through the last two sections and along the road into Gleneagles”.

“We could see our lead slipping away with every mile but unbelievably, it held itself together until we took the flag but the car was in a really bad way and in fact, as we parked up for the photographs it all let go and we had to push her into position.

This means that I can’t drive home now but I can enjoy a few drinks this evening”.

Bill’s navigator Leigh Powley was having trouble taking it all in as he has also been on every step of the podium and was clearly emotional after taking such an important win in what was a new car to him.

“It’s been a long time coming, this win; and when we entered the event I expected a ride in a Bentley, but Bill called to say that the car wasn’t quite ready and that Betsy had been saddled up ready for another ride.

Given her size and shape though I was slightly concerned to hear this and I thought that maybe I was a bit mad to take it on but, I set to getting myself organised; I bought a pair of goggles (as there’s no windscreen) and sorted out where I’d be able to stow my things and accepted that it was going to be hard.

Once I’d settled in though we had an amazing time and it quickly felt that we were destined to do well in that car. We’ve had an absolute blast”.

Michel Laarman was similarly delighted with his win in the Pioneer category with his Knox R.

“This has been another wonderful experience and a great adventure we had a few problems, we narrowly avoided a bus, we had trouble with our brakes and a bit of a fuel issue. I think that the key to this win was good navigation with just the right amount of speed. The car is just brilliant”. Maryan Greif, his navigator agreed.

From just about the oldest car on the podium to the youngest crew. This year saw Theo Hunt and James Galliver move up to third place overall and Theo spoke for both of them and said that ‘we are extremely happy to be where we are. It’s our third year and we were thinking that maybe we’d get a top ten place.

We did get lucky and we were consistently there or thereabouts for most of the time which allowed us to catch up at the very end.

My navigator James did an amazing job and we made up quite a lot a lot of time on the tests as well. We’re over the moon and we can’t wait to have a proper crack at it next year’.

Once the cars had been parked up and secured for the night it was then time for some fun and, in the Gleneagles ballroom, Tony Jardine stepped up to the mic’ to expertly compare the prize giving whilst the rest of us enjoyed a dinner of fillet steak and truffle mash washed down by some very agreeable red’s and whites.

As well as the overall awards there were some specials given to those crews who had, in the opinion of the organisers, gone just that little bit further than was strictly necessary.

The Spirit of the Rally Trophy went to Max & Julie Stephenson, The Concours d’Elegance to Andrew Laing & Sandy Mitchell Whilst the Best Dressed Crew was given over to the very dapper Bjorn Schage & Bjorn Lie.

Whatever they won though, all of the crews who came to collect their winnings were fulsome in their praise of the route, the organisation, and their fellow competitors.

At the end of a memorable evening, Patrick Burke, Hero MD, closed the proceedings by announcing that entries for 2020 had just opened which was the cue for Anthony Preston to set his alarm. Tomorrow might prove to be another busy day in the route planning department.

Syd Stelvio

Photos by Gerard Brown

Previous Syd Stelvio Reports – Days 0/1/2/3 – The Flying Scotsman 2019:

Pre-Start and scrutineering. Low Wood, Ambleside – Syd Stelvio – Day 1 FS2019 Report

Day One – Ambleside – Slaley Hall. 190 Miles – Flying Scotsman 2019 Day 01. Ambleside – Slaley Hall 190 Miles.

Day Two – Slaley Hall – Turnberry. 234 Miles – Flying Scotsman 2019 Day 02. Slaley Hall – Turnberry. 234 Miles

Day Three – Turnberry – Gleneagles. 169 Miles – Flying Scotsman 2019 Day 03. Turnberry – Gleneagles 169 Miles.