CLOSE

Day Two Slaley Hall to Turnberry

The pipes herald a new leader of the Flying Scotsman

Bill Cleyndert and Leigh Powley in their 1928 Ford Model A Special took advantage of leaders Paul Crosby and Ali Procter’s clutch issues in their 1939 MG TB to snatch the lead of the Flying Scotsman.

The Piper played his tunes from the elevated gravel walk in front of the magnificent Trump Turnberry Resort, echoing out over the Firth of Clyde as the new leaders made their way up the long winding drive looking forward to some hard earned comfort.

Cleyndert, smiling as ever, looked quietly confident after he and navigator Leigh Powley had climbed the leader board to second on Friday but acknowledged Crosby’s bad luck.” It is a shame for Paul and Ali, but it’s far from over!” When Leigh Powley was asked if the duo could now win the event, Leigh became quite circumspect, “There is still a long way to go and anything can happen as we have already seen.” Bill added; “It’s way too early to call that!”.

Paul Crosby was analytical about the issues. “ It was the clutch adjuster working loose in the middle of the TC section on Dundrennan Ranges, which was difficult so we had to stop. I hand tightened it and secured it later but it was right in the middle of the test, we lost around two minutes which would be 40 seconds penalty. Luckily we are still second but we are going to push tomorrow.”

Peter Lovett and David Richards also hit problems on the TC section; Peter said “ We had some brake issues in there which affected my confidence, I kept thinking the last thing I want to do is go off with the Chairman of Motorsport UK in the hot seat!” The Frazer Nash BMW however, was still sounding crisp as the pair retained their podium place for third overnight.

Car number 36 is still the car to watch, both on the tests and regularities as well as the results sheet. The spirited driving of Theo Hunt with James Galliver navigating is a joy to behold. Their push in the 1933 Frazer Nash TT Replica is paying off as they are up to fourth! Theo was pleased they were making such progress. “ We really enjoyed the plantation section even though it was so slippy, that’s when we are really trying to use the lightness and handling of our car to beat the bigger machines.”  Sideways to glory appears to be their motto as a giant killing act could be on the cards by the finish in Gleneagles.

Happy results abound at the end of day two. Andrew and Phillippa Bailey who secretly got married just before the Flying Scotsman are really enjoying their Minimoon as they are currently fifth overall in their 1923 Bentley Super Sports. If they can hold the place to the finish they should get quite a reception, but at least it won’t be in private this time!

Day two has been challenging but really enjoyable for most, five big regularities and four special tests over a variety of terrain and distance. From the back bone of England, the Peninnes through to the borders and real rally country around Kershope and Kershaw forests, the crews were challenged on a TC section on military land together with slippy grassy tracks through plantations.

Scotland was bathed in sunshine for most of the afternoon as the crews wound their way across the hills and through the beautiful scenery of Glentrool. On the way there was a treat for teams as they passed through Langholm in Dumfries and Galloway, as a local pipe band were in full swing in the small square right by the road.

Englishman Graeme Brown who is navigating Hugh Apthorp’s Bentley Four and a half litre cut quite a dash as he got into the Scottish swing wearing a kilt under his great coat. The can of Castrol oil in his right hand as Hugh undid the bolt plates to top up the gearbox, didn’t quite fit with his attire though!

Graeme was impressed by the forest regularity sections after the first test of the day at Slaley Hall. “They were pretty frisky”.

Daniel Geoghegan, founder and MD of Bicester Heritage Centre who is driving a 1933 Riley MPH with Philip White navigating went further;  “These are the great roads that made Great Britain great!”

There was good news at midnight last night for Alan Beardshaw and Peter Fletcher. Their 1934 Aston Martin Ulster that all but gave up the ghost yesterday was treated to a new distributor, plug leads and coil putting it right back into action after their preparation man drove three hundred miles to come and fix it!

Not such good news for Wilfried and Sandra Schaefer as their 1934 Talbot which had possibly lost first gear. Wilfried was looking anxious at the short afternoon time control at the Gatehouse of Fleet in the splendid settings of the Cally Palace Estate. “ I am a bit nervous, I don’t want to talk about it just now, sorry!”

Peter Kite and James Ewing have been working hard to get their Frazer Nash BMW into a great sixth spot after losing most of their exhaust system in the military test ground. Before that they had a bump and dented the front wing. James was quick to circle the damage to the valuable car with a felt tip pen and write, ‘bugger!’

Another car holding a great overnight position is the gliding great 1937 Cadillac convertible of Jim Gately in 14th place as they ran with the hood down all day. But the military test caused a slight brake issue as replacement star navigator Andrew Duerden explained:” We only lost a couple of minutes in there partly due to an over shoot, but try stopping two and a half tons of Cadillac!”

There are two old cars in the Pioneer Class, the Itala and a 1911 Knox R 7.2 litre which is now leading the class, 60th overall. The Dutch crew of Michel Laarman and Maryan Greif are just loving the event. Said Maryan, “ It’s beautiful, the roads the weather, and there are no problems with the car she is going really well. We love this event so much we tell our friends in Holland all about it, we recommend it!”

The overnight rest halt at the Trump Turnberry Resort has provided a special area for the Pioneer, Vintage and Vintageant cars left in the event. It is a tribute to them that just six have retired from the original 93 starters although there was still a lot of fettling going on late into the night to prepare the cars for the final day of the 700 mile competition.

Rob van der Leeuw and hard working navigator Peter van Egmond from Holland had already endured a fire inside the 1934 Bentley three and a half litre saloon car when various leads shorted out. Peter fixed them but was now back at the hotel trying to yank a worn right rear tyre and wheel off for a change, but it wouldn’t budge despite Rob bashing it with a big wheel hammer. As it suddenly pulled off, Peter fell over backwards just missing a lady who was passing by, she exclaimed;” It’s not often that I get a man falling at my feet!” After the wheel was fixed Rob had time to say, “ It has been a really great event but despite our little problems, the car had been a joy to drive”

The Thompson brothers, Anthony and Peter arrived at Turnberry with their left rear leaf spring tied together with a strap: “ We’ll get to Gleneagles even if it’s on a tow rope” said Anthony.

Andrew Laing and navigator Sandy Mitchell were fettling their beautiful 1938 Frazer Nash BMW327/8, the saloon with the long sweeping tail, when Andrew was asked how he could take such a wonderful and pristine car rallying? “That’s exactly what my wife says, you need something tougher more rugged she said, but that’s my excuse to say I’d better get another car that’s more suited. But really it is pretty rugged. It’s pretty much the same as the Frazer Nash BMW 328’s although when it’s a little bit rough I don’t go flat out!”

Belgians Willy van Loon and Koen van den Broeck summed up the love that competitors have for the Flying Scotsman. Willy said, “I have done many different events but the Flying Scotsman is my favourite. Yes with all the regularities and tests it’s tough, but it’s also quite nice, in fact it’s super but we don’t come to compete at the front”. Koen added, “it’s great to be a part of it we really love it.” But was the navigation hard? “ No, no it’s quite easy really!” Both fell about laughing.

Now it’s all eyes front as the battle for the lead of the 2019 Flying Scotsman on the final day resumes between Bill Cleyndert and Paul Crosby, or could Peter Lovett intervene?

Words By Tony Jardine

Photo by Will Broadhead

To see more photos – CLICK HERE

To see tomorrow’s start order – CLICK HERE 

To watch the Scrutineering and signing on video – CLICK HERE

To watch The Flying Scotsman 2019 Day One video – CLICK HERE

To watch the Flying Scotsman 2019 Day Two Video – CLICK HERE