Cars gather to take part in 2018 Charnwood Caper...

Event is organised by the North Leicester MG Club

MORE than 90 classic and sports cars recently gathered at Quorn and Woodhouse Station on the Great Central Heritage Railway to take part in The 2018 Charnwood Caper Run.

Now in its 15th year, the run, which is organised by The North Leicester MG Club, was one of the most successful ever. Over ninety cars had pre-registered to take part, and several more signed up on the day.

Nine different marques were represented, with cars from every decade since the 1940s taking part. The main contingent consisted of seventy-nine classics bearing the iconic British MG octagon badge, and examples of eleven of MG’s many models were in attendance.

Despite warnings of rain in the days leading up to the event, the weather on the day was warm and sunny enough to allow the large contingent of convertible sports cars present to undertake the whole of the trip with their hoods down.

The run took the participants on an 85-mile journey, largely on minor roads.

After passing through the Vale of Belvoir, the cavalcade of classic cars crossed into Lincolnshire for a half-way stop for refreshments at Belton Garden Centre, just outside Grantham.

From there, the second leg headed north- westwards into Nottinghamshire towards the finish at Rufford Abbey Country Park.

The classics and their crews travelled from seventeen counties to take part, which is the largest geographical spread of entrants since the first Charnwood Caper in 2004.

The longest journey to Leicestershire to participate was accomplished by a couple from Folkestone, who drove 191 miles in their MGB Roadster, and their efforts earned them an award from the organisers. They travelled up from Kent with two other MGBs on a motoring holiday which included the “Caper”.

With thirty-six other examples of the model taking part, the MGB was the most prolific car present on the day, reflecting its popularity between 1962 and 1981 when it was in production at MG’s Oxfordshire factory.

North Leicester MG Club chairman, Colin Readwin, said: “As a result of the success of this year’s Charnwood Caper Run, we will be able to make a substantial donation to our nominated charity, The Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance.”

Visit www.norhtleicester-mg.org.uk for information about the run.

Pictured are four MGs at Rufford Abbey as more than 90 classic and sports cars recently gathered at Quorn and Woodhouse Station on the Great Central Heritage Railway to take part in The 2018 Charnwood Caper Run.

An MGB V8 negotiates a ford near Rufford Abbey, as more than 90 classic and sports cars recently gathered at Quorn and Woodhouse Station on the Great Central Heritage Railway to take part in The 2018 Charnwood Caper Run.

More than 90 classic and sports cars took part in The 2018 Charnwood Caper Run. Here a Morris Minor leaves Quorn & Woodhouse GCR Station

More than 90 classic and sports cars recently gathered to take part in The 2018 Charnwood Caper Run. Here a Rover P4 leaves Quorn & Woodhouse GCR Station.

Helen Readwin of North Leicester MG Club (right) presents Ken and Silvia Paul, of Kent, with an award for travelling the furthest (190 miles) to take part.