The best (and worst) of British

Over 70 classics take on 1500-mile UK challenge

This gruelling four-day event attracted the biggest number of new entries in ten years – despite contestants having to battle 1500 miles of harsh winter conditions in their classics.

Right from the off the 71 cars taking part – ranging from a 1936 Bentley to a 1987 BMW 325i – had to battle heavy rain, strong winds and icy roads, with contestants being put through 16 tests and 31 regularity sections on the route through the West Country, Wales, past Newcastle and then over the border into the Scottish countryside.

‘We make it as tough as possible – that is part of LE JOG’s attraction’

The hard going led to 20 of the teams retiring, including the Bentley, which clipped a farm tractor at low speed and suffered axle and fuel tank damage, and a 1936 Chevrolet Fangio Coupé – the first one ever to take part in the event – which ended up in a ditch.

But the rally also saw some unlikely cars proving their worth in the harsh conditions, including Ed Abbot and Nick Cooper in a 1980 Jaguar XJ-S, which was awarded a bronze medal for its performance. Class winners included Kevin Haselden with Gary Evans in their 1971 Mini Cooper S, Ted Gaffney and Paul Bosdet in their 1983 VW Golf GTI, and Stephen Owens and Nick Bloxham piloting a 1965 Porsche 911. Patrick Burke, the managing director of rally organiser HERO Events, praised not only the crews, after 30 hours of driving, but also the crews and mechanics, who he said were the event’s ‘real heroes’ after a near sleep-free event. ‘We go out of our way to make it as tough as possible – that is part of LE JOG’s attraction,’ he commented. ‘It’s hard to believe but this was the 24th edition, yet we aim to keep improving it.’

This 1936 Bentley Derby, piloted by stuart anderson and richard lambley, was the oldest entry this time, but retired.

Mechanic crews are perhaps the real heroes of le JOG.

Mike Tanswell and andy Ballantyne tackle wintry roads on the welsh borders in their 1973 Ford escort Mexico.

Perhaps Thomas Geiger, ellen lohr and Berit Bremer had the right idea – use a 1983 G-wagen.