Nash triumphs over adversity
Peter Lovett and Matt Fowle took victory on this year’s HERO 1000 Mile Trial (8-13 July). The Frazer NASH-BMW 328 crew finished ahead of Stephen Owens and Bart den Hartog (Jaguar SS100) and the MG TB of Daniel Gresly and Elise Whyte. Paul Crosby and Pete Johnson went into the penultimate day in the lead, but retired following diff failure on their MG.
The route covered approximately 900 miles, starting from the Royal Automobile Club’s scenic Woodcote Park estate in Surrey. Competitors travelled west to Reading, then to Bristol via Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset. After crossing the original Severn Bridge, they spent two nights in Llandrindod Wells – making the most of the mid-wales countryside – before heading east through the Midlands and down to Chandler’s Cross. Along the way were 19 tests and 27 regularities.
Lovett/fowle overcame problems with their tripmeter, which temporarily stopped working during the morning of day two, and their rev counter, which they disconnected after it “packed up” on day three. Gresly/whyte had their own problems – when they reached Wales, they had to pushstart their MG due to alternator issues. Then, on the morning of day five, they were further delayed by ignition troubles.
The Spirit of the Rally Award went to Ian and Ewan Beattie in their Hotchkiss 686 GS Modane, while Richard and Noel Schneider picked up the Against All Odds Trophy in their Riley 15/6.