12th to 18th June 2010 What cars are eligible? cost. In some cases - - PDF document

12th to 18th June 2010

What cars are eligible?

All cars of a type first manufactured prior to 1981 are eligible to enter but cars of a type first built after 1968 will only be eligible for class awards.We would expect most cars to be from the fifties and sixties. Pre war cars will have their own special class. All cars should have a recognised Vehicle Identity Document, issued by either the FIA or FIVA. If you haven’t already got an appropriate document we suggest that you start as soon as possible as it can take a while.

Do I need a Competition Licence?

It is not necessary to have a competition licence, if you don’t have

• ne you may apply for a Regularity Rally Permit which is issued by

the event organisers and valid for this event only.

How difficult is the event?

Once again the route instructions will be based upon the use of a tulip style route book for the majority of the route. It is not our intention to make the event difficult – we are aware of just how hard it can be to maintain a 50kph average in some older cars. There will be a strong emphasis on the social side of the event and regular refreshment breaks will be included.

What Happens if I Breakdown?

As usual we will be ensuring that there are experienced mechanics available to assist should you breakdown.There will be two vehicles providing this service, crewed as usual by the Banhams and Andy Inskip.The assistance they provide is not intended to be a substitute for good vehicle preparation. But, in the event of a breakdown they will do their very best to get you fixed or at least get you somewhere where more assistance can be found.

Accommodation and Dining

Included within the entry fee is accommodation in a twin room for the duration of the event (seven nights).This package also includes breakfast, lunch and evening meals on most days.We try to use the best available hotels in the areas that we are passing through but as sometimes we go to rural areas the standard of hotels will vary – star ratings are not always reliable! Upgrades to single rooms are available for the payment of a supplement to reflect the additional

• cost. In some cases we will have no option but to use more than
• ne hotel. Hotels are filled in the order which we receive your final

payments, but we do also need to maximise our occupancy so this sometimes influences the allocations. If you would like to compete but are looking to economise we are quite happy to discuss with you an entry fee excluding the accommodation and evening meals. Early Marathon’s even saw some competitors taking a tent with them, you may not want to economise to that extent and in most places we go you should be able to find perfectly acceptable accommodation at reasonable prices.

Insurance

Most classic car policies can be extended to include participation in this type of event – we suggest you ask as soon as possible so that there is time to resolve any queries that may arise.The main thing to stress to your insurance company is that it is a Regularity

• Rally. If you have any difficulties please contact us and we will do
• ur best to direct you towards companies that will cover

regularity rallies – often this can only be done as part of an annual policy so it will be worth checking when you renew whether you present company does offer regularity rally cover. Again like the Vehicle Identity Document the earlier you start this process the better and it will give you time to negotiate if necessary with the broker.

Getting to the Event

The start at Beaune is within easy reach of the Channel crossings and is centrally located for European competitors. For those who wish to trailer their cars we'll arrange a trailer park

• r for those who prefer the fly drive fly option transport from

the UK will be available.

Can Friends and Family Join Me?

Although we do not actively encourage people to follow you around this is possible. All we would ask is that your friends avoid the regularity sections and that they do not act as a service crew – our regulations require that all work on the competing car must either be carried out by the competitor themselves, our sweep crew or in an emergency a local garage may be used. A special “friends” package covering hotels and meals is available on request.

ROUTE NOTES

sinuous roads which should provide an enjoyable few hour’s of competition as we make for Carcassonne and our overnight hotel, within a stone’s throw of the imposing Cité Médiévale – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (Distance - 400 km) Day 4 (Wednesday) Carcassonne to Luchon Heading south from Carcassonne, we will soon be tackling little known Cols, which not only offer great driving, but also the first dramatic panoramas of snowy Pyrenean peaks. Soon we will be amongst them, climbing to over 2000 metres to cross the highest passes of the Pyrénées-Orientales. After lunch, we explore more great rallying country in an often neglected corner of France - called the Couserans - before dropping down to the sleepy spa town of Luchon (or Bagnères-de-Luchon as it is now known) nestling in the high mountains, close to the Spanish border. (Distance - 410 km) Day 5 (Thursday) Luchon to Biarritz It’s action from the word “Go” today as we tackle a succession of climbs made famous by the T

• ur de France, including the Peyresoude,

Now in its 22nd successful year, the Classic Marathon returns to France in 2010 with an exciting new route from the heart of the Burgundy to the Pyrénées. The event starts from the attractive medieval town of Beaune, which is within easy reach of the Channel crossings and is centrally located for European competitors. Following the formalities of scrutineering and documentation, crews have the opportunity to explore the beautiful old town centre, close to the Rally HQ hotel, before the evening get-together and Welcome Dinner in Beaune's famous Hospice Dieu. Ahead lies a week of enjoyable and competitive rallying on fabulous, traffic-free, driving roads through spectacular scenery en-route to the event’s grand ocean front finish in Biarritz, favoured as an exclusive summer retreat by the European aristocracy since Napoleonic times...

Day 1 (Sunday) Beaune to Valence A mid morning start from the centre of Beaune sees crews heading

• ut into the attractive farmland of the Bresse plains for the initial

regularities on their way to lunch and a brace of tests at a new motorsport venue. The afternoon section then sees crews wend their way south through the gently rolling hills of the Bugey and the Pays de Bièvre before skirting the dramatic limestone massifs of the Chartreuse and the Vercors as further competitive motoring brings us to our first overnight halt in the traditional Monte Carlo Rally watering hole of Valence. (Distance - 360 km) Day 2 (Monday) Valence to Millau We are quickly into the action today as crews head into the classic French rallying heartland of the Ardèche and Cévennes. It is no surprise that this area has long been a favourite for rallyists combining superb views with a maze of lanes that are a real driver’s treat. We spend the day enjoying some classic “Monte” sections, as well as tackling some newly unearthed finds - stunning roads you never knew existed! Emerging from these densely wooded hills in the late afternoon, the final sections trace a dramatic route through the spectacular Gorges du Tarn to the bustling market town of Millau. (Distance - 430 km) Day 3 (Tuesday) Millau to Carcassonne Leaving Millau, crews head west along the attractive Vallée du Tarn before turning south to tackle a series of testing sections on the narrow lanes that thread their way through the remote hills of the Monts de Lacaune and the Monts de l’Espinouse. After crossing the Languedoc plain, we enter the Corbières region

• r “Cathar Country” in the afternoon.These vine-clad hills,

crowned by ruined hilltop fortresses, hide a dense network of All information is correct at time of going to press (Jan 10) but changes may be made.The programme for the event will be included in the Event Regulations.

Further results from all our events can be seen on our website in the comprehensive, searchable results archive.

the Aubisque and the biggest and most celebrated of all - the T

• urmalet.

No surprise then that a tough day is in prospect as crews undertake a series of testing regularities amidst the dramatic surroundings of towering granite and limestone massifs incised by deep ravines. Watch out for the drops... Descending from these spectacular mountain surroundings in the late afternoon, a pleasant cross country run through the lush farmland of the Pays Basque brings us to our final destination –Biarritz where we spend the next two nights. (Distance - 440 km)

Previous Classic Marathon Winners

1988 John Atkins / Rob Lyall AC Cobra 1989 Henry Pearman / Gordon Cruickshank Jaguar E Type 1990 Paddy Hopkirk / Alec Poole Mini Cooper S 1991 Ronnie McCartney / Beatty Crawford Mini Cooper S 1992 Ron Gammons / Paul Easter MGB 1993 Ignacio Sunsundegui / David Nicholson Ford Lotus Cortina 1994 Jonathan Everard / Ian Bond Austin-Healey 3000 1995 Michel van Eesbeck / Brian Johnson Austin-Healey Sprite 1996 Ignacio Sunsundegui / Colin Francis OBE Mini Cooper S 1998 John Buffum / Neil Wilson Porsche 356C 1999 Henk Touw / Jan Berkhof Porsche 356B 2000 Andrew Actman / Robert Ellis MG Midget 2001 Paul Carter / Heather Milne-Taylor Bentley Tourer Le Mans 2002 Jan Ebus / Lester van der Zalm Mercedes-Benz 300SL 2003 Henk Touw / Bennie Roetgerink Porsche 356C 2004 Bert Dolk / Jan Berkhof Volvo 122S 2005 Andrew Newman / Mike Hope Ford Lotus Cortina 2006 Jayne Wignall / Kevin Savage Sunbeam Tiger 2007 Andrew Newman / Mike Hope Ford Lotus Cortina 2008 Malcolm Pickering / Iain Tullie Sunbeam Alpine 2009 Frank Fennell / Mark Appleton Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

Day 6 (Friday) Biarritz to Biarritz Heading inland, and with only eagles soaring on the thermals for company, we spend a final morning exploring the maze of deserted roads in the hills close to the French-Spanish border.These challenging sections should provide a fitting finale to the event, with perhaps a sting in the tail to shape the final leaderboard back in Biarritz... After another unforgettable week of Marathon motoring, there will no doubt be a few tales of derring-do to be shared over a celebratory drink in one of Biarritz’s many bars and cafés before the evening’s gala prize giving dinner rounds the event off in style. (Distance - 230 km)

The Classic

Marathon

Since its inception in 1988 the Classic Marathon has given nearly 1700 crews over 52,000 kms of competitive motoring in 18 different countries. Throughout this period, the event has remained true to its original spirit, providing classic car enthusiasts with an unrivalled mix of varied driving challenges and superb hospitality combined with the camaraderie born from the spirit of competition. Join us for the 22nd Marathon and take in the stunning scenery and spectacular roads of the South of France.

12th to 18th June 2010

The 22nd Classic Marathon – is once again a round of the prestigious FIA Historic Regularity Rally Championship, something we have been involved with since its inception several years ago. However, novices should not let this daunt them - indeed they can be re-assured that they are entering an event whose high standards of organisation have gained formal International recognition and authorisation - something very few events in Europe can claim.

Carcassonne Tue 15 June Biarritz Thu 17 June & Fri 18 June Valence Sun 13 June Beaune Sat 12 June Luchon Wed 16 June

supported by:

Classic Rally Association

PO Box 633 • Newport • NP20 5ZX • Great Britain Telephone: +44 (0)1633 263366 • Fax: +44 (0)1633 263399

Email: mail@ClassicRally.org.uk

www.ClassicRally.org.uk

The Organising Team

Jeremy Dickson heads up the organising team, he has been involved in historic rallying for 26 years and has held senior positions

• n over 50 events since. Jeremy’s international organising debut was on the first Classic Marathon in 1988 when he was the Chief
• Marshal. Route design is the responsibility of Anthony Preston with contributions from CRA stalwarts Keith Baud and Chris Bruce

who have been involved in the organisation of previous events in this area. Classic Rally Association events are possibly unique with their narrative that accompanies the route information.This narrative provides a historical and geographical background plus many little snippets that assist the navigator to find their way. Making sure the competition is fair is very important and in the lead role we once again have Bob Rutherford as Clerk of the Course. Chris Bruce brings along his trusted computer to do all the calculations and when he is not busy calculating he can be found updating our internet site with daily reports and results – his efforts are much appreciated by those left at home. Keeping all our

• fficials under control is Chief Marshal - Lee Vincent, Lee also works in the rally office and on the event will be found assisting

Chris in the Results Office.This team is completed by over twenty travelling marshals.

Millau Mon 14 June