Thistle Rallye 2010
19th June 2010
It was 6.20am when Henry, my 1957 Standard 8, chugged enthusiastically down the street to begin his day as a rally car. From the keen notes of his engine, it seemed that Henry hadn’t noticed what an early start we were making. I, on the other hand, was still in the process of trying to get going. I rubbed my hands together to get some circulation going through my fingers. Seeing Chris drive my classic companion down the street had made me smile but it was a nervous smile for we all had a big day ahead. Today, Chris, Henry & I were going to be competing in our first rally and whilst doing so we would cover a distance of over 150 miles. Henry gleamed as we carefully loaded him up with food, a hot flask, some tools and a couple of OS maps.
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| Henry waits for his day ahead as a rally car |
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| Nerves about the rally encourage me to do some pre-rally preparation |
Our cats watched from the house windows as we headed off. Our first aim of the day was to make it along to rally scrutineering at 7am. We drove out past Fife Airport, the runway silent and empty, before continuing on past Loch Leven. I could see the Cleish hills in the distance as they caught the early morning sun. We were heading to Knockhill Racing Circuit to get signed into the rally and drive the first four competitive tests of the day.
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| The Cleish hills catch the morning sun as we pass by on the south shore of Loch Leven |
As we drove through the gates at Knockhill, I could see lots of other classic cars waiting to begin the rally. We passed a purple Porsche 356A, a Ford Capri Mk1 and an Austin Healy Sprite as we joined the queue for scrutineering. It didn’t take long before a silver Lancia Fulvia, a red TR3A and a dark green TR4 parked behind us. As we got out to talk to some of the competitors, I noticed that Henry stuck out somewhat as he underwent his safety checks - his roof standing taller than the many sports coupes and convertibles parked around him. It was almost time to begin and as Chris took a pre-rally picture of Henry & I, I began to notice that my nerves about the event had disappeared. Seeing the other classics had been a good distraction.
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| Having passed rally scrutineering, Henry & I are ready to begin the rally |
As Henry’s insurance and MOT documents are checked over by the rally organisers, I try to remember how to interpret tulip diagrams. I’m feeling a bit rusty, my last co-driving having been in the previous winter on a Blackbird Rally in Northampton. As we wait for our ‘all clear’, I begin to think I’d be happier in the driving seat but for the time being, with only a provisional license, I would just have to do my best at navigating. Our scrutineering cards and rally roadbook get handed back through the passenger window – a full set of ticks and we’re all set to go.
Our first challenge is a regularity run of 9 laps around the 1.3 mile Knockhill racing circuit. The aim is to maintain a constant speed whilst making our way around the undulating Scottish racetrack. This sounds surprisingly simple but with limited power, Henry drops speed every time we drive up the incline towards Clark’s corner. To keep our average up, Chris has to accelerate hard down the straight on every lap to make up for lost time.
Knockhill is the only motor-racing circuit in Scotland and it’s one of our favourite places to be. Many years of trackside spectating in all seasons and all weathers has seen Chris & I indulging in what we love best. It was only 8am but there we were, tearing around the racing circuit in Henry, giggling and wondering what on earth we were doing so early on in the day. I’m sure to forever remain a stubborn late-riser but for now, speeding around the circuit seemed so much more appealing than being in bed.
A few laps soon flew by and we’d been so busy managing our average speed that we’d almost lost count of the number of laps completed. However, once we were pretty sure that we’d driven the 9 required laps we came into the pits and checked in with the marshals. 9 laps had indeed been completed and three more driving tests remained around the rally sections of the circuit.
A few laps soon flew by and we’d been so busy managing our average speed that we’d almost lost count of the number of laps completed. However, once we were pretty sure that we’d driven the 9 required laps we came into the pits and checked in with the marshals. 9 laps had indeed been completed and three more driving tests remained around the rally sections of the circuit.
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| Henry begins the regularity run at Knockhill. Photo: HRCR rally organisers |
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| Henry completes 9 laps of Knockhill Racing Circuit in the first regularity run of the day. Photo: HRCR rally organisers |
The rally section tests were short and twisty routes marked out with cones. Some cones were to be driven around, others were to stop astride with. Each driving test only lasted a minute or two but they proved to be quite exciting as we and the other competitors aimed to set the fastest time. It was a tricky blend of going as quickly as possible whilst avoiding simply skidding past the designated braking areas. A clean and complete halt within designated cone pairs was essential to avoid picking up penalty points. This was certainly a different kind of driving to what Henry had experienced with us so far but overall we seemed to be doing well – we didn’t knock any cones over and we were still in one piece when done. On one of the tests, the Porsche went faster but made several mistakes allowing us to creep ahead despite the vast difference in power between Henry and the 356A.
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Henry waits in line to complete one of the driving tests at Knockhill |
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| Henry kitted out with rally board and number |
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Thistle Rallye stickers on display |
With the timed circuit run and driving tests finished, the rally breaked for breakfast. Chris & I dug out our hot flask and compared notes on what had happened so far. Our excited chatter could be heard inside the Austin Healy 3000 parked next to us, the occupants amused by our delight. Most of the competitors had opted for breakfast inside the circuit cafe but Henry & the Healy 3000 sat next to one another with their teams eating picnics within. With Henry’s and the Healy’s windows open, a conversation soon started up about the road-run ahead. We were grateful for any advice that we could glean from the Healy’s more experienced team and the Healy driver was grateful for the use of our tyre pump before we all set out on the road.
The initial road-run section wound its way down to the B914, stretching out between Kelty and Dollar before we turned up a single-track road leading to Cleish. About halfway along this road, just short of the Wester Denhead Equestrian Centre, I could see the Knockhill mast towers. Although we’d barely begun our journey out, this un-named road had a feel of the north about it. A combination of the fragrance of the pine trees that lined the road, the narrow stretch of twisty tarmac and numerous passing places reminded me of journeys in the likes of Mull and Ardnamurchan. Soon we passed through Cleish before turning right and onto another single-track road which took us past numerous small cottages and farms. The familiar peak of West Lomond started to disappear as we continued on through Coldrain and drove onto the B9097. A quick turn took us up into Crook of Devon, through Drum and up to Carnbo via the Gelvan Moor Road. I really liked the Gelvan Moor Road. It was single-track, like much of the rally route, and had long straight stretches where we could speed Henry along thanks to us being able to see so far ahead. The trees lining the Gelvan Moor Road had canopies that charismatically leaned out over the tarmac – evidence of windy days out amongst the surrounding flat fields. Turning briefly onto the A91, we passed through Carnbo and then left onto another single-track road. This brought us past by several more farmhouse cottages, many of which I admired from the passenger seat whilst calling out our navigational notes.
Passing into Dalqueich, we drove Henry over the Dalqueich bridge and North Queich burn. Heading north-east, we barrelled over the Fochy burn and past Waulkmill Farm. We then took a left at the next crossroads and carried on into the village of Middleton. From here, we drove down the South Deeside Road, the craggy slopes of Bishop hill and West Lomond directly in front of us as we bounced along towards Drunzie and Duncrievie.
As we drove up and out of Duncrievie, headed for Path of Condie and Dunning, I had started to feel like we were having a proper adventure with Henry. The road between Duncrievie and Dunning was long, narrow and unfamiliar. I didn’t recognise any of the scenery and this seemed quite strange given we weren’t that far from home. We’d snaked our way between countless farms and villages for miles but looking on an OS map, we were misleadingly close to familiar ground. At times the road stretched out in front of us like a long grey ribbon in the midst of countless fields. The fields continued on over grassy braes and off out of sight, their lush greens and yellows occasionally broken up by small huddles of trees or the occasional sprouting of bright yellow gorse. The road looked as though it might go on forever and it just kept inviting us to go on and on. For the majority of this road, known as New Hill, we could see several corners ahead and this allowed us to just enjoy the road and press on despite its lack of width.
The New Hill road finally brings us down into Dunning where we pass straight through, driving through the Kirkstyle Square and past St. Serf’s church. As we left, we were on the B8062 road and heading towards Auchterarder. Driving west for a few miles, we soon found ourselves looping back round and going through the small town of Aberuthven, then briefly onto the A9 before taking a turn off at Broom of Dalreoch. This takes us to our next driving challenge up on the Cairnie Braes.
The Cairnie Braes appeared to be an abandoned stretch of road that was only a mile or two in length. The gates that normally keep cars out had been opened for the rally’s arrival and we were allowed through one car at a time. At the foot of the Cairnie Brae incline, just as at Knockhill, I could see cones placed up the road. Cairnie Braes was going to serve as another driving test venue. The cones were marked with letters and from the roadbook I had navigator’s instructions for what we were to do when we got to each letter. Turn left, turn right, brake in-between. It was an amusing ride up the hill as Henry leaned from side to side and Chris pushed him through the tight twists and turns. It took me all my time just to hold on.
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Henry climbs the Cairnie Braes. Photo: HRCR rally organisers |
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| Henry works his way through the Cairnie Brae uphill trial Photo: HRCR rally organisers |
At the top of the brae, another short driving test of a figure of 8 was to be driven round which not only tested Henry’s steering but lined us up in the right direction for parking up beside the other competitors and waiting for permission to go back down the Cairnie Braes. Beneath us, the rally organisers reshuffled the cones for a second trial. Having brought some home-baking as part of our rally picnic and concerned that my iced cupcakes might not stand up much longer to the demands of the driving trials, I offered them round. Soon enough my cakes were giving me a good opportunity to overcome my shyness and ask the other competitors some questions about their cars. In particular I was curious about a 1936 Hotchkiss 686 GS but unfortunately the driver didn’t appear to speak much English so I was unable to learn much. Despite a lack of meaningful conversation with the Hotchkiss owner, I hoped my appreciation of a fine-looking motorcar had at least come across successfully.
Soon enough it was time to navigate again. The downhill Cairnie Brae trial felt far more lively as gravity helped speed us down the slope and made me question the stopping capacity of Henry’s brakes. Chris seemed to forget everything but the time we were setting and as we steered through a left, right, left, the movement threw me off balance and I clattered my shoulder against Henry’s passenger door. For a few minutes my arm was really sore and then went numb. As we passed the marshals and got back out onto the main road, I felt somewhat worse for wear. I could literally feel why harnesses are a good option for competitive driving.
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Henry makes his way back down the trial Photo: HRCR rally organisers |
Having returned onto the single-track road that had brought up to Cairnie, we continued on up the hill and turned left for Trinity Gask. It was now around lunchtime and it was getting very warm. The trees along the stretch known as Roman Road provided some welcome relief from the sun. Not far from Trinity Gask we turned sharp right and up into the Cowgask area. The road here took us past many farms and small cottages as it wound on for miles. Wildflowers grew tall at the edge of the road, their blooms a haven for many kinds of butterfly. Henry was happily driving along and I wondered if he’d ever been on roads as quiet as this whilst with previous owners in England. It felt good to be travelling along such an uncluttered road in a classic. We passed through a small place called St. Davids and then continued north, crossing the A85 and passing through the small village of Fowlis Wester.
The road out of Fowlis Wester climbed up and up, taking us along the edge of Murray’s hill wood and over the Buchanty burn to Glenalmond. We made good progress after Glenalmond and caught up with a maroon Riley 1.5 that looked somewhat like a classic policecar thanks to a single spotlamp sitting high up on its roof. In procession we crossed the River Almond and admired the old stone bridge that stood alongside the modern bridge we were driving across. Joining the B8063, we enjoyed the twists and turns at Chapelhill and drove on for Little Glenshee. Now we’d also caught up with the Hotchkiss 686 GS and Porsche 356A and we followed them as they splashed through a ford and round a sharp hairpin. Together we all raced on via Bankfoot and Waterloo. Passing through Murthly, we drove over a railway crossing and headed out towards the River Tay via the Kinclaven Road. As we did so, we caught sight of a bright yellow Mini ahead.
The ever-growing collection of Thistle Rallye classics crossed over the River Tay and the River Isla before turning right onto the A93. This main stretch of road was welcome simplicity in comparison to the narrow, twisty roads we’d been on and with this, the pace picked up. Soon places on the road were being enthusiastically traded with overtakes all down the A93. Even Henry managed to join in, successfully passing a sky-blue Austin Healy Sprite (Mk 1) on the outskirts of Guildtown. The A93 wound on for a few more miles before we all had to calm down and get directed into the grounds of Scone Palace.
It was now around 2 in the afternoon and with lunch well overdue, most of the other competitors disappeared into the palace as soon as they were parked, their bellies rumbling and lunch tickets in hand. Chris & I were really hungry too but found what else was happening in the grounds too distracting. A classic car display, separate from the rally, was also taking place at Scone that day. Those with parked exhibits looked over at the Thistle Rallye line-up with curiousity as we looked back with equal interest at them. I spotted a lovely aquamarine Alfa Spider and pestered the owner with comparisons between his car and the 1966 Alfa Duetto. He was happy to talk Alfas for a while but time was pressing and soon enough I had to relent and head inside for lunch before the rally decided to leave without us.
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A resident Peacock ensures all is well as the Thistle Rallye classics sit outside Scone Palace, Perth |
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| The Thistle Rallye line-up attracts some attention from visitors to Scone Palace, Perth.Photo: HRCR rally organisers. |
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| Henry parked alongside other Thistle Rallye classics at Scone Palace, Perth. Photo: Iain Paterson. |
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An Alfa Spider on display at Scone Palace, Perth. Seeing this car leads me onto a keen discussion on the gorgeous 1966 Duettos with the owner. |
Our good friend Iain had driven up from Rosyth to hear how Henry was doing on his first rally with us. We told him we were really happy with how things were going. As the rally had progressed I’d been getting quicker at interpreting the navigational notes whilst Chris had managed to catch up with the other competitors by mid-morning. Soon enough it was time to return to Henry and begin the next stage.
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Henry, his Thistle Rallye team and our good friend Iain at Scone Palace |
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Henry departs for the Scone Palace trials – rally on! Photo: Iain Paterson. |
Our exit from Scone Palace took us back through the main stone gates and out via another driving trial on the palace pathways. There were a good number of spectators around and Chris did his best to impress with Henry. Unfortunately his efforts were cut short when a white Volvo estate drove out in front of us and then parked up in the middle of the road, blocking the stage in the process. The driver had been unaware of the driving trial taking place and had got lost in the palace grounds, stopping his car mid-way along the route to consult his map. It would have been easy to get frustrated by the hold-up but we decided just to shrug it off. We had many miles to go and Henry had seemed much happier driving out free on the roads than when we were doing sudden halts and 3-point turns amongst the cones. I could see how the driving trials challenged driving skills but despite this I didn’t take much to their stop-start feel. Some of it felt a bit harsh and I thought it lacked the satisfying rhythm of open-road cornering and speed.
The rally competitors had now travelled a decent distance from the start back at Knockhill so a fuel stop was needed. We were now to head in the direction of Blairgowrie where we would have the chance to fill up before tackling the last stretch to the finish. From Scone Palace, we took Stromontfield Road and drove under an impressive canopy of berry-coloured leaves, the trees lining the road on both sides and forming a living tunnel through which to pass. The end of this road brought us back out onto the A93 where we turned left. We drove past the giant Meikleour beech hedges - the tallest hedges in the world and an impressive sight when in full summer foliage – and up onto Carsie and into Blairgowrie. At the local Shell station, classics occupied every pump in a bid to fill up for the rest of the rally. We figured Henry had enough fuel to get us to the rally end but added some more to the tank to allow for any unexpected detours.
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The classics descend upon the Blairgowrie Shell station (Henry reflected on Porsche) |
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| Henry fills up ahead of the final stretch of the rally |
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Branislav Sudjic & navigator Ann Pollock pull in for fuel at Blairgowrie with their Hotchkiss 686GS |
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A 1950s ad for Hotchkiss cars - conquering the mountains in glorious style |
We passed through the centre of Blairgowrie and on the way out turned right onto Bonnington Road to head towards Drimmie. We drive over a narrow bridge, go past the Old Schoolhouse and then turn right again for Glenisla. We were now again on a twisty and single-track roads, rattling over cattlegrids and driving by passing places. Briefly we touched onto the B954 and then took another single-track road to Bridge of Craigisla. In the distance we could see a small cluster of buildings as we approached Mid Derry. I could see a handful of people at the gateway of a white cottage. They looked like they were out to see the rally go by. I raised my hand to wave only to have to grab the edge of my seat instead as Chris done an emergency stop. A man on the opposite side of the road from the cottage had called his dog over just as we had approached. Chris was furious. He couldn’t believe why the man had timed his call to the dog so badly. It was an awkward moment. Thankfully the dog was unscathed and so after a moment’s pause, there was nothing for it but to get going again and carry on, albeit somewhat frustrated.
It was a shame we were feeling that way as the road was really starting to get interesting at this point – painted canes at the side of the road showed the area wasn’t unused to seeing thick snowfalls and there was a view of gently sloping hills in almost every direction. Near Brewlands loch we turned left and headed towards Blacklunans. On route we were surprised by the beautiful blue of the waters at Drumore Loch and even more surprised to see what looked like an old, abandoned boathouse down at the water’s edge. We continued on past Blacklunan’s old post office and phonebox and up over a humpback bridge to meet the A93 again. A couple of miles later we turned right onto the B950 and then right again onto the A924 to head for Kirkmichael.
Past Kirkmichael we drove in the opposite direction to the flow of the River Ardle as it sat parallel with the A924 and then we passed through Enochdhu and went past Straloch Primary School before going over a couple of small, bridged streams to catch up with a Jaguar XKR as we made our approach towards the hills. The road played amongst the bouldered slopes and heather. As we descended towards Kinnaird and Moulin, we could see the mountains to the west of Pitlochry. They were an impressive sight. The slope was a 14% descent and we hoped Henry’s brakes would cope.
Driving down into Pitlochry and turning onto Atholl Road, the streets were colourful and busy with floral baskets and summer tourists. As we left Pitlochry we passed under the A9 and took the B8019. We passed Faskally Caravan Park and drove through Killiecrankie. With only a few miles to go, we were now on the last few miles of the rally. The road stretched out straight in front. To our left sat the railway line that runs between Perth and Aviemore. Henry chugged along enthusiastically, the rally finish in Blair Atholl just a few minutes away. We passed under the A9 again, crossed over the River Tilt and drove by Blair Church. The Blair Atholl Arms Hotel came into view and as we pulled in to park, we were delighted to realise we’d finished the rally.
The car park of the Blair Atholls Arms Hotel was full of classic cars so we parked nearby beside a small vintage shop (Farthings @ Home). It was a great feeling to finish and see so many positive, upbeat faces as we said our well dones to Henry.
The Thistle Rallye concluded with a prize-giving and delicious high tea in the Blair Atholl Arms Hotel. We didn’t receive any silverware for our efforts but from the results sheet we were able to work out that we had finished 9th overall and 3rd in class. Having spent a good amount of time eagerly sharing stories from the day with the other competitors and organisers, we finally returned to Henry. As we started up to go home, we could both feel we were very tired but we were also very content and most definitely ready for future rally adventuring. The Thistle Rallye had been a welcome introduction to classic competition out on Scottish roads and we both agreed we were eager to see Henry compete again.
The car park of the Blair Atholls Arms Hotel was full of classic cars so we parked nearby beside a small vintage shop (Farthings @ Home). It was a great feeling to finish and see so many positive, upbeat faces as we said our well dones to Henry.
The Thistle Rallye concluded with a prize-giving and delicious high tea in the Blair Atholl Arms Hotel. We didn’t receive any silverware for our efforts but from the results sheet we were able to work out that we had finished 9th overall and 3rd in class. Having spent a good amount of time eagerly sharing stories from the day with the other competitors and organisers, we finally returned to Henry. As we started up to go home, we could both feel we were very tired but we were also very content and most definitely ready for future rally adventuring. The Thistle Rallye had been a welcome introduction to classic competition out on Scottish roads and we both agreed we were eager to see Henry compete again.
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Henry & I at the finish of the Thistle Rallye 2010 - our first rally together complete See the photographs which accompany this Henry & I article: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagehighlands/sets/72157628872790825 Read the official HRCR rally report for the Thistle Rallye 2010 at: http://www.hrcr.co.uk/articles.php?id=1553 |
