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 | Argyll
Classic - 12 September 2010
Report - Jim Paterson
Photos -
David Ross
 Twentyeight
entries reached Boness for the start of the 2010 Argyll Classic, which
this year ran in September to fit in with the Loch
Lomond
and the Trossachs National Park's 200th Anniversary celebrations of Sir
Walter Scott’s epic verse The Lady of the Lake, which was set
in
and around the Trossachs.
 The
date allowed Boness to be chosen as the start venue, as it
happened to be the weekend of the annual hillclimb, itself a thriving
resurrection of a popular past event. Just shows how much
interest
is being shown in historic motorsport.
Jonathan
Lord, from
RSAC Motorsport, flagged of the starters who took the road to the first
visit of the day at Forrestburn, another famous Scottish hillclimb,
near Kirk O' Shotts.
The crews met a
large group of
cyclists on route and caused on or two crews a bit of bother, Duncan
Massie in his resplendent Lancia Fulvia, running first found the plugs
oiling up due to the slower speeds. David Ross in his Mini also noted
the oil pressure dropping alarmingly.
A run up the
Hillclimb at Forrestburn provided a respite from the cyclists, before
heading west into the Loch Lomond and Trossachs Park, via the Dukes
Pass and on to the Rest and be Thankful Hillclimb.
 This
popular venue is thanks to the Davidson family who own the site and are
leading lights of Friends of the Rest. It can "bite" the cars if you
decide on a "spirited" drive, as witnessed by Duncan Massie, who broke
a drive shaft on the Lancia. David Ross, who took the
photos, had to nurse his Mini as
the oil pressure continued to drop. Later inspection would show metal
debris in the oil, not a good sign.
The "Rest"
last saw action only one week
earlier for Highland Car Clubs La
Crofterra Pandemonia,
and the Hero organised Scottish Malts Reliability Trial also called in
for
a test on Monday 6th September. So the hill climb is now a regular
venue for Classic Cars. Should you want to be
involved with Friends of the Rest, and the work to restore this famous
part of Scottish Motorsport heritage, then click
here for more information, and how to purchase a DVD of
newsreel footage of hillclimbs from the 50's and 60's.
A
final run over to Arrochar completed the tour, where the crews were
treated to hearty meal after their drive,
before the prizegiving.
 Dunbartonshire
Provost Denis Agnew, a enthusiastic supporter of the Argyll Classic
event over the years, presented the prizes
Joe
and Hazel Norman collected the National Park Trophy for their Concours
1963 E-Type Jaguar. Joe can often be seen on CCHMSC events, competing
in either his 1983 Porsche Turbo, or his Mini, which is used for events
with tests.
 Alan Gibb collected the "Car of
the Event" as voted by the competitors. Alan owns an immaculate 1954 Swallow
Doretti,
of which only 184 are known to still exist worldwide. This Argyll run
was graced with not one, but TWO of these rare machines from the 66 in
the UK, Quinten Gray bringing his along as well.
Niall
and Libby
Simpson, who had successfully steered the 1990 TVR 53C to the finish,
won the "Scottsland" prize for gaining highest points in the National
Park Quiz.
 The
event
was the third of four that CCHMSC are promoting in aid of
Macmiillan Cancer Trust, and raised £115 from a raffle. Next
Macmillan event will be the La Carrera Trophy Challenge on 5-7
November. If you fancy a full blown timed historic rally, then this is
could be the one for you [more]
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| Updated 22 September 2010
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