Hero And ERA Press Release

The Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO) and the Endurance Rally Association (ERA) have agreed that HERO will take over the events organised by the ERA.

HERO and the ERA have reached agreement for HERO to take over all the events organised by the ERA. Contracts have been exchanged, with completion set for the very near future. More information will be provided at an industry event to be held in the autumn, the details of which will be announced in due course.

HERO is a multi-service historic motoring platform, and is responsible for a number of very well-known and iconic UK and European rallies. Founded by the late Philip Young in 1988, the ERA is a pioneer of long distance endurance rallying in four continents, synonymous with renowned events such as the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge.

The addition of the ERA events to the HERO platform will:

- ‎ Provide continuity for the ERA's portfolio of events, and preserve the legacy of its founder, Philip Young, ‎a pioneer of historic and endurance rallying.

- Encompass over 25 rallies globally, ‎with 12 or so organised each year across multiple continents. This will constitute a year-round calendar of events, of short to long duration, for cars of different periods, and with varying degrees of difficulty.

- Offer a range of events that are global in scope; with HERO focusing on short and medium distance events, and the ERA on the long distance ones.

The respective management teams are already working together, and both parties are committed to making the transition as seamless as possible for all stakeholders, in keeping with HERO's successful integration of the Classic Rally Association in 2013, which was also founded by the late Philip Young. For historic car enthusiasts signed up for ERA events, they can rest assured that these will continue as planned.

Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Chairman, HERO:

"At HERO, our approach can best be described as "for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts" and there have been no greater enthusiasts than Philip Young and his colleagues at ERA. Philip was, and still is, a revered figure, and we are proud to be taking on the ERA's portfolio of events. For HERO, this represents a significant expansion of our activities, especially longer distance endurance events, for which ERA has long been a market leader and innovator. We will nurture and build on these for many years to come for the benefit of the historic motoring community as a whole"

‎Jane Young, Director, ERA:

"For the ERA, it has been a fantastic journey over almost 30 years, and I would like to thank everyone involved in the ERA’s success to date, the brainchild of Philip and his many colleagues. HERO enthusiastically shares our passion and values and runs great events recognised for their quality and they are our choice to bear Philip’s mantle, to build on his efforts and to aspire to his dreams. We are passing the baton to an organisation that will deliver events to the very highest standards, preserving the ERA’s spirit and building on its success”.

Media Enquiries:

Please contact Patrick Burke, Managing Director, HERO: +44 (0)20 72873939 patrick@heroevents.eu

‎About HERO

HERO is a one-stop platform for historic motoring enthusiasts, offering well established classic rallies and events, membership services, Arrive and Drive car hire programs, bespoke events, insurance solutions, online store, mechanical assistance and transport logistics support. Events include: the Classic Marathon; HERO Challenge; Icelandic Saga; Le Jog, London to Lisbon Classic Rally; Poppy Regularity Rally; RAC Rally of the Tests; Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial; Scottish Malts; Summer Trial; Three Legs of Mann; Winter Challenge to Monte Carlo. HERO's driver championship, the HERO Cup, is the world's leading premier classic regularity series and it has organised well in excess of 150 events since 1993. For more information, see www.heroevents.eu .

About ERA

Established in 1988 by Philip Young, the ERA has since organised some 60 major events, in more than 50 countries. Events include: Baltic Classic; Blue Train Challenge; Classic Safari Challenge; Road to Saigon; Flying Scotsman; Trans America; Himalayan Challenge; Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. For more information, see www.endurorally.com.