Vintage Bentley
There's more silverware gracing our showroom after William, navigator Dan Harrison, and a 1929 4.5 litre vintage Bentley affectionately called 'Sexy', brought back the second place trophy from this year's Royal Automobile Club 1000 Mile Trial.
Forty-one vehicles lined up for the event at the Royal Automobile Clubs country home of Woodcote Park, Epsom, where the weather was a little grey and drizzly but spirits were high as the route promised to challenge both car and crew on which it delivered.
After taking an early lead b the end of day two, William and Dan were doing well and keeping the previous year's winners a few seconds behind given the intricate scoring of the event. As ever, the tea put in a spirited performance on the various speed trials but it was an error at the innocuous Lake Vyrnwy regularity section on day four that cost them with a penalty that saw the vintage Bentley drop back down the leader board to fifth place.
William reported; "Today we fell afoul of an ancient navigating rule dating back to the 1600s. All credit to the organisers for making it such a challenging event- rallying is tough sometimes, that's why we love it so much!"
But in typical rallying spirit, the chaps fought back and crossed the finish line in second place overall, hot on the wheels of John Abel and Martyn Taylor in their 1937 Lagonda LG 45, who won for the second year running.
The organisers have already tipped the Medcalf crew as the ones to watch in 2016 and, with getting so close to the top spot, its likely that we will return next year.
William added: "This is the first time we have competed in the 1000 Mile Trial and it was a fantastic event, with lots of clever tests and rules that keep you firmly on your toes. There was great camaraderie throughout, with plenty of high jinks towards the end, resulting in a great week of rallying. Our thanks to the organisers and marshalls for a splendid event.
The 1000 Mile Trial took place over six days with breaks and halts in some of the best hostelries and finest stately homes in the country- Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth House, Gregynog Hall and Wilton House featured as lunch halts whilst iconic motor sport venues such as Shelsley Walsh, Chateau Impney, Curborough Sprint Course and Whilton Mill Kart circuit provided driving tests.
