Moffat 2011

[Alan D.]

The Moffat Classic Car Rally 25th & 26th June 2011
The Moffat Rally was originally held in 1998 and is now in its thirteenth year. The town of Moffat is set in the beautiful Southern Upland hills in the south of Scotland, and is easily accessible from the M6 in England then to M74 in Scotland. The town is simple to find as it is accessed from a slip road from the M74.

Moffat, in the heart of Southern Scotland, 3 minutes from the M74, is a great place to visit. From first glance Moffat is an attractive town, a coaching stop and 19th century spa town. It is an outstanding conservation town with modern amenities, and offers free parking, a "double" High Street, lots of specialist shops, cafes and hotels, the beautiful Station Park and many super walks.

The Rally is a two day event; the first day being the Saturday which offers a scenic drive of some thirty miles, around the beautiful rolling hills of southern Scotland, taking in St. Mary’s Loch and the beautiful views over Talla reservoir. Usually about three hundred cars take part in the run, usually stopping for a picnic at St. Mary’s Loch.

The whole event is a leisurely affair starting in Moffat Town centre with cars leaving in batches of sixty, every fifteen minutes or so. You are piped out of the town by a piper in full Scottish regalia, and then you are on your way! Due to our modern health and safety regulations, the route is now the same every year, but it is reversed every year to give a little variety.

It is of no matter that we take the same route every year, as the scenery is breathtaking! With three hundred or so cars on the run, you could be following any make or model, from the French tin snail, to gaudiest American barge! Everybody seems to picnic at St. Mary’s Loch, so this is quite an event in itself, with all manner of vintage cars and motorcycles.

The best thing is that you are greeted everywhere along the run with both a smile and a wave, by both participants and spectators alike - In fact, the whole of this day’s event makes you feel that it’s good to be alive! The whole day is a leisurely affair for our little group; we stay at my holiday home which is about forty miles from the event.

We drive in convoy with me taking the lead, as I have the slowest car, being a standard 998cc metro engine and gearbox. So on the first day we had a steady drive there and back, about 80 miles, plus about 30 miles on the run. Then on the second day we fill up with petrol at Dumfries Tesco and we all decided to check or fuel consumption - mine worked out at 52 MPG, not bad for a 25 year old engine, originally designed somewhere about 1948! My only disappointment was that I never managed to get into fifth gear, but that’s another story!

A quote from the Rally website says it all; “There is no other event on the UK mainland that can offer such a spectacular scene of 300 classic cars on the road at one time in such lovely scenery”, although I would say spectacular scenery!

The second day consists of a static show attended by around nine hundred cars of more variety than you can ever imagine. Entrants come from as far afield as France, Germany, Northern Ireland and Wales; and with spectators venture down from as far as the Shetland islands and the southern reaches of England, such as Devon and Cornwall.

I remember on the 2007 event, (which was held over a particularly wet weekend), talking to a gentleman from the deep south of England who had driven over 400 miles in a Jaguar C-Type replica (a particular favourite of mine). It is totally open car, with only two aero screens for weather protection. He looked like a drowned rat, but even more amazingly he had his wife with him (although she was drastically in need of a hairdryer!). Where do they get these dedicated women from? I have obviously not been a very good wife trainer!

At events like these I’ve found that it does give you the chance to meet fellow enthusiasts and we have accrued quite a few members for our little northern Midas group. After all, this is a mostly lonely hobby with much time spent in a cold garage. Events like these make it all worthwhile, with good company and the sun on your back. This static show has a small number of trade stands and other traders.

There are fairground rides for the children and often a pipe band with authentic Scottish bagpipes and Scottish country dancers, which always sets the atmosphere. One of the things that tickle my fancy is the variety of enthusiasts who come to proudly show off their collections, and the one that comes to mind is the man who collects oil and fuel cans. He even has a specially made trailer racked out to show off his wares – true dedication!!

There is a great atmosphere, and everyone is jovial and good natured; you don’t feel any aggression in these events; unlike when you go to watch men running around in shorts (always a dubious pastime I think)! One of our group, who shall remain nameless, left his car keys in his boot lock (senior moment). A member of the public reported it to one of the event Marshalls, who then stood guard on the car until the owner returned! Now that’s good will!

The Event is organised by The Scottish Rootes Enthusiasts and is well supported by the Rootes marque, with all manner of Hillmans, Sunbeams and Talbots in attendance. They support MacMillan Cancer Relief and Cancer Research, with all proceeds going to this charity. Remember, this event is free to all classic car entrants, so do support the stalls and events.

Below is a link to some of the photographs which I took on the 2010 event. I’m no photographer and they were just snapped as and when, but I do hope they convey the atmosphere of such a remarkable event.
The Run
https://picasaweb.google.com/alandonowh ... directlink

The Static show
https://picasaweb.google.com/alandonowh ... directlink
Why not come and join us? Mini Marcos and GTMs most welcome.

Alan

The Northern Midas group

Remember: you saw it first on: " The Midas Cars Forum"

[Alan D.]

The Moffat application form arrived today, so if anyone is interested in joining us, you need to get your application away now!! This year on the way to the run, on the Saturday, we will be going to view the Scottish Rally service area, which is on the old Dumfries Airfield, there is also a spectator stage being held on or near the Airfield. So If you want to join us I can guarantee you a weekend of smiles!

Alan

[midasnut]

Alan
It sound like a good event, my form went in on Saturday.
Dave H

[johnnyfixit]

i'LL BE THERE just sent mine off fingers crossed

[Victorc]

Alan,
I have received my acceptance, so look forward to seeing you there.
Victor

[Victorc]

Alan, The photos look good, I hope we get the same weather again, it was good to be able to take the hardtop of my Midas for the run.
I must remember not to leave the keys in the car this time (and not to run out of petrol).
I sent the application in some time ago and I have received the confirmation, so see you and the rest there.

Victor

[johnnyfixit]

great day out pity I cursed the day with my break downs and popping the passenger window on the saturday but pleanty there for the Sunday I missed
(photo from Dave and unusual angle son )still trying to connect nokia to this dam computer to put some video on.You can even see the knob in the back ground that tried to squeese past everyone including marshal trucks !

[Stuart]

Nice photo Johnny, I was starting to think there was an injunction in place preventing any press releases from the Northern quarter