FANS of vintage and classic cars enjoyed a treat last weekend thanks to the 12th Flying Scotsman endurance rally.
A vast array of machines competed over three days – travelling 600 miles and undertaking numerous tests and regularities. The epic journey started at Slaley Hall in Northumberland and travelled through the Borders and Lothians, then on to Fife on day one.
Day two took competitors further north, via Dundee and Pitlochry, to Aviemore. The final day saw them visit the Lecht Ski Centre before heading south to Gleneagles in Perthshire.
And wintry conditions made the rally even more of a challenge – with a huge percentage of the 100-strong field being open-top cars. But a dominant performance over all three days saw William Medcalf and co-pilot Andy Pullan take victory in their 1923 Bentley Supersports.
Second place went to Martin Hunt and Bob Mannix in a 1937 Fraser Nash BMW 328, with Martin’s son Theo Hunt and Jimmy Galliver claiming the final podium step in their 1933 Fraser Nash TT Replica.
Medcalf said at the finish: “Thank you to Mr Pullan – it’s all in the nav, I just do as I’m told.” But his co-pilot replied: “This is William’s third win now, and I’m delighted that this is my first. It was a great competition and really tight throughout.”
Other vehicles taking on the challenge included motors from renowned marques such as Lagonda, Riley, Jaguar, Alvis, Talbot, Triumph, MG and more.
A spokesman for organisers HERO-ERA said: “The Flying Scotsman is a celebration of these machines and an opportunity to show them to the public. It is also about keeping these old motorcars moving and inspiring the next generation, who will become their custodians.”
