A new event among the rapidly-expanding roster offered by leading international classic car rally organiser Bespoke Rallies, the recent Highland 1000 ended in climactic fashion with just 12 seconds separating the 1969 E-Type Jaguar of Nick Seaton-Burridge and Dennis Greenslade and the 1963 Porsche 912 of novices Maarten Smet and Nadia Imfurayacu of Belgium.
The opportunity to compete on all but deserted roads while sampling the finest scenery Scotland has to offer attracted a truly international entry, with participants from as far afield as Hong Kong and Canada as well as five different European countries.
The eclectic array of cars ranged from a 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom I to a 1974 Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC. A regularity trial, the four-day event started and finished in Falkirk and was blessed with superb weather for most of its duration.
Said Bespoke Rallies director John Brigden: “Organising rallies in the far flung corners of the world it is easy to forget how stunning the scenery closer to home can be, and during four days of unrivalled views of Scotland’s finest lochs and glens we were treated to wonderful sightings of spring lambs, hares, red squirrels, ptarmigan and, of course, Highland cattle.
But, despite the distractions, the competition was intense and a good time had by all. This is an event we will certainly be looking to repeat in the future.”
Further Bespoke Rallies events for 2018:
The Pyrenees 1000 (September 13-16)
The next event on offer from the ever-busy team at Bespoke Rallies is the Pyrenees 1000. It is another new addition to the company’s calendar that will start and finish in the beautiful Spanish town of Pamplona, famous worldwide for the annual running of the bulls.
The Grand Prix of South America (October 18 to November 17)
There is still the chance for a few lucky enthusiasts to follow in the wheel-tracks of five times World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio by signing up for the inaugural re-run of ‘the greatest ever road race’.
Commencing 70 years to the minute after the start of the famous 1948 event, crews will leave Buenos Aires on an unforgettable 30-day, 10,000km adventure through the wilds of Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.
