Club Triumph

Club Triumph Historic Counties Run 2014

“Oh I Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside”

Club Triumph is proud to announce the 2014 HCR, subtitled “Oh I do like to be beside the seaside”, which will take place on the 12^th and 13^th April 2014.

Helm & Stokes reporting for duty! Yes thatÂ’s right, after a year away from organising the event, weÂ’re back for another stab. Keeping with the format of the past few years, with optional timed Gymkhana Tests, we again intend to include these at the start. As with previous years it is possible to tailor the event to suit your taste by opting to do as many or as little of the optional elements as you wish, whether you fancy a leisurely drive through the night on some fantastic roads or a more competitive event, it's up to you.

The format is as follows: After signing on and plotting the first section an optional Gymkhana test will take place near the start. You then drive your plotted route to the half way point where you will have a compulsory 60 minute break. During this break, further instructions will be handed out and you then plot and drive the second half arriving at the finish by a given time. Breakfast has been arranged at the finish location and prize giving will happen once all entrants have returned.

The navigation: A set of basic Counties (List 1,NULL,NULL) which all crews will visit in order to be considered finishers. This will hopefully give a decent nights driving on some interesting roads, a few things to look out for on the way and a route which all should be able to complete easily in the time available without feeling too tired or getting stressed by the whole affair. It should also be possible to meet up with other crews along the way, spend some time with them at the ‘Halfway Stop’ and then finish the event by having breakfast together, with awards decided and presented at the finish to round off a great weekend’s motoring.

For those looking for a bit more of a challenge, there are Lists 2 and 3. List 2 contains the names of a number of other Counties which may also be visited, each of which will score a further point. These extra ‘optional’ Counties may be visited in any order and crews may visit as many or as few as they wish thereby allowing for the route to be adapted ‘on the road’ making the most of any extra time available or cutting bits out to get ‘back on schedule’ according to your own chosen route and timings. List 3 is a list of certain specific points or places, each of which if visited should reveal the answer to a question. Giving the correct answer (this may require a little thought, time and effort but there are no unfathomable, trick or cryptic questions,NULL,NULL) will yield a further point. It would pay crews to take the time to look at the locations of all Counties, optional Counties and optional points as the distances to these places will, of necessity, be different. It could therefore be seen that visiting points X and Y, if using a certain route, might involve driving less distance than just visiting point Z, for example.

There are also a few (not too many,NULL,NULL) code boards along the way in certain places. Those who take part in night mini rallies or who have entered previous HCRs will be familiar with these, but donÂ’t worry, you will all be shown one of these before the start and they will all be in plain view from the road on the left hand side. These also count towards your points total, but only count half a point each as you donÂ’t have to drive miles to find them, just keep your eyes open!

In order to ensure that everyone gets together at the ‘Halfway Stop’, gets out of the car or has a bit of shut eye, and generally takes a break from driving, the lists 1, 2 and 3 are split. Lists 1a, 2a and 3a will be given out at the start, but 1b, 2b and 3b will only be issued at the ‘Halfway Stop’, and not until a minimum of 30 minutes has elapsed after crews have signed in.

The reason that the ‘Halfway Stop’ is always shown in inverted commas is that it does not necessarily represent half distance; it could be more or less depending on your choice of route. You may opt to be a bit cautious to start with, find out that it’s actually easier than you thought and then for the 2nd section be more adventurous. Alternatively if you arrive at the stop feeling that perhaps you have bitten off more than you can chew with the first section, you can always take it a bit easier with the 2nd.

You do not have to decide in advance whether you are going for a simple List 1 approach or taking on Lists 2 and/or 3 as well, nor do you need to notify the organisers or make any sort of commitment to any particular approach. You can change your minds, your route, your timings and if necessary your underwear! as often as you like to make this event whatever you want it to be, just try to make it FUN, then tell your friends and come back again next year.

Michael Helm & Ellis Stokes – Event Organisers