Calling all rally lovers!

Top names and novices alike are lining up for a thrilling weekend of classic winter road rallying on the Tour of Wessex taking place from 13-15 February 2015, writes Peter Hall.

Organised by the Vintage and Classic Rally Register (VCRR), the 550-mile regularity rally will explore the picturesque lanes of Devon and Somerset, starting from the Haynes International Motor Museum at Sparkford on the evening of Friday 13 February and spending two nights at the Rally HQ in Exeter before finishing in Street on Sunday afternoon. Along the way, crews will enjoy a variety of entertaining challenges, with 20 regularity and jogularity sections and 23 special tests. The route is predominantly on tarmac (including former Motoring News Championship sections) but also features several completely new venues, a few miles of smooth gravel and forest roads that have not seen a rally car for almost 30 years.

The fast-expanding entry list already spans a very wide range of experience, with a fascinating variety of cars including several ex-works machines; marques so far represented include Alfa Romeo, Austin, BMW, Datsun, Ford, Hillman, Lotus, MG, NSU, Porsche, Triumph, VW and Volvo. Reflecting the mix of expertise among the crews, the event has been designed to be novice-friendly whilst still testing the most competitive drivers and navigators, among them 2010 Tour of Wessex winner Andy Lane, this time accompanied by Iain Tullie. The route will offer plenty of interest for all and optional challenges for those determined to win more than a finisher's medal.

The Tour of Wessex is also being supported by Rally Round driving adventures (www.rallyround.co.uk), organisers of the Paris-Madrid and Road to Mandalay rallies, who will be hosting a navigation class for anyone wishing to hone their skills before setting off at dusk on Friday for a 100-mile run from Sparkford to Exeter, an action-packed ‘warm-up’ that includes one regularity section, two jogularities and three special tarmac tests. The Saturday, Valentine's Day, will be no less exciting, covering 280 miles and ending with several forest tests held in darkness, while Sunday's route covers 150 miles, including no fewer than six private venue tests, before arriving at the finish and prizegiving.


For further details of the route, regulations, early entry discounts and the latest entry list, visit the Tour of Wessex page on the VCRR website.