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Thread: National Three Peaks Rally?

  1. #1
    Senior Member Joester's Avatar
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    National Three Peaks Rally?

    Ok, not a race exactly...

    I'm putting some feelers out to see if I can find some mountain people that are fond of classic/sports cars, or indeed some classic/sports car enthusiasts that are fond of the mountains.
    My idea is to stage what I think will be the first 'proper' National Three Peaks Rally, hopefully raising plenty of money for Mountain Rescue, but mainly to have a great time.

    It has been said by those used to long days in the hills that the hardest part of the National Three Peaks is the driving (or rather, to deal with being driven), so I had the idea to make the most of that part, too!
    By 'proper', I mean that there have been a few events that have used the term 'rally' - but they rally MPVs and minibuses.
    - My idea is to use a fleet of cool cars to shuttle the walkers between their objectives.

    The criteria for the cars are that they must be one or more of:
    - Recognised Sports (or supercar!).
    - Recognised Classic
    - Roofless, Convertible or Cabriolet*
    - Over 20 years old

    (* In this case, the car must be open-topped whilst travelling, unless a dispensation is given by consenus!).

    The criteria for walkers/runners are:
    - Must be confident of completing the route within 24 hours.
    - Must be confident to navigate themselves in a mountain environment.

    Walkers/runners will be given the opportunity of travelling in two different vehicles, where possible.
    Drivers don't walk for safety reasons.
    Teams leave each mountain together, travel in convoy where possible and aim to arrive at their destination within 30 minutes of each other.

    The routes are:
    Ben Nevis from Achintee via the pony track.
    Scafell Pike from Wasdale Head via Brown Tongue.
    Snowdon from Pen y Pass via Pyg track (and down the Miners).

    By 'Rally' I mean a gathering of vehicles that travel a set route together, not a race (for obvious reasons).

    So far we have a Vindicator Sprint, an MX5, a Rover SD1, two Toyota Supra MkIII's, maybe a Triumph Herald and Stag and someone threatening to hire an AC Cobra for the purpose.
    I'm encouraging my walking buddies to treat themselves to older cars so as to qualify, but aside from this I'd really love to broaden the list this to include all sorts of different cars. You could get a team together and buy an old Merc or Beemer for less than 500 quid...

    There are, of course, plenty of details, logistics and 'rules' to be figured out, but at the moment I am just trying to get the ball rolling so we can gather momentum via enthusiasm.

    Would this be of interest to anyone?
    I'm happy to hear all constructive advice and comments about the idea.

    I've started a Facebook page for those interested - search for 'Three Peaks Rally' and 'Like'.

    Cheers,

    Joe

  2. #2
    Master wheezing donkey's Avatar
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    Re: National Three Peaks Rally

    To further reduce "the need for speed" in the driving element, would it not be wiser to do Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via Styhead and the Corridor Route? Less road mileage ( and it's all less non motorway mileage ) means that the drivers are not under the same pressure. The walkers / runners will have somewhat more time to cover the longer route on Scafell Pike; but that's exactly where the "pressure" should be in an event of this nature in these speed conscious times.
    A couple of fellrunners ( Andy Walmsley & Tim Kelly ) did this in '93 as an "Economy Run":- Manchester to Pen-y-Pass, up & down Snowdon, Pen-y-Pass to Seathwaite, up & down Scafell Pike, Seathwaite to Achintee, up & down Ben Nevis, Achintee to Manchester. They had allowed themselves 36 hours but completed the "round" in 30 hours (IIRC). The car was a then brand new Audi 100 TDI ( 2.5L 5 cyl with 6 spd 'box ) with an experienced economy-run driver at the wheel. The RAC filled the tank at Manchester and sealed it. On the car's return to Manchester the tank was unsealed and "pumped out", 1.5 gallons was still remaining. IIRC it had averaged 66 m.p.g.
    Last edited by wheezing donkey; 12-09-2012 at 11:47 PM.
    I was a bit of an oddball until I was abducted by aliens; but I'm perfectly OK now!

  3. #3
    Senior Member The Navigator's Avatar
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    Re: National Three Peaks Rally

    Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo ooooo!

  4. #4
    Senior Member Joester's Avatar
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    Re: National Three Peaks Rally

    Quote Originally Posted by wheezing donkey View Post
    To further reduce "the need for speed" in the driving element, would it not be wiser to do Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via Styhead and the Corridor Route? Less road mileage ( and it's all less non motorway mileage ) means that the drivers are not under the same pressure. The walkers / runners will have somewhat more time to cover the longer route on Scafell Pike; but that's exactly where the "pressure" should be in an event of this nature in these speed conscious times.
    .
    I'll give that great consideration.
    Although, the non-motorway miles should be the more pleasant ones, and we won't be in a rush anyway (not possible if you're in convoy with a Triumph Herald!). Anyone seen to be driving irresposibly will be told to retire from the rally.

    (The Supras will be lucky if they can get above 25mpg).

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