TRAILAS AHEAD ON LE JOG

Trials ahead on LE JOG

LE JOG I Dec 4-7

The organisers of the annual Land’s End to John O’Groats Historic Reliability Trial have promised one of the best routes yet for the 10th running of the event. Over 80 cars will tackle LE JOG, ranging from the 1926 Bentley of Robert Abrey to the 1974 BMW CSI of Erwin Putz.

LE JOG starts from Land’s End at 8am on Saturday morning and ends 72 hours later at John O’Groats. In between lie some of Britain’s toughest roads and a series of gruelling regularity sections and special tests.

The route heads deep into Wales on Saturday evening for a tough section before a rest halt at Chester early on Sunday. Organiser John Brown of the Historic Endurance Rally Organisation said: “This year we are taking a western route north through Wales, which means there will be a greater emphasis on forest roads, including two forests not previously used.” Four special tests held in darkness are also planned. Sunday’s route starts at 9am for a demanding day across the Pennines before the first proper overnight halt in Gateshead. On Monday the survivors tackle Northumberland

and then head into Scotland, with special tests at Knockhill.

Two mammoth regularity runs, including one of more than 80 miles, provide stern challenges. The first crews are due at John O’Groats around 9.20am on Tuesday.

Few will survive without penalties. Just five crews earned a coveted gold medal in 2003: The oldest car, Andrew and Jonathan Davies’ 1936 Riley Sport 12/4, is back for more; Geoff Stewart and Peter Murray (Porsche 911), Rob Kiff/John Kiff (Okrassa-VW) and Jayne Wignall/ Kevin Savage (Porsche 356B) are also chasing back-to-back golds.