Around and about, June 1989

Second Classic Marathon

It might be many people’s idea of heaven to wake up on the peak of the Stelvio Pass to the sight of Timo Makinen power-sliding past in a Healey 3000.. . followed by Paddy Hopkirk in a Mini-Cooper, Roger Clark in a Lotus-Cortina, Stirling Moss in a Sunbeam Rapier (substitute MGB) and Ove Andersson in an Alpine-Renault (substitute Toyota 2000GT). Assuming that these venerable machines complete the course with fewer than usual “barges” in attendance, all this should come about in June when Pirelli again sponsors Philip Young’s Classic Marathon, an event which proved enormously popular when it was held for the first time last year.

The entry of 120 cars, all from the “classic” era, filled up as soon as Pirelli announced that the 1989 event would go ahead, starting at Tower Bridge, London on June 18 and finishing six days later in Cortina, Italy. The route crosses France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Yugoslavia where the route is identical to that of the 1960 Liege-Sofia-Liege Marathon.

Pirelli has announced a popular new award, the Henry Liddon Memorial Trophy for the best navigator. To curb the enthusiasm of the former international drivers, they may have a maximum of six tyres for the whole event.

The organising team has been strengthened and includes Fred Gallagher as well as Rick Smith, organiser of the Mazda Winter Rally. Motor Sport will again be competing, with Gordon Cruickshank in the co-driver’s seat of Henry Pearman’s 4.2 E-type roadster.