Events: HERO of the southwest

HERO Challenge Three, 10 October

An amalgam of tests, regularities and resplendent views are all part of HERO’s Challenge Three event, set-up to allow drivers and crews of any skill level to enjoy around 150 miles of British countryside.

As opposed to HERO’s usual offerings of both domestic and trans-European marathons, the gentler challenge events have been designed to give amateur and novice crews a taste of the action on the national stage, whilst also offering more advanced tests for the more experienced. Fully adapted to meet COVID-19 restrictions, this one-day event celebrates pre-1986 machinery of all shapes and sizes, with the likes of 1925 Bentley Supersports, Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprints and ’67 Ford Mustangs all ready to set off from the event’s base in Taunton, Somerset.

A simplified routebook takes away the usual complications of plotting, allowing competitors the freedom to enjoy every aspect of the predetermined scenic route, as well as a selection of competitive tests and regularity challenges along the way. There are also masters categories available for the more experienced competitor.
Each category will be separated by vehicle age and engine capacity, and will be scored against one another accordingly, with a host of awards to be won.

The Challenge Three event includes six tests and seven regularities, a morning coffee break, lunch and dinner, with an evening awards ceremony to cap off the day. The event welcomes drivers and crews from all over. And last month’s Challenge Two event showed its all-inclusive nature by hosting the youngest-ever HERO/ERA podium visitor, as a 14-year-old navigator made it onto the rostrum.

The quieter country roads of the southwest are the perfect choice for a relaxed and enjoyable afternoon behind the wheel.

 

WRC Rally Italia Sardegna

8-11 October

Four different winners in four events has made for an intriguing World Rally Championship season, with the Toyota duo of Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans depriving reigning champion Ott Tänak from having things all his own way with Hyundai. Will we see another new winner when the series arrives in Italy?

 

Formula 1 Eifel and Portuguese Grands Prix

9-11 October, 23-25 October

A return to the Nürburgring for the first time since 2013 is the second not- originally-scheduled part of the season. It would be fitting for Lewis Hamilton to equal Michael Schumacher’s 91 wins total there. Then it’s on to Portugal for the first grand prix there since 1996.

 

British Touring Car Championship

10-11 October, Croft Circuit

Round 7 takes place at Croft, with Colin Turkington and Ash Sutton locked in a head-to-head battle for the title. Croft tends to be a rear-wheel-drive haven, so it’s a good thing both title contenders are mounted in a BMW and Infiniti respectively. This one’s wide open.

 

MotoGP Aragon and Teruel Grands Prix

16-18 October, 23-25 October

MotoGP stages its third double-header of an unorthodox season in Aragon. An unpredictable season has led to surprise winners like Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, and a title race that is far from settled. Can any rider assert themselves as title favourite?

 

British Superbikes

16-18 October, Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch plays host to the triple-header finale of BSB. A single race on Saturday before back-to-back races on the Sunday will decide the 2020 champion, as the likes of Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell attempt to overhaul Glenn Irwin’s points lead.

 

More October events

October 2/3 IndyCar, Illinois
October 3/4 British GT, Snetterton
October 11 NASCAR, Charlotte
October 18 NASCAR, Kansas