New trial to tour Britain

The most challenging classic reliability trial yet in Great Britain will run over 12 days in September 2010, with a route taking in Wales, Northern England, Scotland and Ireland.

Open to pre-83 cars, the Grand Britannic Trial will feature special tests and regularity sections, while a touring assembly will run on a similar route. The event will start in South Wales on September 20 and finishes in Dublin.

Organiser Kenny Owen promises a route taking in many classic rally roads from the 1950s and ’60s, as well as exploring British industrial history and historic monuments.

“It’s a bold plan but this is an idea I’ve had since watching the Tour of Britain in 1975,” said Owen. “Nothing like this has ever been done before.” Owen is eager to run an event within the UK that rivals the established Classic Marathon and other long-distance European events.