Ross and District Motor Sports club held its Historic Road Rally on Saturday, July 23rd, starting from Ross cattle market, which also held the first test. The event was organised as a regularity rally, also called time-speed-distance or TSD rally, is a type of motorsport rally with the object of driving each segment of a course in a specified time at a specified average speed.

The rally is usually conducted on public roads, but sometimes includes off-road and track sections. Contestants usually compete in teams composed of an amateur driver and navigator. The Historic Road Rally, organised by Ross Motor Club, consisted of timed road sections with variable speeds often only short distances apart. The navigator needed to be alert with timings and distances, as generally they were unaware of where the controls were located.

The first regularity took the competitors from Glewstone along the lanes to Whitfield for a further three tests within Whitfield Park, these test are run on private land and are timed to the second. Following this there was a coffee break at Madley, and then it was on to the start of the second regularity 100 yards down the road. This took the competitors over the Black Mountains to finish at Olchon Bridge. Then it was straight into the third regularity at Longtown, continuing along the lanes back to Whitfield for a further three tests, then a break for lunch.

The afternoon events began in Pontrillas, once again entering Whitfield for a regularity within Whitfield Park, then out to Wormbridge, through Callow and completing the regularity at Michaelchurch. The final regularity was held alongside the A40 in the Whitchurch and Goodrich area. After the event, which covered a route of 140 miles, everyone returned to the club house in Ross for well-earned refreshments and dinner. The bar opened, results were finalised and the awards presented.

The overall winner was Howard Warren, from HRCR, navigated by Iain Tullie, from Ilkley DMC, driving a 1965 Porsche 911. Second was Paul Crosby from HRCR, navigated by Andy Pullan, in a 1970 Porsche 911. Taking third place was Nick Bloxham, from the Welsh Border Car Club, navigated by Richard Crozier from Oxford Motor Club in a 1972 Ford Escort Mexico. The first Ross member was Richard Mclachlan navigating for Barry Quibell in a 1969 Ford Escort, winning class N2.

Ross Motor Sports Club is very grateful to both Whitfield and the cattle market for the use of their land making this a successful event, along with lots of sunshine.

The club is also very grateful to more than 100 marshals from various clubs throughout the country for their time and diligence in making all the tests and controls run faultlessly. Events like this cannot happen without their help.