The Coast to Coast

Date: 12th July 2008

Location: Blackpool to Scarborough & back

Price: £55 per car

The 16th Coast to Coast is a spectacular motoring weekend for classic cars which is always honoured by a large turnout.  Originating from an idea to run an event in the style of Wainwright from East to West.

Please download the Event regulations and entry form for more information.

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EVENT REPORT: 2007 Coast to Coast Classic Tour - 30th June - 1st July

By Mike Raven

2006 COAST TO COAST - 14th Coast to Coast Classic Tour

The picture within the following report are general 2006 event pictures.  More pictures can be found by clicking the link to the right.

"The Passengers' Perspective"

BY Christine Chadwick and Claire Shore

"...'coast to coast virgins'..."

As this was our first Coast to Coast, we were 'volunteered' to review the event from our perspective as two first time navigators in our husbands' car, a Healy 100/6 and a Healy 3000 mk3.  Forgive us, readers if we do not master all of the terminology, but as 'coast to coast virgins' we have not yet grasped all of the nuances of this most pleasureable pastime.

Leaving Blackpool, we were soon away from familiar territory, wending our way ever Eastwards through Caton and across the River Lune.  Soon, a stop for morning coffee and a chance to catch up with friends, check our progress and 'touch-up' our hair and make-up (we soon gave up on that!).  The second part of the morning was somewhat bumpier and it was with some relief that we began to see signs for Reeth, our designated lunch stop.  We did not need to worry whether we were on the right path, as onlookers were only too keen to guide us along with shouts of "they went that way!"

"...sounded extremely painful..."

Reeth was a beautiful place to take a break and we sat outside soaking up the sun and trying our best to follow the conversations of 'bottoming out' over the hills.  We weren't quite sure what this might mean but thought it sounded extremely painful for the motorists concerned!  The carvery lunch far surpassed our expectations (excellent food was to become a feature of the event).

Reeth Village Green

"...diners club on wheels!"

Time to move on to a most pleasant afternoon, through countryside and villages, one of which was decorated with 'scarecrows' of characters such as Rupert Bear and Bertie Bassett.  The highlight, though, had to be our visit to 'Aidensfield' as we imagined ourselves in a scene from Heartbeat.  Before long, we were rewarded by glimpses of the sea in the distance - 'Welcome to Scarborough'.  Indeed we were welcomed,  with a delightful cream tea (this was turning into a Diners Club on wheels!).

The arrival of the local Mayor and the ceremony that followed lent an air of importance to the occasion.  After a brief tour of our fellow motorists' cars we left to enjoy a well earned rest.

"...solitary Highland Cow..."

Sunday morning, and we were off again after some running repairs to an exhaust (thanks to our B&B for the loan of a coathangar, we'll return it next year!).  Through the Dalby forest - wasn't that delightful - and out onto the harshness of the gravel tracks.  Our kindly advice advice of "slow down, mind the paintwork!" was left unheeded as we sped along.  The only onlooker at this stage of our journey was the solitary Highland Cow who looked as surprised to see us as we were to see him.  Our tea stop produced a further surprise in the form of a live jazz band.  The pleasant surroundings made it difficult to decide whether we should linger, or press on, but with husbands already revving up the cars, the decision was made.

"...sadistic pleasure..."

As the final chapter of our journey unfolded, the weather dampened but our spirits didn't and we took comfort in the knowledge that other would pay considerable sums of money visiting theme parks for the pleasure of being showered in water at high speed!  We weren't the only the only ones to be braving the elements as the hills were strewn with  trial bikers practising their skills and battling against the elements.  We won't easily forget the 4x4 driver who ensured that we passed slowly (very slowly) through this part of the journey.  Had the weather been more pleasant we would have thanked him for affording us the opportunity of what must have been a splendid view on a mist-free day.  However, after 15 minutes or so, we couldn't help but think that he was getting some sadistic pleasure from the sight of us soaking wet motorists in his rear view mirror!

Eventually, we parted company and soon the end was in sight.  We were rewarded with a cheerful welcome from the marshalling team.  Sadly neither of us had managed promotion from navigator to driver on this trip and we failed to wrestle the keys from our husbands' grasp (how different is this to those occasions when out socialising and the keys to the car are veritably thrust upon us!).  The final joy... yet more glorious food!

"...competent and detailed..."

There are so many people who deserve our thanks for making this trip enjoyable and memorable.  Firstly, to all those experience 'coast to coast' drivers who welcomed us with smiles and cheerful conversation wherever we where.  The marshals and those who waited out in the middle of nowhere to take photos and guide us on our way.  The folks along the way who cheered and smiles.  Perhaps, most importantly, our thanks go to the authors of the route books.  The competent and detailed descriptions enabled us to avoid mistakes which would have led to almost certain divorce!

"Not Amused"

The only disappointment of the tour was voiced by a particularly grump walker who, probably for the twentieth time, had stepped onto the grass verge in order to let us pass along a narrow lane.  As we drew level with her, we smiled and thanked her for her trouble.  "Not Amused" cam the stern reply.  Well, we're sorry that this particular lady wasn't amused buy our activities - we, however, certainly were!

Thanks Lancashire Automobile Club for a fantastic weekend - see you next year!

2006 Coast to Coast - Capt David W. G. Bell's Result

First photograph of the 2006 Coast to Coast came in from Peter Entwistle who took part with The LAC's own David Bell.

Lotus Cortina at cross roads near Caton on Sat Morning on The Coast To Coast.

Photograph courtesy of Peter Entwistle - ActionPhotographs of Ribble Valley

We clocked in at the finish 21st  from a start number of 46 and an entry of 66 – not that’s anything to do with anything  - but tearass Haslam certainly ‘put it a little bit sideways’ now and again]

1st ½ [of route]

Driver David W G Bell, (Club Hon Sec)

CoDriver Brian Haslam  (Tulip Specialist ! )

2nd ½ [of route]

Driver Brian Haslam ( a.k.a. TearAce /  LeadRightFoot)

CoDriver David W G Bell ( from Panama )

2005 COAST TO COAST - EVENT REPORT By Michael Raven

13^th Coast to Coast Classic Tour

".....would still be at the start"

"....with a straight road ahead...."

"...entertainment value, second to none."

"...an excellent event..."

EVENT REPORT (2004)

12^th Coast to Coast Classic Tour

Saturday 31^st July & Sunday 1^st August

Should anyone wish to take a weekend away and wonder what the weather was going to be like, they would be well advised to look at the Club’s Events Calendar and pick the weekend the Coast to Coast is run. Over the 12 years that this annual event has taken place, it has seldom been subject to bad weather, indeed mostly it has run with almost cloudless skies. This years event continued in this vain, with the second leg, on the Sunday, being almost perfect.

"...over 100-car entry..."

The traditional start took place at Blackpool by the War Memorial, near the North Pier and the Metropole Hotel. This year the event achieved its majority with a record over 100-car entry (101 to be precise). In fact there were 3 non-starters, meaning 98 actually took the start. Cars started in pairs, the first two, and the oldest in the event, a 1931 Morris Minor and a 1935 Austin Tourer, were flagged away at precisely 8.00am. In fact these two cars had been preceded by car number 00, an ex Targa Florio racing Porsche driven by its owner Eoin Sloan and navigated by committee member Mark Harwood-Stone. This vehicle was really a publicity attraction running in front of the whole entry on both days.

Entrants, as always, had been issued with two very concise Route Books to cover both days. Mike and Margaret Abrams, the official route planners, had prepared these and so accurate were they that there was really no need to consult the map.

After driving along the promenade, passing the Golden Mile, Sandcastle and the Pleasure Beach, the route went inland passing through the villages of Elswick and Inskip to cross the A6 and M6 near Bilsborrow. From here it continued via Bleasdale, Chipping and the well known Gibbon Bridge Hotel to the first Passage Control and optional coffee stop, the Parkers Arms at Newton.

 "...fresh from the Prix des Alpes..."

The Parkers Arms has often been a traditional Passage Control, indeed it was a coffee halt on the very first C2C. Roy and Elsie Honeywell were running the control, as they had done on that very first event. Quite a few spectators tuned out here to watch the cars pass through, Tom Blackburn, fresh from the Prix des Alpes and yours truly. Geoff and Margaret Breakell arrived at 10.15am, but the last car had left.

It is not possible to mention everyone I chatted to, but special mention must go to Ken Bayliss and his grandson Tom. This is the third year they have done the C2C and were entered as usual in Ken’s 1954 Bristol Arnott. Ken and Tom were also fresh from the Prix des Alpes, having finished in that event a fine 6^th overall. They did the event last year and finished quite well, but not in the top ten. It is worth mentioning that Tom is barely in his teens yet. Another mention must go to car number 10, a 1954 MGTF driven by Jim Porter and navigated by his wife Jo. Those with memories will remember that Jim was the late Roger Clarke's first co-driver and later went on to become Clerk of the Course for the RAC Rally for quite a few years. 

"...All Creatures Great and Small..."

After leaving Newton, the route continued via Slaidburn and then over the Stocks Reservoir road to Austwick. After Austwick it continued via Horton in Ribblesdale to one of the north’s great monuments, Ribblehead Viaduct. From here it turned east to pass through Hardrow and then the picturesque village of Askrigg, made famous for scenes from the television series, All Creatures Great and Small. Entrants then passed through Gunnerside to finally arrive at the official lunch halt at the Charles Bathhurst Inn (CB) on the moors above Reeth.

After a very pleasant lunch break, entrants then continued eastwards shortly entering County Durham. It was then through the little known villages of Barningham and Newsham to the famous Scotch Corner roundabout. From here the route passed through Gt Smeaton, Hornby and Appleton Wiske to a Passage Control at the Station Hotel, Picton.

After the Passage Control the route wound its way through Hutton Rudby and Kirkby to Inglby-Greenhow. This particular area brings back memories, as there is a forest here which was used as a stage many times on the RAC and other rallies. It was famous for having a long flat-out section towards the end. I remember co-driving the late ‘Piggy’ Thompson in an ex works Bjorn Waldegard, Ford Escort on a Mintex Rally. It was on this straight that we just managed to see120mph come up on the speedo! From Inglby-Greenhaow the route continued through the villages of Battersby, Kildale, Commondale, Danby, Ugthorpe and Lythe Bank and a spectacular descent to the North Sea coast at Sandsend. Entrants have now driven Coast to Coast.

It was not quite ove. After following the coast for 2 miles, entrants headed inland again to Ruswarp and Sneaton, before joining the A171. After the busy main road, they happily left the traffic behind and  headed towards Harwood Dale to take the more scenic route via Scalby to the finish at the Ox Pasture Hotel on the outskirts of Scarborough.

After all the entrants had arrived at the finish, it was reported that one car had broken down, but this was sorted out by the RAC, and one failed to finish.

As always, there is a ‘Concours Deligance’ competition at the finish of the first day and the event was honoured to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Scarborough, Councillor Derek and Mrs Lynn Broadbent, who came along to do the judging. The winner was Peter Wright of Leicestershire, in car number 4, a 1948 Allard. The ‘Landladies’ award (Margaret Abrams choice), went to Bob Nicholson in car number 3, a 1948 MG-TC.

Everyone agreed that the first day’s route had been fantastic and whilst not every entrant had opted to do the Sunday run, but those who had, were looking forward to a repeat of the same.

"...alker-seltzer's had been the order..."

Sunday dawned even nicer than the previous day and 41 entrants lined up at 10.00am, outside the Ox Pasture Hotel, to start day two of the event. As the route distance was going to be shorter than Saturday’s and less than half the original entry were taking part, there was no need for a crack of dawn start. Just as well, rumour had it that one or two had a late night and alker-seltzer’s had been the order of the day.   

The first part of the route followed familiar terrain, albeit in the opposite direction to that of the past, Hackness and then the Forest Drive through Dalby Forest. After Dalby, it was onto to Levisham and the famous level crossing by the station. From here it was another familiar forest drive, again in the opposite direction to that of past events, Newtondale Forest Drive. This was a fantastic part of the event. The drive started on good tarmac with stopping places to enjoy the dramatic views. The last three miles were smooth gravel, this section was taken with care as the dry weather had created quite a few deep pot-holes.

After all this excitement, it was on through Lastingham to the picturesque village of Hutton-le-Hole where the first Passage Control of the day was encounted -  adjacent to the public toilets!

From the Passage Control entrants proceeded via the market town of Helmsley and then Rivaux Abbey, Boltby, Upsall, Leeming Bar and Bedale to the second Passage Control at the Buck Inn, Thornton Watless.

Entrants now continued on the final part of the route, passing through the horse training centre of Middleham. This was followed by another old C2C favourite, the moorland drive terminating with the steep descent of Park Rash into the village of Kettlewell. After Kettlewell, famous now for the film,’The Calendar Girls’ it was then on through Arncliffe and then over the wonderful fell roads to Langcliffe. Skirting Settle, entrants continued NW passing through Wennigton, Wray and Gressingam to the Final Control at the Redwell Inn near Carnforth.

The first cars started arriving about 3.30pm, with the rest of the convoy following at regular intervals soon after. A meal was provide for all the entrants who completed the final day, this was all the more welcome as there had not been an official lunch stop as on the previous day.

A new innovation was introduced at the end of the second day, this took the shape of a presentation of a special award, the ‘Brian Redman Vase’. This award was being presented for the ‘Most Meritorious Drive’ over the whole two days of the event. It was unanimously voted, by all the marshals and officials, that  Michelle and Tim Atty (yes, they are now husband and wife) were the undoubted winners. Everyone, including myself, were particularly delighted that this very popular couple, in their 1962 Renault Floride, were the first recipients of the award. Michelle and Tim have taken part and finished every C2C since the event was first run 12 years ago. Congratulations to both of them, we all look forward to seeing them again for many more years to come.

So there we are, the C2C over for another year. When I first started this event, I always dreamed it would eventually run with 100+ entries, this year it finally attained its century. The event does not run it self, it requires good planning and efficient team work. Grateful appreciation must go to Mike and Margaret Abrams for all the brilliant route preparation and particularly for the interesting little booklet, provided to all entrants on the historic attractions along the way. Chris Lee and Martin Wylie as Course Opening car and all the other efforts they put in prior to the event. Ted Heath and Paul Ratcliffe for duties as Course Closing cars.  A special mention must go to Alwyn Davis for all the last minute help he gave Ronn and Elaine Middleton, when Ronn became ill just before the event.

“Large Oak Trees from Little Acorns Grow”

Finally, all thanks and appreciation must go to Ronn Middleton, ably supported by his ever-faithful wife, Elaine. As stated previously, I founded this event twelve years ago. I ran it for four years and then Andrew Proctor took over for a further two.  Ronn then followed Andrew and continued to build up a highly successful event. Twelve years ago, we barely scratched 40 entries, this year we had in excess of 100 – a well know saying comes to mind “Large Oak Trees from Little Acorns Grow”. Well done Ronn and Elaine, long may you continue.

Mike Wood