HERO's Summer Classic Reliability Trial and Tour

Open to cars and 4 x 4 vehicles built before 1984, the 2012 event is once more a round of the HERO Cup, which has the stunning first prize of a week’s sailing holiday in the Mediterranean aboard the SY Orianda.

The HERO Summer Trial was established to encourage entries from people new to classic rallying, or to appeal to those with limited free time, whilst still maintaining a sufficiently competitive element to appeal to the more competitive crews. The concept clearly worked and each year the event attracts newcomers whilst retaining its core of enthusiastic supporters. 2011 saw the highest number of non UK crews since the inauguration of the Summer Trial & Tour, an indication that the reputation of both the event and the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation is spreading far afield.

As with all HERO events, the 2012 Summer Classic Reliability Trial & Tour will adhere to the well tried and successful format; crews will be competing for gold, silver and bronze medals as well as for a generous range of individual and class awards. Finisher’s medals are also awarded to those who qualify but who fail to meet the standard required for gold, silver or bronze. Entrants in the Tour are not forgotten as all who complete the three days will receive a finisher’s medal and everyone is eligible for the Concours and Spirit of the Rally awards.

The fee includes entry to the event for a crew of two people, four-nights' shared accommodation (single room supplements available), welcome and prize-giving dinners, lunch on the three days of the event, detailed Jogularity style 'Tulip' Roadbook, map book with the outline route, rally and door plates, event souvenirs, finishers’ and other awards. As with all HERO events, mechanical assistance and support will be provided by the HERO Assist on-event support crew.



Open to cars made before 1st January 1984, vehicles entered in the Reliability Trial will be classed according to age, engine size and body type. Later vehicles of special interest or rarity may be accepted on the Tour. Navigation on the event will be by Tulip Roadbook and no map plotting is required. The event format will be regularity sections and driving tests with no navigational trickery or night-time driving.

The Classic Tour is intended for those of you who want a more leisurely drive whilst still experiencing the pleasures of classic motoring. Entrants on the Tour are provided with a Mapbook giving details of the suggested route, and a copy of the Tulip Roadbook issued to Trial competitors. Tour entrants may check in at the main controls at any time the control is open. Start, finish and each lunch halt will be the same for Trial and Tour so that crews on both events stay in contact with each other. Classic Tour entrants are provided with a check sheet that should be completed at each control and which can be kept as a souvenir of the event. The Tour is not a competition and you are free to deviate from the suggested route to visit places of specific interest to you.

Many Tour entrants are keen to learn about the more competitive Reliability Trial and ask for a copy of the Tulip Roadbook. To help encourage an interest in the sport, all Tour entrants are given the same Tulip Roadbooks as the Trial competitors.

Scrutineering and documentation will take place during Wednesday 11th July at a location close to the rally Goodwood Hotel. That evening everyone will gather for a welcome dinner in the Cedar Suite of the Goodwood Hotel before the competition starts in earnest the following morning. Three days of classic motoring where guests will return to their same hotel room at the Goodwood Hotel each night, will conclude on Saturday 14th July with the customary black tie awards dinner at Goodwood House. No formal dining arrangements will be made for the evenings of 12th & 13th July as we know that crews enjoy the freedom to explore restaurants and pubs near Goodwood, or to dine in the hotel.

Everyone can have the peace of mind of knowing that their money is safe with HERO, as fees are paid into an Escrow account held by our solicitors and HERO Premier Membership Parner: Goodman Derrick LLP. HERO can even help if you don’t have a suitable car, through the HERO Arrive and Drive scheme. Simply call us to know more about car hire offers.

Book before 29th February 2012 to secure your Early Bird entry fee and become a HERO Premier Member (HPM) to secure a further 10% discount on your entry fee. For More information, simply contact HERO. We are always happy to help!.