Are you under the age of 35? Are you the driver? Enjoy a 30% discount on the entry fee. Enquire here.
Following the success of the Novice Trial in previous years, we are excited to announce that the 2025 edition will be moving to a brand-new location: Hellidon Lakes Hotel, a fabulous rural environment situated in 220 acres of Northamptonshire countryside. Scheduled to take place from the 7th to the 9th of March 2025, this new venue offers a fantastic setting for the event with more space for training and direct access to excellent roads for the practical elements of rallying.
The Novice Trial 2025 will continue to offer a comprehensive introduction to classic car rallying, designed to explain and demonstrate the skills needed in a fun and informative way. This event is perfect for those new to rallying, or as an introduction for your partner or family members.
Join us at Hellidon Lakes Hotel for the 2025 Novice Trial and gain the skills and confidence needed to tackle future HERO-ERA events. It’s the perfect opportunity to start your rallying journey in an outstanding new location!
Main Sponsor
Event Schedule
Friday 07 March 2025
The weekend kicks off on Friday evening with a seminar covering the basics of rallying, ensuring that participants are well-prepared for the practical sessions ahead.
- 16:30 – 17:00: Registration
- 17:00 – 19:00: Session One - Classroom at Hellidon Lakes Hotel
Saturday 08 March 2025
Saturday’s format will alternate between practical and theory sessions, designed to help you build and reinforce your skills. This year, we’re introducing a brand-new route that takes full advantage of the excellent roads surrounding Hellidon Lakes Hotel, providing fresh challenges to test your navigation and driving skills.
- 08:00 – 10:00: Vehicle Checks & Documentation
- 09:30 – 10:15: Coffee
- 10:15 – 11:00: Classroom Session
- 11:00 – 12:30: Road & Test Session
- 12:30 – 13:30: Lunch Break
- 13:30 – 14:30: Classroom Session
- 14:30 – 16:00: Road Session
- 16:00 – 17:30: De-Brief & Q&A Session
Collect Rally Plates & Sunday Route Book
Sunday 09 March 2025
Sunday features a half-day rally, allowing participants to put their newly acquired skills to the test in a competitive but supportive environment. The event wraps up with an awards ceremony and a buffet lunch, allowing you to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow participants before heading home in time for Monday.
- 08:30: First car starts the Competitive Event
- 13:00: First car returns
- 13:00 – 14:00: Lunch
- 14:30: Results Published & Awards
- 15:00: Finish
Mini Rally – Sunday 9th March
The rally component of the Novice Trial will take participants on a scenic route starting straight from Hellidon Lakes, featuring a mix of tests and regularities in the surrounding area. The route includes a mid-point coffee break and continues with a slightly more challenging return leg designed to build on the skills taught on Saturday. With expert guidance from the HERO-ERA team, these regularities will feel manageable and rewarding, providing a real taste of classic car rallying.
Vehicle Information
The Mini Rally on Sunday is open to any vehicle with specifications valid before 1st January 1991. While the event is designed with 1960s cars in mind, vehicles of all eligible eras will feel right at home on the thoughtfully planned routes.
What is Included in the Entry Fee?
- Entry to the event for a crew of two people
- Expert tuition from the HERO-ERA team, including guidance from top navigator Andy Pullan
- Detailed “Tulip” style Route Book with overview maps
- Comprehensive training sessions on Route Book use and Regularity rallying
- Buffet lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Coffee & tea at designated stops
- Event regalia
- Overall & finishers awards
- Mechanical assistance if required during the event
Need a car?
The Arrive & Drive scheme allows you to compete should your car be unavailable or, if you are looking to purchase a similar model in the future it gives you the chance to get to know your prospective purchase. We have a wide and varied range of vehicles to suit everyone's taste.
Images from A Novice Trial 2024
Entry List
| Driver | Navigator | Year | Vehicle | CC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alastair McMillan (GB) | Edward McMillan (GB) | 1969 | MG B GT | 1800 |
| Alex Brown (GB) | Rae Brown (GB) | 1975 | MG MGB | 1798 |
| Ben Rodziewicz (GB) | Simon Taylor (GB) | 1976 | Volkswagen Beetle | 1600 |
| Brian Yeomans (GB) | Shelagh Yeomans (GB) | 1968 | Porsche 911 L | 1991 |
| Diarmaid Boland (IE) | Kate Boland (IE) | 1969 | Lancia Fulvia Coupe | 1584 |
| Gary Smith (GB) | Jenny Campbell Black (GB) | 1967 | Ford Cortina Mk 11 | 1598 |
| Gavin Crawford (GB) | Ann Crawford (GB) | 1966 | Volvo 122S | 1796 |
| Ian Davies (GB) | Karen Davies (GB) | 1989 | Toyota MR2 | 1587 |
| Ian Ramsay (GB) | Helen Warren (GB) | 1966 | Rover P6 3500S | 3528 |
| Jason Reay (GB) | Rachel Miller (GB) | 1963 | Austin Healey 3000 Mk II | 2995 |
| John Braun (US) | Jeffrey Steinle (US) | 1981 | Morgan Plus i | 3500 |
| John Dickson (GB) | Myles Castaldini (GB) | 1978 | Lancia Monte Carlo | 1995 |
| John Lomas (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| John Lourie (GB) | David Lourie (GB) | 1975 | MG BGT V8 | 3500 |
| Julian Adams (GB) | Grant Edwards (GB) | 1975 | Ford Escort RS 2000 Mk2 | 1998 |
| Justin Beckett (GB) | Patrick Allpress (GB) | 1957 | AC ACE Bristol | 1971 |
| Martin Paterson (GB) | Charlotte Crowther (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Michael Blake (GB) | Joanne Blake (GB) | 1967 | Lotus Elan | 1594 |
| Michael Kent (GB) | Shelagh Kent (GB) | 1973 | MG BGT | 1800 |
| Mimi Lanfranchi (GB) | David Lanfranchi (GB) | 1971 | Austin Mini Cooper S | 1275 |
| Neil McConachie (GB) | Lorraine McConachie (GB) | 1992 | Mazda MX5 | 1597 |
| Nick Croft (GB) | Sarah Croft (GB) | 1968 | Austin Healey Sprite | 1293 |
| Nick Cutter (GB) | Christopher Cutter (GB) | 1969 | MG B GT | 1798 |
| Paul Crawford (IE) | Jackie Crawford (GB) | 1961 | Volvo PV544 | 1800 |
| Philipp Leibundgut (CH) | TBC | 1971 | Alfa Romeo GTV 1750 (A&D) | 1749 |
| Rémy Lloyd (GB) | Esme Lloyd (GB) | 1985 | Porsche 924 | 1984 |
| Ricki Watson | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| Rob Cobden (GB) | Hans van Wortel (BE) | 1965 | Volvo Amazon 122S | 1780 |
| Russell Taylor (GB) | Sue Dansie (GB) | 1967 | Austin Cooper MK1 | 1293 |
| Sam Morris-Warburton (GB) | Christopher Fisher (GB) | 1983 | MG Midget | 1491 |
| Simon Parker (GB) | Vicky Parker (GB) | 1975 | Land Rover Series 3 | 2286 |
| TBC | Miles Fieldhouse (GB) | TBC | TBC | TBC |
| TBC | Chris Papaioannou (CA) | TBC | TBC | TBC |