Fancy joining in an endurance rally that will take you from the south of France all the way to Portugal?
Welcome to the Guild of Motor Endurance 2007 Sportscar Challenge. This five-day all-tarmac reliability trial for specialist sports cars will take place on the 17-21 September 2007.
The 2007 route will start from Bordeaux in southwest France. After heading south over the Pyrenees into Spain, the route will cross the Sierra de la Demanda, the Picos de Europa and the Leon range of mountains. From the Portuguese border the route will head north to Santiago.
Previous rallies include: 1997 Morocco, 1999 Sicily, 2001 Corsica, 2002 Florence, 2004 Morocco, 2005 Monte-Carlo and 2006 Sardinia. Guild of Motor Endurance rallies are primarily about proving and testing the ability of specialist sportscars, but the driving force that influences the results of these events are the crews. Of the 306 rally competitors to date 214 have been successful.
The following makes of cars have competed in previous events:
- Westfield -- winner 1997
- Ginetta -- winner 1998
- Marlin -- winner 1999
- Robin Hood -- winner 2000
- Caterham -- winner 2001, 2002, 2005
- Lotus -- winner 2004
- SSC -- winner 2006.
The early entry fee for the España-Santiago 2007 Sportscar Challenge is £595 per person. This includes five nights bed, breakfast in hotels in Spain.
The organisers have issued this stern warning however: if you are considering taking part, you should be aware that endurance rallying is a demanding discipline and should not be confused with an ordinary motoring tour. There is no doubt you will see more than your fill of spectacular scenery, but reaching controls on schedule is quite a task.
What is needed to be successful on this type of event is a reliable car that handles well, a good driver, and someone sitting next to you who can stay focused, so that you arrive at where you are supposed to be within a given period of time. Also required for endurance is an element of determination to finish, regardless. Competitors keep coming back and the camaraderie when they get together has much to do with it.
If you own a sportscar and would like to reserve your entry (£100), or be placed on the mailing list, please contact the event Secretary.
Contacts
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