Twenty four starters challenged the tests at Stobs Camp near Hawick on Sunday 15th June. Adrain Stewart achieved his long time ambition of beating Archie and Richard Simmonds into second place. With Tom Hynd in the left seat the pair sealed the lead by 20 points. The event also included a Norwegian team from Stavanger.

For the inaugural running of the Stobs Classic event, HBCC had designed no less than 17 tests around the famous Stobs Army camp site. Split into four sets of four tests plus a finishing "super long" test, the route covered 10 miles in total. Due to a technical issue the last "super long" test had to be abandoned on the day, but competitors still enjoyed the competition.

Adrian and Tom in their mini Cooper S led the way in the H1 historic class , literally as car number one, and took the top time in their class. The only car to beat them on most of the tests was Archie and Richard Simmonds MG Midget, who unfortunately took a Wrong Direction hit on test 4, the max score destroying their chance of an overall win.

Kevin Clark and Tom Leeming took the third overall spot in the Hillman Avenger Tiger, only 60 points behind the Simmonds, despite the bigger car which managed to glide round the course with little difficulty.

The course was definitely favouring the smaller, nimbler cars, as the Mini Cooper of Ian Curwen and Bob Hargreaves ended only 5 points behind the Avenger crew, and would have beaten them but for a WD on test 4 which they would not recover from.

Local man Stuart Kellet in his Vauxhall Nova with John Gramslaw shouting the route, took fifth place in the modern cars, to complete the top 5.

The event drew an international entry with no less than four crews from Norway, bringing two 1958 MGA's, a 1957 Mercedes 190SL, and a 1963 Mercedes 230SL. The group were on a driving holiday to the Lake District and were in the area so decided to give the event a try. Though they all put in a good attempt, they decided after test 12 to retire to the Hawick Leisure Centre and wait for the rest of us at the end.

A good selection of historic vehicles entered, including John Hutchinson's 1969 Triumph Vitesse, on its first outing since being acquired, Scot Fannings 1968 Hillman Imp, Ralph Millers 1959 Triumph TR3A, and a resplendent 1965 Porsche 356 driven by Johnny Graham. By a quirk of fate Johnnys' Porsche was in the same class as the Norwegians who retired, and the TR3A which blew its gearbox on test 4 requiring him to only finish to collect his prize. Peter Ritchie drove his Clan Crusader, which is pretty low for a gravel circuit, but still managed to reach the end ok, along with the 1988 Triumph Toledo of Andrew Leask.

The most unusual car has to go to Michael Stead and his 1954 Buckler Mk6. Looking more like a 1920's Grand Prix car, along with Steve Hudson the pair normally venture out on hillclimbs. Michael told me that with cable brakes, no windscreen, or seat belts, but still road legal, the drive on main roads is fun!! Raised a eye brow or two for the local MOT tester....

Prizes were handed out at the Hawick Leisure Centre after a hearty hot meal.  George Rettie (on the left) donated, and presented a special cup in memory of his late partner, Cathy McCrudden to Ian Curwen and Bob Hargreaves. This will become an annual award for this event.

The Norwegian party are part of the Rogaland Bilmuseum, in Stavanger, and presented the club with a certificate for the Clubs' trophy cabinet. We wish them well on their trip round Britain.

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