The two day Berwick Classic Sporting Trial attracted 45 entries with the Duckhams Trophy, for modern "classics"  a further 14. Not sure how John Huffer, normally seen with Peter Humphrey in a big Healey, qualified as Classic in a Citroen "Copyshop" Van. "It's got good ground clearance, and soft springs, ideal for the tests." reported John. He was right, even though he didn't collect silver he enjoyed the run.

The Sunday only "Berwick Classic" saw a further 15 old classics, from Sprites and Midgets to a superbly presented XK120 (won the concours of course) and 911. Stuart Bankier's Amazon was crewed by father and son crew David and Matthew Alexander, who collected 3rd in class.

Another father and son crew, this time myself and Simon driving his '69 Sprite MkIV. The challenge of 15 tests seemed daunting on this our second go at the event. Hopes of repeating our last success where we took first in class and class concours as well, were dashed early on. The entry list this year contained some serious machinery. Robin Murray and Ron Parker picked up the class concours for their very pretty Cooper S, which also showed a clean pair of heels to win the tests as well. Local man John Ewing in his Sprite, with  Paul Taylor took second in class.

Our drive was mechanically fairly uneventful. We lost clutch fluid around half way, as Simon complained that the gears were a bit stiff! Help was at hand in the shape of Dave Riley and Mirabel Lenton. They had some of the amber hydraulic liquid that got us going again. Our problems were nothing to theirs. They had lost their Midget's clutch on the Saturday, and then burned out the starter motor trying to start in gear! We met them at the side of the road trying to fix a broken fuel pump on the Sunday. I loaned them my trolley jack (prepared for everything, except dodgy clutch!), which made a fair exchange for the clutch fluid. To top it off David collected a puncture on the last test. No way was he going to stop, so we followed him to the finish venue, where he rightfully collected "Spirit of the Rally" award.

For all our trying we came last out of 6 in class! Apart form me not knowing my left from my right, or clock from anti clock, I blame Cardiff man John Ault and Timothy Kent from Bristol personally! They drove their mini GT all the way from Cardiff, quite a feat considering John is a big lad. They were running just in front of us, which we took advantage of in the regularity. On the long sweeping section we could often see the pair ahead, and judged the minute gap quite well really. Unfortunately it was only later that we discovered they were watching us, and kept about a minute in front. That earned them second last, only 3 penalties less than us! Serves us both right. John is taking the mini to the Three Castles in Wales, a classy rally with black tie evening dinners over three nights. He is not sure how he will fare in such "high" company along with serious Classics and pots of money, and him with his £1000 common or garden mini!

HBCC club members Graeme and Laura Galloway in the blue Anglia tried hard to win their class, but had to settle for second slot when Tot and Maureen Dixon stole it in their mini. Another HBCC pair to come last in their class was David Palmer and Eildon Hall in David's Escort. As long as everyone is having fun, who cares about the scores?

David Wright and John Cook in the TR5 were pretty shaken in their road accident on Sunday morning, following a coming together on a narrow bridge, but both were home on Sunday night nursing some minor injuries and in David’s case a broken nose.

The run up to the 2004 event looked very "ify" with heavy rain and howling winds all week long. The May holiday weekend made up for it. Glorious sunshine for the Saturday and Sunday event allowed all those blessed with open tops to travel in style!

74 starters across the two day event took in 31 test venues, more than any in the Scottish Classic calendar.

Stuart Bankier once again sweet talked the local gentry and farming community (aren't they both the same in that neck of the woods?) into using farmyards, fields, private roads, and any other space that allowed the Classic owners to throw their machinery around a bit.

This year had a Regularity that foxed most people, even though it was simple enough. Have to brush up on speed tables!

HBCC Simon & Jim Paterson. Last in H9/H11 !

John Ewing and Paul Taylor in Sprite just ahead of the Paterson's

HBCC's David Palmer and Eildon Hall. Last in H10/12

Photos in this panel courtesy Max Hall