Iceland, known as the Land of Ice and Fire and a place of magic and mystery, will be the venue for a new event in September 2008 – The HERO Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland. With some of the most spectacular and stunning scenery to be seen anywhere in the world there is little wonder that during the Middle Ages Icelanders referred to Mount Hekla as “the gateway to Hell”. Venture outside the capital, Reykjavik and you will quickly see what inspired Jules Verne to portray Snæfellsjökull as the entrance to the subterranean world he created in “Journey to the Centre of the Earth”. In more modern times, the barren lava and ash fields were used by NASA astronauts when training for working on the surface of the moon.

The HERO Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland is intended to be as much a holiday as a competitive event. Organised under a permit issued by the Icelandic Motorsport Association and with the support and co-operation of the Icelandic Tourist Board and various official bodies, the format will be regularity road sections interspersed with tests at locations along the route, and will include activities designed to allow participants a chance to experience everything Iceland can offer. Driving days will vary in length and will be dictated by the location of hotels along the route capable of accommodating the event. The rally will take place over six days during the period from Friday 5^th September 2008 (your arrival at Keflavik) to Monday 15^th September (the day of departure).

Competing vehicles will be containerised at Immingham and shipped by one of the specialist Icelandic shipping companies. Shipping agents and customs officials are supportive of the event and are keen to ensure that the process of unloading and customs clearance is dealt with as quickly and smoothly as possible. Members of the Antique Automobile Club of Iceland have offered to assist with unloading the cars. Special arrangements will be made to allow continental crews to have their vehicles shipped from a port in Northern Europe.