�Fantastic�; �wonderful�; �can we start again�; �when will the event return� ; just a few of the comments made by competitors in the inaugural Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland which took place in September 2008. Such was the reception and enthusiasm for the event that the decision to return was an easy one to make. May 2010 will see the Icelandic SAGA continue with the second running of HERO�s 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 Sn�fellsj�kull 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 2008 autumn event took an anticlockwise route from Reykjavik via such places as Hofn and Eglisstadir before arriving at Akureyri and the return south to Reykjavik. 2010 will see the event travel clockwise taking two days to reach Akureyri from Reykjavik in order to allow more time to be spent in the area that inspired the original Icelandic sagas. Experience and knowledge gained from the first event has enabled the organisers to reduce the time allocated to loading the cars at Reykjavik for the return. The day saved will enable HERO to provide entrants in 2010 with an additional day of competition within the ten days of the event. The activity day during the 2008 event will be split into two half days for 2010, to avoid a full day�s break in the competition. Whale watching is planned to take place in the north of the island on one of the half days, and the skidoo driving enjoyed by the crews in 2008 will take place in the south on the other half day. There will also be an opportunity to watch one of Iceland�s most famous motorsport activities � a �cliff-hanger� hill climb.

Although intended as a competitive event, the Icelandic SAGA is designed to be just as enjoyable for crews who normally only enter touring events. You decide just how competitive you want to be. Driving tests and regularity sections can be driven at a leisurely pace, or missed out altogether if you would prefer. However, if you are competitive then you will be competing for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals plus a number of trophies including class, overall and a selection of special awards. On successful completion of the event each crew member will receive a finishers� award. Throughout the event time will be allocated to ensure all participants have a chance to experience everything Iceland can offer, including Geysir and some of the most spectacular waterfalls in Europe. A quick glance at the HERO website will show you just what the 2008 entrants got up to during their visit.

Organised under a permit issued by the Icelandic Motorsport Association and with the support and co-operation of the Icelandic Tourist Board, Reykjavik & Akureyri City Councils and a host of other bodies the format will be regularity road sections interspersed with tests at various locations along the route. Driving days will vary in length and will be dictated by the location of hotels capable of accommodating the event.

The rally itself will take place over seven days during the period from Friday 7^th May to Monday 17^th May 2010. Competing vehicles will be containerised at Immingham during April and shipped by one of the specialist Icelandic shipping companies. Shipping agents and customs officials are supportive of the event and have worked with the organisers to ensure that the process of unloading and customs clearance is dealt with as quickly and smoothly as possible. The clearance process was completed in 2008 prior to the arrival of the crews, and the organisers have been informed by the Icelandic customs that clearance in 2010 should be even easier. Should it be necessary to unload a vehicle before you arrive at Reykjavik, members of the Antique Automobile Club of Iceland have offered to assist with the unloading. As in 2008, arrangements will be made to enable continental crews to have their vehicles shipped from a port in Northern Europe.

The Provisional Programme

Friday 7^th May Coaches will collect crews arriving at Keflavik airport to take everyone to Rally HQ in Reykjavik.

Saturday 8^th May Coaches will take you to the docks to collect your vehicles. Scrutineering and documentation will be followed by a competitors� briefing. During the afternoon there will be a chance to witness a demonstration by the spectacular cliff-hangers driving up a near vertical ash hill-climb. The evening will be taken up with a welcome reception and pre-event dinner.

Sunday 9^th May to Saturday 15^th May Seven days of competition starting from Reykjavik city centre and via such locations as �ingvellir (home to the Icelandic parliament from about 930 to 1798 and where the spreading boundary between the Eurasian and North American Tectonic Plates has created a most spectacular gorge), Hvalfj�r�ur , Borgarnes, Sn�fellsnes, Stykkish�lmur, Bl�ndu�s, Akureyri, H�sav�k,  M�vatn hot springs and mud pools,  Egilssta�ir,  H�fn, Klaustur (Kirkjub�jarklaustur), Vatnaj�kull Glacier, J�kuls�rl�n lagoon (the ice-berg �nursery�), Gullfoss, Hekla, Dettifoss, Geysir, Strokkur (Geysir�s nearby �brother�) and finishing at the Blue Lagoon where you can indulge yourself in one of the most spectacular thermal pools anywhere in the world. During these seven days you will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery and visit the many attractions on route. There will also be an opportunity to go whale watching and try your hand at skidoo driving on a glacier. (As with everything on Iceland, excursions and activities are subject to the vagaries of the weather and local conditions.)

Sunday 16^th May Cars to be taken to the docks for containerisation. Coaches will then return you to the hotel. The prize-giving dinner will take place that evening.

Monday 17^th May Those booked on afternoon flights can take their cars to the docks for containerisation during the morning. Coaches will take crews booked on the afternoon flights to the airport at Keflavik

The Roads

Although the main road around the island is tarmacked, most of the minor roads are of ash construction and so you should avoid entering a vehicle specifically prepared for Concourse display. By May each year the roads we wish to use are free of snow and so no special tyres are required. The ash roads survive the winter remarkably well as snow tends to form a protective layer. However, even though the roads are well made and regularly maintained and can be driven at a reasonable speed, we would recommend the fitting of sump guards and protecting the exhaust on cars with low ground clearance.

What�s Included

The package includes entry fee (based on a crew of two sharing), containerised return freight (UK and Northern Europe) for the competing car , accommodation for ten nights, evening meals on nights away from Reykjavik and Akureyri (this will provide you with an opportunity on certain evenings to explore and enjoy the local restaurants and bars)  lunch on each of the seven days of competition, tulip road book, road map, finishers� and other awards, organised activities including whale watching & skidoo driving, event souvenirs, the welcome reception and prize-giving dinner.

Eligibility

The competition is open to vehicles registered before 31^st December 1983.

Register Now

Due to accommodation and transportation constraints, the HERO Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland will be restricted to a maximum of sixty non-Icelandic crews (Icelandic entrants don�t have any transportation issues and tend to know people who can provide the necessary accommodation). The package will cost �5000 and you can reserve an entry by paying a minimum of 50% with the application form. Full payment must be made by end December 2009. Air fares have not been included as it was clear during the 2008 event that many people preferred not to be restricted to pre-booked flights from Heathrow or Manchester. Following the success of the first event interest is high and reserve entries have already been taken. To ensure your place on this unforgettable event, submit your application without delay.