Sixty four crews left Reykjavik City Hall on Sunday 7^th May on the first leg of the inaugural HERO Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland.

Cars were flagged away by Vilhjalmur Vilhjalmsson, Chair of the Reykjavik City Council, who had hosted a reception for the crews at City Hall the previous evening. Guests at the reception included Mr Ian Whitting - British Ambassador to Iceland, and a representative from the German Embassy. Mr Whitting came to the start on Sunday to wish the crews bon voyage. TV crews from both the national and independent broadcasting companies attended and the event featured on the evening news broadcasts.

Two days before, competitors from across Europe and as far afield as the Cayman Islands had arrived to collect their cars from the containers that had been their home for a few weeks.

Scrutineering and Documentation took place on Saturday 6^th July, with the support and assistance of officials and marshals from within the Icelandic Motorsport Association and the local clubs. Large numbers of spectators started to congregate before scrutineering officially opened and it soon became apparent that people around the entire island would be following and supporting the event. One of the numerous contacts was made by the head-teacher of a school outside Akureyi who asked if the competitors could drive through the school yard as the children wanted to see the cars.

Following scrutineering many of the crews were entertained at a nearby Cliff-Hanger meeting � a form of Motorsport that has been made famous by the Icelandic drivers.

The wet weather on the first day did nothing to dampen the spirits of the crews as they left the start to attempt the first test just outside the city centre. Unfortunately this proved a little difficult for many crews as several failed to negotiate the test course correctly. The route took crews to Thingvellir, home to the ancient Icelandic Parliament and where the spectacular effects of the movement of the earth�s crust can clearly be seen. From there the competitors went via the world famous Geysir and onto to the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall. By the time the crews reached Keflavik for a driving test along the harbour side of the town the weather had taken a turn for the worse, but this didn�t seem to deter the locals who turned out in large numbers to watch. The day ended at the Blue Lagoon where many competitors (plus a few marshals & officials who had completed their duties) took advantage of the lagoon, with the colour of the water appearing more intense than usual.

The crews were clearly enjoying the competition and the spectacular scenery with numerous comments of �fantastic, great, wonderful scenery�. Of the 64 that had started the day a few experienced problems, but the hard work of the on-event mechanical support together with help from locals and enthusiasts had managed to ensure all 64 checked in at the final control of the day. A few had experienced electrical problems which were quickly dealt with (a condenser problem with car 53 stopping the Mini for a short while, and the crew of car 41 discovering that their battery wasn�t charging). Car 18 lost drive to the wipers and so disconnected the linkage to allow the screen of the little MG TD to be cleared by hand operating the wipers. Car 48 had similar wiper problems but without the luxury of being able to manually operate the wipers from inside the vehicle. Over lunch several competitors had a taste of the excellent ice cream made in Iceland, with the Clerk of the Course being spotted walking around with a cone which had been dipped in liquid liquorice! Despite the strange sight of black ice-cream it soon became clear that this was a very enjoyable combination of flavours as several people asked for a taste.

At the end of day one at least one set of crews were known to be drying the odd piece of carpet in their hotel bathroom!

Day two started from the Grand Hotel in Reykjavik and was soon followed by a test at the Perlan, a famous landmark on one of the hills overlooking Reykjavik, with spectacular views of the surrounding area. From there the route took crews near to the famous volcano, Hekla, with a visit to the Hekla centre and then on to lunch at Hvolsvollur. The lunch venue was situated next door to a school and the headteacher allowed the children to go on a �school outing� to see the cars. Several local police officers turned up, but it soon became clear that their interest was in the cars themselves rather than any misdemeanours that they thought may be committed.

By lunch-time on the second day, two of the older cars had succumbed to engine problems that could not be easily repaired. Car 2 (the 1929 Lagonda) and car 9 (the 1929 Bentley) both having to retire � car 9 suffering from a disintegrating piston. Both cars were recovered to the lunch venue where they were later collected and transported back to Reykjavik. Such was the enthusiasm for the event that Jonathan Turner and Adam Hartley (Car 9) then started making enquiries to find a suitable car that they could use to continue. Jonathan and Adam determined to cross the finish line in a classic car of some sort as this could be the first event they had failed to finish. A few other cars were experiencing problems, but once again the on-event mechanics kept them going with help from the locals who sourced and obtained spares and garage facilities. Car 31 (1963 Mercedes 230S) had a broken speedo cable � making the regularities difficult. Car 40 (the Italian crew of Giuseppe and Gianandrea Redealli in the 1961 Daimler Dart) did not allow the cracked manifold to stop them - arrangements were later made for this to be rewelded by a local garage at the Tuesday overnight halt at Hofn.   The Citroen DS (Car 32) had to be driven with a sheet of cardboard instead of the broken side window � with Warren Chmura maintaining that the �G forces� on a regularity hairpin had taken out the window.   The Trabant (car 50) of local crew Om �Dali� Ingolfsson and Oskar Jon Hreinsson showing just how easy the car is to repair � when a problem developed with a wish-bone they rolled the car onto it�s side, carried out the repair using the largest Allen Key in their tool box as a pivot pin (secured with barbed wire from a nearby fence), rolled the car back onto the road and then continued on to the overnight halt where a more permanent repair was carried out. After visits to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss the crews reported to a control at Skogar Motor Museum before moving on to the final control of the day at Kirkjubaejarklaustur. Car 44 (the Sunbeam Tiger of Drexel and Pat Gillespie) were having head gasket trouble resulting in the need for constant top up. Drexel saying that as long as there is a constant water supply (no object on Iceland!) he can continue.

Day three was a chance to visit the largest glacier on Iceland and for the crews to try their hand at Skidoo driving. The weather was appalling, with one local guide telling us that they had never seen so much rain. Despite our worries that the glacier visit would be called off, the weather was not severe enough to restrict access to the glacier. Crews met at a local hotel, where lunch was also being made available, prior to being taken by 4x4 mini bus onto the glacier itself. The trip along the rough, narrow and steep access road taking about 30 minutes. On arrival at the end of the track where the skiddos are located, the crews were astonished to see the Citroen DS (car 32) of Warren and Jean Chmura. A route amendment had been issued which included a revised tulip for the access to the rendezvous point. Jean had taken all event details into account but had not noticed the change on the activity day � at least not until part way up the track when after calling the clerk of the course by every name she could think of, the amendment was discovered. After realising they had made the ultimate �wrong slot� Warren responded by saying that it was good practice for the following day�s hill climbs. The Citroen suspension proving just how good it is on rough roads.

The smiles and grins on everyone�s faces showed just how much the crews were enjoying themselves. Competition was proving quite intense with crews working hard to keep their penalties as low as possible.

Day four started from Hofn with a test in the car park adjacent to the local old peoples� home. The poor weather continued with crews waking to yet more rain. Although a fortunate few saw a brief glimpse of the glacier visible across the bay lit by the only patch of sunlight to be seen that day.

Following the first of the Hill climb tests, the crews completed a regularity before undertaking two tests on the main street at Breiddalsvik Village. The main road through the village had been officially closed by the town council and a number of spectators turned out to watch the cars perform tests before and after lunch.

A short link section took the crews to the second test of the afternoon at F�skr��sfj�r�ur Airfield before continuing on to the afternoon�s regularity. The weather had taken a turn for the worse and the heavy rain meant that visibility was reduced so that many of the spectacular views could not be seen. Although this did not appear to disappoint too many people as the enormous amount of water pouring off the mountains as a result of the heavy rain created spectacular water falls along much of the route. The local guides told us that they had not seen rain as heavy as this for many years.

The day ended with a driving test in the car park of the Alcoa plant about a forty minute drive from Egilsstađir, the final control of the day. The aluminium plant only became fully operational in April this year and following the test, the crews were able to watch their fellow competitors from the second floor observation windows of the staff restaurant where competitors and marshals were provided with soup, hot drinks, dessert and a variety of snacks as guests of Alcoa before continuing to the end of the leg. The hot drinks and soup being welcome by the marshals who had braved the rain to run the test.

The competitors were split between several hotels that night and Keith & Doug (the logistics team) worked hard to ensure everyone�s luggage was transported to the correct location. Once again local hospitality was second to none and everyone received a warm reception.

Bill & Peter, the on-event mechanics surpassed themselves with only one retirement that day. The mini of Tony and Chris Newman (car 51) succumbing to gear box problems and when metal slivers were found in the oil it was decided to retire the car before permanent damage could take place. Understandably this was a great disappointment to Tony and Chris as they had been holding a top ten position and were still in line for a gold medal. Arrangements were made by SAMSKIP to transport the Mini and the two cars retired the previous day back to Reykjavik for shipment home. Both Chris and Tony wanted to continue with the event and help in any way they could, and so volunteered to take over results in order to release officials for other duties. For their help and assistance under such circumstances they were later awarded the Spirit of the Rally award.

Jonathan Turner having failed to find a suitable car in which to continue spent the day marshalling before making his way back home with his co-driver Adam Hartley.

One of the many stories being told at the end of the day came from Drexel Gillespie (car 44) who commented in his usual entertaining way that having managed to hold his speed on the afternoon regularity at exactly the required figure and, assuming that they were performing really well, he then realised on an up hill section that the speedo needle was stuck. His infectious laughter showing that he thought it more entertaining than disappointing.

The previous evening had seen the crews split between five hotels over a 30 km distance. The competitors furthest away had been allocated two small hotels which proved so hospitable and friendly that at least one set of competitors are planning to revisit the area on holiday. The purity of Icelandic water became obvious when one crew member asked for a glass of water only to be told that the buildings in that area took their water from the local river, but the heavy rains had washed silt into the water turning it brown. As a result the competitors were all told they would have to drink beer � such a hardship!!

Day five began a little brighter than the previous four days but was soon accompanied by yet more rain (although without the heavy storms of the day before). Thick fog on the higher sections of the route during the morning cut the visibility considerably but the weather improved by lunch time and the day continued with bright periods and showers.

The first test of the day was held in a car park adjacent to a garage a few minutes from rally headquarters. This feature of a test soon after the start of the day proving very popular with competitors. An hour later the crews started on the second and longest Hill Climb test of the event, but not before one of the experienced competitors, Tony Davies (Car 19 - Jaguar 120) missed a slot and had to do a 60km detour to get back on route. The hill-climb proved entertaining and exciting to competitors and to the few spectators who were present at such a remote location (including a group of German tourists who, having come across the event without prior knowledge, stayed for an hour to watch the cars). The hill climb was immediately followed by a regularity section at the end of which the crews headed for lunch. There was a certain amount of trepidation as the route to lunch took crews down a long gravel road off the main highway. At a previous settlement a sign indicating that the next fuel station was over eighty Kilometres away (along the main road) caused apprehension amongst a number of the crews. This quickly changed to delight and astonishment when lunch was found to be at M�dru�alur, a small and remote settlement complete with a caf� constructed using traditional Icelandic building methods with turf block outer walls and a grass covered roof. Inside one of the small turf covered out-buildings was the fuel pump! Following lunch the crews retraced their route back to the main highway where they continued on to the Myvatn area. Four hours had been allotted from the main control before lunch to the control at the Myvatn Nature Baths to allow crews and marshals a chance to explore the region and visit many of the hot springs and hot mud pools that has made the area so famous. The mid-afternoon main control situated at the Nature Baths allowing time for competitors to relax in the hot waters of the baths.

A visit to Godafoss Waterfall was followed by the afternoon regularity before the crews headed for the last test of the day at Akureyri. That evening the crews were split between two hotels about ten minutes apart with everyone eating in the same hotel. Unknown to competitors, the local fire department had agreed to give all the AB category cars a hose down to wash off the mud.

On day six the weather at last improved enough for crews to see some of the spectacular scenery, although it was clear that everyone had been having a great time and there were no real complaints about the weather. Once again the day started with a driving test. On this occasion the first main control of the day was situated adjacent to the test itself, giving the crews no time to relax. Spectators turned out in large numbers and a group of Japanese tourists staying in the rally HQ hotel were spotted taking numerous photos of the cars. Although one Japanese gentleman seemed more impressed that the Clerk of the Course was driving a Japanese 4x4! The hospitality and assistance from local officials was once more shown to the event when a local traffic warden gave the Clerk of the Course a parking clock-card and explained where and when he could park without penalty � valuable information when sixty five plus cars suddenly descend on the town centre.

Soon after leaving Akureyri the crews made a slight detour from the original route to visit a local school at the request of the head-teacher. Such was their enthusiasm and wish to see the cars that the children turned up early for school. A strategically placed cone in the middle of the yard was a temptation that more than a few drivers found hard to resists and doughnuts/handbrake turns brought delight and admiration from the children. A few drivers were even asked for their autographs.

The morning regularity was followed by a coffee stop at a trucker�s caf� and fuel station before the crews went on to visit the Deildartunguhver Hot Springs. Lunch was served at the Hotel Reykholt, where once again a superb lunch was provided to crew and course officials. The afternoon regularity was a prelude to the final test at Perlan where a number of spectators had gathered to see the crews cross the finish line at the last control, also at Perlan.

�Fantastic, wonderful, great event, can we start again, when�s the next one, put our names down for next time� , these were just a few of the enthusiastic comments being made by crews as they crossed the finish line. It was clear that everyone had enjoyed themselves and that the inclement weather had done nothing to dampen their spirits.

Of the 64 starters only three crews had been forced to retire due to mechanical failure. The hard work of the sweeper mechanics and the repair shops and garages along the route having ensured that all other vehicles had completed the event � this in itself must be a remarkable fete.

Post event

On Saturday afternoon the crews were taken out into the Atlantic on a whale spotting expedition and to the delight of everyone involved whales and porpoises were spotted. That evening the awards presentation was held at the Grand Hotel and the crews were joined by some of the Icelandic marshals and representatives of the Icelandic MSA. Olafur Gudmundsson, a senior member of the association and an FIA steward kindly agreeing to present the awards. A number of kind words were spoken by the Icelandic MSA officials, and following their invitation to return, together with the overwhelming enthusiasm from everyone along the route, Peter Nedin (Clerk of the Course and Rally Director) announced that an application for a return event had been granted. The second Classic Reliability Trial of Iceland will take place in the Spring of 2010. Judging by the response from Icelandic competitors and crews entered on this year�s event, places will fill very quickly.