Scottish Malts
Scottish Malts Reliability Trial 2009
By PRN
Jun 17, 2008 - 1:00:00 PM

Scottish Malts Reliability Trial

27^th April to 1^st May 2009

�The Return to Mull�

"Thanks so much, Peter & Team, for a fantastic event. We found it difficult to fault any of the organisation, and the routes & locations were breathtaking. We'll be back next year!" - Jimmy Flynn

Just one of the many comments received from competitors following the tenth anniversary running of the Scottish Malts Classic Reliability Trial in 2008. The event was considered a resounding success by all those who took part and reserve entries for 2009 were being taking before the chequered flag fell across the bonnet of car one.

The �Malts�, now well established as one of the premier classic car events in the UK, plans a return to the Isle of Mull in 2009 to treat competitors to a day of competition on the island.

Start and finish will be at the Westerwood Hotel; a four star hotel and golf complex set within 400 hundred acres of land overlooking Cumbernauld (half way between Glasgow and Edinburgh) and ideally placed for crews travelling to the event by road or air.

The timetable and provisional route for 2009 is as follows:

Monday 27^th April       Leg One - Cumbernauld to Coylumbridge via Pitlochry

Tuesday 28^th April      Leg Two - Coylumbridge to Tain via Speyside

Wednesday 29^th April  Leg Three - Tain to the West Coast and on to Mull

Thursday 30^th April     Leg Four - Mull      

Friday 1^st May           Leg Five - Oban to the finish                  

Friday will conclude with the awards ceremony and prize-giving banquet.

As in previous years there will be driving tests, regularities and link sections to allow both members of the crew to enjoy the scenery. The long established tradition of siting main controls and tests at stately homes, castles and distilleries will continue, as will the distribution of ten miniatures at specific locations for display in the �Malts� rack (hand made for the event and issued to all crews that cross the finishing line). The provisional programme for 2009 takes in favourite and established locations such as the Speyside Cooperage, Balnagown, Balmoral, Blair Castle, Little Ferry and distilleries such as Edradour, Dalmore, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Glenfarclas and Aberlour as well as venues and distilleries new to the event.

The 2009 Malts will follow the successful format of past events with competitors covering approximately 200 � 230 miles each day through some of the most spectacular scenery Scotland can offer. Navigation will be by means of a detailed road book using easy-to-follow Tulip diagrams utilising HERO�s simple Jogularity system.

Crews new to the Malts should not be daunted by the prospect of driving tests. These are enjoyable manoeuvrability tests mainly on asphalt and set against the clock. On these, you are pitted only against other cars in your class � drivers of slower or more sedate vehicles will not be expected to pit themselves against a Mini Cooper S or a Porsche.

Categories & Awards

As with all HERO events cars first registered or constructed before 1^st Jan 1982 are eligible. Vehicles will be divided into six age categories from vintage to modern classics and further divided into classes defined by body type and engine size.

Competitors compete for Gold, Silver and Bronze medals; awarded to crews who do well against the standard set for cars in their classification. Amongst other awards presented to eligible crews will be:

Marque, National, Ecurie & Golden Oldie Team Prizes

The Ladies� Prize

The Veteran�s Prize & Concourse awards

Absolute Beginner

The Test Pilot�s & Clock-watcher�s Trophies

Most appropriately dressed crew

Spirit of the Rally

Accommodation

As always accommodation will be at the best hotels available on route. Whilst we cannot always guarantee to be able to find four star hotels, each hotel selected will be clean, comfortable, offer good food and will have been checked by event officials. However, there is limited availability on Mull and so the maximum number of crews we can accommodate in 2009 is 75.

The Package

The entry fee includes the following:

• Rally participation
• Lunch on each day of competition
• Six nights� accommodation (crew of two sharing � supplements available for single rooms) for the nights of Sunday 26^th April through Friday 1^st May
• Evening meals
• Welcome dinner
• Awards presentation banquet.
• Social gathering
• Finishers� awards in the form of two Malts Racks and ten whisky miniatures
• Generous awards list
• Rally Plates and side number plates
• Detailed Road Book
• Event souvenir apparel

How to Enter

Due to the popularity of the Malts and the knowledge that accommodation is restricted on Mull, reserve entries have already been taken. So to secure your place on this most enjoyable of events, download and complete the entry form and return with your payment without delay. In order to allow us to pass on the benefits of early hotel bookings, generous discounts are once again being offered to those who book early. For further information or to request a brochure (also available in pdf format) please contact the HERO office.