The Fourth Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial

Return to Talisker
by John Brown
Clerk of the Course

Welcome to the Fourth Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial which due to the crisis caused by the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the UK will run in September. Our sponsors and friends, Classic Malts of Scotland, are once more supporting the event in many ways: not least their generous hospitality, which helps to make this among the most sociable of competitive historic regularity rallies.

The 2000 Classic Malts was widely acclaimed as a hugely enjoyable event, and the 2001 programme and itinerary will be along the same lines. Once again, it will be "A Journey to Talisker", with a rest day of activities and entertainment on Skye, including the famous ceilidh, or Gaelic dance party.

The route includes a number of new sections and tests, and takes participants into some fresh areas. Day Two will be a tour of Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire and Speyside, with visits to famous historic houses, motor sport venues and the distilleries of Scotland's biggest whisky-producing region.

Day Five is spent on the famous rallying island of Mull including an extended lunch break in which to visit Iona, St Columba's isle.

As a number of our competitors from the original dates in May have told us that their co-driver will not be able to attend for all of the event, we will allow one change of co-driver during the event.

The entry fee of £2,650 this year includes all ferry crossings, as well as the two "get together" dinners that were previously an extra cost - so it's as good value as ever.

Come and join us!

The Classic Malts Scottish Reliability Trial. Seven days of gently competitive motoring on some of Britain’s finest roads. Roads that climb and swoop through spectacular Highland scenery. Traffic free roads that lead cars and crews on a terrific journey of discovery. The Classic Malts is firmly established as a sociable as well as sporting event, and our schedule ensures that this tradition will be continued.

In just three years, the Classic Malts has established itself as a “must do” event for crews from all over Europe and beyond. In May 2000, we welcomed no fewer than 38 crews who had never taken part in a competitive rally before. Their verdict? “Fantastic!” Expert crews, too, are full of praise for the Classic Malts experience. It is a true test of car performance and the skills of driver and navigator alike. Varied driving tests as well as regularity mileage ensure that there is never a moment to relax throughout this 1,300 mile challenge. Any age and type of car - however precious - can expect to do well, though, as no section should prove too demanding.

We are repeating the theme of “A Journey to Talisker” in 2001. From the Edinburgh start we head for the Highlands and to the far north of Scotland. We cross to Skye, where there is a rest day based at Talisker, Skye’s only distillery, brilliantly hosted by our sponsors, Classic Malts of Scotland. There will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy the excellent smooth malt that has been made here since 1830, before taking our leave to head next for the Isle of Mull: virgin rally territory for the Classic Malts Reliability Trial in 2001.

HERO will help to develop beginners’ navigational skills and confidence. There is a special training session and optional novices' run before the start, as well as another pre-event day in August.

There is no outright winner on HERO events. Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded for individual performance against other crews in the same classification. Meanwhile, teams of three cars compete for the prestigious Talisker Trophy - won in 2000 by a team of sidescreen TRs.

There are six age categories on the event: Vintage (1919 - 1930), Post-Vintage (1931 - 1940), Wartime and Post-war (1941 - 52), Fifties (1953 - 58), Sixties (1959 - 1967), and Post-Historic (1968 - 1974).

The entry fee for a car with a crew of two people is £2,650.

As in previous years, this includes for all crew members

  • eight nights’ hotel accommodation, with full Scottish breakfast
  • pre-event gala dinner
  • activities and entertainment on the rest day on Skye
  • the famous Talisker ceilidh, with buffet supper
  • distillery visits and whisky tastings
  • each day, one miniature per person of the Malt of the Day
  • full-service prizegiving lunch in the Ballroom at Hopetoun House
  • other generous sponsor hospitality
  • apparel and other souvenir items
  • Skye Bridge tolls

In addition, the fee for 2001 now covers

  • all on-event ferry crossings
  • passenger ferry to Iona
  • two more “get together” evening meals, at Aviemore and Portree

Supplements apply for single room accommodation and for additional crew members.

Last modified 06 November 2001