Jim McGuiness pulled together his biggest entry in this the
third running of the Carrera Caledonia, for historic and
sporting marques. 40 entries included son Simon and his partner
in his Healey Sprite, and myself in more modern kit with the
Lotus Elise. (not historic, but certainly sporting). A simple
follow the marked up map event, the Carrera took us over some of
the most spectacular roads in Scotland, offering views that take
the breath away, be it rain or shine. We left in a virtual
convoy, but it is amazing how many folks cannot read a map.
After an hour on the road many had gone their own way, though it
was not mandatory to follow the mapped route. The rain did stop
about lunchtime, when we reached the Gordon Arms so allowing the
tops to come off. And off the stayed, across to Peebles and west
to Shotts and up to Kilsyth. Only at Kippen, on the north side
of the Campsie's did we see the black clouds gather, and up went
the tops just in time. By the overnight stop at Callander we
were back in heavy rain.
A few beers and a meal later provided the evening
entertainment. A forest run through Achray Forest had to be
cancelled due to logging operations, but it would have been a
mud bath anyway, and a lot of the low sports cars I suspect
would have come to grief.
Sunday morning and guess what? Yes it was raining again.
David Huxley's 1934 Alvis Speed 20 was feeling the pace. We had
to bump start it at the petrol station as the starter motor
burned out the previous day. Try pushing a 3 ton tourer after a
full Scottish breakfast!!! But the top was still off on the
Alvis!
The route was straight forward up to Lochearnhead and
alongside Loch Earn to Comrie, Crieff and cross country to
Brechin. From there to Fettercairn and up the Cairn o' Mount
with that fantastic view. We kept to the south side of the river
Dee on our way to Ballater. That was where the trouble started.
The healey began spluttering, as it can sometimes. This time
it sounded like it had run out of fuel, but the gauge was still
showing over a quarter full. We pressed on as no fuel at this
time of day on a Sunday and eventually expired on the A939 just
south of Cock Bridge. If this had been winter we could have
perished quite easily. Yes it was fuel and a couple of gallons
from a friendly AA man got us on our way, arriving at the
Coylumbridge finish in time for the gala dinner. Everyone who
reaches the end gets a trophy, with the Alvis collecting "Spirit
of the rally".
The damage to the Sprite, apart from pride? Main beam
headlights lost, righthand indicators gone, horn popped, heater
gone cold, fuel still cutting out, few bolts here and there
lost!
Time to get under and fix it up for next year. Great touring
event, even better if the weather is good!
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