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HERO and CRA Partner
Le Jog 2011
BMW Park Lane Classic in association with HERO presents:
The XVII
Land's End to John O'Groats
Reliability & Touring Trial
10th - 13th December 2011
Latest Le Jog News:
HERO are delighted to confirm that John Kiff (known to many regular Le Jog competitors - as he is usually seen with other members of his family competing in a VW) has accepted the role of route coordinator for 2011.
The 17th annual running of the world acclaimed event between December 10th and 13th will see cars battling it out on a 1,400 mile course between Lands End and John O'Groats with the longest night navigation section ever to be included.
Hero’s Event Director and Clerk of the Course for Le Jog, Peter Nedin, said: "competitors have gone on record to say that Le Jog is one of the toughest events of its kind in Europe, possibly the world, and we constantly strive to maintain this enviable reputation. The appointment of John Kiff, a past competitor on Le Jog, as route coordinator has brought a fresh pair of eyes to the event. John and I have worked closely on the route to make 2011 an event to remember and talk about for years to come"
Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Managing Director of the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation, HERO said: " This will be one of the most testing events that we have ever run. As in past editions the event is attracting crews from all over Europe and beyond which is a testament to the event and all those who work so hard to make it happen.
BMW Park Lane Classic, who as part of a sponsorship deal with HERO is to prepare a 1973 BMW 1602 saloon for the event. The car, which will also be included in HERO’s successful Arrive & Drive program, has been repatriated from ITALY.
"We are delighted to be preparing this car and supporting the event, " Said Toby Partridge Managing Director of BMW Park Lane Classic. Finding parts and preparing a car like this is exactly what we do as part of BMW's commitment to its past. Le-Jog is important because it allows cars like this to take part in a grueling event and be put to the test with the knowledge that parts are still available.”
He added: “ We have access to a back catalogue of 35,000 genuine BMW parts all which help keep classic BMW’s on the road .”
AVIS will also be supporting the event by providing all coordinating and support vehicles, which will be used by the organizers and marshals to steer crews safely to the finish.
John Kiff spent several days and clocked up more than 5,000 miles carrying out an exhaustive recce and route survey. He has used his years of Motoring News and Welsh Championship night road rally experience plus that of doing seven Le Jogs to create what should give both driver and navigator one the greatest challenges so far
John Kiff said: "My aim is to make Le Jog as relentless as ever but to add more competitive elements which will give crews even more satisfaction and sense of achievement."
The infamous Welsh night section will have over 30 time controls - 75% of which will be 4 minute sections and the longest section will only be 3.5 miles - but the route has been designed it with loops to allow controls to be cut for those running late.
Wales will also see some tough, late-evening regularities where crews' driving, navigating and timekeeping will be thoroughly tested. "We want to see every crew arrive at the Telford rest halt, tired but with a big satisfied grin on their faces" John said.
In addition this year's Le Jog is planned to have up to 30 tests at 26 venues - more than double the number of some recent Le Jogs and more than the last Rally of the Tests! Many of these tests will be at exciting new venues while those at ones previously used have been completely redesigned.
The overall number of regularities has been reduced slightly but the Jogularity format will be exploited to the full and Le Jog will continue to provide the navigators with considerable map-reading challenges
The romantic adventure appeal of Le Jog will still remain, with controls in some of the UK's best country pubs and road sections through the UK's most beautiful scenery.
The Monday leg from Gosforth to John O'Groats will see more new test venues as well as some more tight night navigation sections
“Brilliant. Tough. A pleasant nightmare. Challenging. An awesome experience. What a challenge!”
These were just a few of the comments made by competitors as the chequered flag fell across their bonnets at John
O’Groats on the conclusion of the 16th Land’s End to John O’Groats Reliability & Touring Trial. Considered by many as the toughest event of its kind in Europe, there was never any doubt over the successful conclusion of the 2010 event. Despite the severe wintry weather that had hit the UK, the final control closed on time with crews saying they would be back in 2011.
Still considered as a definite on your “must do” events list, the 2011 Land’s End to John O’Groats Reliability & Touring Trial is once again open to cars built before 1984.
With entries expected from across Europe, and fees again held at the 2008 level, demand is expected to be high, so to ensure your place contact HERO without delay.
The team from Motor Klassik were once more on the 2010 LE JOG, and having christened it as “the toughest event in Europe”, they certainly felt that LE JOG lived up to its well deserved reputation.
Every competitor dreams of collecting one of the elusive golds (three were earned in 2010), but crossing the finishing line is the main aim of many, particularly novices. The sense of achievementis immense and most crews pass under the finish banner with huge smiles on their faces.
As always, the aim of LE JOG is to allow crews to experience the heydays of British Rallying by day and night with long regularities and navigation sections, driving tests on private land, and the occasionalsection of smooth forest – with overnight halts on the Saturday and Sunday. You will cover approximately 1500 miles from the extreme south west of the UK to the north of Scotland using as many minor roads as possible.
As those who competed in 2010 can testify, the weather in December is unpredictable and can range from glorious sunshine, to torrential rain and blizzards – all conditions experienced on the 16th LE JOG! The challenge is meant to be tough, but no specialist preparation is required, just a well prepared car. LE JOG has always attracted novices, and recognises their achievement with an award for the best performance by a beginner. The LE JOG training day covers various topics such as car and crew preparation, map reading,
and dealing with regularities.
Approximately two weeks before LE JOG, entrants are provided with a set of General Route Instructions to plot the location of main controls, rest halts, driving tests and regularity starts/finishes.
For competitors who may not have time to plot this information, a specially prepared map book is available to purchase. Additional route information is issued at the start of each leg. Navigation is straightforward and no trickery is involved. You will need a set of Ordnance Survey maps, and HERO has arranged a special deal with one of the UK main suppliers. OS maps can be purchased through the HERO on-line store.
During the event, HERO Assist provides a team of experienced mechanics who will work through the night if necessary to help keep you going. A characteristic of LE JOG is that crews forced to miss a leg can rejoin later. The HERO Arrive and Drive program can help if you don’t have a suitable car.
The Touring Trial is a non-competitive but challenging event guaranteed to test the stamina of the crew. Calling at the Reliability Trial Main Controls and with 'code board' questions between controls, there are no time penalties, regularities or tests Competitors on the Tour receive finisher’s awards and are eligible for the Concourse and Spirit of the Rally Awards.
Entry Fee
The current entry fee is £2722 (Trial) and £1313 (Tour).
HERO Premier Members get a 10% discount on the entry fee and everyone can have the peace of mind of knowing that their money is safe with HERO as entries are paid into an Escrow account held by our solicitor. Entry fees include participation for two, accommodation on Saturday and Sunday nights, welcome and prize-giving black tie dinners, and a generous awards list. (Supplements are available for single rooms and additional crew members). The provisional route for 2011 has overnight halts in the Telford and Newcastle areas, and as always includes new venues and tests.
A qualifying round of the HERO Cup, LE JOG has been described as an adrenalin rush from start to finish.
Premier members will save 10%, a massive £272 off the entry price. Join now as a Premier Member.