Old reliables’ back... in style

The Beamish Run returns to its traditional home, the open-air museum after which it was named, for the 39th midsummer meander round 150 miles of mainly rural roads of the North-East.

Following an 11-year gap, the regional heritage museum will provide an appropriate start and finish point for the colourful collection of vintage, postvintage and classic cars vehicles.

New museum director Richard Evans is a keen advocate of such events, and is so enthusiastic he is even taking part, as a passenger in a 1930 Ford model ‘A’, driven by Dave Knotts, of Ryton, near Gateshead.

The field also includes a royal flavour, with the Earl of Strathmore making his run debut in an expertly restored 1953 Bentley R-type, which was once a favourite of his great aunt, no less than the Queen Mother.

Regardless of status, the same instructions go out to all those taking to the wheel of the lovingly cared for old thoroughbreds of the road tomorrow.

Run organiser George Jolley has urged “caution as you go” to avoid a repeat of some previous years’ tales of mishap and misadventure.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to be returning to Beamish, back where the run belongs, and now all we need is good weather and a trouble-free run.

“Yes, it’s a fun event, but it’s also a test of driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road.

“There are disciplinary constraints, with 150 people on a course like this.

“We have 85 marshalls around the course, and, apart from the ten official checkpoints there are secret checkpoints to ensure the drivers are on course, not doing anything stupid, and at certain potential danger points that they are taking extra care.

“I tell people doing it for the first time that you need a reliable car, you need to be tenacious and most of all careful.”

Mr Jolley’s warning particularly applies to the heavily-marshalled, notorious Stanhope Ford crossing of the River Wear, which was only given the all-clear on Thursday, after remedial surface repairs.

“We have several members of the Lancia Club who’ll be keeping a close watch on competitors’ fording technique, ensuring they closely follow crossing instructions.”

The first vehicles leave the Beamish Museum events field at 8.30am, with the field returning between 4pm and 7pm. The ever-popular lunchstop is in Bainbridge, North Yorkshire, with all vehicles parking up for an hour round the village green.

Where to see the Beamish Run cavalcade

THE public is welcome to give a wave and cheer on competitors as they chug round the 150 mile-plus route round County Durham and northern fringes of North Yorkshire.

The Start, Beamish Museum, with the first vehicle setting off from the events field at 8.30am, and the last to leave by about 10.30am.

Iveston Village, and hill test, Main Street, 8.45am to 10.45am.

Wolsingham, Checkpoint 1, Market Place, 9am until 11.30 am, followed by Wearsbank hill test.

Edge Hotel, Woodside, Checkpoint 2, 9am-10am to noon.

Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, Checkpoint 3, 10am to 12.30pm.

The Stang Hill and Arkengarthdale, severe hill test, 10.10am until 12.10pm.

The Charles Bathurst Inn, near Langthwaite, Checkpoint 4, 10.15am till 12.30pm.

Bainbridge, village green for lunch stop, 11.30am-2.30pm. Most people make for this point as all vehicles are static but can only stay one hour. Spectators are asked to take great care on the green, and, please, do not touch the vehicles.

Askrigg, town, bank and common, severe hill test, 1pm to 3.15pm.

Muker Village, vehicles pass through twice, before lunch from 10.40am to 1pm, and then between 1.10pm to 3.30pm.

Silver Hill, near Keld, severe hill test, from 1.10pm until 3.30pm.

Tan Hill Inn (Britain’s highest pub), Checkpoint 5, 1.15pm until 3.45pm.

Brough, Market Place, 1.30pm until 4pm.

Romaldkirk Village, Checkpoint 6, 2.15pm until 4.25pm.

A very pleasant village where the church hall is open for cakes and cream teas, but entrants are advised not to linger too long.

Bollihope Quarry, Checkpoint 7, 2.30pm until 5pm. Very popular spot next to the river (beck).

Stanhope Ford, 2.30pm-5pm, weather and conditions permitting!

Crawleyside and Weatherhill, severe hill test for vintage vehicles, 2.20pm until 5pm.

The Moorcock Inn, Waskerley, Checkpoint 8, 2.45pm until 5.15pm.

Lanchester, town, plus Church Bank hill test, 3pm until 5.30pm.

Burnhope Village, Checkpoint 9, 3pm until 6pm. Adjacent to green area at lower end of village near the church.

Beamish Museum, 4pm until 7pm. A final flourish down the Town Street, before vehicles park up for viewing as drivers sign off.

The first vehicle is expected back by 4pm, with stragglers not finishing until around 7pm, after which the event control closes.

All the runners and riders

1 Brian Smith, Darlington, 1926 AJS 500cc

2 D H Masters, Darlington, 1926 Norton 500cc

3 Bill Birks, Northallerton, 1928 BSA 500cc

4 Roy Adamson, Darlington, 1938 Royal Enfield 350

5 Brian Horner, Shildon, 1954 James 150

6 Joe Rushworth, Sunderland, 1936 BSA 500

7 Keith Wickham, Whitburn, 1928 Morris Cowley

8 Peter Bramwell, Esh Winning, 1931 AJS 9 Saloon

9 David Jolly, Bowburn, 1926 Willys Whippet

10 Audrey Wickham, Whitburn, near Sunderland, 1932 Lanchester 10

11 Derek Sparks, Thirsk, 1954 Renault 4 CV

12 Sam Sammells Satron, Gunnerside, 1935 Aston Martin

13 Jack Smithers, Enner Place, 1935 Bonstard Special

14 Tim Glanvill, Northallerton, 1935 Austin Tourer

15 Colin Ainsley, Richmond, 1933 Austin 7 Special

16 Dan Steanson, Gateshead, 1934 Armstrong Siddley

17 Peter Willcock, Durham, 1934 Morris 10/4

18 David Barker, Newton Aycliffe, 1935 Hillman 10

19 Peter King, Gosforth, 1936 Morris 8 Tourer

20 Alan Cornforth, Billingham, 1948 Morris 8E

21 David Bond, Spennymoor, 1936 Morris Tourer

22 Denis Laverick, Bishop Auckland, 1935 Morris 10

23 Chris Oliver, Whitburn, 1930 Austin 7 Nippy

24 Mike Clark, Harrogate, 1925 Salmson GS

25 Tim Hallam, Pately Bridge, 1925 Lorraine Dietrich

26 Peter Robinson, Esh Village, 1934 Austin 10

27 Robin Wills, Brancepeth, 1932 Morris 8 Tourer

28 Gerald Driver, Catterick Garrison, 1934 Austin Nippy

29 Aleck Bruce, Darlington, 1934 Austin 7 Ulster

30 Stuart Longbottom, Huddersfield, 1934 Riley Linx

31 Terry Poppelwell, Whitley Bay, 1932 Alvis 12/60

32 Max de Redder, Wigton, Cumbria, 1928 Ford 'A'

33 David Knotts, Ryton, 1930 Ford 'A'

34 Mike Neale, Litchfield, Staffs, 1929 Lea-Francis 12/40

35 John Davison, Consett, 1928 Essex Super 6

36 Richard Mathews, Cotherstone, 1936 Frazer Nash TT rep

37 Henry Curry, Spennymoor, 1936 Morris 8

38 Frank Mawson, Consett, 1955 Ford Prefect

39 John Wannop, Ryton, 1936 Austin 7 Ulster

40 Allan Bruce, Darlington, 1936 Austin 10

41 David Berry, Yarm, 1937 MG TA

42 Tony Gray, Darlington, 1936 Bentley 4.25L

43 Frank Cowings, Crook, 1937 Austin Ascot 12

44 Owen Frankland, Eaglescliffe, 1937 MG TA

45 Dave Hutchinson, Darlington, 1929 Scott 600 TT replica

46 Raymond Gowling, Mickleton, 1937 Douglas Aero 600

47 Tom Houchen, Birtley, 1952 Matchless warrior 500

48 Terry Crofts, Rotherham, 1938 Excelsior 350

49 Rot Hatfield, Sheffield, 1937 Lagonda Rapide

50 Geoff Henderson, Consett, 1937 Riley 12/4

51 Ian Murcott, Whitley Bay, 1938 Alvis Silver Crest

52 Martin Hague, Sheffield, 1938 Bentley 4.25 L

53 Roy Kingan, Cleadon Village, 1938 MG TA

54 Tom Hewitson, Eaglescliffe, 1939 MG SA

55 Brian Jobling, Bedale, 1939 Rover 12

57 Brian Sayers, Hartlepool, 1946 Austin 16

58 Barry Markham, Battle, Sussex, 1939 Bentley 4.25 L

59 John Rushworth, Sowerby Bridge, 1939 Buick 46c

60 David Porteous, Darlington, 1946 Triumph 500

61 John Reddcliff, Chester-le-Street, 1946 Royal Enfield 350

62 Edgar Coulson, Hartlepool, 1946 Ford V8 Pickup

63 David Forster, Seaham Hall, 1942 Willys Jeep

64 Les Siddle, Wylam, 1947 Alvis TA 14

65 J I Worthington, Haswell, 1947 Alvis TA 14DHC

66 Gerald Breedon, Shildon, 1947 MG TC

67 Peter Shaw, Sheffield, 1948 MG TC

68 Alan Halfpenny, Guisborough, 1948 HRG 1500

69 Peter Holmes, Tamworth, West Midlands, 1948 Alvis TA14 Woody

70 Birt Dive, Guisborough, 1948 MG TC

71 David Hook, Durham, 1949 MG TC

72 Chris Veevers, Carlisle, 1946 MG TC

73 Kevin Richings, Darlington, 1943 Willys Jeep

74 John Alderson, Crook, 1943 Willys Jeep

75 Kevin McNish, Chester-le-Street, 1940 BSA M20/500

76 Trevor Robinson, Durham, 1938 Norton 500

77 Geo Delgarno, Whitley Bay, 1948 Riley Roadster

78 Peter Baston, Holy Moorside, Derbs, 1949 Lea- Francis 14hp Sports

79 Brian Ward, Chilton, 1951 Jawa 250

80 Gary Emmerson, Spennymoor, 1953 Moto Morini 175

81 Terry Carlton, Crook, 1948 AJS 350

82 David Birleson, Darlington, 1951 Rover P4

83 William Wiggins, Seaham, 1951 Alvis Special

84 Edward Whitehead, Halifax, 1949 Alvis TA 14

85 Andrew Raine, Billingham, 1949 Alvis TA 14

86 John T Moore, Houghton-le-Spring, 1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90

87 Tony Yorke, Pudsey, 1949 Rover 75

88 James Emson, Barnard Castle, 1949 Land Rover

89 Norman Roper, Ochan, Isle of Man, 1952 Jaguar XK 120

90 Earl of Strathmore Glamis & Holwick, Durham, 1953 Bentley R Type

91 Derek Bradbury, Sheffield, 1951 Bentley MK 6

92 Robert Howe, Hatlwhistle, 1955 Rolls Royce Silver cloud

93 John Hanson, Leeds, 1955 Daimler Conquest

94 Maurice Marinan, Hett, Durham, 1953 Alvis TA 21

95 Colin Butler, Staindrop, 1953 Ford Prefect

96 Peter Hewitson, Stokton, 1952 Ford Prefect

97 Craig Sams, Staindrop, 1953 Ford Popular

98 Gordon Mackenzie, Wakefield, TBD

99 Gordon Tildesley, Whickham, 1953 Ausin Somerset A40

100 Thomas Jobling, Bedale, 1954 Austin Somerset A40

101 Ben Jobling, Bedale, 1954 Morris Minor

102 Frank Green, Chester-le-Street, 1953 Morris Minor

103 John Sheldrake, Norton, 1952 Riley 1500

104 Brian Earl, Crook, 1953 Triumph Renown

105 John Cruddace, Houghton-le-Spring, 1953 MG YB

106 Justin Snowdon, Bishop Auckland, 1952 MG YB

107 Dennis Gardiner, Durham, 1953 Norton Dominator

108 Anthony Bailey, Darlington, 1953 Royal Enfield

109 Graeme Curtis, Sunderland, 1952 MG TD

110 Christopher Ward, Witton-le-Wear, 1953 Austin A30

111 T Mortom, Barnard Castle, 1950 MG TD

112 Geoff Mansfield, Rushyford, 1954 Trumph TR2

113 Jeff Gordon, Newcastle, 1950 MG TD

114 Patricia Kearton, Barnard Castle, 1951 MG TD

115 Jeff Huntbach, Hawes, 1952 Sunbeam Talbot 90

116 Peter Baglee, Wolviston, 1950 MG TD

117 Colin Bennett, West Auckland, 1953 BSA 350

118 R Sidgwick, Eaglescliffe, 1953 AJS 500

119 Chris Wiggins, Easingwold, York, 1955 Austin A35

120 John Ward, Gateshead, 1955 MG ZA

121 T Walton, Darlington, 1952 Landrover

122 Tom Cummings, Sunderland, 1952 Austin Champ

123 P R Lee, Barnard Castle, 1954 BSA Gold Star 350

124 Neil Hodgson, Acton Trussel, Staffs, 1953 BSA A10 650

125 David Harrison, Cramlington, 1953 Golden flash 650

126 Michael Dicken, Stockton, 1942 Ford Jeep

127 Doug Trail, Stockton, 1942 Willys Jeep

128 Bill Beadnell, Stockton, 1953 Austin Healey 100/4

129 Terry Walton, Darlington, 1955 Rover 75

130 Chris Berridge, York, 1951 Bently mk6

131 Nick Turley, Halifax, 1934 Austin 7 saloon

132 Paul Docherty, Marley Hill, 1924 Morris Van

133 Stuart Trow, Chester-le-Street, 1955 Landrover series 1

134 Simon Thompson, Ferryhill, 1955 BSA 350

135 Auther Swales, Sunderland, 1953 MG YB

136 Brian Redshaw, Darlington, 1952 Triumph Mayflower

137 Mike Jones, Carlisle, 1954 Velocette Le 200cc

140 Mike Jones, Carlisle, 1953 Velocette Le 200cc

141 Brian Ramsey, Wycliffe, 1947 Triumph speed twin 50cc

142 Ronald Hull Trimdon 1920 Brough Superior 1000cc

143 Eric Balderson Hawes 1929 Triumph 500cc

144 Simon Weightman Seaton 1933 Rolls Royce

145 Ian Lawson Billingham 1955 MG 'A'