A Novice Trial
A hands on approach to learning how to tackle classic car rallying
Following the success of A Novice Trial held at the HERO-ERA Headquarters over the last couple of years we once again return to Bicester, a fantastic location for the training elements as well as great roads for the practical side. This year will see Andy Pullan, one of our staff and at the pinnacle of his navigation career taking you through the training process with the support of the other HERO-ERA team.
The format of A Novice Trial is designed to explain and demonstrate the skills required for classic car rallying in a fun and informative way. The event is aimed at those new to rallying, or as an introduction to the sport for your partner or other family members.
The event begins on Friday evening with a seminar covering the basics. Saturday will alternate practical and theory to cement the newfound skills with a new route from previous years to test your skills.
On Sunday you will compete in a half-day rally to test and hone those skills and show you exactly what to expect on your next adventure with HERO-ERA. The action concludes early on Sunday afternoon with an awards ceremony and a buffet lunch, so you’ll have time to return at a reasonable hour in readiness for work on Monday.
You will leave with all the tools necessary to tackle a HERO-ERA Blue or Green Event, such as the Summer Trial, Scottish Malts, or HERO Challenges, ensuring that you not only enjoy the event but also give you a chance to work up the leaderboard.
Event Schedule
Day One
16:30 – 17:00 Registration
17:00 – 19:00 Session One - Classroom - HERO-ERA HQ, Bicester Heritage
Day Two
08:00 – 10:00 Vehicle Checks & Documentation
09:30 – 10:15 Coffee
10:15 – 11:00 Classroom Session
11:00 – 12:30 Road & Test Session
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30 Classroom Session
14:30 – 16:00 Road Session
16:00 – 17:30 De-Brief & Q&A Session
Collect Rally plates & Sunday Route book
Day Three
08:30 First car starts Competitive Event
13:00 First car returns Competitive Event
13:00 – 14:00 Lunch
14:30 Results Published & Awards
15:00 Finish
Mini Rally – Sunday 10th March
The Rally element of A Novice Trial will take us North from Bicester following a pair of tests on site at Bicester to enjoy two regularities before a coffee halt in the Cotswolds.
The route back to the HERO-ERA Headquarters will be a little more challenging with two more regularities one of which will be map based. With expert tuition the day before this will not be as daunting as it may sound and with another pair of tests on-site to round up the competition, you will get a taste, we hope, of the enjoyment that this type of rallying has to offer.
A buffet lunch will be provided as crews swap details of the trials and achievements of the morning, whilst learning the penalty system.
Mere seconds separated the top three of last year’s Novice Trial, but who will be crowned the Novice Champion of 2024?
Vehicle Information
For the Mini Rally on the Sunday
- All cars will be eligible for overall and class awards.
- Entry is open to any vehicle of a specification valid before the 1st January 1991
- HERO-ERA continue to generally favour older cars and the route chosen has been planned around cars from the 1960’s but both older and newer cars will feel equally at home
What is Included in the Entry Fee?
- Entry to the event for a crew of two people
- Tuition from the most experienced team in historic rallying
- Detailed “Tulip” style roadbook with overview maps
- Comprehensive training sessions on the use of a Routebook and Regularity rallying
- Buffet Lunch on Saturday and Sunday
- Coffee & tea at coffee halts on the Saturday & Sunday
- Overall & finishers awards
- Mechanical assistance available if required during the event
Need a car?
The Arrive & Drive scheme allows you to compete should your car be unavailable or, if you are looking to purchase a similar model in the future it gives you the chance to get to know your prospective purchase. We have a wide and varied range of vehicles to suit everyone's taste.
Images from A Novice Trial 2023
Entry List
| Driver | Navigator | Year | Vehicle | CC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Gallacher (GB) | Iyla Gallacher (GB) | 1960 | Austin Healey 3000 BN7 | 2912 |
| Adrian Hart (GB) | Ivor Bennett (GB) | 1963 | Morris Mini | 850 |
| Brian Yeomans (GB) | Shelagh Yeomans (GB) | 1968 | Porsche 911L | 1991 |
| David Willoughby (GB) | Ken Youngman | |||
| Gary Smith (GB) | Jenny Campbell Black (GB) | 1967 | Ford Cortina mk 11 | 1598 |
| Iens Boswijk (NL) | Gé Steensma (NL) | 1938 | Riley Sprite | |
| Jason Cross (GB) | James Cross (GB) | 1970 | Alfa Romeo GT Junior 1300 | 1750 |
| John Todd (GB) | Jo Turner (GB) | 1970 | Mercedes Benz 280SL Pagoda | 2800cc |
| Mark Shipman (GB) | Mile Tarr (GB) | |||
| Martin Andrew (GB) | Michelle Andrew (GB) | 1962 | Volvo PV544 | 1780 |
| Martin Ashby (GB) | Amanda Ashby (GB) | 1962 | Triumph TR4 | |
| Matthew Todd (GB) | Gavin Gobell (GB) | 1975 | Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce | 1962 |
| Michael Bailey (GB) | Karol Bailey (GB) | 1931 | Ford Model A | 3.3litre |
| Michael Rodel (CH) | Nic (GB) | 1974 | Mercedes W115 230.4 | 2307 |
| Nigel Grice (GB) | Simon Williams (GB) | 1956 | Aston Martin DB2/4 Mkll | 2922 |
| Paul Wells (GB) | Phil Wells (GB) | 1967 | MG B Roadster | 1950cc |
| Peter Walden (GB) | 1972 | Triumph TR6 | 2498 | |
| Simon Jones (GB) | Louise Grant (GB) | 1984 | Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 2.5 | 2492 |
| Tom Ebdon (GB) | Andy Ebdon (GB) | 1960 | MG MGA coupe | 1588 |
| Tom Woodcock (GB) | Rachel Woodcock (GB) | 1967 | MG BGT | 1800 |