Last year 561 entries roared, dribbled and, against all the laws of physics, kept going on mud-choked, asthmatic engines past the end of my drive. They’ve been doing this every Easter since 1908 at ridiculous o’clock in the morning, having set off at tea-time the day before.
The Lands End Trail started off as a reliability test for the new fangled internal contraption engine. Now it serves as a lesson in incredibility, as a most bizarre mix of transportation attempts to complete a course involving country lanes and muddy hill climbs. Chuck in time trails, handling courses and hill starts and the mechanics can only get you so far – riders and drivers are what make this work.
So what you gonna pull out the garage? It might say ‘Classic’ on the entry form, but that refers to the format of the race. In the motorbike section there’s the 49cc Yamaha DT up against Kawasakis, Hondas and a Matchless from Slough. Cars have been welcomed since 1920 and the field covers everything from Porsche, Hillman Imps, lots of old-school Beetles and a Nissan Micra. For traction you can modify your Vauxhall Astra by bolting a couple of tyres to it’s rear end, or you can get your biggest mate to wedge his arse on the parcel shelf. Pimp your cars but don’t expect applause for entering a brand new 4 x4; it’s really not that kind of race.
I’ll be at the top of the drive, eating Easter eggs with my kids, wondering if the lads in the Nissan Micra told their mum they were borrowing the car. My brother-in-law, Dan, will hopefully turn up on his Bullet for a super quick cup of tea. Then it’s off to watch a hill climb – mud, bacon sandwich and petrol fumes. Perfect.
This site has some great archive pictures http://www.austinharris.co.uk/event/MCC-Lands-End-Trial
Claire Barratt 