There was lots of drama as the 30th Classic Marathon came to an end after more than 1200 miles through Slovenia, Croatia and Austria from 18-23 June.
Day one of the HERO-ERA rally started in the lakeside Slovenian town of Bled, with car one piloted by Paul Crosby – who has won the previous two editions of the event – this time navigated by Ali Proctor in his Porsche 911.
After a tricky opening day, Steve and Julia Robertson (Triumph TR3) led by just 9 secs from Klaus Schaffrath and Andrew Duerden (Alfa Romeo Giulia Super), who in turn were 18 secs clear of Marcus Anderson and Matthew Lymn Rose (Jaguar E-type S1). The Robertsons fell to fifth on day two, as the dayʼs top performers were the experienced Crosby/Proctor, who moved up from fourth to second behind the new leaders Anderson and Lymn Rose.
Podium contenders Schaffrath/ Duerden were sadly relegated on day three when their Alfa lost fifth and reverse gears, while Crosby/ Proctor took the lead by 10 secs from another experienced crew, Paul Bloxidge and Ian Canavan, although their 1985 Volkswagen Golf GTI is too young to claim an overall award in this rally. Anderson/Lymn Rose were third, but only 6 secs clear of Mark and Sue Godfreyʼs MGB.
During the seven regularities, two tests and 234 miles of day four, the hot sun gave way to rainstorms, thunder, lightning and hail, but, with just 15 secs of penalties, Crosby/Proctor were able to extend their advantage over Anderson/Lymn Rose.
The next day, however, a missed speed change for Anderson/Lymn Rose and driveshaft failure on the final test for Crosby/Proctor shook things up, with Bloxidge/Canavan now heading the timesheets and the Godfreys the top crew eligible for an overall gong.
The final day kicked off with a tricky gravel regularity, but this did nothing to faze the Godfreys who, by lunch, had built a lead of almost a full minute over Anderson/Lymn Rose.
It was a strong morning for Philip Armstrong and Peter Rushforth (Volvo PV544), too, the legʼs top performers prevailing as rivals floundered and others struggled in more poor weather. Come the finish, the Volvo crew was rewarded with the final spot on the podium.
The Godfreys hung on to land their third Classic Marathon victory, from Anderson/Lymn Rose. On the timesheets, however, it was the ineligible Bloxidge/ Canavanʼs win, by 1 min 23 secs.
