Classic vehicle rally back at Groats with well-polished style in the sunshine

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Vintage vehicles from far and wide descended on John O'Groats on Sunday for a colourful display of cars, trucks, tractors, motorbikes and much more.

Willie Mackay acted as compere for the Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club's (CSVCVC) rally introducing entertainments such as Violet's Highland dancers and Wick RBLS Pipe Band and also announcing the various winners of the different categories along with honorary membership awards.

The occasion was an opportunity for classic enthusiasts to dust off their pride and joy pieces and get them back on the road to Groats after a three-year hiatus due to Covid restrictions. It was a fun-filled family day out for many and apart from a slight breeze the sun shone throughout most of the day.

Speaking on the day, Club committee member Jasper Bremner said: "We've had a fantastic turnout with a lot of late entries and we've turned nobody away.

"There's a bit of sunshine. which is grand and we've had a few people dropping in who've been doing the North Coast 500 as well. It's all going really good."

Some tourists doing the North Coast 500 route had just chanced upon the rally and decided to drop in. Free entry was an added incentive but donations were happily handed in to help support next year's event.

There were numerous awards for the various classes of vehicle and also honorary awards for CSVCVC stalwarts. These were presented by Iain Sutherland, cousin of the late Edward Sutherland and past club chairman along with his wife, Irene.

Honorary membership awards went to Bert Macleod from Thurso, ex club chairman; David Green from John O’Groats; and Edward Mackay from Helmsdale.

Vice chairman Les Bremner said he was acting chair for the day as the chairman Kevin Sutherland was laid low with Covid. "It's unbelievable," he said. "We're really overwhelmed by the turnout today. It was a dry day with a touch of sunshine and when you have that you'll always get a big rally at John O'Groats."

Compere Willie Mackay said he was delighted with the event. "It's the first time since 2019 and we're back here at John O'Groats with hundreds of people and it's been a great success. There were people from all over Europe who were on tour and just came along. It was free entry with donations only and it worked very well indeed."

2022 Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club Winners

Class C – Post Vintage Cars 1931 – 1945

1 – 1987 Austin Ruby Special – Robbie Gibson, Shebster

2 – 1936 Austin 10 Cambridge – David Green, John O’Groats

3 – 1934 Austin 10 – Terence Almond, Latheron

Class D – Post War Cars 1946- 1959

1 – 1951 MG TD – Les Bremner, Halkirk

2 – 1957 Wolseley 1500 – David Green, John O’Groats

3 – 1952 Hillman Minx – Gordon Tait, Wick

Class E – Classic Cars 1961 – 1979

1 – 1967 Ford Anglia – Norman Lowe, Brora

2 – 1968 Landrover Series 2a 109 – Roger Smith, Auckengill

3 – 1969 MG BGT – John Cuthbert, Castletown

Class F – Classic Cars 1980 – 1995

1 – 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo – Raymond Macdonald, Wick

2 – 1988 Opel Manta GSI Coupe – John King, Halkirk

3 – 1989 Ford Orion Ghia – Janice Falconer, Thurso

Class G – Future or Emerging Classic Cars 1996 – 2020

1 – 1998 Jaguar Sovereign V8 Auto – Walter Mowat, John O’Groats

2 – 2010 Ford Focus RS – Stuart Davidson, Helmsdale

3 – 2019 Morgan Plus 4 – Ian Grant, Scrabster

Class H – Modified Custom Vehicles Pre 1996

1 – 1957 Volkswagen Beetle – Justin Kirby,Wick

2 – 1968 Ford Escort – James Mackay, Janetstown

3 – 1987 Vauxhall Cavalier Antibes – Robert McLean, Castletown

Glass M – Classic Motor Cycles 1980 – 1995

1 – 1978 Triumph Bonneville T140 – James Bremner, Wick

2 – 1977 Suzuki GT 750B – Donald Anderson, Thurso

Class N – Classic Motor Cycles 1980 – 1995

1 – 1982 BMW R100RT – Jim Wright, Gillock

Class P – Commercial Vehicles (Light Class up to 7.5 tons)

1 – 1970 Morris 1000 Van – Allan Ross, Wick

2 – 1970 Austin Pick Up – Jim McCue, Dornoch

3 – 1958 Ford 300E Thames Van – Nick Manson, Thurso

Class Q – Vehicles (Heavy Class over 7 ½ tons)

1 – 1971 ERF M Series – Ronnie Fulton, Invergordon

Class R – Agricultural Machinery

1 – 1948 Field Marshall Series 2 Tractor – Nicol Mackenzie, Halkirk

2 – 1944 Fordson Standard N Tractor – Don McLeod, Lyth

3 – 1966 Massey Ferguson 135 Tractor – Don McLeod, Lyth

Class S – Other Vehicles and Machinery

1 – 1980 JCB Digger 3C – Garry Bain, Muir of Ord

2 – 2002 Lincoln Blackwood Pick Up – Dan Mackenzie, Barrock

3 – 2008 Mercedes Benz S 500 Limo – Roger Broughton, Dunnet

Class T – Stationary Engines (Open Crank)

1921 Taylor Vacuum Type C – Graham Turner, Shebster

Class U – Stationary Engines (Closed Crank)

1 – 1945 Kelvin K3 – D and G Broughton, Brough

2 – 1945 Wolseley WD11 – C and G Sutherland, Thurso

3 – 1930 Lister A – C and G Sutherland, Thurso

Class V – Show and Shine (Anything Goes)

1 – 2016 Volkswagen Caddy – Lara-Louize Ryan, Castletown

2 – 2006 Volkswagen R32 – Lara-Louize Ryan, Castletown

3 – 2021 Toyota GR Yaris – Donald Henderson, Lybster

Furthest Travelled

2003 Alfa Romeo 156 GTA – Paul Philllips, Kirkgunzeon

Ladies Choice

2003 MG TF – Richard Penman. Murkle

Best Overall Exhibit

1945 Kelvin K3 Stationary Engine – D and G Broughton, Brough

Best Restored and Modified Car

1957 Volkswagen Beetle – Justin Kirby, Wick

Youngest Competitor

Brooke Body, Thurso

Only a handful of volunteers set up the rally and the committee is looking for new blood and people to help set up the event for next year.

If you would like to join the club, annual membership costs £15 and family membership £20. There is a Facebook page for the club as well that people can find out more information from at: www.facebook.com/CSVCVC

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