Vintage delights at John O'Groats for classic rally
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Threatened thunderstorms failed to materialise and the public turned out in sizeable numbers for the annual Caithness and Sutherland Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club (CSVCVC) rally at John O'Groats on Sunday (June 11).
The rally was given a makeover this year with changes being made to the field layout with additional public entrances and parking. James Green, ground convener, said: “We moved the show to the top of the field to increase capacity and to try an alternative layout."
Club chairman Kevin Sutherland said that attendees were "treated to a great display of over 160 exhibits" with cars, tractors, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and stationary exhibits. "The rather dull, cool day didn't put off the public who turned out in their hundreds to support the club and to raise funds for the John O'Groats Development Trust's play park project." Members of the play park fund raising team and helpers for the local football club assisted to set up tents and manned the parking this year. "We are delighted to present a cheque for £500 for their efforts," said the club chair.
A huge variety of old timers were on display with the earliest being a Model T Ford dating from 1913 that sat alongside some more recent vehicles from the Highland Cars group and Donald Henderson's 2021 Toyota GR Yaris.
Willie Mackay acted as compere for the 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. There were trade stands with arts and crafts as well as tea tents with home baking and the ever-popular Harbour Chip Shop from Wick provided meals.
"It was absolutely wonderful," said Willie. "The weather was good to us. It was a splendid day and a great crowd. The entries were well up in cars, vehicles, stationary engines, tractors and motorbikes. It really was a terrific turnout for the 2023 rally and I'm fair delighted that it stayed dry throughout the afternoon."
Willie was also delighted to receive a present of malt whisky that he joked would have to be finished within a day "due to the sell by date running out".
Near the club's stand was a very dilapidated looking vehicle owned by classic enthusiast and CSVCVC member Tom Sayles who had previously saved and restored Bluebell – a 1950s era Standard 10 that almost went into the crusher to "make bean cans".
Tom's latest project is a 1948/9 Rover P2 or P3 that originates from London but has unfortunately had its DVLA records go missing. "It's been on a marathon run from London to John O'Groats starting in 1948 and ending in 2023. It's taken over 70 years to get here," he joked.
With the new show format there were four prizes awarded this year. Jasper Bremner, one of the judging team of three, said: “To choose the best exhibit on the field was extremely difficult.
"There were many entries worthy of the title and we whittled down the possibles to about 10 winners. There were some lovely vintage and classic cars, outstanding motorbikes and tractors, but we eventually agreed on our winner from the light commercial vehicle class P."
The results are:
Winner of the best exhibit for the Edward Sutherland Memorial Trophy was a 1970 Morris light van owned by Alan Ross from Wick.
Best restored or modified vehicle for the Tom Sayles Trophy was a 1973 Bedford TK lorry owned by George Williamson from Scarfskerry. This exhibit fitted into both modified and restored description. Trophy sponsor Tom Sayles chose this entry it was formerly a removal lorry and was stripped down to the chassis. It was then modified as a vehicle transporter, with cab, chassis and engine fully restored and is used by the owner to transport his exhibits to the shows.
Furthest travelled vehicle driven to the show was a 1960 Austin Healey frog-eyed Sprite owned by Duncan Mitchell from Pitlochry covering 203 miles to be at the show field.
Youngest entrant and winner of the Meiklejohn Trophy was Sophie MacKillop (17) from Wick in her Vauxhall Corsa VXR.
Presentations of honorary memberships were made to three long-standing club members for their support and work with the club over the years, Bert Cooper from Thurso, Jim Forbes from Inverness, and Jim Calder from Dunnet.
