Mellings Jogs up for that golden glow
Ludlow Castle Motor Club member Simon Mellings struck gold on the infamous Land's End to John O'Groats reliability trial (LeJog).
He teamed up with Scottish navigator Richard Crozier for the 1,450-mile adventure and they finished fourth overall and one of only three crews to be awarded the gold medal for consistency.
The event is aimed at vehicles built before 1985, which are classified according to age, engine size and body type.
Arduous conditions and tricky navigation feature as crews tackle regularity sections, special tests and road rally stretches.
The pair began well in their trusty Rover 216S to be joint sixth out of 70 after the opening test in the grounds of the Land's End Hotel.
Several regularity sections followed interspersed with tests at such venues as Cornwall College and the Royal Cornwall Showground.
After a two-hour break at Chepstow came the tricky night section to Mid Wales and then the overnight halt at Telford.
Mellings excelled on his home patch over the Powys Shropshire border and The Long Mynd; the crew were one of only two to incur no penalties and rose to third overall.
Day two through Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Northumberland saw a couple of one-minute penalties on regularity sessions – one caused by the car cutting out in a particularly deep ford – dropped them to fifth.
Day three was an epic 26-hour journey to John O'Groats, plus tests at such venues as the Knockhill race circuit and the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum.
Some excellent times, including fastest overall on the final test, brought fourth place and gold.
Ludlow Castle MC's next meeting is on January 13 at the Ludlow Brewery (8pm); all welcome.
