‘Get your entry in now’ is the urgent message from the organisers of October’s Andy Mort Tour.
The 2300 Club of Blackburn have received an unprecedented level of interest since the regulations were published last week.
“We were delighted to get almost 20 paid-up entries in the first 24 hours,” explained chairman Neil Molyneux.
“Since then the numbers have been steadily rising, and we are now approaching the 40-mark, which leaves us with just ten more spaces left.
“The Andy Mort Tour has always been popular, but I think the ‘Paddy Factor’ has really taken effect this year.”
Thanks to Mini Sport and their managing director Chris Harper, the club will have the legendary Irish rallyman Paddy Hopkirk as their guest of honour on the day.
The Padiham-based Mini specialists enjoy close personal and business links with Hopkirk, and have been entrusted to look after his famous works Cooper S replica 6 EMO, in which he won the 1990 Pirelli Classic Marathon.
“Paddy will be flagging off the cars off from the start at West Bradford Village Hall, near Clitheroe, and greeting the finishers later in the day, “ said Chris.
“And to round off a great day, there will be an unmissable talk by Paddy recounting some of the highlights of his long and illustrious career in motorsport, followed by a question-and-answer session with renowned rally navigator Ian Grindrod.”
Early entries include 2015 HRCR clubmans champion Steve Entwistle, who will be giving 6 EMO a run-out ahead of November’s RAC Rally of the Tests.
The 2300 Club are also appealing for marshals to help on the day, and volunteers will get a free supper and entry to the talk by Paddy Hopkirk.
*The Andy Mort Tour is a non-competitive ‘Touring Assembly’ starting and finishing at West Bradford Village Hall, near Clitheroe on Saturday, October 19.
It is run in honour of club member Andy Mort who was competition liaison officer on the Tour of Mull Rally for many years, and a top National-level navigator in his own right. He sadly lost his life in an accident on the 2015 event.
Open to any ‘vehicles of interest’, the Tour will see crews embarking on a scenic route of at least 100 miles using simple navigation of tulip diagrams or map references, with codeboards and marshalled checkpoints.
Run strictly to speed limits on non-damaging roads, entrants can use everyday road cars with no need for special safety equipment such as sumpguards or roll cages.
The entry fee is £50 per car and two passengers, which includes a rally-style plate, supper at the finish, and entry to the Paddy Hopkirk talk. Extra Passengers are £15 each.
For enthusiasts who cannot take part in the Tour, but would like to come to the Paddy Hopkirk talk, tickets are available at £10 each for the evening meal and entry to see the guest speaker. Pre-booking for these tickets is essential.
Regulations and entry forms for the Andy Mort Tour, along with booking information for Paddy’s talk, will be on the club website www.2300club.org or their facebook site: Tour of Mull by 2300 Club.
Anyone wishing to marshal should contact Simon Bibby at simonb@2300club.org.