My First RBRR

[Hamish]

A mate has asked me to join his RBRR 25 entry 

so there will be 3 of us in team

VAM

Very Amateur Motorsport. 
In an Acclaim 

any hints and tips welcome. 

[mpbarrett]

I had noticed you were in one of the teams. Good luck! Done it twice but never again... once in a GT6 and once in my Herald both with my daughter. It is pretty hardcore but probably ok with a team of 3!
Will probably see you at the start as I usually help with marshalling at Knebworth. 

Mike

[Nick Jones]

Three in a team, in a relatively civilised car should be bearable, provided you can sleep in moving vehicle.

As a bonus the Acclaim should be pretty economical, minimising the pain in the wallet!

[TimBancroft]

Welcome aboard Hamish.

Try and sleep well before the event, try not to have spicy food before you leave!

Plan the layout of spares and luggage so that important items can be found.

If travelling some distance to the start at Knebworth, think about staying at a local hotel on the Thursday night before the start and possibly on the Sunday night.

Don't do anything radical to the car after say the end of August.

Mark a GB road atlas with the route, this helps one learn it.

Ensure that the wipers and headlights are up to the job, this catches many out as most old car owners don't use their cars in heavy rain or at night.

We send out a 'Advice Notes' document to all entrants, full of sensible tips.

Its a marmite event, one either gets it or does not. I thoroughly enjoy it, being the main organiser seems to add to the event.....not sure why!

Welcome!

[RogerH]

Hamish - are you completely crackers.

I've done it twice and Sue keeps calling me crackers.

2010 was grueling for me but my son had no problems

2014 was very very tiring for my son but I breezed it.  Red Bull & Pro Plus do amazing things.

I spent the week before the 2014 basically doing a night shift at home (I'm retired).  When I got to the start it was basically first thing in the morning for me. I could have got to Edinburgh possibly JoG in one hit.   Coming home I drove to Pimperne but my son had had it. So I drove to the finish.

Make sure you have the spares that are easy to fit. Also when you buy spares, fit these to the car and use the ones from the car as 'good' spares.

Have the tools to replace the spares.

Do NOT drive fast or over the speed limit. It is dark in Scotland and wild animals roam the roads.

When in Scotland DO STOP and look at the beauty surrounding you. Lunch stop.

Best of luck   AND   enjoy every minute.

Roger

 

[Hamish]

Thanks everyone. 
 

I seen this “tour” for years. And wanted to do it. But couldn’t face just 2 drivers in my 3a. 
 

when this chance presented itself with the kind invitation of Shaun Roche (whom I sprint and hill climb against) it was an ideal opportunity.

[Nick Jones]

Two drivers in a small convertible is quite punishing IMO. Unless you can sleep on a barbed wire fence…..

[zetecspit]

16 hours ago, Hamish said:

A mate has asked me to join his RBRR 25 entry 

so there will be 3 of us in team

VAM

Very Amateur Motorsport. 
In an Acclaim 

any hints and tips welcome. 

I have done it a few times, plus one DNS (oil filter blew off on the way to the start, big ends knackered) and a DNF. My successful events were as a team of 3, in either a dolomite or 2ltr Toledo. 

Make sure you have a good drive in the car beforehand to get a feel for it. Sage advice re wipers and lights, but also comfort in the car. You need to set the back seat up as a sleeping area as best you can. Spares, an acclaim is now a bit rare so you will be mainly self reliant. Car needs to be ready months before, good tyres all brakes need PLENTY of life (had a call on my last one asking if I had any brake pads, FFS they must have been nearly gone at the start) and stuff that rotates ie alternator, water pump etc are the things to carry. 

Most of all, enjoy it. A team of 3 is optimal in my eyes, drive-nav-rest and rotate. Never drive tired, just rotate or stop and get some kip. Dont faff at controls, socialise at teh start and finish. Thoroughly recommend staying at the end, the Premier inn was packed last time, and when we got there (marshalling at the finish) the place was buzzing with zombie-like creatures, quite odd but fabulous. 

[thebrookster]

2 hours ago, zetecspit said:

good tyres all brakes need PLENTY of life (had a call on my last one asking if I had any brake pads, FFS they must have been nearly gone at the start) and stuff that rotates ie alternator, water pump etc are the things to carry. 

All good advice (says he who has only done one RBRR lol), my only addition here is see if you can pool spares where possible. If there are (for example) only 4 Acclaims going, it's a bit daft if you all carry the same spares. Pool together and split what is needed between you all if possible, and likewise consider what spares are common across other models.

The event is non-competitive and I found big on team spirit and co-operation, which is one of the nice things about it.

I hope you enjoy it!

[Hamish]

Thanks guys. 
I used to have acclaims back in the ‘80’s loved them and ragged them against the rich boys in XR2’s and 3’s.

i told Shaun that an acclaim would be the way to go to win the TRR speed championship as a class 1a car

so he bought one !!

this has been shared with me by Shaun

https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/n8AYV

 

[Escadrille Ecosse]

Good for you Hamish. I think you're crackers but well done for going for it

Type 2 fun. Maybe even 2 1/2 but enjoy.

[tr4tom]

Excellent news Hamish, you will love the adventure!

I did it in 2008 i think in a TR4 road rally car with full cage and bucket seats etc..... That was fun!

Get as much rest as possible beforehand, set up a rota system with your co drivers regarding who will rest in the back and for how long etc.

So many wonderful sights to see on some fantastic roads, enjoy every minute!

RBRR is one of my main reasons to get my 2.5pi saloon back on the road.

Worst thing i encountered was that at the finish, I wish i had booked a hotel for the night. I ended up driving back to Nottingham on my own as my co-driver had an emergency he had to get to the airport as his partner had a car accident. Finally got home at 2am after stopping for coffee/nap at most services on the way!

Oh, the fuel bill was rather large too...

Tom

[Hamish]

Glad to see Cadbury’s is supporting us and the RBRR with essentials. I can guarantee they won’t last till the event !

looks like I’ll be doing a lot of the driving to get the appropriate designated share !!

[yorkshire_spam]

Very jealous. I really enjoyed the 2023 event with a 2 person crew in the Spitfire, wish I could take part this year.

Team of 3 isn't too bad, my advice is mostly pre-event. Open discussion (even if it's at the start or the drivers meeting) between all crew members to agree "ground rules". What's acceptable, what's not, who's bringing what with them etc. It's good for the vehicle owner to make it clear to the others in the crew how the car can be treated and what's not ok. Similarly - no driving tired, but all agree it's ok to step in without it becoming and argument. All that sort of thing. 

Final advice... don't forget to enjoy it! It's a great event. 

 

[thebrookster]

2 hours ago, yorkshire_spam said:

no driving tired, but all agree it's ok to step in without it becoming and argument

Similarly, be okay to admit when you are tired. I hit the wall on the M5 section, and had to admit defeat. Nuala (co-driver) took the section to Lands End, I missed the majority of it due to being flat out! Recognising your limits is important. 

We also had a no smoking rule in the car,  although that was aimed at me being the only smoker. Not that that was an issue, I don't smoke when non-smokers are in the same space but it could be one of those silly things that make or break a friendship 😁

[yorkshire_spam]

On 2/23/2025 at 11:29 AM, Nick Jones said:

Two drivers in a small convertible is quite punishing IMO. Unless you can sleep on a barbed wire fence…..

Based on 2014 with my wife - I'd say totally "punishing", but 2023 with my mate Simon - he's a monster when it comes to organisation and ability to sleep in a moving car. Made the whole thing a lot more comfortable and enjoyable having somebody like that to co-drive with. I'd 100% do it again with him in the Spitfire if I could. 

[JohnD]

Good luck and have a very good time, to all RBRRs!

All good advice above especially on  tiredness, but may I  relate a tale?    After a previous RBRR, a team set off home and pulled into a service area because they were tired.   They fell asleep before they could get out of the car!

 You will all be maximally tired at the finish, and I would advise arranging for/agreeing in your team, to have at least a few hours actual sleep, before you go home! 

The RBRR goes against all modern H&S rules, and is a magnificent event from a previous age, that we would not want to lose.  I fear that in current  society, just one bad crash on the way home and it could be banned!    Previously, I got into trouble for suggesting this over on the CT site, so won't bother again, but with so much enthusiasm  I want to raise it here.

John

[Hamish]

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming. 
we have rooms booked for the Sunday night so we aren’t going to push it. 
 

my longest trip was about 900 miles  from Zurich - solo on a motorbike. Just stopping for fuel (not very often with a 33litre tank) and food etc and the Chunnel. about 15hours I think

[PeteStupps]

Ah Hamish, good luck and enjoy. I'm now having my first pangs of regret for not signing up this year! 

Not much to add but I'd re-iterate Clive's bit about not dallying too long at the controls, particularly the first couple.

On my first venture in 2018, me and co-driver didn't realise the urgency and spent too long faffing around and chatting at the first control point. Then we were behind schedule all the way round and barely managed to catch up. Not sure if timings were more relaxed last time, or we were just better organised but it wasn't a problem in 2021 or 23.

It is a brilliant experience, although the weather plays a big part. And it's dark more than it's light, so don't expect to see any sights in Northumberland or Wales! 

May the gods grant you fine weather and clear roads for the twisty bits

[Sprint95m]

On 3/6/2025 at 5:18 PM, JohnD said:

 

 You will all be maximally tired at the finish

The streets all over the town here are being dug up for fibre optic cabling. Two of the workmen went to the 24 hour laundry near where I stay at night earlier this week and slept there…….

 

……each of them in a tumble dryer 🙄

 

 

Ian

[Nick Jones]

3 hours ago, Sprint95m said:

each of them in a tumble dryer 🙄

 Switched off presumably…..

Former colleague had one of those hairless cats. That liked to sleep in the tumble dryer….. one day she didn’t check carefully enough before switching on. That didn’t end well for cat or clothes (the cat survived - just)

[yorkshire_spam]

Well it turns out we can do the RBRR after all. Just put an entry in 🙂 

A repeat of 2023, me and Simon in the Spitfire. 

[zetecspit]

I saw that, excellent news. See you at the start and finish (only!)

[Escadrille Ecosse]

Very good. Let us know whe you are in the vicinity of Glasgow and hopefully able to say hello

[Hamish]

I think the way points are out. 
I haven’t seen them myself yet.