By Derek Skinner
The 2024 Ilkley Jubilee Historic Rally is almost up on us, following a ten week break from HRCR Clubmans rallying!
On Sunday 8th September the first car leaves Leyburn Cattle market at 08:45 for a competitive constitutional around the scenic North Yorkshire Dales, including up to eight regularities and eleven tests. Catterick Ranges will feature highly for four of the regularities and a significant number of the “special” tests! Hats off to the organisers as I understand that obtaining the use of the Ranges, through the MoD, has not been easy this year and the Ranges always produce a lot of fun on the day.

Ian Crammond and Matthew Vokes (Mercedes 280 SL) will be out to consolidate their positions in the Championship on the Ilkley Jubilee. Photo by M&H Photography
Around 60 crews have already signed up and so there may be a few places left for later entries, the blast around the Catterick Ranges is really not to be missed. One hundred miles or so on public roads, but with some really great tests and regularities on private land to add a significant edge to the day. The finish will be at the Golf Club at Catterick Garrison.
To date, the HRCR Driver’s and Navigator’s Championship is starting to shape up with only three events left (Ilkley, Dansport and JBMR) and with only six out of the eight events to count towards the final results. Will the Ian Crammond/Matthew Vokes crew continue to consolidate at the top? Or will Ryan Pickering see his fourth win at the Ilkley Jubilee Historic Rally (as both driver and navigator on separate occasions!). The field this year is showing a full national flavour with Scotland, Wales, England and the Isle of Man featuring on the entry list so far.

Matt Fowle and Ryan Pickering (Escort Mk 1) will be out to try and put more daylight between Ryan and the chasing pack. Photo by M&H Photography
A very eclectic range of cars will again be represented, with Peugeot 205s featuring very highly, but the Mini “Orange Box” will be there, Viva Magnum, Kadett Rallye, MX5s, A40s, Lancia, TR7 and Proton Satria……
I guess the Masters will vie for the top spots with Ian Crammond, Paul Crosby, Stephen Owen (Elise Whyte navigating), Ken Binstead and John King all ensuring their Merc, Porsche, MG and MR2 are ready to go. Ryan Pickering will be eager to replicate last year’s win and Matthew Vokes, Henry Carr and Sarah Binstead will be keen to prevent that possibility!
The Expert crews of David Mann, Peter Higton, Paul Heaney and Andrew Parr will be looking for good results with their navigators Ian Doble, Phil Savage, Sandra Heaney and Bob Duck. Good to see Sally and Nigel Woof are back, having missed the East Anglian and Cotswold Rallies.
Paul and Sandra Heaney (Triumph TR6) will be looking for a good result. Photo by M&H Photography. As will David Mann and Ian Doble (MGC) Photo by Tony North.
As for the Novices, Martyn Craske/Simon Howlett and Phil Cheek/Graeme Presswell will be trying hard to catch up the leaders, David Morris/Jac Wales, who will be looking to extend their Championship lead in their MG BGT.
This year will also include the Ilkley Jubilee Targa Rally, which is a Clubman Targa Rally, with simpler navigation including marked maps, Tulip and Jogularity instructions for the regularity sections.
Ian Mitchell, Clerk of the Course, and his team will be looking for good weather and continued strong competition throughout the day, we wish them the best of luck !