MOTORING FANS from all over the country came to Hexham to compete in the John Robson Car Rally run by Hexham and District Motor Club.
The event, on February 10 and 11, welcomed more than 60 cars who endured thick fog in their 150-mile tour of Northumberland.
After the cars were checked over at the auction mart, the crews received their route, which started off near Wark, then headed up to Falstone, West and East Woodburn and then further north through Hepple, Thropton and Alnham, getting to their fuel halt at Hedegly Service Station near Powburn.
The results showed that Car 7, the Nissan Micra of Kris Coombes and Louis Baines from near Preston, were in the lead, managing to stick to the correct route and only being just over 2 minutes and 46 seconds away from a perfect time schedule. They were followed by Shaun Bee and Cath Woodman in their Honda Civic.
The fog was proving troublesome for all the crews - many found it a challenge to follow the correct route and took various wrong turns.
After petrol, the crews received their second half of instructions, and the return leg took the crews south again via Thropton, then on to Plashetts, then to Birtley and finally back to the finish at the auction mart in Hexham.
The results were worked out at the finish line while the crews tucked into their well-earned breakfasts.
The winners were Coombes and Bains; second place was Bee and Woodman, followed by 3rd place, which was given to father and son Mick and Josh Davison, who missed out on a second place by just 1 second.
Club chairman Jonathon Webb said: "It was great to see people travel to come and sample our club event.
"It was certainly a tough night, with visibility being very poor at times and the roads being very potholed in places. We thank all the residents on (and off!) routes for their patience and support.
"Nearly half the crews were Hexham Motor Club members, which is great to see as the club continues to grow and offer training and support for new starters. The event has once again raised money for Tynedale Hospice at Home, which the club is proud to support. Full results from the event and details of future events can be found on the club website: http://www.hexhammotorclub.co.uk."
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