Le Jog
The 17th annual running of the Land’s End to John O’Groats reliability Trial will take place from December 10th to 13th and will see cars taking the 1,400 mile trip from the extreme southern tip to the furthest northern point of the United Kingdom, with the longest night navigation section ever to be included.
Hero’s Event Director and Clerk of the Course for Le Jog, Peter Nedin, said, “Competitors have said that Le Jog is one of the toughest events of its kind in Europe, possibly the world, and we constantly strive to maintain this reputation. The appointment of John Kiff, a past competitor on Le Jog, as route coordinator has brought a fresh pair of eyes to the event. John and I have worked closely on the route to make 2011 an event to remember and talk about for years to come”.
Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Managing Director of the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation, HERO, who organises the event, said, “This will be one of the most testing events that we have ever run. As in past editions the event is attracting crews from all over Europe and beyond which is a testament to all those who work so hard to make it happen”.
John Kiff spent several days and clocked up more than 5,000 miles carrying out an exhaustive recce and route survey. He has used his years of Motoring News and Welsh Championship night road rally experience plus that of doing seven Le Jogs to create what should give both driver and navigator one the greatest challenges so far.
Kiff said, “My aim is to make Le Jog as relentless as ever but to add more competitive elements which will give crews even more satisfaction and sense of achievement.”
The infamous Welsh night section will have over 30 time controls - 75% of which will be four minute sections and the longest section will only be 3.5 miles - but the route has been designed with loops to allow controls to be cut for those running late. Wales will also see some tough, late-evening regularities where crews’ driving, navigating and timekeeping will be thoroughly tested.
In addition this year’s Le Jog is planned to have up to 30 tests at 26 venues - more than double the number of some recent Le Jogs. Many of these will be at new venues, while those previously used have been completely redesigned.
The romantic appeal of the Le Jog adventure will still remain, with controls in some of the UK’s best country pubs and road sections through the UK’s most beautiful scenery. The Monday leg from Gosforth to John O’Groats will see more new test venues as well as some more tight night navigation sections.
There are still a few places left for late entries. HERO also has a fleet of cars and offer an “arrive and drive” service. Contact them at enquiries(at)heroevents.eu.
