Endurance Rally Association Yearbook 2015 & 2015 Road to Mandalay DVD
The Endurance Rally Association began to revive classic marathon rallies as early as 1980. From then it has gone from strength to strength with ever more ambitious routes, year after year. With the total number of events now in the 70s, during 2015 the organization held five more major rallies on four of the seven continents of the world.
The 2015 Yearbook looks back and reports on those five events and examines the challenges and some of the cars and characters taking part. The text by various contributors is augmented very well by the superb and stunning photography of ERA Photographer, Gerard Brown.
Starting in Asia, the blue ribbon event for the year, which had taken many years of diplomatic negotiation and logistical planning before finally becoming reality. It was a bittersweet event where an accident claimed the life of the ERA’s leading figure and founder, Philip Young. For the next event the team returned to Rally Office HQ in the UK and regrouped for the Flying Scotsman Rally. For event 3, the Trans-America Rally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada to San Francisco, in the U.S. sunshine state of California, 39 cars covered just under 6,000 miles in 22 days. The changing face of the North American landscape and ordeals of the competitors are summarized well in words and pictures, giving a taste and glimpse into the challenges of a Grand Tour. Back to Europe for the 2nd Alpine Trial in early autumn, the three-day tour took 39 pre-war vintage cars through lush green pastures, replacing the snowy white vistas usually synonymous with the region in winter and early spring. Just one month later another demanding event rounded off 2015—the Sahara Challenge— from Madrid to Marrakesh.
The book also includes a moving tribute to the late Philip Young, an opportunity to meet the ERA team and a peek at what 2016 has in store. This is not only a great book and memento for participants and those involved with these rallies, but a chance for those prospective adventurers to see what they may be letting themselves in for.
The Road to Mandalay DVD brings to life and transports the viewer for a short time to far eastern countries and follows the 66 cars and teams setting off for an adventure of a lifetime—true “bucket list” stuff! If you’re not inspired by the challenge after this 30-minute clip, then obviously touring of this kind is not for you. From the hustle and bustle of the streets of Singapore through to former royal capital in northern Myanmar (formerly Burma) the cars encounter all forms of terrain and lifestyles. Great viewing and an excellent diversion—especially on a wet and windy evening.
The book – £35, and DVD £15 – are available direct from the ERA website: www2.endurorally.com/store/
