The winners of the Endurance Rally Association’s first Alpine Trial have reclaimed their trophy after winning the pre-war rally for the second time. Gareth Burnett and Jez Haylock won the event in their 1934 Talbot 105 Alpine, which was used in the very first Alpine Trial held in the same year.
As well as winning the overall title, Burnett and Haylock added the coveted Alpine Cup to their collection of silverware, given to those crews who keep a clean sheet in the results.
The all-British team faced fierce competition from John Abel and Leigh Powley in the 1937 Lagonda LG45, who were compensated for their 2nd place with their own set of Alpine Cups, and Peter Lovett and Rob Henchoz in a 1937 BMW 328, who had to settle for 3rd place.
Alpine Cups were also awarded to Clint and Brad Smith in a 1938 Jaguar SS100, and Paul Wignall and Guy Woodcock in their 1929 Alvis Silver Eagle. The ERA’s third Alpine Trial started in the little-known town of Divonne-les-Bains, nestling next to the Swiss border near Geneva. From there, the route journeyed the entire breadth of the Jura Mountains, west of the Rhone, before moving into the Alps and Mont Blanc for the finale in Annecy.
With Regularity and Special Tests, as well as Alpine sections, route master Keith Baud pushed the crews to the limit as they navigated rocky hairpins, remote Alpine roads, and the steepest of mountain climbs. Fred Gallagher, ERA’s Rally Director, commented, “Another fantastic three-days of historic rallying. The route continues to offer exciting competition for those who want it, challenging roads that you’d never find on your own, and a stunning backdrop for equally stunning cars.”
