UNSEASONAL wet weather didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the 33 competitors in the Shannons Avon Classic Rally held in York on October 19.
Some of the veteran and open topped cars chose not to start, while many drivers merely swapped cars to have the comforts of a roof and heater.
Despite the conditions, competitors were all smiles and enjoyed the extra challenge.
The Shannons Avon Classic Rally showcased the picturesque Avon Valley and the historic features of York.
This year, however, the event was split into three totally different rallies in one, allowing veteran and vintage cars to complete a 65 kilometre course and the modern classics 100km on bitumen roads.
The tractors covered 68km of bitumen and gravel roads, including a river crossing, and thanks to the Fleay family, 6km through their property, Oakover.
Morning tea was provided at the start by the York Veteran Car Club and a hot country-style roast lunch was enjoyed at the trophy presentation finish at the new York Recreation Centre.
Event organisers thanked the York Com munity Resource Centre for the professional work done with graphic design and printing of promotional material and rally course instructions.
They also thanked the event sponsors, Shan nons Insurance and the Shire of York.
Fortunately organisers did not have to present the trophy for the "Most Mechanically Chal lenged Vehicle", so it was decided to award it to the 1927 Standard tourer of Gerald Attrill, who drove the little open-sided, soft-topped vehicle from Mandurah in what must have been uncomfortable conditions.
One enthusiastic Chamberlain tractor navigator commented, "It would have been lovely had it been a typical sunny October day but gee, it was great fun in the mud!"
Due to the muddy conditions, it was decided not to run the gymkhana-style driving test at the end of the rally, but this was replaced with a gumboot-throwing competition.
The inaugural Shan nons Golden Gumboot Award for the longest throw by a male was won by Simmo of Shannons with a distance of 18.8 metres.
The winning lady was Stephanie Woolman with a throw of 10.34 metres.
Results:
Veteran Car, 1927 Standard, Gerald Attrill.
Vintage Car, 1929 Chevrolet, Stan East wood.
Tractor, 1962 Chamberlain 9G, Max Smith.
Truck, 1974 Ford F100, Allen de Klerk.
Modified and Racing Car, 1984 Mazda RX7, Gary Byfield.
Modern Classic Car, BMW 318, Leo Prendergrast.
Such was the high standard of presentation of vehicles, the prestigious Shannons Best Presented Vehicle Award had to be decided on a countback of the four judges' selections.
The immaculate 1961 Chev rolet Corvette convertible of Richard Geiger was the winner, over Gerald Attrill's 1927 Standard.
Planning has already begun for next year's Avon Classic Rally, which will once again be scheduled for the first Sunday after the Bathurst 1000 race in 2015.
