For all Vintage Sports Car enthusiasts, Cumbria in the Lake District is the place to be during November and early December with three events scheduled to take place.

The first event is scheduled to take place at Honister Slate Mine with more than 100 vintage sports cars from the 1920s and 30s converging on the venue.

The event is to be hosted by The Vintage Sports Car Club. Cars built before 1931 are invited take part in the hugely popular Lakeland Trials at Honister Pass, one of England’s steepest roads.

Honister Pass has a one-in-four gradient leading up the side of the 2,126ft Fleetwith Pike. This is a severe test for participating vintage sports cars, which will include vintages such as Bentley, Bugatti, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce, Triumphs and MG.
The second event is the 23rd Coppermines Grizedale Stages Rally on November 26 and 27 in Grizedale Forest, which will see more than 100 crews compete over the 42 stage miles.

The third to take place is the eighth Roger Albert Clark Rally, which will start at Duncombe Park, Helmsley, Yorkshire on December 2 before making its way to Northumbria and the Scottish Borders before finishing in Carlisle on December 5 having covered a total of 170 miles.

This event is named after the most successful British rally driver of the 60s and 70s. It is open to two-wheel drive vehicles, mainly from the 60s, 70s and 80s, to recreate the authenticity of the old RAC Rally.

A field of over 100 cars from all over the UK and Europe are expected to compete. The rally will feature classic rally cars such as: Ford Escort Mark I & IIs, Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, Peugeot 205 GTi, Toyota Celica GT, Lancia Fulvia, Subaru Impreza 2wd, Porsche 911 and the specialist Lancia Stratos.

 A vintage car is defined as a car built between the start of 1919 and the end of 1930. For the average person, owning a vintage car is a hobby. Finding an antique car is not difficult but can be relatively expensive depending on the condition. Generally, the less restoration required, the higher the price. The more work required equates to a cheaper up front cost, but budget will need to be set aside for the restoration.

Part of the restoration process will be dealing with rust and this will depend on how well the car was looked after by its previous owner. Wear and tear, exposure to damp or wet conditions, wind and rain – these are all major factors in the appearance of rust on a vintage car. A small stone chip, if left untreated, can give way to a whole host of rust-related problems.

Where you store your vintage investment can also affect it’s longevity. Ideally it should be housed in a dry, leak-proof, aerated garage or workshop. If this is not possible, then try to at least keep it in a place that is well ventilated and has some protection from the weather. Whatever the situation a good rust-prevention tip is not to cover or partially cover your car whilst damp and thereby hinder any air circulation as such an environment will provide a perfect breeding ground for rust.

Whether you are a vintage rally car owner or just an enthusiast, the three events in the Lake District over the next two months sound exhilarating and if you have scheduled it into your diary we would love a report back on either of the events.