Le Jog visited Loch Lomond Shores on Monday 9 December 2019 where competitors tackled an autotest. This was ably marshalled by Sarah Selman, Lorraine Noble-Thomson, Tony Smith and Derek House from Monklands Sporting Car Club and supported by marshals from Scottish Sporting Car Club. After some horrendous weather the previous day, we were very lucky to have blue skies for the test. Out of the 83 cars that started at Lands End, 64 attempted the test in cars ranging from a 1928 Dodge Senior Six to a much more modern 1988 Volkswagen Golf GTi.
George Dow managed to take some images of Le Jog at the Rest and Be Thankful – here is the story.
As the 25th anniversary of the HERO Le Jog Lands End to John O`Groats rally was passing through our part of the country, I thought there might be a chance of grabbing a few pics of the entrants who had been through some exciting weather before they would reach the test at Lomond Shores. As their next scheduled stop was for lunch at Inverbeg, it seemed apparent that the next leg might be dodging cows on the single track road through Glen Douglas. After the glen, the next test section was on the old track up to the Rest and Be Thankful.
Glen Douglas is a fantastic setting for any picture, but I decided that for a rally there could be no better place to grab a pic or two than on the old road up to the Rest. Unfortunately, the organisers were too nervous about having anybody anywhere on the route. That was a bit OTT given the many stops in the section and strategic cones to inhibit any of the competitors from being overly enthusiastic on the more challenging sections of the road, so no danger whatsoever from folk well used to attending such events.
I ended up in the car park at the Rest, but with a long enough lens to grab some pics that hopefully provide some interest. Those hardy folk in the Bentley`s deserve a gold medal just for having the courage to take part over such a distance at this time of year. It was great to see and hear the mix of marques having a go. The guys in the Mini looked serious with their headphone intercom kit some a tad quicker than others, Great to see Porsche and Alfa Romeos and as ever the Saab and Volvo entrants. The weather was kind too, for a change.
All in all, it was a good day out. If you check the HERO website, you can pick up more info, pics and videos on the event.
This year sees the Silver Jubilee running of LE JOG and that means a very special, traditional (and, as always, tough) event is in store. The 25th running will pay homage to the original 1993 event and include numerous locations which have not been visited recently, together with one or two completely new roads and venues. You can get a flavour of the event from the Le Jog website at https://heroevents.eu/event-schedule/le-jog-2019/
Le Jog will not be visiting Forrestburn this year, but Alistair Reid is running a test at Lomond Shores Retail Park on Monday 9 December. The car park will be the overspill car park which is on the right as you enter the retail park. You would need to be there for about 10:30 so that he can get everyone signed on (times are subject to change). The scheduled finish time is 14:08. As ever, the event attracts some amazing cars and you can see the current entry list on the Hero Events website.
If anyone can help with marshalling please email Alistair.j.reid@hotmail.co.uk or telephone/text 07555 510306.
On behalf of the Club, a big thank you to all those who braved the very cold conditions to marshal at Forrestburn for the visit of Le Jog 2018. We had a challenge in that this was the first event coming through in the dark but it went surprisingly smoothly considering the icy conditions.
Here is an atmospheric image gallery of the event courtesy of William Henderson of Henderson Design and the Bill Henderson Collection.
Le Jog 2018 is visiting Forrestburn on Monday 10 December. The venue will be open at 14:00 and will be set up for 15:10 when the advance car will arrive. The first competitor is due at 15:40 and the closing car due at 17:30. The competitor times may vary. If you are interested in marshalling or helping to set up the hill it would be very much appreciated – please let me know. Head torches would be a good idea and lots of warm clothing.
This is an exciting stage of the Le Jog Land’s End to John O’Groats Reliability Trial. To quote the organisers:
Still considered by crews as one of the most demanding and challenging events in Europe and a definite to be ticked on your “must do” events list! HERO’s Land’s End to John O’Groats Reliability Trial is open to cars of a specification built before 1986. Running in December, tough conditions are to be expected, but no-one crosses the finish line without a smile on their face. The event has been tackled and completed by novice crews in the past, however, we would recommend undertaking less advanced events as a preparatory measure prior to competing on Le Jog.
The entry list this year is fabulous as usual – here are some of the entries (although some may not reach Forrestburn!)
Chevrolet Fangio Coupe, Bentley Derby 4¼, Bentley Derby Special, Morgan 4-4, MG A Coupe, Jaguar Mark I, Austin-Healey 3000, Porsche 356 B Super 90, Rover P4-100, Volvo 122S, Mercedes-Benz 220SE, Porsche 911 SWB, MG B Roadster, Ford Consul Capri, Ford Cortina GT, Porsche 911 SWB, Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII, Porsche 912, Ford Lotus Cortina MkII, Lancia Fulvia, Austin 1800, MG B MkII, Austin Mini Cooper S MkIII, Lancia Fulvia Coupe S, Mercedes-Benz 280E, Volvo 122S, Volvo 123GT, Volkswagen Beetle Convertible, BMW 2002, Volvo Amazon, Datsun 240Z, Ford Mexico, Ford Escort RS2000, Porsche 911, Jaguar XJ-S, Jaguar XJC, Mercedes-Benz 200 W123, Porsche 911SC, Mercedes-Benz 450SLC 5.0, Volkswagen Golf GTi, Toyota Celica,Porsche 924 Turbo, BMW 323i, BMW 525era, Porsche 924S and BMW 325i.
Not bad is it? This isn’t a public event but if you want to come along and help you will be very welcome. See you on Monday afternoon.
Still considered by crews to be one of the most demanding and challenging events in Europe and a definite must-do event, Le Jog visited Forrestburn on 5 December 2016 in foggy, cold and atmospheric conditions. As ever there was a great range of cars to be seen on their way from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The Reliability Trial and Classic Car Tour is open to cars built before 1986.
Trish and Donald MacDonald were there with other MSCC worthies to help out with marshaling and to take some pics. Here they are.
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This year sees the Silver Jubilee running of LE JOG and that means a very special, traditional (and, as always, tough) event is in store. The 25th running will pay homage to the original 1993 event and include numerous locations which have not been visited recently, together with one or two completely new roads and venues. You can get a flavour of the event from the Le Jog website at 
