Photo courtesy America’s British Reliability Run.
Back in 2007, Senior Editor Mark J. McCourt and I took on the America’s British Reliability Run, a two-day, 800-mile rally created to battle the stereotype of British cars as undependable old crocks while, more importantly, raising money to help sick children. We made it all the way from Hemmings World Headquarters in Bennington, Vermont, to the starting point in Massillon, Ohio, before my 1978 Triumph Spitfire ingested a rear wheel bearing. (We did get it fixed, and finished the rally, sort of. You can read all about our exploits here.)
In the spirit of Captain Ahab wanting to have another crack at the whale, I’ve enlisted in the 2015 edition of the ABRR, which takes place from October 16-18. But it’s not going to be a rematch. I’ve roped in … er, I mean recruited, my friend Dirk Burrowes, and we’re going to be taking one of his cars, a beautifully restored 1950 Rover 75 from his collection. (We’ll talk more about the car between now and the rally.)
1950 Rover 75. Photo by author.
This year’s run starts off in Quakertown, New Jersey, making its way around New York’s Finger Lakes (with an overnight stop in Watkins Glen) before concluding in Milford, New Jersey. Dirk and I are one of more than 30 teams that have registered; I’ll be flying the Hemmings colors, while Dirk will be representing the Rover P4 Drivers Guild and Rover America, a network of Roverphiles that he founded. (Our team is under the Rover America banner.) This year, for the first time, teams can choose to enter the non-competitive Touring Division or the time-speed-distance Rally Division.
As I mentioned, the main idea of the ABRR is to raise money for a worthy cause; We’re driving for the C.O.R.E. Palliative Care Team of St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. Each team has pledged to raise at least $500 to support the hospital’s critically important work – and here’s where you can help.
If you’d like to support us in the ABRR by making a tax-deductible donation to St. Christopher’s, you can make a pledge through the ABRR team page (click on the “Contact a Team” button); every single penny will go the charity. Or, you can write out a check to “St. Christopher’s Foundation” and mail it to Bob De Lucia, 2593 Trewigtown Road, Colmar, PA 18915. Make sure that you let Bob know that you’re supporting Team Rover America, and thanks for your help. Wish us luck!
More gadget review in www.mamaktalk.com
