MG Midget and the Shakespeare Rally
The road rally is the true joy of anyone who owns a car that is fun to drive. In the UK, road rallies are incredibly popular and the little British racing cars, like the MG Midget and the Triumph Stag. One of the newest and popular road rallies that is drawing drivers in the UK is the The Shakespeare Rally. Interestingly, the rally is organized by Keith Shakespeare and takes place in Stratford-on-the-Avon – which is where the best known Shakespeare, William Shakespeare, was born.
Serious Car Show with Serious Entertainment
The Shakespeare Rally includes a serious car show, with a variety of different events. The Fair Organs and Tractors show draws a large crowd who also enjoy the trade stalls and fair food. The other days of events include shows of classic cars and vintage commercial vehicles as well as stationary engines. All of the shows take place in grassy fields while local bands and celebrities provide entertainment that harkens back to the days the classic vehicles, engines, and tractors were new. Rally organizers bring in squeezebox bands, Cher tribute bands, magicians, and pet shows, too.
Enjoy the Twists and Turns of the Road Rally
The highlight of the Shakespeare Rally is the actual rally itself. This race takes place over 48 hours, where the target speed is 24 miles per hour (38 kilometers per hour). The drivers and crews need to keep the classic cars, like the MG Midget, going strong on the two-lane and occasionally single-lane roads. In the rally, the cars are timed during different legs and they are not supposed to go too fast for safety purposes. The drivers do not always know when they are timed, so it is up to them to be sure they are staying on track, without driving dangerously. The winning team gets through all of the timing zones and has the fewest penalties.
Understand the Importance of Navigation
Whether you are driving a classic MG Midget or a high-tech Porsche through the rally, you need to navigate properly. Instead of using a GPS, drivers have to use diagrams to get through the course. To make the event even more fun, the rally organizers provide clues and instructions that can be tricky for drivers to follow. The rally diagrams are loving called tulips after the 1950’s Tulip Rally, which began in 1949 and is still going strong. (No cell phones are allowed in the Tulip Rally).
Road rallies take place all of the world. If you happen to have a perfect rally car, gather a group of friends, register in the race, and have the time of your life!
