Rules of participation
Guidelines for engaging effectively
Vehicle eligibility
01
Pre-War
Definition: Original self-propelled vehicles of any description built before 1940.
02
Post-War
Definition: Original self-propelled vehicles of any description built after 1940 and before 1981. Vehicles may be fitted with period modifications.
No vehicle manufactured after 1980 will be eligible for participation.
Exemption
At the discretion of the organizers, exemptions will be granted for “toolroom copies” of original vehicles. These are vehicles that to the non-expert observer are indistinguishable from the original pre- or post-war vehicle of which it is a copy.
To apply for exemption, before completing an entry form please send a photograph of the vehicle to the organisers together with the vehicle’s story.
Please do not apply for an exemption if your vehicle has:
- Visually different dimensions/proportions from the original
- Modern wheel rims
- Non-period paint colours
- Non-period interior
- Modern underpinnings
- Non-period lights (excluding indicators)
Participation
Participation in the Great Train Race takes place in two categories:
1. Traveling together with the Steam Train
Only vehicles that have registered before the closing date, with their numbers displayed on their windscreens are eligible to enter the Convergence Point to travel with the train.
- All (registered) pre-war vehicles may travel alongside the steam train.
- Post-war (registered) vehicles may travel with the steam train but must follow behind the last pre-war vehicle.
- Post-war motor cars will be limited to two examples of any specific model. Once registrations are closed, the two oldest examples of that model will be selected.
- In the spirit of the event, pre-1931 Bentley motor cars (or toolroom copies thereof) will be placed in front of all other vehicles regardless of date of manufacture. If there is more than one pre-1931 Bentley they will be placed in chronological order of date of manufacture unless the Bentley is a “Speed Six” Bentley in which case it will take precedence over any other Bentley.
- Vehicles are not required to travel in chronological order of date of manufacture, but in the spirit of the event participants are requested to attempt to assemble in chronological order to the best of their knowledge and ability, then to travel in that order without resorting to overtaking.
2. Participation in the static display at the Great Train Race destination venue
- Registered post-war entries that were not eligible to travel with the train.
- Non-registered vehicles manufactured before 1981 that arrive at the gate and pay the entrance fee.
- Car and motorcycle clubs may erect displays at the Great Train Race destination venue provided that only pre-1981-manufactured vehicles are on display.
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