Annual Car Rally at Lincoln Castle
Sunday 8 June 2008

The 2008 Castle Rally was on June 8th and yet again we were blessed with glorious weather. The entrants rolled through the Castle gates and gathered on the lawns within the walls. What a magnificent back-drop for the cars. We again had our capacity of two hundred entrants of varying shapes and sizes, from two wheels, three to four, all shining bright.

Our sponsor again this year was Dennis Horton and Son, our local Skoda dealer, and we are grateful for their sponsorship. Our local DVLA staff were on site again to help with those awkward questions relating to vehicle registration and taxation and were kept busy all day.

A huge range of vehicles were with us again, varying from a selection of Model T Fords entered by Larry Riches to a beautiful 1967 Ducati Elite motor cycle. We were pleased to see over 30 new entrants this year, as well, of course, as our many regulars who turn up year on year, as this rally is becoming known as "the one to go to." For this reason, it is always essential to return entry forms well before the official closing date, as places are beoming sought after. We reluctantly turned away a number of later entrants as the capacity of 200 was reached before they made their applications.

This was the last Castle Rally for Jan and I, having co-ordinated it for five years. It is time to hand it over to a new pair of eyes, and new ways of thinking - we have done it our way and now it is time for change. Our thanks go to all the volunteer marshals, led by Dave L, who were on hand to park the cars and assist where and when.

Thanks also to Lincolnshire County Council who generously allow us to hold the Rally in the grounds of Lincoln Castle. Without them it could not happen. And finally, thanks to the Castle staff who were on hand during the day. This year there were nearly 1500 members of the public who came through the gates to see the display of cars, which adequately demonstrates how popular this annual display of classic vehicles is.

Thank you to those who came and we will see you next year with our classic. Hopefully we shall be found sitting with our chairs and picnic table, enjoying the day as entrants!

Brian and Jan Harding

Reports and pictures of previous Castle Rallies can be seen here - 2007 Rally - 2006 Rally