The classic way to discover Ireland.

The inaugural HERO Irish Trial and Tour, held in April 2004, was acclaimed a great success by participants and press alike. Over 110 crews from 21 countries took part. The Daily Telegraph described it as "one of the best-organised motorsport events (they had) ever taken part in".

The second HERO Irish Trial and Tour will take place between 18 and 23 April 2005. The event will again take about 100 owners of vintage and classic cars on a six day, 1,500 mile journey around some of Ireland's .nest scenery, from Dublin to Belfast.

The HERO Irish Trial

The competitive Trial will cover about 200 to 250 miles a day of superb driving on quiet and scenic roads, interspersed with challenging regularity sections and an enjoyable variety of special tests, as well as visits (with time to pause) to some of Ireland's finest attractions.

The time schedule will be fairly easy, and there are no lateness penalties on the link sections. Navigation will be simple, by means of a detailed road book using easy-to-follow Tulip diagrams. All distances are given in kilometres as well as miles.

During each day, there will be a number of special tests on private asphalt. Mostly, these are enjoyably open handling and manoeuvrability tests against the clock, with a few novelties of our own devising thrown in. On these, you are pitted only against the other cars in your class - we don't expect a vintage Bentley to match times with a Mini Cooper S.

Each day, too, there will be two or three regularity sections on interesting driving roads, again always asphalt. On these, you have to maintain a moderate set speed. Navigation and timekeeping are by means of HERO's simple Jogularity system, which makes things very simple for the beginner.

Although the general route outline follows that of 2004, the detail is very different. Every Regularity Section is new or substantially revised, and there are a number of new Tests among the old favourites.

As well as overall winners' awards Gold, Silver and Bronze medals are awarded to crews who do well against the standard set for cars in their own class. The Marque Team Trophy will go to the best team of three cars of the same make and model.

The HERO Irish Tour

If you decide to join the Tour, you will cover a shorter route - on most days, around 190 to 220 miles. You will receive a detailed road book (in both kilometres and miles), together with simple directions and touring notes on places of interest close to the line of route, but you will not be tied rigorously to this suggested itinerary.

You are free to make your own selection from the many sightseeing opportunities that are available to you each day. There are too many for you to see them all - you'll have to plan your day carefully if you don't want to run out of time by mid-afternoon! Why not team up with friends and travel round together?

On both events, there will be an interesting lunch halt each day, and in the evenings all will come together for dinner or a social event of some kind.