Who are the organisers?

HERO is a Motor Club founded in 1995, which now has over 2,800 members in some 25 countries, most of whom have competed in one or more of our past rallies.

The HERO Irish Trial and Tour will be masterminded by HERO's John Brown, the man behind such classic events as LE JOG (the Land's End to John o'Groats Reliability Trial) and the Scottish Malts Reliability Trial. A former works co-driver who competed regularly on Irish rallies for more than 20 years (twice winning the Circuit of Ireland), John has a deep fund of knowledge of the good rallying roads throughout the island; and his long career as a senior tourism professional has given him the necessary skills to ensure that the accommodation, sightseeing and social aspects will be of the highest order.

HERO's back-up team has a wealth of expertise, having since 1993 organised some 20 major classic rallies in Britain, Europe and around the world, including the 1998 London - Cape Town, the 2001 Inca Trail around South America, the 2003 Great Tour of China, and next year's Great Silk Road Rally to Australia. However, HERO will also be relying strongly on the strong involvement of skilled leading Irish officials.

The HERO Irish Trial and Tour will be run under a permit issued by the MSA, the United Kingdom's Governing Body for Motor Sport affiliated to the FIA, with the full support and cooperation of the Association of Northern Ireland Car Clubs (ANICC) and Motorsport Ireland, the FIA-affiliated Governing Body for Motor Sport for the Republic of Ireland.

Who is supporting the events?

The HERO Irish Trial and Tour will have the strong support of leading public agencies and Irish product companies north and south of the border, led by the Northern Ireland Events Company.

How experienced do I need to be?

You do not need any previous competition experience to take part in the Trial. If this is your first competitive event, you won't necessarily win a prize (although beginners often do), but you will not be out of your depth and you will have a great time!

You do not need a special competition licence. You must be a member of HERO to take part, but if you are not a member already, we enrol you automatically and at no extra cost when you enter the event. Your HERO membership card is recognised by the MSA as a competition licence valid for this category of rally.

A beginners' briefing and training day will be held in the English Midlands during January or February 2005, and there will be briefing sessions and a practice run at the Start on Sunday 17 April.

Any licensed driver may take part in the Tour.

Is my car suitable?

Most postwar cars, from small saloons to fast sports cars, are suitable for either event. Prewar sports cars or reasonably well performing saloons are also fine – they have a shorter route and an easier time schedule on the Trial – but very slow old cars will struggle.

For the Trial, cars must be made before 31 December 1974, and be of correct period specification. Modifications are allowed, so long as similarly modifed cars existed in period. HERO produce a detailed set of guidelines on permitted modifications – see our website www.hero.org.uk Selected later cars of particular interest may be accepted for the Tour.

For the Reliability Trial, cars will be divided into half a dozen Age Categories, from 1920s to 1970s, and each of these will be split into Classes. You compete primarily against other cars in your Class or Age Category. The Tour has no class divisions.

Important note

Both events, but especially the Trial, are long, and demand that your car be in first class mechanical condition. Prepare it thoroughly, paying particular attention to the suspension and the electrics. Power and handling are less important than robustness and reliability.

The event takes place wholly on surfaced roads, but Irish asphalt – especially on the minor roads through the best scenery – are frequently undulating or bumpy. We have cut out the worst sections, but you will still need to make sure that your suspension is strong.

If your car is low, you may need to increase your ground clearance, or else drive slowly over the bumps.

What will it cost?

The entry fee for a crew of two is GBP 3,050 until 30 September 2004; GBP 3,200 from 1 October to 31 December 2004; and GBP 3,450 from 1 January 2005. This will include rally participation, seven nights accommodation, social events and other event paraphernalia. Please see Article 7.1 of the ASRs, which accompany this brochure, for a full list.

What will the hotels be like?

The event uses some of Ireland's finest four and five star hotels; see the attached itinerary, and check them out on the Internet. The entry fee includes bed and breakfast for two, sharing a twin or double room, and dinner in the hotel or an evening out every night.

What insurance cover will I need?

You must have third party car insurance cover valid for this event - show the Regulations to your insurer, pointing out that a Reliability Trial is NOT a speed or special stage rally. We also advise you to have comprehensive car cover if possible; travel insurance (check if your credit card provides this); personal accident and medical cover; and a vehicle recovery package from a motoring organisation.

What emergency support do HERO provide?

At least two sweeper vehicles will follow the event. Each will be crewed by a skilled mechanic, with tools and other light equipment, and by a doctor or paramedic, with an emergency medical kit.

At overnight halts, we will where possible arrange for local motor traders to stay open, to provide workshop facilities, tyre repairs and replacements, etc.

How do I get there and back?

The event is timed to allow continental participants to leave home on Friday 15 April and catch a night ferry from Rotterdam or Zeebrugge to Hull; drive the 230 miles (372 km) to Holyhead - under four hours, as it is now 100% on motorway or expressway; then take a high speed ferry to Dun Laoghaire or Dublin, arriving late Saturday afternoon.

Alternatively, you can catch a Saturday daytime sailing to Harwich (349mi/562km) or Dover (360mi/580km), drive across England and Wales (6-7 hours either way), and take a ferry to Dublin on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

UK crews can easily get to Dublin during Saturday 16 April, or take a fast ferry on the Sunday morning.

Hotel accommodation at Citywest is available at special rates for the night of Saturday 16 April, and for as long as you want before that. Why not arrive early and see Dublin?

Getting home is equally easy. If you want to take the same route back via Dublin, make an early start and it's quick to drive the 104 miles (167km) from Belfast in time for high-speed ferries to Holyhead from Dun Laoghaire at 11:10 (Stena; arr 12:50) or Dublin at 12:15 (Irish Ferries; arr 14:04). Continental participants can then catch the Sunday night boat from Hull to Rotterdam or Zeebrugge.

Or you can take the Stena high speed ferry from Belfast city centre at 07:40, arriving Stranraer at 09:15. It's then a drive of 158 miles (254km/3-4hr) to Newcastle, for night ferries to Zeebrugge, Kristiansand and Gothenburg; or 259 miles (417km/5-6hr) to Hull, for the Rotterdam and Zeebrugge boats. Stranraer is 496mi/798km (8-10hr) from Dover, so it's possible to get there in time for a Sunday evening ferry or Shuttle train. Whichever way they go, Continental visitors can be back on shore Sunday night or early Monday morning.

If you want to extend your stay in Belfast, or return to one of the other rally hotels for a short holiday, special rally hotel rates are available.

Special deals on ferries will be available. The above ferry times are based on 2004 schedules, and may be subject to amendment.

How do I enter?

Return the entry form to HERO with the balance of the full fee due at that date (this will be refunded in full if your entry is not accepted).