Holme Moss 100

I don’t know why I like the Holme Moss 100 but I think it has a lot to do with the people.

As an event it is as informal as it gets, there are no rules, just turn up, sign on, pay the entry fee (for charity) and off you go. This is a celebration event, there are no prizes for the fastest or the loudest or for best Donut. Each owner honours the pioneering drivers of 1923 by taking their own car up the same incline on (almost) the same route.

The cars are an unusual collection of vintage, historic, classic and even modern vehicles. Where else would you see a modern rally prepared fiesta alongside a car built in the early 1900’s.

This was my second time at the event and it started at a very respectable 10am. We took the lotus over the tops to Holme where marshals guide you to the assembly field. There you can peruse the other cars at your leisure with owners only too willing to chat.

Once signed on, you can set off in your car whenever you want. There is no specific start time and you can venture up the hill as many times as you like. The landscape is typical West Yorkshire with drystone walls and rolling moorlands. The road climbs to 1 719 feet with spectacular twists and turns. Of course all driving is within the legal limits but you can’t help but imagine how much fun it would be as a closed road event (sadly not possible).

At the top of the hill is a car park where you get your certificate signed. Also gathered here (despite a strong wind) are entrants continuing to share their tales of daring do’s.

Whilst parked up at the top a young couple arrived in a very nice Mercedese. They came over to ask me what was going on as they had seen all the cars. I explained to them the background of the event and then he asked about my car (1968 Lotus Elan). They couldn’t get over how small the car was and were shocked to hear about the lack of modern creature comforts and safety features.

The man was quite taken with a TR4a that had just arrived. I told him it was a Triumph and he said he had never heard of that brand. That came as a bit of a shock but in many ways that is why we go to events, to keep the brands alive . He seemed interested to know more so I gave him my website and hopefully we might have another convert.

That’s it for another year (it seems to have become an annual event now) but if you fancy it then you should join their facebook page which will share the details when they are available.

Finally thanks to all the marshals, organisers and the people of Holme Moss for tolerating us.