The John Clegg Mini Miglia Tour 2019 (Scroll down for the entry list and code board scores)

Supported by Therma-Clad

As in recent years, the 2019 John Clegg Mini Miglia Tour started from the NWA Auction site at Crooklands (just off J36 of the M6.)  A Touring Assembly of 135 miles was planned over classic road rally routes.  By popular request, the finish whold be at Banny's Fish & Chip Restaurant by Boundary Mill in Colne. 

Many hours of strong winds and heavy rain before and during the event caused the Clerk of Course to call an end to proceedings at the Fat Lamb lunch halt when the course opening car was unable to find a safe route to the finish.

The John Clegg Mini Miglia 2019 from the Course Car.

In the weeks running up to the event and bearing in mind the ‘Beast’ from last year, we were worried about the possibility of snow on the higher parts of the route. However, the day before the event the detailed area forecast was for wind, rain and possibly some early fog, but no snow or ice.

The morning run from Crooklands went well, plenty of running and standing water on the roads and the odd deeper stretch. After we put out the first code board, my feet were wet from water running down the road. By the time we had placed the 9th or 10th board, we were both soaked through and very glad of the roaring fire which awaited at the Fat Lamb. The only serious concern had been the height of the river in Ravenstonedale which was very near to overrunning its banks.

Leaving the Fat Lamb we soon came across the first deep flood on the B road running south from Kirkby Stephen - we got through, but clearly couldn’t expect the entrants to follow suit, so contacted the CoC and advised a reroute down the A683 and across the A684 to rejoin the planned route near Garsdale Head station.

When we arrived at the rejoin point, someone coming down from Dent station told us Dentdale was impassable. Once again we contacted the CoC and advised the reroute should continue along the A684 into Hawes and then run south to Ingleton via the B road. We only traveled a mile or so along the 684 towards Hawes before coming across another impassable flood.

Turning back, we decided to try the road over from Garsdale to Cowgill and to then turn left to try to reach the Ingleton B road. From Cowgill the road runs alongside and then bridges the river, which we could see was a torrent. After crossing the bridge we had to drive upstream through the river which had overflowed. Clearly another no go for the tour.

By the time we reached the B road into Ingleton and had a phone signal, the CoC had already advised crews to head for the finish along the major roads. A sensible decision - the rain was still heavy and waterfalls had appeared on the hills where we’ve never seen them before. Alongside the A65 huge areas of land were under water and it’s likely that our route around Wray, Slaidburn and Downham would have been difficult if not impassable.

For those who made it to the finish, we were delighted to see you there. For those who didn’t, we’re sorry that the conditions got the better of us but we did our best to find you a safe re-route. CoC Steve Warrington will be in touch.

Photos from the tour are in the Gallery