Historic rallying: HERO to take over ERA events

By Lizzie Pope
News
 | 1 Aug 2018
Classic & Sports Car – Historic rallying: HERO to take over ERA events

There's big news in the world of historic rallying today, as the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation (HERO) and the Endurance Rally Association (ERA) have revealed that HERO is to take over the ERA's events.

Established in 1988 by the late Philip Young, the ERA has run around 60 epic automotive adventures in over 50 countries, including the Flying Scotsman, the Baltic Classic, the Blue Team Challenge, the Road to Saigon and the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. 

The ERA is a pioneer in cross-continental, long-distance endurance rallies and the future of its popular, globally respected events looks set to be assured and in safe hands following this announcement.

Classic & Sports Car – Historic rallying: HERO to take over ERA events

Enjoying the ERA's inaugural Blue Team Challenge

"For the ERA, it has been a fantastic journey over almost 30 years, and I would like to thank everyone involved in the ERA’s success to date, the brainchild of Philip and his many colleagues," said ERA Director Jane Young.

"HERO enthusiastically shares our passion and values and runs great events recognised for their quality and they are our choice to bear Philip’s mantle, to build on his efforts and to aspire to his dreams.

"We are passing the baton to an organisation that will deliver events to the very highest standards, preserving the ERA’s spirit and building on its success.”

Both organisations are now working together to ensure a seamless handover and if you've signed up for a forthcoming ERA event, rest assured it will still run as planned.

Classic & Sports Car – Historic rallying: HERO to take over ERA events

A Pagoda tackles this year's Trans-America Challange

HERO will now run over 25 rallies across the world, around 12 each year, some long, some short, for cars of all ages and for experienced crews as well as those new to the sport.

Tomas de Vargas Machuca, HERO's Chairman, added: "Our approach can best be described as 'for enthusiasts, by enthusiasts' and there have been no greater enthusiasts than Philip Young and his colleagues at [the] ERA. Philip was, and still is, a revered figure, and we are proud to be taking on the ERA’s portfolio of events.

"For HERO, this represents a significant expansion of our activities, especially longer-distance endurance events, for which [the] ERA has long been a market leader and innovator. We will nurture and build on these for many years to come for the benefit of the historic motoring community as a whole.”