2007 Britballrun Event Summary 

Reporter: Natalie Hough
Day 1

At 7am on Saturday 25th August 2007 all was quiet at Gaydon Motor Museum. The sun was shining brightly on what promised to be the start of a thrilling Bank Holiday Weekend.

It was Day 1, that’s right my friends… The start of BRITBALLRUN 2007!

By 7:30am the car park started to fill with a magnificent array of machines, polished and raring to go. The Britballrun entrants gathered in anticipation on the Gaydon Motor Museum forecourt awaiting instruction from Batman. Confusion arose amongst the drivers as his trusty sidekick Robin was no where to be seen, whilst inside, navigators were receiving their briefing from organisers Dan and Pete… who strangely resembled Robin.

Armed with a navigation pack containing 7 numbered envelopes, a memory test for navigators, Walkie Talkies, BBR egg and a line by line instruction to the first control point (Worcester), the teams were safely released in one minute intervals at 08:30am.

As the teams arrived at Worcester woods, Batman revealed the next clue, unlocking the destination of the next control point. Whilst navigators constructed the shortest route to the highest village in central Wales, Llangurig, Spiderman made his first appearance.

The remainder of the route on Day 1 consisted of several control points taking them via Aberystwyth onto the West coast of Wales to the jewel of Cardigan Bay, Aberaeron. The route then followed through the Brecon’s to Hereford and onto the final destinations for day 1 which was Solihull.

The day’s route consisted of A-roads through some of the most beautiful Welsh scenery however it wasn’t just the sheep and hills turning heads. Reports have since come in that a couple of Randy Revs were running round reciting the bible to a Smart couple dressed in Top Hat and Tails, the Flintstones were spotted outside a house in Aberaeron and a couple of 1940’s RAF Pilots were spotted getting friendly with the locals… No, not the sheep. Meanwhile a statement has also been released that a mini adventure swept through the lands and a KillerViral was on the tail of all the Britball team entrants.

Within each control point throughout Day 1, teams discovered the clues to the next numbered envelope revealing more exciting tasks. Not only was it about navigation but the event required skill, memory, observation and imagination. Team spirit was exceptionally high with all entrants returning with stories of the days actions. Day 1 was considered victorious!

The majority of teams had managed to keep their BBR egg safe in a hibernated state under high levels of security however the Vicars egg reached a devastating end on Day 1 when it was tragically cracked on the boot of their Holy Lotus Esprit. Sadly there was no way they could save it and the devastating moment was caught on camera.

As the entrants tucked into a fabulous 3 course meal, the event organisers Dan, Pete and Andy regrouped totalling the team scores for the day to assess the leader board before calling upon anxious navigators for their memory test.

Whilst everyone relaxed, caught up and conferred strategies employed on Day 1 the final scores came in and astonishingly only 2 points (1 Mile) hung in the balance.

Day 2

8am and not a cloud in the sky, it looked to be another fantastic day!

Entrants were treated to a full English breakfast to prepare them for the 300 miles ahead. Teams were fully loaded and raring to go as they prepared on the line up.

Teams were provided with Day 2 navigation pack consisting of 7 envelopes, tracing paper, a piece of chalk and their trusty Walkie Talkie’s for communication with other Britballrun entrants. A moment of madness erupted as team Scenic left the starting line and Spiderman was smuggled into the back of the people carrier quicker than anyone could say ‘Peter Parker’!

Organiser Pete released the teams safely at one minute intervals and by 9:30am all cars had been launched with yet another exciting day ahead of them with the first control point taking them to Cambridge. Whilst at this destination the local’s were treated to a feast of characters, Beautiful cars and an appearance from Jake and Elwood driving the Blues Mobile (AC Cobra). The Britballrun teams not only hunted for their next clue but spent some time fund raising for their chosen charities. It was a fantastic sight to witness and there was a real sense of belonging within the event.

From historic Cambridge the teams were instructed to navigate to the east coast, Kings Lynn, then onto Peterborough taking a visit to Cathedral Square. The next control point was Leicester where entrants by-passed a local Cinema and Bingo Hall for shopping items before visiting Walker Stadium which revealed the clue for the final envelope and end venue in Warwick.

By now the route had taken the entrants a tremendous figure-of-eight around the Midlands from West Coast to East. Throughout the hunt teams were challenged to the max uncovering Treasure items which required careful thought and imagination to reduce their point scores (mileage covered).

The entrants were given time to freshen up and settle in before tucking into a 3 course Carvery Meal which by all accounts was worth the wait (wink)

The evening was rounded off with a masterfully orchestrated prank by the Randy Revs consisting of well designed wheel clamps and lots of fake fixed penalty notices. It was at this moment that Glamourpuss team member Paul was singing praise of the event that he realised he had been clamped. Needless to say the devastations on his face was a real treat!

This was then followed by a Britballrun gathering on the car park for a Disco courtesy of Rob and Dorris’s EVO Neon’s. Day 2 was truly outstanding, could they honestly raise the bar for Day 3 of Britballrun.

Day 3

Need I say it… Beautiful Blue skies all round.

Following a hearty breakfast team members gathered in the briefing room as a test was compiled to challenge their observation, memory and General knowledge as yet more points were up for grabs.

After organisers calculated quiz results they announced the team positions. The results were astounding. After 2 days, 8 check points, 2 countries and approximately 600 miles there was only 15 points separating the leaders (7.5 miles). All was to play for as event organisers upped the stakes and announced the final day’s challenge. Based around navigation and observation teams had to undertake yet another line by line instruction, however this time points had increased and there was 30 instructions for the teams to follow. The journey would take approximately 3 hours.

As the teams lined up for the final day of Britballrun 2007 departed safely at one minute intervals. Team Jamie (AKA Pimps Daddy’s Jit &Nidi) followed the instructions however didn’t realise the instructions were double sided and went from step 6 to 26!!! (We did forget to put PTO on the first sheet though!).

The 350z (Paul 7 Sarah) drove beautifully in unison with the Bat mobile as the line by line journey proceeded through the most stunning areas of the Cotswolds and middle England.

After another flamboyant entrance by Adi & Jim (RAF Pilots Porgie & Algie) the only entrants left to arrive where Team Jamie. By 1 o’clock everyone was wondering were they had got to only to arrive a few minutes later and embarrassingly tell everyone why. The final results and award ceremony took place where entrants where treated to a hot buffet, free drinks.

The Britballrun 2007 was an outstanding success with entrants raising money for various charities (over £10,000), making new friends and leaving with plenty of stories to tell. Roll on Britballrun 2008!!!!

Congratulations to entrants who all entered into the full spirit of the event and hope to see you all next year!

The final standings for Britballrun 2007 are as follows
1. Chris & Paul (KillerViral) in a SMART Roadster.
2. Garry and Mary (Flintstones) in a Lotus Esprit S4.
3. Paul and Sarah (350z Owners Club) in a Nissan 350z

The link below will take you to Photographs taken at the end venue, kindly provided by Mr Dave Higgin. 2007 End venue Pics