Left: The Porsche 911 of Jake van Beest & Thijs van Berckel entertains the enthusiastic local onlookers.

Day 1 - Opatija to Zagreb
There was a good feeling on Saturday in Opatija as Marathon crews were scrutineered on the picturesque harbour side - the Croatian equivalent of Monte-Carlo. This new starting place for the Marathon was perhaps further than people were used to driving so many cars had been brought here by transporter, whilst crews flew into Ljubljana airport. Another option used was the motorail service from Germany to nearby Rijeka.

Even at this early stage the sweep crew mechanics were kept busy sorting out problems that had developed on route. The Rolls-Royce of Tony and Bella Covill had started to overheat and the head gasket was suspected as being the most likely cause, they did start the event but had the dubious honour of being the first retirement, less than an hour out of Opatija. However, in true Marathon spirit the car has been put onto the transporter and a hire car sourced so they can still enjoy the route and camaraderie that has developed over many years.

Marathon newcomers Allison and Peter Cotes in a Lotus Elan were having problems with rough running but it was discovered that the float had broken off in the carburettor body - this was soon repaired and smooth running restored. Fellow newcomers Nigel and Virginia Batchelor - Bentley Tourer were also in trouble - new springs had been ordered for the magneto but when they arrived it was found the wrong ones had been sent. A repair has been made and the correct springs ordered so hopefully they can keep going until the new springs arrive.

Barry Emons and Arnold Relou from Holland also took early retirement, this was first time out for Arnold and it was whilst helping out with the map reading that Barry misjudged a corner and the car left the road. The crew were uninjured but it will be a while before we see this TR4 out again.

The HQ for the F van Lanschot sponsored event was the newly refurbished Hotel Bristol and all competitors were very complimentary about the standard of the hotel and in particular the friendliness and co operation shown by the staff.

The heavens opened as the start was being set up but by the time the diminutive Austin Seven of Roger Gourd and Terry Davies led the event off the sun had come out - good job too as the event was being filmed by three different national TV companies - better watch out for it on satellite television!

The event started off with a couple of regularities before having lunch at the Motel Roganac in Duga Resa. The owner of the Motel is an old car enthusiast - he also runs the local radio station and the combination of these factors brought out the largest crowd seen yet to watch a Classic Marathon test. The local old car enthusiasts and casual onlookers were amazed to see the cars being hurled around the emptied car park. It's quite possible that future events of the local old timer club will include tests now they know what can be done. Needless to say the lunch laid on after the test was quite superb but there was a gentle afternoon run to allow the food to settle before another test was undertaken in Zagreb. This was at the Spansko Karting Circuit - this type of "natural" test is much enjoyed by the drivers as there is a minimum number of cones to worry about hitting or more often going the wrong side of!

From Spansko it was a short run to the Four Points Panorama hotel where tales of the day were related over dinner and a glass or two of refreshment.

Your scribe missed out on this, he was still on the wrong side of the Croatian border having a little difficulty with Customs. It seems that the Customs Officers considered that the Polo Shirts being presented by F van Lanschot were too generous a gift and that it was more likely that I was smuggling them in to be sold. Despite being shown all the rally paraphernalia in the van they could not be convinced so I tried a couple more crossing points before giving up and leaving the shirts in Slovenia. When I eventually returned to the original border crossing I was pounced upon and ordered to empty the whole van - they did not believe I had left them behind, thinking that I had hidden the items in the competitor's luggage. As they went through bag after bag you could see their frustration mounting as they failed to find anything so they reluctantly conceded defeat and I was allowed on my way. If you find yourself crossing into Croatia have a look out for the Customs Officers wearing Emerald Isle fleeces and give them my regards.....

Day 2 - Zagreb to Sarajevo
It was an early start out of Zagreb to try and miss the worst of the morning traffic. First test was at another Kart Circuit, this one at Micevec is owned the Croatian ASN so is effectively the national circuit. All crews successfully completed the test and then did a regularity section before crossing the border. It was on the approach to this border that the first real signs of the recent wars can be seen with mine signs and shell damaged buildings an increasingly common sight. There was a certain nervousness around the breakfast table as the usual scare stories were doing the rounds but careful pre planning and advance notices to the border crossings meant that progress through was rapid. A short gravel section preceded the lunch halt at Banja Luka - the Stari Mlin restaurant is set overlooking the river and as the sun was shining crews were able to dine on the terrace.

The afternoon section had further regularity sections but unfortunately due to some emergency cable repairs the planned test for the end of the day finale had to be cancelled.

Roy Williams and John Bayliss have retired in their Lagonda LG45, the stub axle broke and temporary repairs could not be made. The car has now been put on a transporter whilst Roy and John will rejoin us shortly in the Hertz class. John related a story of how when the wheel came off it initially rolled up the hill but on the basis of what goes up must come down it rolled back and damaged the front of the car.

Still leading the Clubmen section after 2 days of rallying are John and Nicky Walsh in the 1955 Triumph TR2. They have a 21 second lead over brothers Klaus-Uwe and Hans-Guenter Schaffrath in an Alfa Romeo Giulia. In the past they have done the Masters section but are finding that the Clubmen section is more relaxed whilst still retaining a good number of competitive sections. Third in the category is Jake van Beest and Thijs van Berckel, both are from our sponsoring bank F van Lanschot Bankiers.

In the Masters Category the lead has been taken by Richard Prosser and Andy Gibson in a Reliant Scimitar, their lead is just one second from the Mercedes-Benz SL of Paul Merryweather and Dave Wilson.

Lisa Lankes and Willy Cave, Austin Healey 3000 are just two more seconds away so there is no room for error. Keeping up the British Sports car line up in fourth place is Marc Tipping and Tony Jolly just five seconds away from the leader.

HQ this evening is the Holiday Inn in Sarajevo, built initially for the Winter Olympics it has been refurbished in recent years - they must have over ordered on the Olympic crockery though as they are still using it up!

On arrival we have been greeted by local press, they are all keen to hear how competitors are enjoying their time in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the process of building up a tourism infrastructure, mainly based on activity and winter ski holidays so any positive comments from International visitors is highly welcomed.

Day 3 - Sarajevo to Gradac
Crews received a good send off from Sarajevo with the local Old Timer Club presenting all crews with a couple of caps. It was then straight off to do a regularity section and a couple of tests before a run down to Mostar for lunch and time to walk around the town and view the famous old bridge.

The first test of the morning was run at the car park for the Olympic bob sleigh run, sadly the run is no longer in use due to damage sustained in the conflict. Fastest on this test was.........in the Clubmen Class and .... In the Masters Class. After this another test was added to replace a regularity section that had to be cancelled due to a landslide.

In the afternoon there was further regularities and a test at the new kart circuit in Ljubuski - this circuit is owned by the president of the National Motor Sports authority in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the test was greatly enjoyed by the competitors and there were a couple of special awards for fastest times on the test. These were divided into pre 1950 which went to the Bentley of Paul Carter and Robert Ellis whilst the post 1950 award went to Jayne Wignall and Kevin Savage in a Sunbeam Tiger.

The leader board is very close with two crews on equal first and two on equal third - and only 2 seconds separate the positions so further changes are likely tomorrow, it goes all the way down to 17th place before there is more than a minute difference. The penalty structure of the event has been revised to try and keep more crews in contention for the length of the event and it seems that the strategy may be paying off.

The sweep crews have been kept busy all day - Chris Oakley and Lisa Hanson - Volvo 122S have now had their alternator replaced and are hoping for a trouble free time - they lost over an hour on the first day with a breakdown.

At the night halt in Gradac Ted and Judy Howles - Reliant Scimitar were searching for somebody to weld a cracked wheel whilst fellow West Country residents Paul and Matt Heal - MGB GT had been to have a puncture repaired. It's a big week for Paul this week - his car number will give you a clue! Let's hope these first time Marathon competitors have something to celebrate by the end of the week. Meanwhile, the sweep crew were working late into the night trying to repair a broken spring on Paul Carter's Bentley Le Mans. At the time of writing it was not obvious whether a repair could be made in situ or the spring removed and welded - there are still three days to go....

In the Clubmen section the lead is still held by John and Nicky Walsh but Jake van Beest and Thijs van Berckel are closing slightly. Jake and Thijs are both on their first rally and look likely to take the Novice award.

Early leaders Robert Harley and Trina Walsh - Bentley 4.5 Le Mans are back up into eighth place - however the Bentley was leaking petrol tonight so some repairs may be required before they go too far tomorrow.

Tonight's halt in the Dalmatian resort of Gradac was likened to a Saga holiday trip - it had been a struggle to find anywhere willing to take the group for a one night booking in a resort used to week long bookings so standards had to slip slightly from the usual four star hotels but all had a bed and meal and entered into the spirit. Tomorrow we are heading back North to Opatija and the luxury of the Hotel Bristol.

Day 4 - Gradac to Opatija
The longest day of the event has been and gone and it's a tired but happy group that are exploring the bars of Opatija - returning back "mid week" is quite unusual but seems to have been a popular move as it eases the tension of trying to find your way in and out of town. For most night halts the route notes have been supplemented by tulips and town plans so there have been no problems with finding the hotel - patience is often in short supply by the end of the day so finding the hotel has to be made as simple as possible.

Two more cars have suffered mechanical maladies - Robert Harley's Bentley has broken a half shaft so that's now on a transporter. Herman Maas thinks that he has blown a head gasket on his Renault Dauphine but he does have a spare and as this is being written the sweep crews are working to try and change it. Hopefully no lasting damage has been caused and they'll be back in the running.

There are lots of movements in the leader board today and the lead has now been taken by Marc Tipping and Tony Jolly - MGB. They have a ten second lead over Andrew Newman and Mike Hope - Ford Lotus Cortina, had the latter pairing not received a maximum on a regularity the positions would have been reversed, with two days to go there is scope for movement yet.

It's still very close at the top with just 25 seconds covering first to eighth place.

Further down the field late entries Jan Pearce and John Heffer are currently in 24th place but looking to move up on the last two days of competition, Jan has been competing for many years and was one of the pioneers of historic rallying. Just one place behind them is the Austin A40 of David Bull and Angela Riley. David was seeking a new radiator cap at breakfast time to try and cure the water loss they are experiencing - both David and your scribe were treated to a lesson on short and long radiator caps by Peter Banham over a bowl of cornflakes - David and Angela are safely here in Opatija so presumably Peter had one of the correct type available - following on from this my next question to Peter will be to find out if you get metric and imperial sizes!

On the social side a generous lunch was served at the Bistro Braja in Sveti Rok whilst earlier in the morning the local press had been busy interviewing competitors at the Hotel Sv Milhovil in Trilj. It's many years since a Classic Marathon has attracted this level of local and national interest.

The finale of the day was a special test and Regularity Consistency test held on the Grobnik circuit. Gordon Phillips decided to try and get as many penalties as possible by exceeding the permitted speed and doing additional laps. Competitors are now getting very good at these and two crews only got a one second penalty, one of them being the flying Dutch lady Lisa Lankes, accompanied by our Rally School teacher Willy Cave proving that he knows how to put his theories into practice.

Our FIA Observer - Lamberto Jardim is from Madeira and he has brought along two colleagues from the Madeira Classic Rally to see how differently we run our events. Also joining us for the final day will be Peter Novosad from the Slovak Republic - they are thinking of running a historic regularity rally and I do believe that our local assistance club in Croatia may also do an event in the future.

On Thursday we cross into Slovenia and hope to be greeted by our local helper Ferdo. He has secured all the appropriate permissions for us and secured a finish venue in the centre of Ljubljana. The scribe will no doubt have his usual problems at the border but assuming he can get out of Croatia it's quite possible the famous polo shirts will end up on the competitors for the final day.

Day 5 - Opatija to Ljubljana
After completing the circuit regularity test at the nearby Grobnik circuit crews returned back to Opatija and the luxury of the Hotel Bristol. The cars were once again parked overnight on the scenic harbour side and it was in glorious sunshine that crews left here in the morning for the run into Slovenia.

At the border we said our goodbyes to our Croatian colleagues from AK Delta - Slaven Dedic and Mladen Vesil. However, we were then welcomed by Ferdo Poberznik who worked with us in Slovenia providing all the appropriate permissions. There has been an unequalled level of local support throughout the event.

Before the day had even started the Reliant Scimitar of Ted and Judy Howles was in trouble with a leaking clutch slave cylinder. Luckily Ted had packed a repair kit so the Fowkes / Inskip sweep crew got stuck in and the Howles were able to continue with not too much of a time penalty.

Once the crews had received the usual swift passage across the border they were into a regularity section, the first of six to be run that day - the only day of the event that did not have any driving tests. Five crews in the Masters were clean on this section including first time Rick van de Haar in his Simca 1000 Coupe - not only is this the first time we have had this type of car entered into a Marathon but as far as I am aware it is the first time we have a Son and Mother team entered - Rick's Mum being the Swiss based Dutch journalist Regine Hansche. In the Clubmen Category it was another family effort as brothers Klaus-Uwe and Hans-Guenter Schaffrath were the best. This regularity led crews to the spectacular Predjama Castle for a coffee halt. Another two regularities followed before the lunch halt in Bovec, many of the villages came out to see the cars parked in the town square and continued the spirit of welcome that had pervaded throughout the week.

After lunch it was a very relaxed non competitive drive across the magnificent Vrsic (Moistrocca) pass. Competition numbers had to be covered as this area is normally out of bounds to rallies. The scenic run was terminated with a coffee halt at Lake Bled.

Another three regularities remained to be run so there was no time to relax but tulips were provided for the run into Ljubljana and with onsite parking at the luxurious Grand Union hotel it was no time before the bar was buzzing with crews enthralled by the fantastic Slovenian scenery.

At the end of the day Andrew Newman and Mike Hope - Ford Lotus Cortina had moved up into the lead, 17 seconds clear of Malcolm Pickering, into place was the Jaguar XK120 of Stan Williams and Tony Davies. Former leaders Marc Tipping and Tony Jolly had dropped back to fourth but with less than a minute covering first to ninth positions there was plenty of scope for positions to change on the final day.

In the Clubmen category long time leaders John and Nicky Walsh retained their lead and look unlikely to be overtaken unless mechanical maladies strike....

Day 6 - Ljubljana to Ljubljana
The final day was here and there is still potential for many changes in the leader board.

The morning out control went smoothly and thanks to the generosity of fellow TR driver James Warner, Clubmen leader John Walsh was able to get his oil topped up.

It was a short but busy day with four regularities and two tests - both at the CPL Ring Circuit in Logatec.

Andrew Newman was slightly nervous in the early stages of the day - he had been leading the Winter Challenge earlier this year when he left the road and memories of this were still fresh! As a measure of just how good many crews are becoming on regularities we had fifteen masters crews penalty free on the first regularity. Perhaps it's time to consider dropping the one second tolerance currently allowed.

This section ended at the fabulous Slovenia Technical Museum at Bistra, so good was this museum that several crews talked of going back on Saturday after the event finished to have another look. The Clubmen had longer here as they omitted the first regularity.

From here it was a sort run to the CPL Ring at Logatec and the first test of the day taking in part of the rallycross circuit and also the kart circuit. This new venue - the main Motorsport venue in Slovenia is part circuit and part industrial estate and features several tight bends with no run off areas. These were avoided for the Marathon and nobody came to harm on any of the tests throughout the week. Fastest on this test was the Sunbeam Tiger of Jayne Wignall and Kevin Savage but close behind was novice competitor Jake Van Beest in his Porsche 911 - Jake went on to take 2nd overall in the Clubmen category. Crews return to the 'Ring for the final test of the event but a further three regularities remained plus of course a lunch halt - there is nothing worse than a hungry rally driver!

On the second regularity there was only one clean sheet - the Porsche 911 of Jon Edward and Des Wood. Best in the Clubmen category was Bentley driven by the son and father team of James and Gordon Phillips - they had been running in convoy all week with the Austin Seven Ulster of Roger Gourd and Terry Davies - for this David and Goliath effort the crews were jointly awarded the Spirit of the Rally Award.

On the third regularity it was yet another crew - this time the Bentley of John Abel and Stephen Bradley that got the clean sheet and helped them on their way to fifth overall in the Masters - this is an excellent position for a Vintage car as no concessions are made in the speeds they are expected to average.

On the fourth and final regularity it was the Morgan of David Cook and John Topham who had the clean sheet accompanied by eventual third place crew Richard Prosser and Andy Gibson. Also clean was Paul Merryweather and Dave Wilson who'd had the roof down on their Mercedes all week - they are both so tall I am not sure they'd fit in if the roof was up!

Swift work by Results Officer Chris Bruce meant that provisional results were produced in time to have champagne spraying as the cars crossed the finish line in the picturesque Kongess Square in Ljubljana, partially closed for the finale of the 17th Classic Marathon.

It had been a tremendous week and thoroughly enjoyed by all competitors - the mix of competition and classic driving roads mixed in with stunning scenery and an unmatched welcome will be remembered for many years.