I am often asked the question 'what is the secret of the success of the Moffat Car Rally?' I think the fact that so many people, from the Moffat community, businesses, right through to our financial sponsers, have wanted to see this event enjoy continued success and the event has been built up on that basis.

The Chairman's Reflection

It is sometimes said that many good ideas are formed from a relaxed mind and that is exactly how the Moffat Rally came to be.

Driving home in my Hillman Convertible on a glorious sunny afternoon after having attended an excellent Hillman event near York in 1997, the idea came to mind to organise a major Classic Car Rally in my own region. Moffat stood out as the perfect choice.

My wife alison and I had for three years been organising a Rootes Club event at our home near Dumfries for between 20 to 30 cars.

through our car club, the Scottish Rootes Enthusiasts, The Moffat Car Rally was born and the inaugural event was held in 1998.

I am delighted to say that we still have entrants who have been at each event since.

The hospitality shown from the Moffat community to all our visitors is exceptional. From my point of view as the organiser, the biggest bonus to me is in having an excellent team from our team and the voluntary sector performing over the weekend, making sure things run smoothly.

Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council have given exceptional financial support to this event over the years and I am delighted that the figures shown from a survey we conducted in partnership with Visit Scotland (Dumfries) from the 2005 event justify the level of support given.

2007 will be the tenth birthday of the Rally and to celebrate the occasion we are 'taking to the air'. Plans are currently being discussed for the production of a DVD / Video for this years Rally weekend with filming by helicopter and ground crews on the Saturday run and ground crews on the Sunday. The film will have voice over content. This promises to be a really spectacular film.

There is no other event in the UK mainland that can offer such a spectacular scene with over 300 classic cars on the road at one timein such lovely scenery. 'Hartbeat' producers take note.

Many thanks to all entrants for their continued support and to others from all other areas who help make it such a great event.

Chairman - Gordon Bisset