One of the North’s cherished old motoring events for veteran masters of the road is set to return for its long-awaited 50th running in mid-June.

The Beamish Safety and Reliability Trial, more commonly known as the Beamish Run, will be staged again on mainly rural roads in the North Pennines, on Sunday June 18, following a four-year Covid-caused hiatus.

Featuring scores of lovingly-preserved vehicles, all manufactured pre-1956, the event is considered among the longest established and toughest regular events for old cars, motorcycles and light commercials in the country.

Organisers, from the North of England Club for Pre-War Austins (NECPWA), describe it as, “no Sunday spin out for old museum pieces”.

Read more: Back on the road again for 49th Beamish Run

Most of the participating vehicles take part in events around the year and some remain in use as a daily mode of transport.

Although most of the original owners are no longer with us, they are now driven by enthusiasts paying homage to what is considered the hey-day of the pioneering era of motoring.

The Beamish Run itself is a recreation of the safety and reliability trials of the inter-war years, and it has now run longer than the original events, having been revived in 1970-71 and only halted recently by Covid and the lull in the post-pandemic years.

Its now well-established route takes in 155 miles to incorporate as many of the original roads used in the old trials.

But the loss of Stanhope Ford, on health and safety grounds, in recent years still rankles with many veterans of the event.

Lead organiser George Jolley said pre-event planning is in “full swing”, but as ever, fingers are crossed that it is blessed with good weather in its traditional staging on the third Sunday of June

Starting and finishing at Beamish Museum events field, it passes through Iveston, Wolsingham, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, the Stang Hill and Arkengarthdale, with the familiar one-hour lunch stop per vehicle on Bainbridge village green, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Askrigg, Muker, Silver Hill, Tan Hill, Brough, Romaldkirk, Bollihope Quarry, Crawleyside, Waskerley and Lanchester are all on the return route to Beamish.

Read more: Scheduled 50th Beamish Run for vintage vehicles is now cancelled

Vehicles set off at one-minute intervals between 8.30am and 10.30am, with the first finishers expected back at Beamish from 4pm onwards.

A team of 85 marshals volunteering from motor clubs across the region will operate along the route, and specifically at nine checkpoints, which are also considered good viewing points.

Read next:

* In Pictures: Vintage cars make annual 150-mile Beamish Run

* Pictures: Veterans of the road tackle the Beamish Run

* Pictures: Vintage vehicles tackle Beamish Run

There is a new ‘flash sale’ running from today until the end of the month (31st).

The sale offer is £2 for 2 months (monthly) or save 20% and pay £63.20 annually.

Click here

Participants gather points on tests at the various checkpoints and from the lunch-time stop quiz, with deductions for Highway Code violations.

Prizes are up for grabs in various categories, but commemorative enamel lapel badges and date bars are presented to finishers and non-finishers alike.

Late entries can still be made via brtrail2023@gmail.com, or by ringing George or Sarah Jolley, on 0191-537 1147.